{"id":79140,"date":"2021-03-13T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-03-13T01:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?p=79140"},"modified":"2021-03-12T20:00:13","modified_gmt":"2021-03-12T11:00:13","slug":"discover-kanazawa-samurai-japan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/discover-kanazawa-samurai-japan\/","title":{"rendered":"Discover Kanazawa, a Samurai Town near the Japanese Alps"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The city of Kanazawa<\/strong> (\u91d1\u6ca2\u5e02), bordering the Sea of Japan<\/strong>, is a place where old and new harmoniously co-exist. During the Edo period, Kanazawa was home to one of the greatest ruling clans in Japan, the Maeda,<\/strong> whose samurai warriors quickly expanded the city, and many reminders of that time can still be seen today. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kanazawa, in the foothills of the mighty Japanese Alps, makes an ideal excursion when visiting the bustling ski resorts of Nagano<\/a><\/strong>, about an hour away from Nagano city and surrounding attractions<\/a> on the Hokuriku Shinkansen bullet train<\/a>, and gives visitors a taste of Japan’s history. Here, Japanese appreciation of nature takes on a greater meaning, where the breathtaking scenery will certainly captivate your imagination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many of the attractions in Kanazawa are located around Castle Park<\/strong>, just a short walk from JR Kanazawa station, but further transportation options are detailed at the end of this article.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Listen to the Trees in Kanazawa\u2019s Kenrokuen Garden<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Situated around the outer gates of Kanazawa Castle Park<\/strong>, Kenrokuen Garden<\/strong><\/a> (\u517c\u516d\u5712) is regarded as one of the top three landscaped gardens in Japan<\/strong>, alongside Kairakuen Garden<\/em> in Mito and Korakuen Garden<\/em> in Okayama. Its central location in the heart of the city makes it a must for any visitor to Kanazawa. The original garden is thought to have been built in the 1670s, but part<\/strong> of it was destroyed by fire before being rebuilt in 1774. Kenrokuen\u2019s 10 hectares of beautiful, landscaped gardens are truly interactive, a space to experience rather than simply view from a distance. As visitors walk around, their senses are heightened by the smell of 160 different species of plants<\/strong> and the sounds of birds rustling in the garden\u2019s 8,200 trees. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Kotoji-t\u014dr\u014d stone lantern on the edge of Kusumiga Pond<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Classic points of interest include the Kotoji-t\u014dr\u014d stone lantern<\/strong> with two legs that sits on the edge of Kusumiga<\/strong> Pond<\/strong>, the garden\u2019s largest pond at 5,800 square meters. On the various traditional wooden bridges such as Hanami-bashi<\/strong>, or flower-viewing bridge, you can admire the surrounding flora at any time of year, but particularly during the spring sakura<\/em> cherry blossom season. <\/p>\n\n\n\n