Off the Beaten Path Near Kanazawa?
 

After visiting Kanazawa for four days, is there a nearby city/town worth visiting? "Nearby" can be up to 1.5 hours away by train.

Our main likes are food, scenery, temples and culture. We enjoy a lot of walking and getting lost in a city.

Anything off the beaten path that's near Kanazawa that you would recommend?

Is four days in Kanazawa enough?

Thank you!

I think four days in Kanazawa would be delightful!

Have you considered visiting Shirakawa-go? Hardly "off the beaten track" -- it gets a LOT of tourists -- but it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site about 75 minutes from Kanazawa:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4208.html
If you decide to do that, check the schedules carefully, as I believe there are only a few buses in each direction each day. But I could be wrong!
(Takayama is also worth visiting, but it's more like 2 hours away and easily merits overnight time, IMO.)

While in Kanazawa, do consider making time to visit Nomura-ke, perhaps participating in a tea ceremony there. :-)
http://www.kanazawa-tourism.com/eng/...de1_2.php?no=3

Enjoy!

I need to check exact travel times but Takayama may fit.

You can also do a day trip to Wajima, on the Noto Peninsula. We'll be in Kanazawa early next month and are considering taking the bus there (we chickened on on renting a car).

Thank you kja, Kavey and Internetwiz for responding to my question! Shiragawa-go and Wajima sound exactly what we were looking for.

I've been to Wajima and while our overnight on Noto was pleasant, there is not much to do in Wajima itself other than the lacquer-ware museum. If you are only planning on a day trip, I would opt for something else.