Weird & Unusual Attractions in Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan

All Topics about Kanazawa All Cities in Japan

1. Kenrokuen Garden

A beautiful garden with a blend of Japanese and Western landscapes, featuring unique plants and historical structures.

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE: One of the oldest landscaped gardens in Japan, dating back to the 17th century.
UNIQUE PLANTS: Features over a thousand trees and plants, including the famous Ginkgo Biloba tree.
HISTORICAL ARCHITECTURE: Includes structures like Kanrojutei and Yukkeien, reflecting Japanese architecture through the ages.

A well-preserved castle that offers a glimpse into feudal Japan's architecture and culture.

HISTORICALLY PRESERVED: One of the few remaining original castles in Japan.
KOMA-KAIRI WALLPAPER: Features intricate gold and silver leafed wallpaper, showcasing the skill of Kanazawa's artisans.
NIGHT VIEWING TERRACE: Offers a stunning view of Kanazawa city at night from its elevated position.

A museum dedicated to the art of gold leaf crafting, featuring demonstrations and exhibits.

ARTISAN DEMONSTRATIONS: Provides live demonstrations of gold leaf crafting by skilled artisans.
EXHIBITS AND COLLECTIONS: Showcases various gold leaf artworks, including historical pieces and contemporary designs.
GOLD LEAF WORKSHOPS: Offers workshops for visitors to try their hand at gold leaf crafting.

A tea house with a unique octagonal design, offering traditional Japanese matcha tea and sweets.

TRADITIONAL ARCHITECTURE: Octagonal tea house built in the Momoyama style, a blend of Japanese and Western architectural influences.
TEA CEREMONY EXPERIENCE: Participate in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony for an authentic cultural experience.
ORIGINAL KAISEKI MEALS: Enjoy original kaiseki meals, a multi-course traditional Japanese dinner.

A modern train station with a stunning glass art installation by Chihuly Studio.

GALLERY IN TRAIN STATION: Features the largest public display of Dale Chihuly's artwork outside of the United States.
LARGEST GLASS SCULPTURES: Includes some of Chihuly's largest sculptures, such as the Crystal Tower and Seafoam Tower.
INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCE: Offers interactive elements for visitors to engage with the artwork, such as viewing tunnels and observation decks.

A workshop where you can learn about the traditional Kaga-Yuzen dyeing technique and create your own designs.

ARTISAN TECHNIQUE: Learn about the intricate silk-dyeing method, a traditional craft of Kanazawa.
DESIGN AND DYE YOUR OWN: Design your own pattern and create a unique silk item using the Kaga-Yuzen technique.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: Gain insight into the history of this traditional art form, dating back to the Edo period.

A historic district with preserved samurai residences and traditional merchant houses.

FEUDAL JAPANESE ARCHITECTURE: Features well-preserved samurai and merchant homes, showcasing the architecture of feudal Japan.
HISTORIC RESTAURANTS: Discover traditional restaurants serving regional cuisine in historic buildings.
SELF-GUIDED TOURS: Explore the district at your own pace with self-guided tour maps available.

A festival celebrating the blooming of plum trees, featuring food stalls, performances, and marketplaces.

PLUM TREES IN BLOOM: Enjoy thousands of plum trees in full bloom, creating a beautiful sight.
FOOD STALLS AND MARKETPLACES: Sample traditional Japanese snacks and local delicacies at food stalls and marketplaces.
ENTERTAINMENT AND ACTIVITIES: Experience traditional music, dance performances, and cultural activities during the festival.

A museum dedicated to ninjas, featuring exhibits on their history, tools, and techniques.

NINJA HISTORY AND CULTURE: Learn about the history, culture, and daily life of ninjas in feudal Japan.
DISPLAY OF NINJA TOOLS: See a collection of ninja weapons, tools, and disguises used for espionage and combat.
NINJA TRICKS AND DEMONSTRATIONS: Watch live demonstrations of ninja tricks, such as escape techniques, weapon use, and stealth maneuvers.

A temple hidden behind a nondescript door, known for its secret rooms and ninja-inspired architecture.

SECRET ROOMS AND TUNNELS: Explore the temple's secret rooms, trap doors, and underground tunnels.
NINJA-INSPIRED ARCHITECTURE: Discover the temple's unique architecture designed for self-defense and concealment.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: Learn about the temple's history, which dates back to the Edo period.

A natural wetland area with over 250 bird species and a variety of other wildlife.

BIRDWATCHING OPPORTUNITIES: Observe over 250 different bird species, including the rare Siberian crane.
WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY: Capture photos of various wildlife, such as deer, otters, and red foxes.
NATURE WALKS AND BOAT TOURS: Explore the wetlands on foot or by boat for a closer look at the wildlife and scenery.

A sewage treatment plant that offers tours and a unique insight into waste management.

SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT: Learn about Kanazawa's innovative solid waste management system.
WATER RECYCLING FACILITY: Discover how the city recycles water for reuse in farming and industrial purposes.
ECO-FRIENDLY INITIATIVES: See how Kanazawa is working towards becoming a more eco-friendly city.

A museum dedicated to the traditional Kutani ware porcelain, featuring exhibits and workshops.

TRADITIONAL PORCELAIN CRAFTING: Learn about the history and techniques of Kutani ware, a traditional Japanese porcelain.
EXHIBITS AND COLLECTIONS: See various artworks, historical pieces, and contemporary designs made from Kutani ware.
WORKSHOPS AND DEMONSTRATIONS: Create your own Kutani ware item or watch a live demonstration of the crafting process.

A museum showcasing modern and contemporary art from Japan and around the world.

MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY ART: Discover artwork from Japanese artists as well as international artists.
PERMANENT AND TEMPORARY EXHIBITS: Enjoy both permanent and temporary exhibitions featuring various art mediums.
SPECIAL EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES: Participate in workshops, lectures, and other special events related to the art on display.

A cafe where you can relax and play with friendly cats while enjoying a cup of coffee.

CAT PLAY AREAS: Interact with the cafe's friendly cats in designated play areas.
COFFEE AND TEA: Enjoy a variety of hot and cold beverages, including coffee and tea.
CAT ADOPTION PROGRAMS: Adopt a new feline friend or learn about the cafe's cat adoption programs.