Top Japanese Cities to Visit in 2017 – The Charm of Nature and Tradition: What Makes Kanazawa Special

▲Kanazawa Mayor Yukiyoshi Yamano.

Reported and photographed by Tsai Wen-jun, Taipei

The world’s largest travel platform, TripAdvisor, announced its list of the 50 most worthwhile cities to visit globally at the end of last year, and Kanazawa, located in Japan’s Hokuriku region, was the only Japanese city to make the cut. Having never been affected by war, Kanazawa has preserved precious traditional crafts such as Kaga Yuzen silk dyeing and gold leaf. Kanazawa Mayor Yukiyoshi Yamano stated that culture will be the focus of future tourism promotion: “We hope to attract travelers who appreciate the beauty of Kanazawa.”

Yamano said that Kanazawa retains a rich and diverse array of traditional culture. In terms of traditional crafts, these include Kaga Yuzen, gold leaf, and shikki (lacquerware). Visitors can learn about them through hands-on experiences such as wearing a kimono, making gold leaf accessories, or trying their hand at Kaga Yuzen painting. These well-preserved traditional crafts also led to Kanazawa being designated a “City of Crafts and Folk Art” by UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network (UCCN) in 2009.

▲Kenroku-en Garden, one of Japan’s Three Great Gardens.

As for attractions, sites such as Kenroku-en Garden (one of Japan’s Three Great Gardens), Higashi Chaya District, and the Nagamachi Samurai Residence Ruins all offer insight into Kanazawa’s history and culture. Yamano said that Kanazawa will focus on promoting traditional crafts to build a cultural tourism brand. He also believes this will contribute to good public safety. “No one wants to visit a place with poor security, so a safe environment can also be an attraction for tourists coming to Kanazawa.”

Regarding target demographics, Yamano frankly pointed out that the focus will be on wealthier, more affluent visitors, especially female travelers. He believes that promoting to affluent groups can create a ripple effect, attracting more visitors from the top down. Smiling, he added, “I’m not sure if it’s the same in Taiwan, but in Japan, travel destinations are often chosen by women. So we hope this promotional approach will appeal to financially capable women and inspire them to visit Kanazawa.”

Aside from traditional crafts and historic architecture, Kanazawa is also a great city for cycling. Yamano noted that there are currently 22 public bicycle rental stations across Kanazawa, with nearly every station located near famous sightseeing spots. Therefore, he highly recommends a relaxing and enjoyable bike tour around the city.