Last Updated: Jun 7, 2023
Historic Kanazawa
How to get the Most Out of “Mini Kyoto”
It’s no secret that Kyoto has become a tourism powerhouse in recent years. The ancient capital’s notoriety however has come at a cost. Everyday, visitors from across the globe flood the city’s marvelous attractions. Consequently it can be hard to navigate spots like Kiyomizu-dera without risking a selfie stick to the eye. Indeed the problem is so bad that the city has had to resort to hiking fares just to ensure transportation for residents.
Kyoto’s popularity has unfortunately given rise to a “Disneyland” like commoditization of tourism assets. Luckily for those in search of authenticity though, there is an alternative. Located near the coast of the Sea of Japan, the city of Kanazawa is every bit as historic as the overcrowded incumbent. Furthermore the region is still rather unknown by most foreign visitors. Here, you’ll encounter fewer vendors hustling to make a buck off clueless tourists.
While Kyoto does have some must-see sights like Fushimi Inari Taisha, repeat visitors would do well to add Kanazawa to their bucket lists. Much like Goldilocks’s porridge, the city is neither too crowded nor too remote: it is JUUUST right!
