Kanazawa, the capital of Ishikawa Prefecture, is a fantastic destination for travelers interested in exploring Japan's rich culture and history. Often nicknamed "little Kyoto," the city is easy to access from Tokyo in around two and a half hours via the Hokuriku Shinkansen.
National Geographic recently released their Best of the World 2025 compilation covering some of the top travel destinations to check out over the coming year, and Kanazawa was one of the spots featured on the list. The Nat Geo team praised the city as somewhere you can get a taste of authentic Japan, with some standout destinations and experiences mentioned.
The Higashi Chaya area was one of them, offered as an alternative to Kyoto's Gion district. This part of Kanazawa has a stunning, step-back-in-time Edo Period atmosphere, with historic wooden buildings featuring everything from traditional teahouses to museums and sweets stores – one of the best known is Hakuichi, which is famous for selling gold leaf-topped soft serve ice creams.
On that point of gold leaf, Kanazawa is Japan's leading producer of it – statistics say it's around 98% of the country's gold leaf total. You can take part in a variety of different hands-on gold leaf crafting experiences in the city, or shop for gold leaf souvenirs. It's even incorporated into things like face masks and hand creams for a luxurious and unique self-care experience.
Kanazawa is also home to one of Japan's best gardens, Kenrokuen. Covering a sprawling space of over 25 acres, the garden has something to enjoy no matter the season you visit in.
If you're planning to visit Kanazawa, be sure to explore our article about free Wi-Fi in the city – it also contains some additional information about things to see and do.
