Kyoto who? With its perfectly preserved samurai and geisha districts (you could see them both), Kanazawa is just as much a cultural jewel as its more famous cousin, with attractions your local host is eager to share with you. You might want to see the city’s shrines and temples, like Oyama Shrine (its gate marries elements of Japanese and Chinese architecture) and Tentokuin temple, built in the 17th century by the Maeda samurai clan. Speaking of the Maeda clan, Kanazawa Castle, the clan’s historic seat of power, is a must-visit, but so are the city’s modern attractions, like Omicho Market and its famous croquettes – it’s not called the “Kitchen of Kanazawa” for nothing! – or the trendy cafes and stores lining the crowded Katamachi shopping district, a small slice of the big city.