Kanazawa金沢
Kenroku-en – one of Japan's three most famous gardensKanazawa, capital of Ishikawa Prefecture on the Sea of Japan, was spared from wartime bombing – and so preserved a townscape lost elsewhere: a fully intact geisha district, samurai-era lanes and one of the country's three most famous gardens. The former castle town of the powerful Maeda clan grew rich on rice and craft; to this day almost all of Japan's gold leaf is made here. For the choir, Kanazawa opens the tour: four nights by the sea, rehearsals – and the first concert.
- Stay
- 23 – 27 Aug 2026 · 4 nights
- Concert
- Lunch-Time Concert · Thu 27 Aug, 12:15
- Location
- Ishikawa Prefecture, on the Sea of Japan
- Getting there
- Shinkansen: ~2.5 h from Tokyo, ~2 h from Kyoto
Highlights
Kanazawa Castle & Ishikawa-mon
The massive Ishikawa-mon gate and the reconstructed fortifications of the Maeda castle sit right next to Kenroku-en. The spacious castle park is free to enter and pairs well with the garden in a half day.
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Higashi Chaya
The loveliest of the three chaya (teahouse) districts: ochre wooden facades with fine lattices where geisha still perform today. Wandering the lanes is free; some teahouses and gold-leaf workshops are open to visitors.
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Omicho Market
For some 300 years the "kitchen of Kanazawa": over 170 stalls with snow crab, sweet shrimp and the famous nodoguro. Liveliest in the morning, and many stalls serve kaisen-don (sashimi rice bowl) to eat on the spot.
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21st Century Museum
The circular glass building by the SANAA studio is one of Japan's most visited art museums – famous for Leandro Erlich's walk-in "Swimming Pool". The park, outdoor art and community zone are free; only the special exhibitions charge admission.
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