Hello all,

Which would you recommend to visit: Kanazawa or Ibaraki? Which one would be better in terms of being more interesting, have good restaurant options, beautiful sightseeing, etc.?

Thank you!

Kanazawa is a nice-sized city with some of the best sights to see in Japan. It is on the foreign tourist path now because of the shinkansen. It has lots of food/dining options and crafts (lacquer ware, gold leaf, hand painted kimono). It has been called a Little Kyoto, so you get some culture without the overtourism of Kyoto.

This is the second time this week that someone mentioned Ibaraki on this forum. I feel safe in saying that this is the second time in the last ten years that someone mentioned Ibaraki on this forum. It is off the beaten foreign tourist path and I wonder how it came up on your radar.

I better ask the question explicitly: how did Ibaraki come up on your radar?

mrwunrfl, I was the poster re the yabusame near Ibaraki, to which you replied. Thank you. We enjoy the less-crowded off-the-beaten-track places. But we also enjoy the popular places, too. We just don't want to run out of things to do /see/eat as we do accomplish a lot quickly. Maybe we could base in Kanazawa. The Omicho Market looks interesting.

oh it was you. do

>> base in Kanazawa
what is your thinking behind this idea?

Ichigo Market, day trip to Shirakawago Village, day trip to Toyama, etc.. We've been to most of the larger cities and all of the islands. Just looking for someplace different with interesting things to visit/see/taste. What would you suggest?

I suggest that you spend some time in Kanazawa rather than just using at a base. You mentioned a market (maybe meant Omicho) and day trips.

You mentioned Ibaraki and Kanazawa so far, but not in the context of your trip to Japan. That was ok with your Kasama post as I figulred that you are probably staying in Tokyo and would visit from there or would stay in the area overnight. Thought you were just looking for specifics for the archery event.

Then there was this post. When I saw the title I thought "this doesn't have to be an either-or" and it would be easy to visit both. But that would depend on how those stops fit in your plan. How long you plan to stay in Japan, in Kanazawa, ... you know, an itinerary. With your last post at least I am thinking that you know better than making Ibaraki a day trip from Kanazawa.

But, okay, we can discuss this out of context of the rest of your plan and that you just want to fill in one stop, but in reality it depends on where you are coming from.

How long would this be? If it is two or three nights then Ibaraki could work. If you have three or four nights then Kanzawa. If you have more time then day trips from Kanazwa.

What I am suggesting is two or three full days just for Kanazawa. At least one to see the main sights. Or you could just limit it to the market and do day trips.

You mentioned Toyama. Toyama-shi or Toyama-ken, idk. I would like to try the "black ramen" they have somewhere in Toyama city. In Toyama prefecture i do recommend Unazuki Onsen and the Kurobe Gorge (fall colors and cool train ride, hiking/walking if you want).

mrwunrfl, you've given me some great info. Much appreciated. I was thinking staying in Kanazawa for four to five full days. Kurobe Gorge and black ramen sounds like a plan. And, yes, I meant Omicho market. Thank you, mrwunrfl, for responding to my post.

This page suggests three side trips: Kanazawa Travel Guide - What to do in Kanazawa City (japan-guide.com)

Excellent. I'm excited!

I recommend you to visit Kanazawa.
Below,These spots are interesting.

*Ninjya yashiki(Myouryuji temple）
There are many rooms that have somthing tricks.(eg. It looks like there is no door , but there is a hidden door.)
If you will visit this spot, you might as well make an appointment.

*Kenrokuen(japanese traditional garden)
Kenrokuen is one of top beautiful traditional japanese garden.

*Higashi cyayagai( where beautiful old streets are preserved)
You can rent Kimono and go around with kimono.There are many traditional shops(cafes and restaurants etc).
This spot is good to buy souvenirs.

*21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa

*Kaisendon(seafood on rice)
Kanazawa is near by sea, so there are many seafood restaurant.( Of course Sushi)

and so on...
I'm not good at English. There are many mistakes in my writting.
Enjoy your trip!

yayoi no sora wa

yayoi08953,

Thank you for the suggestions. I understood you perfectly!

Ibaraki regains ignominious crown as least attractive prefecture - The Japan Times