Ishikawa prefecture in the northwestern part of Japan’s main island might not ring a bell for international tourists. It does, however, have plenty to offer in terms of nature and history. This travel guide introduces the historical city of Kanazawa, where the beautiful Kenrokuen Japanese landscape garden is located. This town has transformed into a famous tourist destination ever since the shinkansen line connecting Tokyo and Kanazawa opened in 2015.

Those who like artisan crafts should put Ishikawa on their to-see list, as the prefecture is famous for high-quality crafts like Kanazawa lacquerware, Kaga silk, and Kutani ware. Kanazawa gold leaf that is produced with a technique of beating gold into wafer-thin sheets is also a famous product from the area.