Samurai streets, gold-leaf ice cream and one of Japan's most beautiful gardens. Here's what Kanazawa is like with the family, when to go and how long to stay.
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April and May bring cherry blossom and mild days, and October and November have crisp weather and autumn colour. June is the rainy season, and July and August are hot and sticky. Winter is grey, wet and often snowy, though the snow on the gardens is lovely.
A huge landscape garden with ponds, stone lanterns and bridges, one of Japan's top three.
Wide lawns, white walls and rebuilt gates next to Kenroku-en, with plenty of space to run about.
Playful modern art, including a swimming pool you can stand underneath. Some areas are free.
A covered market packed with seafood, fruit and snack stalls. Go for lunch and try a bowl of rice topped with fish.
Old wooden teahouses on lantern-lit streets. Look out for ice cream topped with gold leaf.
Kanazawa makes almost all of Japan's gold leaf. Children can decorate a chopstick or a box to take home.
Yes, as part of a Japan trip. It's compact, very safe and calmer than Kyoto, and children like the samurai houses and the gold. It works best for school-age children who enjoy wandering.
Two or three nights covers the garden, the market and the old districts.
Fly to Tokyo, then take the bullet train, which takes about two and a half to three hours. Komatsu airport has domestic flights. A rail pass may save money if you're touring.
Yes. Most sights are within walking distance or a short bus ride, and loop buses run from the station.
Put Kanazawa on standby with everyone's other ideas. You each spread your points in secret, get one veto, and the draw picks where you go.