Close to sea and mountains, Kanazawa has earned its reputation as a culinary powerhouse with some of the best fresh produce in Japan. With your local host as a menu decipherer, sample street food at Omicho Market (the “Kitchen of Kanazawa”) – crunchy seafood- or veggie-filled Omicho croquettes are famous for being some of the best in the country and fried, skewered squid is always a treat. Cool down with Kanazawa’s glittering gold leaf ice-cream, and tuck into Kanazawa-style curry (a rich, gooey sauce served with a pork cutlet) or Hanton rice – fried rice under a blanket of runny omelet. Head to your host’s favorite izakaya and savor some of Japan’s freshest sashimi with a cold beer, and if you still have room? Try some local craft gins and craft beers!

With nothing but your stretchiest pants and your host as your personal GPS and Yelp reviewer, you can rest assured you’ll be tasting Kanazawa cuisine at its absolute finest (and squeezing in some sightseeing along the way). In central Kanazawa, the Kanazawa Station is a must-see landmark and the perfect place for your host to point out a few top-tier food spots you can test out on another day. Just 15 minutes away at the Omicho Market Area, join locals jostling their way through 180 stalls selling some of the city’s best street food – tasting a few for yourself  – before scoping out the food scene one mile south in the historic Kenroku-en Area and downtown Katamachi, the city’s restaurant-lined shopping and entertainment hub.