Day or night this place is amazing. Totally iconic as a perfect Japanese garden. A large variety of trees, shrubbery, water features and picture perfect structures. It's also right next to Kanazawa castle which in its own right is amazing. The only thing I would change is the spotlights were too bright/the color temp was too high but still awesome when viewed at night. The park is free on certain nights during November/December.

You have to buy a ticket (320 yens for an adult) at the machines by the entrance with touch screens (English available). The garden is beautiful, but I wouldn’t consider it spectacular. It’s nice and it should be visited if you’re at Kanazawa and near the castle. I believe it could be even prettier had it a running water course (everything looked very dry) and some flowers. Also, at some points, people gathered and queued to take photos, and you would think something amazing must be ahead of you, only to find that it’s a lake without anything particular to justify queuing for pictures 🤷🏻 Ironically, some parts of the garden, which offer more shade and lush greenery, are much emptier and are much more enjoyable, in my opinion. Saw various toilets but haven’t tried any, and there are some places where you can eat (namely around the lake), but I preferred the places outside the garden.

Probably one of the world’s great gardens! Certainly in the top 20… & Japans no1. This is my second visit to Kenroku-en, I saw it in April 2024, it was one of the pinch me moments of my life! I wanted to see it again in Autumn, it is beautiful, but as a florist maybe the blossoms do tip the balance. As a “Stroll garden” style, it is exquisite. It’s all about trees, texture, balance, borrow views of the mountains beyond, antiquity, space, positive & negatives… “ma”, the buildings in the garden.’ It does have a regal understated elegance. Best to come and see it as it opens, free of charge for the first 45mins.. at 7am in the winter, then you have it almost to yourself .. pay the crazy low price of 320¥ when it reopens at 8am .. stay until the tourists appear and leave! If you can see it I the morning & afternoon/evening, you will have a different sense of it. The upkeep by the gardening team is off the scale! This time I saw the pine trees having their winter ropes arranged .. quite beyond! I’m looking forward to the illumination evening!

Kenroku-en is one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan. It’s a must-visit in Kanazawa. It’s beautiful during the day, and equally amazing at night. There are different varieties of gardening techniques in the garden. It has many different trees, large ponds, hills, cottages, and a tea house. The Yukisuri method, where ropes are tied to the branches from a bamboo pole, adds an artistic touch to the already magnificent Japanese pine trees.

This is one of the largest gardens in whole of Japan. We visited in October 2nd week it look almost half a day to tour this place, but the views, plants, architecture and everything is absolutely beautiful 😍 book your tickets online instead of waiting in the queue. Hack: skip the main entrance ticket line, a little to the right of the entrance there is another entrance spot next to the eateries where you can purchase tickets with no crowd at all. Overall, the fishes, atmosphere everything was A1♥️

We are keen gardeners and absolutely love this garden and it's easy to see why it's rated highly in Japan and across the world. It has inspired our own garden in the UK and we like to think we have been influenced from here. We open our garden for the National Garden Scheme to raise money for nursing charities in the UK You can find us on instagram and Facebook just look for @groomscottagegarden We highly recommend a visit, we spent several hours wondering and admiring the simplicity but also the layout the pruning the planting the tea houses the lakes the pine tree trees, the list is endless. It's also right next door to Kanazawa Castle as well so you could do this in the morning and the castle in the afternoon, which also has a very beautiful garden. Top recommendation. Get there early, it opens at 7 am and the tourist buses start to arrive pretty early so it does get busy by late morning,

I went here on a rainy day. Since it was Culture Day, entrance was free. There were quite a few people who still braved the rain. It made for a different and unique experience, as Kenroku-en usually has a lot of visitors. Kenroku-en is a huge garden, so pace yourself and you'll get to see interesting scenes. I especially enjoyed examining the twisted black pines supported by bamboo frames. Walking amongst the trees while it was raining was calming. Seison-kaku and Kanazawa Shrine are within Kenroku-en, so you can visit them if you have the time. After wandering here, you can proceed to the museums which are close by.

Allegedly the top 3 cleanest fish markets in Japan - this place comes with three floors of restaurants and merchants, and opens from early morning until late afternoon, with full functioning clean toilets available. Most of the foods and restaurants are sold at marked up tourist prices, and during busy period it can be quite overwhelming. Overall a fun experience but won’t recommend for food over a restaurant in the city.

This market is what I had hoped Tsukiji to be, a bit more spacious, stalls to try classic seafood offerings and stalls to offer unique options. While the prices are still a little touristy, it is much much more reasonable than what you’d find in Tokyo and actually feels worth the price. There are several stalls selling seafood (all about 100 yen or so difference) that allow you to stand and eat by them. We picked the one with the shortest queue and had oysters, botan ebi, dogfish (all from Kanazawa) and some uni and maguro as well. The botan ebi is incredible - creamy, smooth, sweet and delicious. Also try the unagi and scallops kushiyaki! Also, there’s a fun store that sells fruits and they sell orange juice in oranges

Amazing market, large but feels small in a good way. Easy to wander and don’t forget some restaurants on basement and second floor. Was busy at noon in November with fellow tourists, but plenty of locals as well. The fresh seafood and produce (catering to locals) was wonderful. Tried some fresh cut fruit, coffee, and the most amazing pumpkin croquettes. You’ll never waste your time on a pumpkin latte again. So much better than Kyoto market.

The complex offers a wide variety of fresh seafood and produce. There are a lot of great deals here and it is the go to place for fresh cooking. Full of life with many locals, and the atmosphere is great! However, the complex is a little smaller than I anticipated, but that’s not too big of a problem. I will definitely be back next trip!

There are many options available, the staff are pleasant, and the prices are reasonable. I have noticed some comments regarding the pricing, but it often depends on the specific items chosen and the location. Perhaps consider exploring dishes beyond sushi and Wagyu.

There are plenty of affordable food options here but it is quite crowded, not only tourist but locals also visited this market. Bought 🍇 at 1,000 yen from one of the fruit sellers. There are more restaurants on the second floor which I think slightly more expensive than those in the market or basement.

Wide variety of food, clothes, vending machines, drinks, etc. Many places had reasonable prices and short lines. There are two different sets of bathrooms. It was a little crowded, but we went on a holiday weekend. It was a very unique experience and definitely worth stopping!

Historic tea house district with charming old streets and well-preserved buildings. Many tea houses here offer dessert and the popular gold leaf ice cream. The area is quite big and the streets are photogenic, perfect for a slow stroll. I visited on a Wednesday, and I am not sure if it is a bad day to visit Kanazawa, but some of the shops were not open. I should have spent more time here and explored the area across the river too. Feels like there is more to see if you take your time.

Its a good place to experience the golden era of Japan. Would recommend to visit this place post 4 pm for quiter and less crowded experience. Just stroll through the lanes, and you feel as though you have travelled back in time. If you have JR west pass, Kanazawa JR loop bus is included which makes it convenient to reach this place. Most of the restaurants here are on advance reservation basis only.

This place was so nice! It was cute and charming and it even smelled good (it smelled like old wood). It has many shops and restaurants, and you can actually go inside some of the buildings to see how the interior of a home in the area used to be and learn a bit about the local history. It is very popular with tourists, but even with the crowds, it is still very much worth it.

This is worth visit but it is really a spot for shopping. In early November it was crowded but manageable. On its own it was just ok. Drift of the main areas and you can find some spectacular places like the temple district. Good place to find some unique little Christmas gifts.

Good stroll for couple of hours. Frankly, there's so many places like this all over Japan and most of them have turned into tourist traps with, except for the architecture, most of the essence of old days being lost. Want to do a real old town? Then do Narai or other post towns on the Nakasendo Trail route. Of course, that takes a little more effort than this highly accessible location. So, gawk at the architecture, take lots of selfies, buy few snacks and souvenirs and move on to the nice park/garden nearby to complete your day.

Nicely preserved or well maintained old town. Worth a wander around. Plenty of little shrines and old wooden buildings plus shops and cafes tucked away inside the buildings aimed at tourists.

We got there a bit late. Though I managed to find some gifts for my wifes birthday. Prices were reasonable for a tourist spot

I visited when the main and special exhibition - as a student this only cost ¥800 which is quite affordable for an art gallery! I found the exhibitions engaging and I appreciated the information on each artist featured. As it was raining, the swimming pool was unfortunately closed. One thing I must note is that the layout of the museum is quite confusing - there isn’t a set route and I found it difficult to figure out how to access some areas, even when using the map. I’m sure there are some sections I may have missed. But overall, I really enjoyed the art, especially those featuring local artists of Japan!

The 21st Century Museum is a great public space to enjoy, even without going into the paid exhibitions. There are plenty of free areas to explore and lots of good photo spots. My kids especially loved the green open space around the museum where they could run and play. Inside, there are art workshops for children, and the staff are very friendly and helpful with the handmade activities. It makes the place welcoming for families. The famous swimming pool artwork is currently closed until September 19, so plan accordingly if you want to see it. Still, the museum and its surroundings are worth visiting for both art and relaxation.

Awesome museum and exhibits. Very impressed with the amount and quality given it only covers the current century. Good mix of traditional mediums and modern a/v installations. Close to all the main attractions in Kanazawa, worth stopping in.

I made my way here from the D.T. Suzuki Museum. Just when I thought that the rains have eased, it started pouring when I reached this museum. I used the Bunka no Mori Odekake Pass to enter the museum. My first impression was that the museum is chaotic—the place was full, and I really didn't know where to go first. I eventually followed a group of people lining up for a room. I didn't really stay long in the room, the experience of which repeated throughout the other displays I visited in the museum. For sure, there were many interesting things to see, but it was all a bit too disconnected and random for me. This is to be expected I guess, since artists are bound to be different, but I'd like to feel some sense of connectedness between the exhibits, which I didn't find here. The museum is a huge circular structure, with many exhibits inside. I followed a circular route, expecting to find something that would make an impression, but unfortunately I didn't find anything. The crowds definitely affected my experience negatively. I guess most people came to see the Swimming Pool, but it was closed due to the rain, so that left people wandering aimlessly. The Maru sculpture and the surrounding open area outside was refreshing, in contrast to the crowded interior. All in all, I would say that if visiting Kanazawa, one should visit this place, but do not expect too much.

This is a good museum. It has some interesting spaces and I saw a very good collection of photographs. It was also very lively. It was an enjoyable way to spend some time in Kanazawa, and it is close enough to the nearby gardens that it is possible to combine it into a nice day with both outdoor and indoor activities.

It was a little confusing to buy tickets for. We ended up with tickets to a display the had on and not to the museum itself. The displays out side are good and loved the pool but if you want a dip[ go underneath] you have to reserve in advance.

I visited the museum at night. The experience where you can enter the pool was already fully booked, but the nighttime illumination was beautiful. The museum is open until 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Kenrokuen Garden and Korinbo are nearby, making the area lively and pleasant to walk around.

Pretty good. The castle internally itself isn’t something you want to be hyped about. But the outer grounds and some of the surrounding gardens was beautiful. I still found the internals of the castle to be better than Osaka castle, purely because it was less cramped with people. The grounds and the surrounding gardens is something to be in aw of.

What a lovely park, very clean and tidy. Good to have a wander round, even if you don't want to actually enter the castle itself. Lots of toilets, as is usual for Japan. It's absolutely lovely to see public toilets, open, clean and not vandalised. If you're in the area, have a wander through the park, it's very nice.

This is an interesting place to visit. Mixture of original and reconstructed buildings On a large site great to walk around and explore. Impressive rebuild of the castle buildings. The detailed craftsmanship is amazing. Other buildings are in process of being rebuild. A good 1-2 hours to get around the site. Not too busy either. Nice park and gardens. Other attractions close by too

This was a very nice and and peaceful place. The crowds were not too bad but it was a week day in autumn. The castle part was undergoing reconstruction efforts so I couldn’t explore a lot however there was still parts to explore and learn. The gardens though were immaculate, the trees were just beautiful. There’s tons of great places for cute photos here too. There’s pods and bridges just very serene and worth the time to visit on a casual stroll. I would say if you are less interested in nature you may not enjoy this place. It’s not full of flowers or other vibrant things. Instead the architecture around the walk ways and the shape of the trees along with the ponds makes it a wonderful and relaxing place.

The castle is being rebuilt and most of the surrounding structures are also recent. The big scaffolding isn’t pretty, so your photos won’t turn out great, but it’s understandable. However, if you have already visited other castles in Japan, like in Osaka, Kyoto or Himeji, you’ve already seen plenty. Here, the main attraction are the outdoors and the gardens. Today it was sunny and it was beautiful. Some parts can become crowded, but it’s not too hard to find a quiet place for yourself, to relax and enjoy the surroundings. If you follow Google Maps directions on foot, it can be misleading, I had to cross a wooden structure/bridge over the street to get to the castle from where I was coming from (the train station).

Very pretty castle and views. We went when the leaves were changing colors, which made it even better. If you walk to the very back, there is a view that overlooks some of the gardens. The have bathrooms, cafe, places to sit, etc.

Beautiful in Spring, no charge for entrance to park but the stream and bridge area is off limits

Lovely town which looks like it has newly built infrastructure. Arty and foodie heaven. Easy to navigate. Only frustrating thing is local bus timetable/routes behind a paywall. Using Google is a bit limiting to plan trips somewhat. We stayed in Nomachi tea district and walked mostly. We mainly walked back streets and ‘discovered’ many hole-in-the-wall eateries and bars. Visit here soon as it is still not on the tourist radar.

Bright and clean station, marked with impressive landmarks on its eastern and western entrances. It has various shopping malls within (Rinto, Anto) and nearby (Forus, Cross Gate) with many restaurants, souvenir stores, etc.

This is a relatively new railway station with a giant torii gate and facilities including two malls for shopping and dining. Cross is not located here but rather 200 meters away from the station. There is a large parking garage and rooftop available on site, and multiple Shinkansen trains stop here from fukui, Tokyo and Toyama.

Gold leaf glitters beneath temple roofs; rain falls gently over stone bridges. Kanazawa is a living artwork — samurai lanes, geisha districts, and gardens trimmed like poems. The train rests here, humbled by beauty. Tourist Tip: Final stop for most trains (until Tsuruga). Visit Kenroku-en Garden, Higashi Chaya District, and 21st Century Museum of Art. Stay overnight to feel its soft evening light.

Tsuzumi-mon gate, a fusion of modern and traditional architecture, stands prominently in front of the train stations entrance. The station offers various amenities such as shops, restaurants, cafes and lockers. It provides convenient connections to Fukui, Toyama, nearby towns within Ishikawa, and Komatsu Airport via bus services. We loved shopping at the souvenir store near the exit/entrance

Such a beautiful station! There are a lot of shops inside the station, Which includes food, accessories, clothes and souvenirs. There are also benches everywhere so people can rest. Outside the station, there is a big gate which looks beautiful at night. A lot of people are taking pictures. Also, there's a fountain that is in the shape of the current time, and it says welcome to kanazawa. Overall, I absolutely loved the station.

I can say, one of the most beautiful train station in Japan. The stunning blend of modern and japanese tradition architecture seemingly obvious when you look at the iconicTsuzumi-mon gate in front of the station. Don't missed to to snap photos at night time as well. Its aeathetically impressive. There are shops, dining options, nearby hotels, cafe, lockers close to the station. It connects to the city of Fukui, Toyama and nearby towns within Ishikawa. Also bus that connect to nearest airport Komatsu. Highly recommend to eat Ramen Taiga and Tomoshibi walking distance to Kanazawa Station 😊

Experienced this landmark as part of a cruise tour. A few things to know before you go. First, shoes are not allowed within the temple. They are to be left outside on a shoe rack. Second, backpacks and other large bags must be placed in front of your body. Third, no video or photos aside. Fourth, the temple is dimly lit in spots and has steep stairs that are the only means forward, so not the most handicap friendly. Fifth, toddler age children are not allowed in the temple. Finally, the tour is exclusively in Japanese. It is conducted by a volunteer on the temple grounds. Non Japanese speakers are given a guide book in English to follow along while walking through the temple. The experience starts with being seated until the guide is ready to take you. From there, you are given the 40min tour of the entire temple. What I appreciated most was the complexity of the architecture, from carefully crafted hidden entrances and traps to the foundation support and curved wooden beams allowing this landmark to survive for about 400 years of wind and snow. What did detract from the experience was the lack of a guided tour in another language. Not necessarily a fault of the temple, but it leaves you to your imagination that would otherwise be provided by the guide's comments if you spoke Japanese

I arrived without a reservation. They guide me towards an intercom and after some conversation, I got to join the tour group. The temple was simply amazing. Many trapdoors, hidden stairs and secret rooms. I highly recommend!

Very interesting and historic place with many architectural designs as traps for defense. It brings us travel the time of Samurai and Nija around 400 years. Worth to visit: 5.0 Beater to make a reservation by call

Reservations are required, and while the tour is conducted in Japanese, we had no trouble calling to reserve a spot using an international phone plan. You can also make a call from outside the temple to book a visit. The tour was interesting—even without understanding the language fully. They provided an English guidebook that helped us follow along as we explored the temple’s deceptive architecture, hidden staircases, false ceilings, and other clever defenses. You’re asked to leave your shoes outside and refrain from using your phone during the tour, which adds to the immersive, respectful atmosphere. At just ¥1200 per person (~$8.40), it was one of the most unique and budget-friendly attractions of our trip. A hidden gem in Kanazawa—literally and figuratively.

Interesting temple designed with clever features to protect against attacks. You must have a reservation to join a tour, however, it was a slower day when we visited and we were able to make a reservation for a tour that started within half an hour of our arrival. A couple key pieces of information: all tours are in Japanese, but there are detailed written guides in multiple languages for other visitors to follow along. The guide lets you know by number which features you are observing or about to see. Please be aware that this is dimly lit in places with steep staircases and narrow passageways. Small children are not allowed on the tour.

We managed to reached at 9 and there were available slots for us to join the tour right away. I think it's worth a visit if you have the time and budget, but not a must go

Interesting visit but not particularly fantastic, basically it’s a relatively small temple with lots of hidden doors, stairways and traps. You must book on the tour which is all on Japanese but you are given a book either photos inside so you can follow along with the tour guide.

What's there to say? Just look at the pictures and just go!! So beautiful! Along the way, stop by the kurobe dam to take photos of the alpine mountains 🏔️ and take a slow walk along the snow wall. There are 6 modes of transport, so be very vigilant of your timings especially if you're traveling alone. Check weather conditions before proceeding with the route. Also. Have an open mind, there are many inconsiderate tourists.

I have no idea why people can give a 5 star to such a messy unorganized company. Apr 17, snow was said to be the reason, instead of cancelling some morning tickets, all were kept loading onto the cable cars. We were delayed getting on the cable car by two hours and there wasn't enough time for going to the end station at Ogizawa. We were hushed and rushed to go from 2:10pm in 4 hours. No sight seeing, nor getting out to see the snow wall which is has too deceitful photos on the web. We were push and hurried to transfer from one vehicle to another, barely make it to the last bus service. I feel so humiliated and the chaotic mess of people got stuck waiting at all the stations was a joke. Besides, why the shipping of luggage has to be started at Toyama? We didn't know service was delayed until we were at Tateyama, to late to back out as luggage was already shipped. Why luggage has to be in Shinano-Omachi and not in Ogizawa or Nagano. We had an express bus ticket from Ogizawa to Nagano that we couldn't get off at Shinano-Omachi! There were many tour groups got stuck the same time. A tour guide mentioned the schedule was delayed very often. This part of journey is the most disappointing and upsetting and it made me feel like I don't want to go visit Japan again.

Must visit and ensure you queue for the individual line, don’t mix with the tour group

Beautiful Must visit place, Book your tickets in advance.

Cool day there. Wonderful views. Did it from Nagano side as a return ticket up to Murodo. Don’t forget to ask for the 2000 refund if you collected all the stamps!!

What an amazing experience. 10/10 will visit again.

Japan's most famous snow cliff is the "Snow Wall," or Yuki no Otani, on the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. The 20-meter-high snow wall is naturally formed by the accumulation of thick snow during the winter and is open to the public in spring, typically from mid-April to mid-June. Visitors can hike among these snow cliffs for a unique experience amidst the breathtaking scenery.

It's really the walls of the bygone era. Most of the houses, even though large, were built after the area revitalised. Large parcels of land. The Samauri House is worth a visit to give you perspective of what the homes were like. This is only a partial part of the home that remains. The carvings, silk screen doors, courtyard, and gardens give a glimpse as to the decor. The structure is deceiving and larger than appears. The gardens tranquil with 3 large koi drifting casually in pond. Other houses have beautiful entries. It's clearly now an upmarket area in which to live. The alleyways offer the idea with narrow lanes walled on either side. It's not a large area but easy to pass 2-3 hours. Shopping runs parallel to area. Old canal passes through area where water was drawn from.

For those interested in Japanese history - especially the stories of samurai - this is a must-visit place to truly feel the flavor of time settled over centuries. Stepping into a samurai residence, carefully observing and experiencing the traces of years quietly resting in every corner, is a rare and precious opportunity.

I popped along at about 20:00 on a cold and rainy/sleety Sunday night and, unsurprisingly, I pretty much had the streets to myself. As you can see, it was worth it. A beautiful traditional district that is bound on most sides by dining options though is itself seemingly just a residential area. I was here on 03/30 and, even though the rest of the city was mostly blossom free, the tree at the centre of the area was fairly well covered in blooms. It has public toilets too, which is handy if you're caught short.

Small, but beautiful to see. Packed with tourists. The photos shown at this Google maps pin sometimes show the Geisha district instead, the ones I added just show the "Samurai quarter"

Didn’t find it particularly interesting. Found the Higashi Chaya District more lively and the wooden houses more picturesque. If you’re short on time, I would rather visit that other area instead.

We woke up early and went before the stores were open - the streets were empty and there were no tourists so it was the perfect time to take pictures and enjoy walking down the street

Calm surroundings. There were some people, definitely not crazy crowded. Enjoyable hour or so, not a humongous place. There are many drinking plsces and small eateries around the area, with popular chain hotels... looks to be the upmarket area in Kanazawa.

We visited on 8.4.2025, where cherry blossoms peaked. There wasn’t a lot of crashing waves but the views were excellent as it was a sunny day. It is a 30 minute drive from Fukui city centre. Nearby there are a few restaurants but a handful were closed on our visit. The cruise gave a whole new perspective on the columns and we sure did enjoy our time here.

Tojinbo Cliffs, Fukui｜A Stunning Coastal Wonder of Japan Located in Sakai City, Fukui Prefecture, Tojinbo is one of Japan’s most breathtaking natural landscapes. These rugged cliffs stretch for about 1 km along the Sea of Japan and are famous for their dramatic rock formations and powerful waves crashing below. Often featured in Japanese crime dramas, the sheer scale and natural force of Tojinbo leave a lasting impression on all who visit. ◆ Top Highlights of Tojinbo ■ Cliffside Viewpoints The uniquely shaped columnar joint rock formations are a rare geological feature. From the top of the cliffs, especially near the “Oike” (Great Basin) area, enjoy a jaw-dropping panoramic view of the Sea of Japan. ■ Senjojiki Area Get close to the sea by climbing down to the rock-covered shoreline. You can walk across the natural stone slabs and feel the power of the ocean up close. ■ Sunset Spot Tojinbo is one of the best places in Japan to watch the sun set into the ocean. Each season offers a different and unforgettable view—perfect for photography lovers. ■ Tojinbo Shopping Street Right near the cliffs, this charming street is lined with souvenir shops and local food stalls. Enjoy fresh Echizen crab, sweet shrimp skewers, and other regional delicacies. ■ Tojinbo Sightseeing Boat Take a cruise along the base of the cliffs to see Tojinbo from a whole new perspective. The boat ride offers stunning views not visible from land. ◆ The Legend Behind the Name “Tojinbo” is named after a monk from the Heian period who, according to legend, was pushed off the cliffs due to a romantic dispute. It’s said that the sea raged for 49 days after his fall. ◆ What Visitors Are Saying “A thrilling experience with an amazing view of the Sea of Japan.” “Watching the sunset here was a once-in-a-lifetime moment.” “Great food and fun souvenir shopping at the nearby street.” “The boat cruise gave us a completely new angle of this natural wonder!” #Tojinbo #TojinboSnap #FukuiJapan #FukuiTravel #JapanScenery #CliffView #SunsetSpot #SeaOfJapan #EchizenCrab #StreetFoodJapan #NatureLovers #TravelJapan #ExploreJapan #ReelsJapan Tojinbo is a must-visit destination in Fukui that combines natural beauty, local culture, and fascinating legends. Whether you’re traveling solo, with friends, or family, this iconic coastal spot offers a truly unforgettable experience.

If you're looking for a place with an incredible ocean view, high cliffs, and crystal-clear water, this is it. The landscape is beautiful, and there's even a street leading to the location with many shops and restaurants serving a wide variety of seafood. It's a great place to spend the day. The parking lot is large and spacious. There's also a boat tour where you can see the rocks up close.

Went here during Golden Week. There were so many people as it was a holiday, but it was a good experience. The weather was very good that day, making it even more picturuseque and good views from the cliff. For ¥500 you can also have a bird's eye view from the Tojinbo tower nearby. There's a couple of shops and restaurants leading up to the cliff. We ate some really good squid in one of them. I was hoping to buy some omiyage, but I didn't find any that was to my liking. It's about an 1hr from Fukui station. Use the echizen railway, ride until the last stop. Cross the road, there's a bus stop near the station, ride the local bus 1 stop for about 10 minutes, and voila, you're there.

Beautiful and unique in view sea of Japan, but bit dangerous. Better to be carful on your foot steps. Not very far from Fukui city. Car park available around ¥500.

An interesting place to visit but I wasn't that impressed. The cliff itself is very beautiful but quite small. Getting there from Fukui is not so easy by transportation. The restaurants and souvenir shops were a bit old fashioned.

An interesting experience to visit the rare rock cliff structure there.

The garden is stunning and the house itself is very interesting, giving a glimpse into the lifestyle of a samurai family. Inside, you can see traditional architecture, artifacts, and rooms preserved with great detail. During my visit, I was lucky to meet a Japanese guide who explained many aspects of the culture, which made the experience even more enriching. It’s a place where you can slow down, explore both the residence and the garden, and get a deeper sense of history and tradition.

Nagamachi Samurai District: The Profound Aesthetics of Old Japan ​A visit to the Nagamachi Samurai District in Kanazawa felt like stepping onto a perfect Hollywood movie set, only entirely authentic. It's an insightful lesson in traditional Japanese aesthetics and the daily life of the warrior class. ​Simplicity, Restraint, and Quiet Beauty ​The district preserves a calm and intimate atmosphere. The narrow, stone-paved streets are lined with traditional earthen walls (Tsuchi-kabe) topped with tiled roofs. The subdued color palette—earthy browns, grays, and stone—creates a sense of timeless, restrained beauty. ​Just like in Japanese films, every detail here seems thoughtfully designed with a deep sense of harmony: ​The Walls: The contrast between the white plaster walls and the dark wooden elements is classic and precise. ​The Canals: Clear water canals flow alongside the streets, enhancing the feeling of tranquility and connection to nature. In winter, when the walls are covered with straw mats (Komogake) to protect them from frost, this aesthetic gains another layer of beauty. ​The Samurai House – An Enriching Architectural Lesson ​Entering one of the restored samurai residences (like the Nomura-ke House) was the highlight of the visit. This is where simplicity becomes a profound experience. ​The interior design—featuring natural wood, tatami mats, and sliding paper doors (Shoji)—reflects the samurai aesthetic code: restraint, honor, and appreciation for small details. The miniature, meticulously maintained landscape garden viewed from the veranda, with a tiny waterfall and sculpted stones, is a miniature work of art designed to inspire meditation and serenity. ​In Conclusion: Nagamachi is not just an "old district"—it's a gateway to a lifestyle where beauty and spirituality are intertwined. It's an experience that invites you to slow down, take a deep breath, and take home not just photos, but a feeling of inspiring aesthetic peace.

Absolutely spectacular house and garden. So why only three stars then? Because it was simply overrun with tourists at our visit. There was no chance of enjoying that gorgeous gardens for us. Still I want to emphasise that the location as such as well as the people working there are great.

A tourist trap. Very poor value for money. The house is just a generic Japanese-style home, and the “museum” part is quite disappointing — very few items on display and almost no explanations beyond their names. We would have appreciated more information in English about the samurai era and the house itself. In addition, the house is not original; it feels like a brand-new renovation rather than an authentic historical site. The garden is small but nice, nothing special.

A richly-preserved museum with fascinating artefacts and historical elements. Features a beautiful garden with rich greenery and stunning landscape. Definitely worth a visit.

Beautiful house with multiple garden spaces. Very busy but it was possible to see all of the gorgeous spaces without feeling crowded out. One of the prettiest private gardens I have ever seen.

Really cool place. Wasn’t too packed when I was there. People are really respectful and keep the house down. Probably gave it 1 less star as some tourist seem to to just chill in one place for far too long and it stops you from embracing and area and they’ve hogged it. Tourist tend to do it on the deck where one guy just decided to meditate and then a family decided to just chill in the tea room for a bit. But as for the place and the hospitality of the Japanese, it was great. I can understand why Japan is going to tax tourist and make it more expensive.

It is a beautiful and magnificent as it can be! It was built at 61 years ago according to our. Tours guide. And 171 people were lost during the construction! The lights rain on the day of our visit did not affect its beauty. The dam and the lake really made this place magical! All four seasons will give this place a different and unique face, so it is worth of coming back sometime! We also saw a performance in front of gift shot even is raining! What a fantastic performance!

Absolutely magnificent! 🍂 Visiting Kurobe Dam in October was unforgettable, the earthy autumn colors, the rainbow terrace, and the scenic views all along the route were stunning. Also as always, Japan is so thoughtful in accommodating tourists, combining the nature and how they made it easy for all people to hike, even though it’s a short uphill hike from the station to the top, the views make it more than worth it. Every step of the trip was memorable, with breathtaking scenery everywhere ✨✨✨

An impressive feat of engineering. They give you around 16 min to transfer from the Kanden electric bus to the cable car. Walking from the bus across the dam takes around 10 min at a brisk pace. However you might want to slow down and look around, it's beautiful. We however opted to slow down for the return journey to maximise up in Murodo. On the way back, there is a 40 min gap between the cable car and bus transfer back in the afternoon so time to enjoy the dam then.

From Murodo I took the tunnel electric bus, ropeway and cable car to arrive at the Kurobe dam at 12:06 pm. It’s a beautiful sunny day in September. The views are impressive.

On my way to Morodo i was wondering why would i even stop to see a dam, but once you arrive there you understand why. There's also an observation deck on the opposite side to e joy the view even more. One of the highlight of the the whole Kurobe alpine route

A magnificent location that shows the courage, determination and resourcefulness of Japanese people. Nature blends in extremely well with man-made structure here.

I visited on August 9, 2025, and was lucky to see a rainbow on the water under the dam. It was absolutely incredible

Great museum. Huge area with lots of displays and activities for the kids. The main gallery is an echo chamber which is awesome! Great food in the restaurant and cool playground outside too. Well recommended for kids, families, archaeology enthusiasts and dinosaur buffs! Big carpark, also lots of bus options

Great museum. Impressive replicas mix with real fossils. Animaltronix looked nice too. The video works are a bit clumsy though. I really appreciate the faithful English translations on most of their displays. Though there was no translations available for the special exhibition. Also the special exhibition was surprisingly small, I'd suggest skipping it if you can't understand Japanese. The dioramas where the exhibition highlights the changes in the environment through the millions of years with the dinosaurs in them were informative. I went in hoping to gain some new knowledge and I left feeling fulfilled. The gift shop needs to have some imagination regarding the products they offered as I feel they were a bit lackluster.

One of the most amazing Museum's I have ever been to. So many different different specimens of dinosaurs on display, even some information in English which makes it easier for tourists to understand. The the museum offers multiple levels and even an exclusive look on how some fossils are prepared. The restaurant offers a good selection of delicious dishes and the souvenir shop a wide variety of different things to buy. Would definitely visit again in the future.

Pleasantly surprised by this dinosaur museum! The entrance fee was only 1000 yen, but the collection they house is truly impressive and beautifully displayed. The building is also a magnificent piece of architecture. We came during the week and got there at the opening time, so we got to enjoy the place wile it was still quiet. By the time we left 2 hours later, it was quite crowded and the parking was packed. We didn't buy tickets in advance, but maybe it would have been a good idea.. Oh they also have some cool animatronics!

An outstanding paleontological museum. The trip to the museum takes a long time, but it's worth it. It's best to buy tickets to the museum and the excavation site in advance, as it's very crowded. The bus from the station to the museum costs 300 yen. The museum has a restaurant, playgrounds, a dinosaur park, and a gift shop.

Really great experience, we travelled on the special dinosaur train and transferred to the dinosaur bus which was quick and easy. The bus takes you straight to the museum and greeted with dinosaurs along the route. The museum was spacious and well layed out. There were so many dinosaurs we were overwhelmed. The cafe was reasonably priced with a great selection of food. A menu in English was available.

My wife and I had a wonderful time visiting the museum. The attention to detail in the museum is world class. It was incredible to see the fossils that were found in Fukui Prefecture. It is not necessary to purchase tickets in advance if you’re visiting on a weekday in our opinion.

Decent shrine. You can walk past it to get to Osaka castle. Pretty laid back area. Not full of tourist so you can get some decent photos during the day. What I liked most is that it’s fully accessible at night as you can get some sweet photos unless you have a Nokia or are one of those cool alternative people with film. But I would still recommend it if you are one of them.

This is an understated shrine and its compound is beautifully landscaped and ornamented. There are ample places for good photographs. Entry is free. Some donations would be appreciated.

This shrine has a unique western influenced architecture which is easily seen from the outside. The inside of the shrine is spacious and there's a garden and pond behind it which has really nice scenery for photos. It was drizzling when we visited and the vibes are kinda chill and calming.

Got special feeling when I walk in an ancient temple and shrine, here is the one. Combined western and eastern elements, the pathway to the shrine is so nice, and we met two little fur friends there.

Beautiful place. Very calm and there is a peaceful garden. Not a lot of people. Goshuin : 500¥

Oyama Shrine is an absolutely enchanting spot to visit in Kanazawa! The serene atmosphere, stunning architecture, and rich history make it a must-see destination. The unique blend of Japanese and Western styles in the shrine's gate is particularly fascinating. The lush gardens and tranquil pond provide a perfect setting for a peaceful stroll. The staff are friendly and welcoming, adding to the overall positive experience. Highly recommended for anyone looking to explore the cultural heritage of Kanazawa!

Located near the centre of Kanazawa, the shrine is by no means a world beater, but it's still a really nice place to visit if you're in the vicinity. The shrine's unique entrance is an interesting case study on the impacts of European influence on Japanese architecture near the start of the last century. That aside, the temple also boasts spacious grounds and relatively ornate architecture that oozes a sense of calm and serenity. There's also a small gift shop within the grounds where you'll be able to buy some good luck charms for a reasonable price.

A truly beautiful Buddhist temple, I’m so grateful I could come and be blessed with the incredible views of the nature and temple buildings. I really appreciated the Dharma teachings hung up in the corridor near the main entrance as these lessons mean a lot to me and it was so nice being in an environment with great energy as people who practice the same lessons can come together and cultivate the peaceful atmosphere. It was truly a joy for me to walk through the temple and gaze upon all the sights, plus read about the history and meaning behind certain halls on their wooden information tablets.

This is one of the most beautiful places I have been in my entire life. If this place was in Kyoto it would be absolutely overrun by tourists. The somewhat obscure location is pretty easy to get to via an hourly direct bus from Fukui station, and the town below the temple is lovely (and don't miss the soy sesame soft serve at the cafe on the highway)! Entering the temple grounds, the beautiful setting of an old growth cedar forest is breathtaking, particularly the mossy but well maintained cemetery. The interior is just as incredible. The room of gorgeous ceiling paintings was entrancing, but the highlight was probably being able to witness the mesmerizingly beautiful chanting and meditations of the monks. The thick (and enforced) silence of the monastery add to the literal zen atmosphere. The best thing I can say about Eiheiji is that it would fit right into a movie like "Baraka" or "Samsara". If you ever find yourself in this part of Japan, this is an absolute must see.

Definetely a must see place in Japan. Not only it is one of the important #temples in Japan and accomodates Zen monks trainings and practices which visitors can join some of the activities also the surrounding with beautiful tall cedar trees. Amazing view especially during winter when it is snowing. The temple has many buildings connected by covered walkways, it makes it very convenient to experience in #Fukui.

What a magnificent place. If you are a Zen practitioner and in Japan, this should absolutely be on your itinerary. We went to a number of temples while in Japan but the energy you feel at Eiheiji is unmatched. Magnificent trees, building and practice. We spent two days visiting and participating in the morning service and zazen and would have spent a third to do more hiking around the temple. Also what's really nice is because it's out of the typical tourist circuit there are a lot less visitors than any other place we went (we were there on a weekday so don't know about the weekends).

Daihonzan Eiheiji is a vast complex for zen teachings situated in Fukui. I arrived there early winter last December but was surprised to still see the moss-covered surroundings. The place is very serene although timing in terms of transportation needs to be considered because of its limited schedule.

Amazing temple! The museum at the end was also very interesting. Easy 30 min bus ride from Fukui train station. Only downside are the extra small slippers (none fit me, and I am size 10.5-11 UK)

Eiheiji Temple One-Day Monk Experience – A Peaceful and Enlightening Retreat It took me about 3.5 hours to travel from Tokyo to Fukui, but the journey was absolutely worth it. Eiheiji Temple offers a deeply peaceful and reflective atmosphere, unlike anywhere I’ve ever been. The highlight for me was learning zazen (seated meditation) the proper way. The program had English-speaking guides who were incredibly kind and respectful to us international participants. There were only six of us from abroad, while the rest were Japanese students (around 10–15). They followed a different schedule from us, and honestly, I wish I spoke Japanese to engage more deeply with the experience. We were asked to wake up at 3:50 AM, and interestingly, there was no shower the next day—which I personally found a bit uncomfortable. If given a choice, I’d rather wake at 3:30 AM just to have a quick shower and feel refreshed before starting the day. During the zazen session, the core message was clear: enlightenment comes from within, and practice should be part of daily life. I’ve done meditation before, but Soto Zen teaches you to meditate with your eyes open, which is surprisingly challenging. Even in a quiet space, thoughts and emotions constantly bubble up—nothing too serious, just random things. It feels like you’re quietly observing your own soul. And yes, sitting for 30 minutes will definitely make your legs go numb! They also taught us about mindful eating. There was a beautiful chanting ceremony before meals to express gratitude, which I found really touching. They even gave us souvenir chopsticks and a small booklet so we can continue the practice at home. One of the most powerful moments was the early morning prayer ceremony. All the monks gathered and chanted in unison—it felt sacred, healing, and almost magical. Overall, I learned so much from this one-day monk experience. It wasn’t just about meditation or rituals—it was about slowing down, being present, and finding meaning in small, everyday actions. I would highly recommend this to anyone looking for a meaningful escape from the busy modern world. The one-day monk experience costs ¥15,000 and must be applied for at least a month in advance. Your application also needs to be approved by the temple. I stayed in the women’s tatami room, and it was surprisingly comfortable and beautiful—it honestly felt a bit luxurious. The soft green and yellow tones were calming and well-coordinated, adding to the serene vibe. What really surprised me was the bath setup—it’s similar to a traditional public bath, where everyone bathes nude. There’s even a large shared hot tub in the center where you can soak and relax. It was an unexpected but authentic part of the experience!

It's big, it's impressive, it's symbolic. It lights up at night (looking better in blue than red, imho) and there's a fun little clock nearby. Lovely little focal point that lets you know you're in Kanazawa.

The gate view is nice but the station has nothing much to offers, it's busy, there is a shopping mall next to it where youay shop some clothing a d good food. Overall, it's just a wooden gate, with blue lights shining it...

The gate is stunning by its height. The color of the wood is beautiful and the whole architecture of intertwined blocks of wood make it a piece of art.

Pretty impressive gate right in front of Kanazawa station Along with a small fountain and a clock.

Impressive landmark, popular with tourists and locals alike.

An unexpected well crafted modern interpretation of the Tori Gate. Using real wood in large timber format, the Tori Gate is abstracted into subcomponents that act as brush strokes in an impressionist painting in order to evoke the classic gate. The remaining roof is aluminum or stainless steel space frame. This makes for a fabulous juxtaposition of old and new.

The Tsuzumi-mon Gate, at Kanazawa Station in Japan, is inspired by a traditional Japanese hand drum (tsuzumi), blends modern architecture with cultural heritage. Made with wooden pillars which evokes the elegance of ancient Japan. Very beautiful!