Kanazawa [2017]

Kanazawa is not a household name to travelers outside of Japan, but for those willing to take a detour, Kanazawa offers well-preserved, classical Japanese sights without the crowds. What surprised me the most on this trip was Kenroku-en, one of Japan's "Three Great Gardens". It was so nice, we went twice.

Nov 2017

© Kevin Yao, 2026

The road leading into Kanazawa Castle.

The road leading into Kanazawa Castle. (1 of 14)

Kanazawa Castle. The surrounding foliage screamed fall.

Kanazawa Castle. The surrounding foliage screamed fall. (2 of 14)

Kenroku-en is one of Japan's Three Great Gardens. We had a wonderful time here.

Kenroku-en is one of Japan's Three Great Gardens. We had a wonderful time here. (3 of 14)

Looking for fall foliage.

Looking for fall foliage. (4 of 14)

Intentionally placed rock with moss growing on it.

Intentionally placed rock with moss growing on it. (5 of 14)

It got quite wet at Kenroku-en while we were there.

It got quite wet at Kenroku-en while we were there. (6 of 14)

Roots and moss.

Roots and moss. (7 of 14)

The red leaves provided a nice pop of contrast amidst the greens.

The red leaves provided a nice pop of contrast amidst the greens. (8 of 14)

Kanazawa Castle through the leaves.

Kanazawa Castle through the leaves. (9 of 14)

Even though it was running at Higashi Chaya, there were still plenty of people out and about. The rain also added some nice dark tones to the traditional houses.

Even though it was running at Higashi Chaya, there were still plenty of people out and about. The rain also added some nice dark tones to the traditional houses. (10 of 14)

A neat little alleyway. The little potted plants add a nice touch next to the gutters.

A neat little alleyway. The little potted plants add a nice touch next to the gutters. (11 of 14)

We were treated to a little show outside of our hotel window. It's always interesting to see rain in sunlight.

We were treated to a little show outside of our hotel window. It's always interesting to see rain in sunlight. (12 of 14)

We loved Kenroku-en so much, we went again. The vendors were closed so early in the morning though.

We loved Kenroku-en so much, we went again. The vendors were closed so early in the morning though. (13 of 14)

The leaves fanned out here with a gradient of colors.

The leaves fanned out here with a gradient of colors. (14 of 14)

The road leading into Kanazawa Castle.
Kanazawa Castle. The surrounding foliage screamed fall.
Kenroku-en is one of Japan's Three Great Gardens. We had a wonderful time here.
Looking for fall foliage.
Intentionally placed rock with moss growing on it.
It got quite wet at Kenroku-en while we were there.
Roots and moss.
The red leaves provided a nice pop of contrast amidst the greens.
Kanazawa Castle through the leaves.
Even though it was running at Higashi Chaya, there were still plenty of people out and about. The rain also added some nice dark tones to the traditional houses.
A neat little alleyway. The little potted plants add a nice touch next to the gutters.
We were treated to a little show outside of our hotel window. It's always interesting to see rain in sunlight.
We loved Kenroku-en so much, we went again. The vendors were closed so early in the morning though.
The leaves fanned out here with a gradient of colors.