Kanazawa on foot

Slip on your comfy shoes because Kanazawa is simply made for strolling. The routes are mostly flat, devoid of the crazy bustle of the big cities, and plenty to amuse the senses.

Our full day in Kanazawa lead us to the following major sites:

Higashiyama Higashi Chaya District – Wonderful piece of old-era history that’s well preseved. You feel as if you’re walking around a film set of a samurai movie. Plenty of cute souvenir stores and things to eat around the area. Gold leaf is a speciality once again!
21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa – This was smaller than expected but a good part of the museum is free. All the Instagrammers line up for the famed ‘The Swimming Pool’ by Leandro Elrich.
Kenroku-en – Known as one of the top three traditional Japanese gardens in the country. I’m no horticulturalist and the heat was testing so I was more inclined to seek salvage in the shaded parts than bake myself in the hot sun to soak in all the beauty. Go early or very late instead!

But I found the ‘scenery’ outside the tourist attractions just as compelling!

There’s no better way to cap off a long day of walking with a relaxing meal. We happened to be within walking distance to upscale izakaya that was English friendly called Fuwari. I discovered later it was on the Michelin Gourmand list which explains its popularity with tourists.

Thankfully it did not disappoint, from the creative dishes like block-shaped bream sushi topped with herbs and pickled daikon, to the impeccable quality of the local sashimi paired with sake. The finale was a charcoal grilled rice ball immersed in a smoky dashi stock that warms the soul like a warm hug. Farewell Kanazawa.