Kanazawa Guide

As a local guide in Kanazawa, I’ve walked this route many times with my guests. If you only have one day, this is the route I recommend. It covers the city’s must-see spots while making the most of your time. The Best Kanazawa 1 Day Route Start your day at Kenrokuen Garden, then walk to […]

If you love running, Kanazawa is one of the most enjoyable cities to explore on foot. Kanazawa is not too big, not too crowded, and not too rural, just the right size for runners. How Running Changed My Life I love running. I’ve been running for more than 20 years. Except during the snowy season, […]

The other day, one of my guests asked me a very interesting question.“Hey Yuka, do you see any differences in personality depending on where people are from in Japan?”She seemed to be just as interested in people as in traditional places, and I was very happy about that. Exploring Japan’s Local Characters When you visit […]

When I was younger, Kenrokuen Garden didn’t interest me much. I visited it only once a year during cherry blossom season. No entry fee is required during that season, and that was the only time I went to Kenrokuen Garden. To be honest, when I was young, it just felt like a quiet garden with […]

People often say, “Kanazawa is like little Kyoto.” Yes, both cities have beautiful traditional buildings and a rich history. But there is an important difference.The biggest difference is between “Emperor culture” and “Samurai culture.” Emperor Kyoto vs Samurai Kanazawa Kyoto is the city of the Emperor. It was the capital of Japan for over 1,000 […]

I’ve always loved reading. My dad was a huge book lover, and our home was filled with books. As a child, I often picked something from his shelves and discovered a new novel or author. For me, it felt just like having a library at home. In Kanazawa, there are three city libraries, Tamagawa, Izumino, […]

Kanazawa is on the coast of the Sea of Japan. When I say, “Winter here is cold and snowy,” many people from overseas reply, “Well, but it’s not like Hokkaido, right? Kanazawa is much further south.” That’s true when it comes to temperature. Kanazawa is warmer than Hokkaido. But Hokuriku area (Niigata, Toyama, and Ishikawa) […]

Why Visit Kanazawa in 2026 Kanazawa was once the second-richest domain in Japan during the Edo period. Since then, traditional crafts and performing arts have flourished and been carefully passed down to the present generation. Because the city didn’t experience large-scale destruction during wars, many narrow streets and old buildings still remain. Walking through Kanazawa […]

I’ve been living in Kanazawa for more than 25 years. During this time, I raised three children, founded a non-profit organization to support young parents with access to local information, and started my own business as a web designer. These experiences taught me a lot, but I still discover new things about this city even […]