Best Architectures In Hokuriku

A City Library With Beautiful Dotted WindowsKanazawa Umimirai Library

It has won some prizes such as '25 most beautiful libraries in the world'. Inside the library with windows like dots on the white wall, the 2nd and 3rd floor are very open for the stairwells. There're three different sizes for the windows and the sun light comes from them beautifully to wrap the room gently.◎To take pictures of the inside, you need to fill in the application and meet some conditions. You can use for free because it's a city library. Open: weekdays 10:00-19:00, holidays 10:00-17:00. Regular holiday: Wednesdays

Largest 'Gassho Zukuri' House Of Iwase Family, That Is A Symbol Of Gokayama, A World Heritage SiteGokayama Village Of Gassho Houses

Gokayama has some 'Gassho Zukuri' (steep roofed) houses even now. Among them, a house of Iwase family, you can get the stories of the village's history, the house structure, and look inside the house. Enjoy the glimpse of life of people living at 'Gassho Zukuri' house.

A Fascinating Hanamachi Atmosphere Remains Here. An Important Cultural Asset 'Ocha-ya' With A Long History.Shima

There's a lingering scent of old times here and there in this representative structure of 'ocha-ya', and you can feel like a time traveling to Edo period. Such an elaborately, gorgeously and dignifiedly made house in Higashi Chaya Machi had been once set as high valuation as Kyoto Gion. Feel the fascinating atmosphere.

Time Travel To Edo Period! Outdoor Museum Fill Of Old Time Mood Of Kanazawa Castle TownKanazawa Yuwaku Edo Mura

In the large sight, you can see nine buildings such as samurai residences, old stores and farm houses including the important cultural assets that were used in the domain of Kaga in Edo period. This is a valuable cultural facility shows a part of the culture of forceful domain of Kaga and life of ordinary people.

Peaceful & Quiet Room For ZenSuzuki Museum

A worldwide Buddhism philosopher Daisetsu Suzuki who made zen culture popular in the world. Yoshio Taniguchi embodied his ideas, and the unique design is worth visiting for anyone not only the architecture fans.

The Oldest Fountain in Japan Made By Natural Water-PressureKenrokuen Garden

The oldest fountain is made by water pressure from elevation difference of the pond as own source. And it is made in the Edo period, so I'm surprised at the skill.

Japan's Important Cultural Asset! A Shin-mon Gate With The Original Design Of Japanese, Western & Chinese Style MixedOyama Shrine

Toshiie Maeda is the deity of this Oyama Shrine. Shin-mon gate is famous for its novel design with a colorful stained glass. At one time, the god's light had reached far away to the Japan Sea. And, on the top, there's the oldest lightning rod in Japan.

Small, But You Must Not Miss! A Fashionable And Calm Chaya-gai DistrictNishi Chaya District

Nishi chaya-gai is one of the three chaya-gai districts in Kanazawa. It's smaller than others, there are the biggest number of geiko (young geisha) in fact. Some fashionable shops that you can meet only here. You may want to overreach yourself and walk in the district.

A Tasteful Chaya-gai You Can Enjoy Shopping And Café TimeHigashi Chaya District

Higashi chaya-gai is the most famous of the three chaya-gai districts in Kanazawa. Pretty cafes and shops stand in a line like an old castle town. Ocha-ya that says 'First-time Customers Refused' at night, opens as a café in the daytime and you can enter in the shop.

Chaya-gai Street With A Calm Atmosphere At The Asano River SideKazue-machi Chaya District

Kazue-machi chaya-gai is one of the three chaya gai in Kanazawa. Chaya-gai is the old name of an amusement center. Houses with beautiful latticed windows named Kinusuko. You can enjoy slow walking around the street.

Spot For Love Confession! A Red Thread Telephone Of 58 Meters LongKansui Park

In Kansui Park, there is a red thread telephone of 58 meters long and it becomes a spot for confession of one's love. At night, you can enjoy the illuminated one as a night view.

Fascinated With A Beautiful Japanese Garden. Two Michelin-starred High Class Samurai HouseA Site Of Samurai House Nomura-ke

Fusuma doors with landscape paintings of the Kano school, shoji (papered) doors with glasses, and ceiling all made of Japanese cypress, the formal house has these wonderful workmanship. And, a garden won the third place of the best Japanese garden chosen by the garden specialized journal in America is worth seeing.

If You Feel Stress, Go To A Light Heaven In ToyamaMandara Yuen

If you want to see the heaven before you die, visit 'Mandara Yuen' in Tateyama, Toyama. An egg-shaped dome at 'Heaven Zone' reproduces mother's womb. It was so comfortable that I became sleepy… It's a kind of supreme healing!

An Extraordinary Artist & Foodie Kitaoji Rosanjin Loved The Cottage All His LifeRosanjin's Cottage, Iroha Souan

Although he had stayed here only for a short term, he was concerned here ' Iroha Soan' till his last years. In the building, his work-room and a study are left as they are, and his rare art works are exhibited. You can totally enjoy a world of Rosanjin.

Like A Castle! A Temple As An Only National Treasure Of Toyama PrefectureZuiryu-ji Temple

Zuiryu-ji Temple is an only and one national treasure architecture, and a family temple of Toshinaga Maed, a feudal lord of Kaga. It's powerful, magnificent, and beautiful with many heraldries. I can feel the great existence of Maeda Family who had a wide estate in Kaga in old times.◎Admission fee: adult 500yen, children 200-100yen. Access: 10 min walk from Takaoka Station, or 15min walk from Shin-takaoka Station of JR Line.

Kanazawa's Symbol! A Great Tuzumi-mon Gate Born From A Traditional Performing Arts Of JapanKanazawa Station

A beautiful architecture in front of Kanazawa station, it's called Tuzumi-mon borrowing its motif from tuzumi, a kind of drums used in a traditional performing arts 'Nogaku'. With a Motemashi Dome in it, they emanate great presences.