Kanazawa

Tourist guide Kanazawa

Kanazawa, located on the Sea of Japan, is the capital city of Ishikawa Prefecture. Surrounded by the Japan Alps, it is the biggest city in the Hokuriku region, with a population of around 455,000 inhabitants.       
Kanazawa has a temperate climate, though the city receives rainfall throughout the year. Humidity and precipitation are high all year round. The temperature hardly rises above the freezing point in winter.
Kanazawa was initially occupied by the Maeda clan. The city became the capital of Ishikawa Prefecture after the Meiji Restoration in 1868.  
Kanazawa-Haku, which is gold beaten into a sheet, is an important element of the city’s culture. Gold leaf is used for decorating lacquer work, cloth, pottery, and altars.
The main occupations in Kanazawa are pottery making, artistry, and craftsmanship.