Kanazawa

A doll museum where you can hand-paint one of the dolls yourself. Admission is 800 yen.

A 19th-century historic district. Nishi is much more compact than the other two and is located in a different part of town. Today it mainly contains small restaurants.

A 19th-century historic district. Kazuemachi is located right next to Higashi but has fewer tourists.

Admission is 800 yen.

At Omicho Market you can buy fruits and vegetables, lotus root and steamed buns. You can try seafood right at the stalls (fresh sea urchins, salmon and oysters). Vendors will grill crabs or eel on the spot, and if you prefer to sit down, there are izakayas nearby. Prices are reasonable — one oyster costs about 600 yen. For a more refined dish, go to an izakaya for jibuni (duck stew) — around 1,500 yen per dish.

Kenroku-en is filled with plants, ponds with islets, bridges and streams. In winter the garden has a special charm thanks to 'yukitsuri' — complex cone-shaped bamboo structures that protect tree branches from heavy snow and create fantastic silhouettes. A leisurely walk takes about one to two hours; admission is ¥320.

The museum hosts a rotating programme of exhibitions — some are free, others cost between ¥450 and ¥1,000 for admission. The museum houses a well-known work by Leandro Erlich, 'The Pool'.

Next to the garden is a 16th-century castle of the powerful Maeda clan, which ruled the region for three centuries, with a large park area. Entry to the park is free; admission into the castle buildings is ¥350.