{
  "schemaVersion": 2,
  "categories": [
    {
      "id": "all",
      "label": "All discoveries"
    },
    {
      "id": "sights",
      "label": "Major sights"
    },
    {
      "id": "gardens",
      "label": "Gardens & walks"
    },
    {
      "id": "food",
      "label": "Food & markets"
    },
    {
      "id": "culture",
      "label": "Culture & museums"
    },
    {
      "id": "shopping",
      "label": "Shopping"
    },
    {
      "id": "evening",
      "label": "Evenings"
    }
  ],
  "id": "kanazawa",
  "name": "Kanazawa",
  "japaneseName": "金沢",
  "title": "Kanazawa, at your own pace.",
  "checked": "2026-10-23",
  "publication": "published",
  "filmId": null,
  "intro": "A garden shaped by the seasons. Tea behind a wooden lattice, a beautiful bowl, something delicious at the market. Choose a few nearby pleasures and let Kanazawa reveal its quieter details.",
  "metaDescription": "Discover Kanazawa with 14 photographed places, six relaxed outings, interactive maps and a free day planner. Kenrokuen, teahouse streets, samurai lanes, craft, art and wonderful food.",
  "map": {
    "center": [
      36.566,
      136.657
    ],
    "zoom": 14,
    "tileUrl": "https://tile.openstreetmap.org/{z}/{x}/{y}.png",
    "attribution": "© <a href=\"https://www.openstreetmap.org/copyright\">OpenStreetMap</a> contributors",
    "maxZoom": 18
  },
  "heroImage": "kanazawa-higashi",
  "heroCaption": "Beautiful details. A day to savour.",
  "areas": [
    {
      "id": "garden",
      "label": "The garden & castle",
      "intro": "Seasonal landscapes, castle walls and a moment of calm."
    },
    {
      "id": "east",
      "label": "Higashi Chaya & the river",
      "intro": "Wooden lattices, teahouse stories and riverside lanes."
    },
    {
      "id": "market",
      "label": "Omicho & the station",
      "intro": "A delicious welcome and a striking city gateway."
    },
    {
      "id": "samurai",
      "label": "Nagamachi & Oyama",
      "intro": "Earthen walls, an intimate garden and a remarkable shrine gate."
    },
    {
      "id": "art",
      "label": "The art & museum quarter",
      "intro": "Thoughtful architecture and beautiful things made by hand."
    },
    {
      "id": "dining",
      "label": "Korinbo & Katamachi",
      "intro": "Browse in the afternoon, then stay for dinner."
    }
  ],
  "stations": [
    {
      "id": "kanazawa",
      "label": "Kanazawa · Shinkansen & local trains",
      "query": "Kanazawa Station Kenrokuen Exit 金沢駅 兼六園口"
    },
    {
      "id": "hokutetsu-kanazawa",
      "label": "Hokutetsu-Kanazawa · Asanogawa Line",
      "query": "Hokutetsu Kanazawa Station 北鉄金沢駅"
    }
  ],
  "places": [
    {
      "id": "kenrokuen",
      "name": "Kenrokuen Garden",
      "ja": "兼六園",
      "area": "garden",
      "category": [
        "sights",
        "gardens"
      ],
      "tagline": "A different garden in every season",
      "description": "Ponds, carefully shaped pines and little changes of perspective invite you to slow down. Choose a few favourite views rather than treating this great landscape garden as a checklist.",
      "lat": 36.5621,
      "lng": 136.6626,
      "minutes": [
        75,
        120
      ],
      "terrain": "Gravel paths, slopes, bridges and optional stone steps.",
      "shelter": "outdoor",
      "shortVisit": false,
      "entry": "Paid garden admission; tea extra",
      "arrival": "For the castle pairing, approach the Katsurazaka entrance from Kenrokuen-shita / Kanazawa Castle bus stop. Choose your exit for the next stop rather than retracing the whole garden.",
      "practical": "Opening times change with the season. Snow ropes are a seasonal feature, not a promise of snow. Night opening is event-specific; check the official calendar before planning an illuminated visit.",
      "address": "1 Kenroku-machi, Kanazawa",
      "query": "Kenrokuen Katsurazaka Gate 桂坂口",
      "source": "https://visitkanazawa.jp/en/attractions/detail_10106.html",
      "sourceLabel": "Official visitor information",
      "pairs": [
        "castle",
        "crafts"
      ],
      "image": "kanazawa-kenrokuen",
      "admission": "paid",
      "family": true,
      "access": "Use the official accessible route map and ask staff about gradients. A shorter pond-side visit can be more rewarding than every path.",
      "pagePath": "/explore/kanazawa/#place-kenrokuen"
    },
    {
      "id": "castle",
      "name": "Kanazawa Castle Park",
      "ja": "金沢城公園",
      "area": "garden",
      "category": [
        "sights",
        "gardens",
        "culture"
      ],
      "tagline": "White walls, generous skies",
      "description": "Explore the Maeda family’s castle grounds, reconstructed buildings and broad lawns. The pleasure lies in the craftsmanship and landscape; this is not a surviving castle keep to climb.",
      "lat": 36.5659,
      "lng": 136.6597,
      "minutes": [
        60,
        100
      ],
      "terrain": "Large park, gravel, slopes and optional steep interior stairs.",
      "shelter": "outdoor",
      "shortVisit": false,
      "entry": "Park grounds free; selected buildings charge admission",
      "arrival": "From Kenrokuen cross towards Ishikawa-mon Gate. Follow the park signs for your chosen building and exit; avoid assuming every gate is beside the garden.",
      "practical": "Check current restoration boundaries and building hours. The Ninomaru Palace reconstruction may affect parts of the park. Interior visits and scheduled illumination have their own opening arrangements.",
      "address": "1-1 Marunouchi, Kanazawa",
      "query": "Kanazawa Castle Ishikawa Gate 石川門",
      "source": "https://visitkanazawa.jp/en/attractions/detail_10060.html",
      "sourceLabel": "Official visitor information",
      "pairs": [
        "kenrokuen",
        "oyama"
      ],
      "image": "kanazawa-castle",
      "admission": "free",
      "family": true,
      "access": "Choose an accessible grounds route; historic-style interiors can have steep stairs. Ask staff before buying an interior ticket.",
      "pagePath": "/explore/kanazawa/#place-castle"
    },
    {
      "id": "higashi",
      "name": "Higashi Chaya District",
      "ja": "ひがし茶屋街",
      "area": "east",
      "category": [
        "sights",
        "shopping",
        "culture"
      ],
      "tagline": "A little beauty behind every lattice",
      "description": "Wooden-fronted streets, craft shops and cafés make this a lovely place to browse slowly. Let a small discovery—a sweet, a piece of lacquer or a cup of tea—set the pace.",
      "lat": 36.5727,
      "lng": 136.6664,
      "minutes": [
        60,
        100
      ],
      "terrain": "Narrow streets, occasional uneven paving and shop thresholds.",
      "shelter": "mixed",
      "shortVisit": true,
      "entry": "Public streets free; purchases and house visits extra",
      "arrival": "Take a bus to Hashiba-cho, then follow the signed approach across the river. This district is separate from the station and the southern dining streets.",
      "practical": "Come in daylight for shops and house interiors. Respect private entrances and photography signs; a traditional teahouse is not automatically a walk-in café.",
      "address": "Higashiyama 1-chome, Kanazawa",
      "query": "Higashi Chaya District ひがし茶屋街",
      "source": "https://visitkanazawa.jp/en/attractions/detail_10212.html",
      "sourceLabel": "Official visitor information",
      "pairs": [
        "shima",
        "kazue"
      ],
      "image": "kanazawa-higashi",
      "admission": "free",
      "family": true,
      "access": "The principal streets allow a shorter visit. Individual shops and older houses may have steps and narrow doorways.",
      "pagePath": "/explore/kanazawa/#place-higashi"
    },
    {
      "id": "shima",
      "name": "Shima teahouse",
      "ja": "志摩",
      "area": "east",
      "category": [
        "culture",
        "sights"
      ],
      "tagline": "Step inside the teahouse story",
      "description": "Preserved rooms offer a closer look at the world behind Higashi Chaya’s wooden facades. Pause over the details of the building and imagine the music and conversation it once held.",
      "lat": 36.5727,
      "lng": 136.667,
      "minutes": [
        30,
        50
      ],
      "terrain": "Traditional interior, shoes removed, thresholds and stairs.",
      "shelter": "indoor",
      "shortVisit": false,
      "entry": "Paid house admission; optional tea extra",
      "arrival": "Find Shima within Higashi Chaya’s main historic streets. Check the house entrance rather than navigating only to the district centre.",
      "practical": "Check current hours and house rules. Interior viewing does not include a live geigi performance. Follow the photography and luggage instructions.",
      "address": "1-13-21 Higashiyama, Kanazawa",
      "query": "Ochaya Shima 志摩 金沢",
      "source": "https://www.ochaya-shima.com/english/",
      "sourceLabel": "Official visitor information",
      "pairs": [
        "higashi",
        "kazue"
      ],
      "image": "kanazawa-shima",
      "admission": "paid",
      "family": true,
      "access": "Historic stairs and rooms limit step-free access. Ask the operator what can be seen comfortably before buying admission.",
      "pagePath": "/explore/kanazawa/#place-shima"
    },
    {
      "id": "kazue",
      "name": "Kazuemachi & the Asano River",
      "ja": "主計町茶屋街・浅野川",
      "area": "east",
      "category": [
        "gardens",
        "culture",
        "evening"
      ],
      "tagline": "Let the river slow the afternoon",
      "description": "A small lattice-fronted district beside the river offers a quieter companion to Higashi Chaya. Enjoy the waterside street and the changing light, with time for a seated pause.",
      "lat": 36.5726,
      "lng": 136.6638,
      "minutes": [
        30,
        60
      ],
      "terrain": "Riverside street, bridges and optional steep alley steps.",
      "shelter": "outdoor",
      "shortVisit": true,
      "entry": "Public streets free; dining extra",
      "arrival": "Walk across Asanogawa Ohashi from the Higashi side. Use the riverside approach if you want to avoid the narrow stairway alleys.",
      "practical": "Twilight is atmospheric, but many interiors are private or reservation-only. Keep voices low and do not photograph through windows. For dinner, confirm a restaurant rather than assuming every lit doorway welcomes walk-ins.",
      "address": "Kazuemachi, Kanazawa",
      "query": "Kazuemachi Chaya District 主計町茶屋街",
      "source": "https://visitkanazawa.jp/en/attractions/detail_52358.html",
      "sourceLabel": "Official visitor information",
      "pairs": [
        "higashi",
        "omicho"
      ],
      "image": "kanazawa-kazue",
      "admission": "free",
      "family": true,
      "access": "Use the principal riverside street; skip Kuragari-zaka and Akari-zaka stairs if they do not suit you. Wet paving needs care.",
      "pagePath": "/explore/kanazawa/#place-kazue"
    },
    {
      "id": "omicho",
      "name": "Omicho Market",
      "ja": "近江町市場",
      "area": "market",
      "category": [
        "food",
        "shopping"
      ],
      "tagline": "Make lunch part of discovering Kanazawa",
      "description": "Seafood, vegetables and lively food counters give the city’s kitchen its character. Compare a few menus, choose a proper seat and give your meal the time it deserves.",
      "lat": 36.5713,
      "lng": 136.6555,
      "minutes": [
        60,
        100
      ],
      "terrain": "Busy covered aisles, wet floors, shop steps and queues.",
      "shelter": "mixed",
      "shortVisit": true,
      "entry": "Market browsing free; meals and purchases extra",
      "arrival": "Use Musashigatsuji / Omicho Market bus stop. Enter the covered market from the signed street entrances; the pin marks the market area, not a restaurant reservation.",
      "practical": "Best treated as a daytime visit. Shop schedules vary and some close on Wednesdays or holidays. Ask the seller where eating is permitted; avoid eating while walking through crowded aisles.",
      "address": "50 Kamiomicho and surrounding streets, Kanazawa",
      "query": "Omicho Market 近江町市場",
      "source": "https://visitkanazawa.jp/en/restaurants/detail_10030.html",
      "sourceLabel": "Official visitor information",
      "pairs": [
        "station",
        "higashi"
      ],
      "image": "kanazawa-omicho",
      "admission": "free",
      "family": true,
      "access": "Choose wider aisles and an accessible seated restaurant. Busy times, queues and wet floors can make a short visit easier.",
      "pagePath": "/explore/kanazawa/#place-omicho"
    },
    {
      "id": "nagamachi",
      "name": "Nagamachi Samurai District",
      "ja": "長町武家屋敷跡",
      "area": "samurai",
      "category": [
        "culture",
        "gardens",
        "sights"
      ],
      "tagline": "Follow the walls into another rhythm",
      "description": "Earthen walls, canals and narrow lanes preserve the feel of an older castle town. Wander a modest circuit and let the small details make the visit, with a house or café as a welcoming pause.",
      "lat": 36.5634,
      "lng": 136.6494,
      "minutes": [
        45,
        75
      ],
      "terrain": "Mostly gentle streets, narrow sections and uneven paving.",
      "shelter": "outdoor",
      "shortVisit": true,
      "entry": "Public streets free; individual houses charge separately",
      "arrival": "Approach from Korinbo, then follow signs to the samurai district and Nomura residence. Do not confuse the neighbourhood walk with entry to every private house.",
      "practical": "This is a living neighbourhood. Stay on public lanes, respect gates and allow residents to pass. Houses and small shops are best visited during the day.",
      "address": "Nagamachi 1-chome, Kanazawa",
      "query": "Nagamachi Samurai District 長町武家屋敷跡",
      "source": "https://visitkanazawa.jp/en/attractions/detail_10195.html",
      "sourceLabel": "Official visitor information",
      "pairs": [
        "nomura",
        "oyama"
      ],
      "image": "kanazawa-nagamachi",
      "admission": "free",
      "family": true,
      "access": "Keep to a short route through the principal lanes. Traditional building thresholds and narrow pavements vary.",
      "pagePath": "/explore/kanazawa/#place-nagamachi"
    },
    {
      "id": "nomura",
      "name": "Nomura Samurai Residence",
      "ja": "武家屋敷跡 野村家",
      "area": "samurai",
      "category": [
        "culture",
        "gardens"
      ],
      "tagline": "A garden on an intimate scale",
      "description": "A traditional house and carefully composed garden turn the samurai district into a more personal story. Sit with the view for a moment and notice how much beauty fits into a small space.",
      "lat": 36.5633,
      "lng": 136.6487,
      "minutes": [
        35,
        60
      ],
      "terrain": "Historic rooms, shoes removed, thresholds and optional stairs.",
      "shelter": "mixed",
      "shortVisit": false,
      "entry": "Paid house admission; tea may cost extra",
      "arrival": "Follow Nagamachi signs to the house entrance on the lane. Pair with the surrounding streets rather than a distant museum across the city.",
      "practical": "Hours shorten in winter and holiday closures apply. Check the current schedule and photography instructions. Allow time to appreciate the garden from the house.",
      "address": "1-3-32 Nagamachi, Kanazawa",
      "query": "Nomura Samurai Residence 野村家",
      "source": "https://visitkanazawa.jp/en/attractions/detail_50073.html",
      "sourceLabel": "Official visitor information",
      "pairs": [
        "nagamachi",
        "oyama"
      ],
      "image": "kanazawa-nomura",
      "admission": "paid",
      "family": true,
      "access": "Traditional access includes changes of level. Ask staff about the ground-floor visit and seating; do not assume the upper tea room is accessible.",
      "pagePath": "/explore/kanazawa/#place-nomura"
    },
    {
      "id": "oyama",
      "name": "Oyama Shrine",
      "ja": "尾山神社",
      "area": "samurai",
      "category": [
        "sights",
        "gardens",
        "culture"
      ],
      "tagline": "A gateway worth looking up for",
      "description": "Its distinctive gate brings an unexpected architectural flourish to the castle town. Beyond it, enjoy the shrine grounds and a small garden pause before returning to the city streets.",
      "lat": 36.5664,
      "lng": 136.6551,
      "minutes": [
        30,
        50
      ],
      "terrain": "Gate steps, garden paths and changes of level.",
      "shelter": "outdoor",
      "shortVisit": true,
      "entry": "Shrine grounds free",
      "arrival": "Approach from Minami-cho / Oyama Shrine bus stop. Follow local signs for the gentler access route if the main gate steps do not suit you.",
      "practical": "A working shrine: worship and ceremonies take priority. View the gate from the ground; this is not a tower-climbing attraction.",
      "address": "11-1 Oyamamachi, Kanazawa",
      "query": "Oyama Shrine 尾山神社",
      "source": "https://visitkanazawa.jp/en/attractions/detail_50021.html",
      "sourceLabel": "Official visitor information",
      "pairs": [
        "nagamachi",
        "castle"
      ],
      "image": "kanazawa-oyama",
      "admission": "free",
      "family": true,
      "access": "The main gateway has steps. Consult the visitor access information for an alternative approach and choose only comfortable garden paths.",
      "pagePath": "/explore/kanazawa/#place-oyama"
    },
    {
      "id": "art21",
      "name": "21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art",
      "ja": "金沢21世紀美術館",
      "area": "art",
      "category": [
        "culture",
        "sights"
      ],
      "tagline": "See the city with fresh eyes",
      "description": "Glass walls and contemporary art bring a different mood to Kanazawa’s historic centre. Choose an exhibition that interests you and leave time to enjoy the architecture itself.",
      "lat": 36.5609,
      "lng": 136.6584,
      "minutes": [
        75,
        120
      ],
      "terrain": "Modern galleries with outdoor approaches and lawn areas.",
      "shelter": "indoor",
      "shortVisit": false,
      "entry": "Exhibition tickets vary; some public areas free",
      "arrival": "Use Hirosaka / 21st Century Museum bus stop. Check your exhibition entrance and any timed reservation before joining a queue.",
      "practical": "Exhibition-zone Monday closures normally apply, with holiday exceptions. Scheduled full closure: 6 May 2027–March 2028. The Swimming Pool has separate access arrangements; an ordinary visit does not guarantee entry below the water.",
      "address": "1-2-1 Hirosaka, Kanazawa",
      "query": "21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art Kanazawa",
      "source": "https://www.kanazawa21.jp/data_list.php?d=5&g=7",
      "sourceLabel": "Official visitor information",
      "pairs": [
        "suzuki",
        "crafts"
      ],
      "image": "kanazawa-art21",
      "admission": "paid",
      "family": true,
      "access": "Modern access includes lifts and accessible toilets. Check any individual installation’s restrictions and the official floor map.",
      "pagePath": "/explore/kanazawa/#place-art21"
    },
    {
      "id": "suzuki",
      "name": "D.T. Suzuki Museum",
      "ja": "鈴木大拙館",
      "area": "art",
      "category": [
        "culture",
        "gardens"
      ],
      "tagline": "A little space to think",
      "description": "Quiet architecture, water and a place to sit invite a reflective visit to the world of Buddhist thinker Daisetsu Teitaro Suzuki. Enjoy a change of pace rather than expecting a large collection of exhibits.",
      "lat": 36.557816,
      "lng": 136.661221,
      "minutes": [
        45,
        75
      ],
      "terrain": "Modern interior and outdoor water garden; sloping approaches nearby.",
      "shelter": "indoor",
      "shortVisit": false,
      "entry": "Paid museum admission",
      "arrival": "Use Honda-machi or walk from the Hirosaka area on public streets. The wooded paths can be optional; choose the street approach in wet weather.",
      "practical": "Normally closed Mondays, with holiday substitutions and exhibition-change closures. Preserve the quiet atmosphere; check the current visitor guidance before travelling.",
      "address": "3-4-20 Honda-machi, Kanazawa",
      "query": "D T Suzuki Museum 鈴木大拙館",
      "source": "https://visitkanazawa.jp/en/attractions/detail_10156.html",
      "sourceLabel": "Official visitor information",
      "pairs": [
        "art21",
        "crafts"
      ],
      "image": "kanazawa-suzuki",
      "admission": "paid",
      "family": true,
      "access": "Use the museum’s accessible approach and ask about seating. Outdoor connecting paths can have slopes or steps; indoor time is a good shorter choice.",
      "pagePath": "/explore/kanazawa/#place-suzuki"
    },
    {
      "id": "crafts",
      "name": "National Crafts Museum",
      "ja": "国立工芸館",
      "area": "art",
      "category": [
        "culture",
        "shopping"
      ],
      "tagline": "Discover what a beautiful object can hold",
      "description": "Ceramics, lacquer, textiles and design invite a closer look at the skill behind Japanese craft. Let the current exhibition introduce you to a few materials and makers, then carry that curiosity into the city’s shops.",
      "lat": 36.559057,
      "lng": 136.661704,
      "minutes": [
        60,
        100
      ],
      "terrain": "Indoor galleries with sloping outdoor approaches.",
      "shelter": "indoor",
      "shortVisit": false,
      "entry": "Paid exhibition admission; prices vary",
      "arrival": "From Kenrokuen use the Kodatsuno or Zuishinzaka side; otherwise approach from Hirosaka / 21st Century Museum bus stop. Expect an uphill section.",
      "practical": "Normally 09:30–17:30, last entry 17:00. Monday or following-weekday closures, exhibition changes and New Year closures apply. Check which exhibition is on before setting out.",
      "address": "3-2 Dewa-machi, Kanazawa",
      "query": "National Crafts Museum Kanazawa 国立工芸館",
      "source": "https://visitkanazawa.jp/en/spot/detail_50488.html",
      "sourceLabel": "Official visitor information",
      "pairs": [
        "suzuki",
        "kenrokuen"
      ],
      "image": "kanazawa-crafts",
      "admission": "paid",
      "family": true,
      "access": "Accessible entrances, lifts and toilets are listed by the tourism authority. A taxi to the entrance can shorten the uphill approach.",
      "pagePath": "/explore/kanazawa/#place-crafts"
    },
    {
      "id": "katamachi",
      "name": "Korinbo & Katamachi",
      "ja": "香林坊・片町",
      "area": "dining",
      "category": [
        "food",
        "shopping",
        "evening"
      ],
      "tagline": "Stay for a really good dinner",
      "description": "City shops give way to restaurants and evening lights around Kanazawa’s central dining streets. Choose a place that appeals, settle into a seat and make the meal a memorable part of the day.",
      "lat": 36.5604,
      "lng": 136.653,
      "minutes": [
        60,
        120
      ],
      "terrain": "Busy city pavements, crossings and varied restaurant entrances.",
      "shelter": "mixed",
      "shortVisit": true,
      "entry": "Public streets free; meals and purchases extra",
      "arrival": "Use Korinbo or Katamachi bus stops, checking the correct side for the return to Kanazawa Station. The map pin is a district orientation point.",
      "practical": "Restaurants keep individual hours and popular places may need booking. Compare menus and ask about cover charges before settling in. Plan your return bus or taxi before a long dinner.",
      "address": "Katamachi and Korinbo, Kanazawa",
      "query": "Katamachi Crossing Kanazawa 片町交差点",
      "source": "https://visitkanazawa.jp/en/trip-ideas/detail_244.html",
      "sourceLabel": "Official visitor information",
      "pairs": [
        "nagamachi",
        "art21"
      ],
      "image": "kanazawa-katamachi",
      "admission": "free",
      "family": true,
      "access": "Choose a ground-floor venue with suitable seating and toilets. Evening streets can be busy; use signal-controlled crossings.",
      "pagePath": "/explore/kanazawa/#place-katamachi"
    },
    {
      "id": "station",
      "name": "Kanazawa Station & Tsuzumi-mon",
      "ja": "金沢駅・鼓門",
      "area": "market",
      "category": [
        "sights",
        "shopping",
        "food",
        "evening"
      ],
      "tagline": "A beautiful welcome—or farewell",
      "description": "The great wooden gate and glass canopy make arriving feel like part of the visit. Enjoy the architecture, browse for a thoughtful gift and leave time for a meal before the next train.",
      "lat": 36.5781,
      "lng": 136.6484,
      "minutes": [
        30,
        60
      ],
      "terrain": "Busy station concourses, crossings and lifts between levels.",
      "shelter": "mixed",
      "shortVisit": true,
      "entry": "Public areas free; food, shops and trains extra",
      "arrival": "Use the Kenrokuen Exit, also known as the east exit, for Tsuzumi-mon and the principal sightseeing bus terminal. Hokutetsu-Kanazawa is a separate nearby station.",
      "practical": "Allow extra time for luggage and your train platform. Station shops and restaurants have individual hours; the illuminated gate makes an easy evening look before departure.",
      "address": "1-1 Kinoshinbomachi, Kanazawa",
      "query": "Kanazawa Station Tsuzumi Gate 金沢駅 鼓門",
      "source": "https://visitkanazawa.jp/en/spot/detail_10050.html",
      "sourceLabel": "Official visitor information",
      "pairs": [
        "omicho",
        "higashi"
      ],
      "image": "kanazawa-station",
      "admission": "free",
      "family": true,
      "access": "Lifts, accessible toilets and tourist information are available in the station area. Keep clear of pedestrian flows when stopping for photographs.",
      "pagePath": "/explore/kanazawa/#place-station"
    }
  ],
  "plans": [
    {
      "id": "garden-castle",
      "title": "The garden and the castle",
      "eyebrow": "A classic first day, with room to breathe",
      "image": "kanazawa-kenrokuen",
      "stops": [
        "kenrokuen",
        "castle",
        "oyama"
      ],
      "budget": 480,
      "duration": "About 8 hours",
      "mode": "transit",
      "description": "Enjoy the landscape garden properly, pause for lunch and cross into the story of the castle town. Finish at a shrine whose gate deserves a second look.",
      "note": "Allow for station connections, queues and a proper seated break. Check opening calendars for your date; times are generous planning allowances, not a timetable.",
      "pace": "Garden slopes, extensive castle grounds and optional shrine steps",
      "startStation": "kanazawa",
      "returnStation": "kanazawa",
      "arrival": "Take a bus from Kanazawa’s east-side terminal to Kenrokuen-shita / Kanazawa Castle. Start at Katsurazaka, then return towards Ishikawa-mon after the garden.",
      "meal": "Leave a seated lunch break around Kenrokuen or the castle approaches; check the chosen restaurant’s hours.",
      "shorten": "Choose Kenrokuen and lunch only, or replace the longer castle grounds circuit with a short look at Ishikawa-mon.",
      "weather": "Much of the day is outdoors. In heavy rain choose the museum outing; in snow or ice shorten the garden and use transport between districts.",
      "bestFor": "A classic first day, with room to breathe",
      "stages": [
        {
          "place": "kenrokuen",
          "note": "Choose a manageable circuit and enjoy the ponds; return towards Katsurazaka for the castle."
        },
        {
          "place": "castle",
          "note": "Cross to Ishikawa-mon, then explore selected grounds. Choose the western exit for the Oyama side."
        },
        {
          "place": "oyama",
          "note": "Finish with the gate and a short grounds visit. Use Minami-cho buses or a taxi back to the station."
        }
      ],
      "pagePath": "/explore/kanazawa/#outing-garden-castle"
    },
    {
      "id": "tea-river",
      "title": "Tea streets and the river",
      "eyebrow": "Higashi Chaya, Shima & a quieter riverside",
      "image": "kanazawa-higashi",
      "stops": [
        "higashi",
        "shima",
        "kazue"
      ],
      "budget": 300,
      "duration": "About 5 hours",
      "mode": "transit",
      "description": "Give Kanazawa’s wooden streets a leisurely half-day. Look inside one historic house, enjoy tea and cross the river for a gentler finish.",
      "note": "Allow for station connections, queues and a proper seated break. Check opening calendars for your date; times are generous planning allowances, not a timetable.",
      "pace": "Short district walks, one historic interior and optional river lanes",
      "startStation": "kanazawa",
      "returnStation": "kanazawa",
      "arrival": "Take a bus to Hashiba-cho, then walk towards Higashi Chaya. The outing includes the station approach and return.",
      "meal": "Choose a café or lunch spot in daylight; queues are possible. Leave room for a sweet and tea without making every shop a compulsory stop.",
      "shorten": "Enjoy Higashi Chaya and a café, skipping the house interior and the longer river walk.",
      "weather": "Street browsing stays outdoors between shops. In steady rain keep one house visit and café, using taxis to reduce walking.",
      "bestFor": "Higashi Chaya, Shima & a quieter riverside",
      "stages": [
        {
          "place": "higashi",
          "note": "Browse at your own pace and note any shop you want to return to."
        },
        {
          "place": "shima",
          "note": "Check stairs, admission and house rules before entering."
        },
        {
          "place": "kazue",
          "note": "Cross the river on the main bridge. Keep to public streets and return via Hashiba-cho."
        }
      ],
      "pagePath": "/explore/kanazawa/#outing-tea-river"
    },
    {
      "id": "samurai-garden",
      "title": "Behind the samurai walls",
      "eyebrow": "Nagamachi, a small garden & a shrine",
      "image": "kanazawa-nagamachi",
      "stops": [
        "nagamachi",
        "nomura",
        "oyama"
      ],
      "budget": 300,
      "duration": "About 5 hours",
      "mode": "transit",
      "description": "Discover a quieter scale of Kanazawa: earthen walls, a beautiful house garden and a shrine pause, with a good lunch along the way.",
      "note": "Allow for station connections, queues and a proper seated break. Check opening calendars for your date; times are generous planning allowances, not a timetable.",
      "pace": "Gentle lanes with traditional thresholds and optional stairs",
      "startStation": "kanazawa",
      "returnStation": "kanazawa",
      "arrival": "Take a bus to Korinbo, then walk into Nagamachi. After Nomura, use public lanes and streets towards Oyama Shrine.",
      "meal": "Plan lunch around Korinbo or a neighbourhood café. Sit down before continuing to the shrine rather than filling the break with another attraction.",
      "shorten": "Keep the district and Nomura only. For fewer thresholds, enjoy the public lanes and a suitable café instead.",
      "weather": "The lanes and house approaches are outdoors. Wet paving can be slippery; museum galleries offer a stronger heavy-rain alternative.",
      "bestFor": "Nagamachi, a small garden & a shrine",
      "stages": [
        {
          "place": "nagamachi",
          "note": "Choose a modest loop and respect private homes."
        },
        {
          "place": "nomura",
          "note": "Give the garden time; ask about ground-floor access."
        },
        {
          "place": "oyama",
          "note": "Approach by a suitable route and finish near the Minami-cho return buses."
        }
      ],
      "pagePath": "/explore/kanazawa/#outing-samurai-garden"
    },
    {
      "id": "art-craft",
      "title": "Art, craft and a quiet pause",
      "eyebrow": "Two museums, with a long lunch between",
      "image": "kanazawa-crafts",
      "stops": [
        "crafts",
        "suzuki"
      ],
      "budget": 300,
      "duration": "About 5 hours",
      "mode": "transit",
      "description": "Let beautiful materials and calm architecture shape the day. These contrasting museums reward attention, with plenty of time for lunch and the walk between them.",
      "note": "Allow for station connections, queues and a proper seated break. Check opening calendars for your date; times are generous planning allowances, not a timetable.",
      "pace": "Two indoor visits with slopes and a local street connection",
      "startStation": "kanazawa",
      "returnStation": "kanazawa",
      "arrival": "Use a bus to Hirosaka, then the public-street approach to the National Crafts Museum; a taxi can avoid the climb. Continue by public streets to Suzuki.",
      "meal": "Leave a proper lunch break in the Hirosaka or Honda-machi area. Check your choice before setting out; neither museum needs to provide the meal.",
      "shorten": "Choose one museum and a café. The 21st Century Museum is a separate alternative when open, not an extra required stop.",
      "weather": "Indoor galleries are useful in rain, but both museums have outdoor approaches. Use streets rather than slippery wooded shortcuts, or take a taxi between entrances.",
      "bestFor": "Two museums, with a long lunch between",
      "stages": [
        {
          "place": "crafts",
          "note": "Check the exhibition calendar before travelling, especially Mondays and changeover periods."
        },
        {
          "place": "suzuki",
          "note": "Slow down by the water and enjoy a seated pause. Return from Honda-machi or by taxi."
        }
      ],
      "pagePath": "/explore/kanazawa/#outing-art-craft"
    },
    {
      "id": "market-discoveries",
      "title": "A delicious welcome to Kanazawa",
      "eyebrow": "The station, market & an afternoon of browsing",
      "image": "kanazawa-omicho",
      "stops": [
        "station",
        "omicho",
        "higashi"
      ],
      "budget": 480,
      "duration": "About 8 hours",
      "mode": "transit",
      "description": "Start with the city’s memorable gateway, make lunch a highlight at the market and spend the afternoon discovering craft and tea streets.",
      "note": "Allow for station connections, queues and a proper seated break. Check opening calendars for your date; times are generous planning allowances, not a timetable.",
      "pace": "City pavements, busy market aisles and two local connections",
      "startStation": "kanazawa",
      "returnStation": "kanazawa",
      "arrival": "Begin outside the station’s Kenrokuen Exit. Take a bus to Musashigatsuji / Omicho Market, then a suitable service or an unhurried walk towards Hashiba-cho for Higashi Chaya.",
      "meal": "Choose a seated market lunch after comparing menus. Confirm ingredients and prices with staff; a seafood bowl is one option, not a requirement.",
      "shorten": "Keep the station and market as a half-day. Skip Higashi Chaya if the meal or browsing is taking longer than expected.",
      "weather": "Market cover helps with showers, but connections and Higashi Chaya remain outdoors. In persistent rain, enjoy a shorter market visit and station shopping.",
      "bestFor": "The station, market & an afternoon of browsing",
      "stages": [
        {
          "place": "station",
          "note": "Look at Tsuzumi-mon without blocking the main pedestrian route."
        },
        {
          "place": "omicho",
          "note": "Browse, sit down for lunch and allow time for queues."
        },
        {
          "place": "higashi",
          "note": "Enjoy shops and tea before they close, then return from Hashiba-cho."
        }
      ],
      "pagePath": "/explore/kanazawa/#outing-market-discoveries"
    },
    {
      "id": "afternoon-evening",
      "title": "An afternoon that becomes an evening",
      "eyebrow": "Contemporary art & a dinner worth lingering over",
      "image": "kanazawa-art21",
      "stops": [
        "art21",
        "katamachi"
      ],
      "budget": 300,
      "duration": "About 5 hours",
      "mode": "transit",
      "description": "Choose an exhibition, then let the afternoon flow into dinner. A simple combination leaves room for a good conversation and something delicious.",
      "note": "Allow for station connections, queues and a proper seated break. Check opening calendars for your date; times are generous planning allowances, not a timetable.",
      "pace": "A museum visit, city pavements and a relaxed dinner",
      "startStation": "kanazawa",
      "returnStation": "kanazawa",
      "arrival": "Take a bus to Hirosaka / 21st Century Museum. Visit during exhibition hours, then walk towards Korinbo and Katamachi using the main streets.",
      "meal": "Choose or reserve dinner in advance. Ask Fumi about local dishes, then confirm ingredients and any cover charge directly with the restaurant.",
      "shorten": "Choose dinner and a short city stroll only. During the museum’s May 2027–March 2028 closure, visit another open museum earlier or begin in Korinbo.",
      "weather": "The museum is indoors but the dining connection is outside. Use a taxi in heavy rain and choose an accessible restaurant entrance.",
      "bestFor": "Contemporary art & a dinner worth lingering over",
      "stages": [
        {
          "place": "art21",
          "note": "Check the exact exhibition calendar and separate Swimming Pool arrangements. The museum closes fully from 6 May 2027 to March 2028."
        },
        {
          "place": "katamachi",
          "note": "Compare menus, settle into a seat and check the last useful bus back to the station."
        }
      ],
      "pagePath": "/explore/kanazawa/#outing-afternoon-evening"
    }
  ],
  "evening": {
    "image": "kanazawa-kazue",
    "eyebrow": "A LITTLE LONGER IN KANAZAWA",
    "title": "Let the evening be part of the pleasure.",
    "description": "A river street at twilight, the station gate glowing after dark, or a lovely dinner around Katamachi. Leave the house interiors and market browsing for daylight, then choose your own gentle finish.",
    "category": "evening"
  },
  "planningRules": [],
  "orderingRules": [
    {
      "before": "higashi",
      "after": "shima",
      "message": "Shima sits within Higashi Chaya. Combine the house visit with the district rather than travelling away and coming back."
    },
    {
      "before": "nagamachi",
      "after": "nomura",
      "message": "Nomura is inside Nagamachi. Keep the residence visit beside your neighbourhood walk."
    }
  ],
  "essentials": [
    {
      "title": "Start on the right side of the station",
      "body": "Use Kanazawa Station’s Kenrokuen Exit for the gate and main sightseeing buses. The garden, castle and teahouse districts are separate from the station; choose your bus stop for the outing.",
      "url": "https://visitkanazawa.jp/en/getting-around-kanazawa",
      "label": "Getting around Kanazawa"
    },
    {
      "title": "Choose nearby pleasures",
      "body": "The castle and garden pair naturally; Higashi Chaya and Kazuemachi make another rewarding half-day. Do not fill every gap with a journey across the city. Use the shorter version when you want more time to sit.",
      "url": "https://visitkanazawa.jp/en/itineraries/",
      "label": "Official local itineraries"
    },
    {
      "title": "Let the calendar guide museum days",
      "body": "Museum Mondays, holiday substitutions and exhibition changes matter. The 21st Century Museum plans a full closure from 6 May 2027 to March 2028; choose the craft or Suzuki museum subject to their own calendars.",
      "url": "https://visitkanazawa.jp/en/topics/detail_466.html",
      "label": "Museum closure notice"
    },
    {
      "title": "Bring something for the weather",
      "body": "Rain can arrive in any season; winter may bring snow, slush and slippery paths. Choose footwear with grip, keep an umbrella handy and swap a long garden walk for an open gallery when conditions call for it.",
      "url": "https://visitkanazawa.jp/en/know-before-you-go/",
      "label": "Plan your visit"
    },
    {
      "title": "A little consideration opens doors",
      "body": "The historic districts are living neighbourhoods. Keep voices gentle, leave private doorways clear and follow photography signs. A preserved teahouse visit and a live geigi performance are different experiences.",
      "url": "https://visitkanazawa.jp/en/higashi",
      "label": "Enjoy Higashi Chaya thoughtfully"
    },
    {
      "title": "Make the food part of the story",
      "body": "Seafood, Kaga vegetables, sweets and local cooking all invite questions. Fumi can explain a dish and help you talk with the staff, so lunch becomes part of discovering the city. Confirm allergies and ingredients directly before ordering.",
      "url": "https://fumijapan.com/",
      "label": "Get the Fumi app"
    }
  ],
  "links": [
    {
      "label": "Japan’s railways, from the basics",
      "url": "/railway-guides/"
    },
    {
      "label": "Useful Japanese along the way",
      "url": "/japanese/"
    },
    {
      "label": "Find your next city",
      "url": "/things-to-do/"
    },
    {
      "label": "Take Fumi with you",
      "url": "https://fumijapan.com/"
    }
  ],
  "officialLinks": [
    {
      "label": "Visit Kanazawa official guide",
      "url": "https://visitkanazawa.jp/en/"
    },
    {
      "label": "Garden & castle information",
      "url": "https://www.pref.ishikawa.jp/siro-niwa/english/"
    },
    {
      "label": "21st Century Museum calendar",
      "url": "https://www.kanazawa21.jp/en/"
    },
    {
      "label": "National Crafts Museum",
      "url": "https://www.momat.go.jp/craft-museum/en"
    }
  ],
  "faq": [
    {
      "question": "What makes a good first day in Kanazawa?",
      "answer": "Choose the garden-and-castle outing for the classic sights, or Higashi Chaya and the river for a gentler half-day. Two days give you room for a market lunch, craft and samurai lanes without trying to see everything at once."
    },
    {
      "question": "Can I walk everywhere from the station?",
      "answer": "Many central sights can be combined on foot once you reach their district, but the station is separate from the garden and castle area. Use local buses or taxis to save your energy for the places you came to enjoy. Slopes and historic thresholds vary."
    },
    {
      "question": "What happens when the 21st Century Museum closes?",
      "answer": "Its scheduled full renovation closure runs from 6 May 2027 to March 2028. Choose another open museum, such as the National Crafts Museum or D.T. Suzuki Museum, and check its own calendar. The afternoon-to-evening outing can also begin with browsing around Korinbo."
    },
    {
      "question": "Is Omicho Market a good evening destination?",
      "answer": "Treat the main market as a daytime visit: individual shops and restaurants have different hours. For an evening meal, confirm a specific restaurant or choose the Katamachi area. Kazuemachi offers a quiet twilight street walk, with many interiors private or reservation-only."
    },
    {
      "question": "Can I enter every traditional teahouse?",
      "answer": "No. Some are private or require arrangements. Shima is a visitor attraction with admission and house rules; it does not automatically include a live performance. Public streets, cafés and craft shops offer a welcoming independent visit."
    },
    {
      "question": "What works well in rain?",
      "answer": "The National Crafts Museum, Suzuki Museum and the 21st Century Museum offer indoor time when open. Their connecting walks are outdoors, and all have calendars to check. A seated market lunch and station browsing can make a shorter alternative."
    },
    {
      "question": "Do I need to book through Fumi?",
      "answer": "No. The guide and day planner are free, and FumiTours receives no booking commissions. Use official links and make your own arrangements. You choose your places, pace and travel day."
    },
    {
      "question": "Can I keep my day on my phone?",
      "answer": "Yes. Save places, add stops to My day, change their order and share the day link or save a day sheet. Saved choices stay in this browser. Open the Fumi app separately and tell her the places you would like to visit."
    }
  ],
  "companionBenefits": [
    [
      "kanazawa-omicho",
      "A richer food experience",
      "Make lunch a little discovery.",
      "A market bowl, Kaga vegetables or a beautifully made sweet. Fumi can explain the dish, help you ask about ingredients and bring the local story to your table."
    ],
    [
      "kanazawa-higashi",
      "Shopping with confidence",
      "Find something with a story.",
      "A piece of lacquer, a small ceramic bowl or a lovely gift becomes more meaningful when you understand it. Fumi can help you talk with the shopkeeper about materials, use and price."
    ],
    [
      "kanazawa-kazue",
      "A real conversation",
      "Let a small encounter grow.",
      "Ask a question, share a little of home or discover what someone loves about their city. Fumi can help both sides follow the conversation, making a moment along the way feel more personal."
    ]
  ],
  "photographs": [
    {
      "id": "kanazawa-kenrokuen",
      "author": "Motokoka",
      "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kenrokuen_garden_4.jpg",
      "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0",
      "licenseUrl": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0",
      "width": 1200,
      "height": 900,
      "alt": "Pines and garden paths beside the pond at Kenrokuen"
    },
    {
      "id": "kanazawa-castle",
      "author": "663highland",
      "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:131109_Kanazawa_Castle_Kanazawa_Ishikawa_pref_Japan01s5.jpg",
      "license": "CC BY 2.5",
      "licenseUrl": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5",
      "width": 1200,
      "height": 798,
      "alt": "Reconstructed walls and turrets at Kanazawa Castle"
    },
    {
      "id": "kanazawa-higashi",
      "author": "ajari",
      "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Higashi_Chaya_District%2C_Kanazawa_-_Jul_19%2C_2011.jpg",
      "license": "CC BY 2.0",
      "licenseUrl": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0",
      "width": 1200,
      "height": 797,
      "alt": "Traditional wooden buildings in Higashi Chaya"
    },
    {
      "id": "kanazawa-omicho",
      "author": "Zacharymccune",
      "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kanazawa_fish_market.jpg",
      "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0",
      "licenseUrl": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0",
      "width": 1200,
      "height": 1800,
      "alt": "Fresh seafood at Omicho Market"
    },
    {
      "id": "kanazawa-nagamachi",
      "author": "Daderot",
      "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Street_-_Nagamachi_-_Kanazawa%2C_Japan_-_DSC00307.jpg",
      "license": "CC0",
      "licenseUrl": "http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/deed.en",
      "width": 1200,
      "height": 800,
      "alt": "Earthen walls along a narrow Nagamachi street"
    },
    {
      "id": "kanazawa-nomura",
      "author": "Daderot",
      "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Interior_-_Nomura_Samurai_Family_Residence_-_Nagamachi_-_Kanazawa%2C_Japan_-_DSC00391.jpg",
      "license": "CC0",
      "licenseUrl": "http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/deed.en",
      "width": 1200,
      "height": 800,
      "alt": "Traditional interior of Nomura Samurai Residence"
    },
    {
      "id": "kanazawa-suzuki",
      "author": "Saigawasakurabashi",
      "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:D.T.Suzuki_Museum_04.jpg",
      "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0",
      "licenseUrl": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0",
      "width": 1200,
      "height": 900,
      "alt": "Modern architecture and reflective water at D.T. Suzuki Museum"
    },
    {
      "id": "kanazawa-crafts",
      "author": "J o",
      "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:National_Crafts_Museum_in_Kanazawa_20201116-001.jpg",
      "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0",
      "licenseUrl": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0",
      "width": 1200,
      "height": 800,
      "alt": "Historic buildings housing the National Crafts Museum"
    },
    {
      "id": "kanazawa-oyama",
      "author": "Motokoka",
      "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Oyama_jinja_shrine_gate.jpg",
      "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0",
      "licenseUrl": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0",
      "width": 1200,
      "height": 900,
      "alt": "The distinctive gateway at Oyama Shrine"
    },
    {
      "id": "kanazawa-kazue",
      "author": "Okochuke",
      "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kazue_Machi_%28119970569%29.jpeg",
      "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0",
      "licenseUrl": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0",
      "width": 1200,
      "height": 900,
      "alt": "Traditional buildings in Kazuemachi at twilight"
    },
    {
      "id": "kanazawa-katamachi",
      "author": "Hirorinmasa",
      "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kanazawa_Katamachi.jpg",
      "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0",
      "licenseUrl": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0",
      "width": 1200,
      "height": 900,
      "alt": "The streets of Kanazawa’s Katamachi district"
    },
    {
      "id": "kanazawa-station",
      "author": "MaedaAkihiko",
      "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kanazawa-STA_Tsuzumi-mon.jpg",
      "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0",
      "licenseUrl": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0",
      "width": 1200,
      "height": 800,
      "alt": "Tsuzumi-mon gate at Kanazawa Station"
    },
    {
      "id": "kanazawa-shima",
      "author": "G41rn8",
      "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ochaya_Shima_%28Kanazawa%29_IMG_20161015_090502.jpg",
      "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0",
      "licenseUrl": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0",
      "width": 1200,
      "height": 900,
      "alt": "A courtyard garden viewed from inside Shima teahouse"
    },
    {
      "id": "kanazawa-art21",
      "author": "金沢市",
      "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:21st_Century_Museum_of_Contemporary_Art%2C_Kanazawa009.jpg",
      "license": "CC BY 2.1 jp",
      "licenseUrl": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.1/jp/deed.en",
      "width": 1200,
      "height": 800,
      "alt": "The glass architecture of the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art"
    }
  ],
  "pagePath": "/explore/kanazawa/",
  "catalogPath": "/assets/city-guides/kanazawa.json",
  "catalogRevision": "sha256:02b9ee816009644f49dd8792013533c1075e125f88cfb54f8db7c6222291ea73"
}