06 May 2025

Cruising Through Kanazawa

Our Discover the Islands of Japan expedition was off to an incredible start following time spent exploring Osaka, Tokyo and enjoying a Shinkansen ride to Kanazawa to board our home-away-from home and trusty expedition vessel Heritage Adventurer.

Excursion options in Kanazawa included heading up to the mountains to explore Shirakawa-go and Suganuma’s famous Gassho-zukuri farmhouses with their thick thatched roofs resembling hands clasped in prayer – which is the English translation of ‘gassho’, with lunch at Gokayama, the hotel in the forest, where a feast of Japanese delights were enjoyed.

Other guests took the opportunity to explore Kanazawa’s famed castle and Kenroku-en Garden – two of the city’s most iconic sites. The garden is one of Japan’s most celebrated and combine the six characteristics of spaciousness, seclusion, artifice, antiquity, water sources and magnificent views, which embody Japan’s ideal garden attributes. Next it was off to explore the historic streets of the Nagamachi Samurai District followed by Omicho Market, Kanazawa’s main market since 1603, a stroll through the Geisha district followed by a hands-on ‘Gold Leaf Experience’ making our own chopsticks using the gold leaf Kanazawa has produced for more than 400 years!

Back on board Heritage Adventurer, we enjoyed an incredible farewell with traditional music from a trio composed of drum, flute and koto (a 13-stringed instrument played by plucking) – the sounds of classical Japanese music making for a touching send-off.

Images © S. Bradley, J. Mishina & T. Mulholland, Heritage Expeditions