KANAZAWA CONVENTION BUREAU

Kanazawa has three tea houses districts: Higashi(East), Nishi(West) and Kazue-machi. Higashi Chaya District is the largest and still preserves an aspect of the Kanazawa of feudal times, expressing the picturesque atmosphere of the wooden lattice fronts of old geisya houses. In evening, you may have a chance to hear the sound of "Syamisen"(three-stringed Japanese banjo) from lighted houses.

Kenrokuen Garden is one of the three most beautiful Japanese landscape gardens in Japan and was awarded three stars by Michelin Guide, the world-famous tourism guidebook, in 2009. This garden has been maintained since1676 and it was the garden of the secondary residence of the feudal lord of that time. The name "Kenroku" reflects the "roku" (six) aspects of a garden in the classic sense: spaciousness, seclusion, artificiality, antiquity, abundant water, and broad views.

Kanazawa Castle has been the residential castle of the Maeda family since 1583. Despite all the castle walls apart from Ishikawa-mon Gate, were destroyed by fire in 1881, they were restored to their original form and made into a castle park in 2001. To observe inside of restoration building is available. Ishikawa-mon Gate has been designated an Important National Cultural Property by the government.

This is a monument to modern art in a city dedicated to historical art. Circular in form, with a diameter of 112.5 meters, the building has no front or back, leaving it free to be explored from all directions. This building was designed by an architectural group SANAA(Sejima and Nishizawa and Associates). They were awarded the Pritzker Prize, the highest of honors in architecture, in 2010.

Kaga region has 4 hot spring resorts: Awazu, Katayamazu, Yamashiro, and Yamanaka. Awazu has the oldest hot spring resort with 1300-year history. Katayamazu stands at lakeside where in summer fireworks take place. Yamashiro has been loved by great names such as the members of the Kaga Clan, a ceramicist and restaurateur Kitaoji Rosanjin, and a poet Yosano Akiko. Yamanaka boasts its beautiful gorge and time-honored inns along it. Each of them have its own appeals.

Nestled among a grove of cedar trees in the hills south of Komatsu City, this ancient temple, first constructed in 717, is the central temple of the local Shingon Sect. The temple was completed in 1689 and then reconstructed by the 3rd Lord of Kaga, Toshitsune Maeda, who brought it to its modern majesty. Natadera covers and area of 231,000m² and is composed of seven buildings. Some of them, such as main building and three-story pagoda, have been designated as Important cultural properties.