Kanazawa is the perfect stop-over city if you are looking to experience history, arts and culture but don’t have the time to visit Kyoto. The city showcases centuries old Japanese arts and crafts as well as castles and gardens with a history dating back to the Edo period. Kanazawa is a small city with lots to see and do and is easy to navigate allowing you to make the most of a short stopover. Located on the west coast of Honshu, Kanazawa is easily accessible from Honshu ski resorts, particularly those in Nagano.
Featured Kanazawa Articles
Powder Paradise: Winter in Japan’s Gunma Prefecture
Sponsored content Mountainwatch | Reggae Elliss Over the past few years I have been a regular winter visitor to Gunma prefecture, lured by its consistent snow, variety of ski resorts and authentic Japanese experience. It’s a u [...]
Chasing Powder in Japan by Train
Mountainwatch | Travel One of the great things about travelling in Japan is the ease and efficiency of the rail system, particularly the multiple Shinkansen lines. The sleek Shinkansen, known as the Bullet Train, travels at spee [...]
First Snow Has Fallen – Japan’s Resorts Are Waking Up!
As the mountains across the Northern Hemisphere are starting to disappear under a blanket of snow, ski enthusiasts around the world are starting to dust off their gear, in preparation for those first powder turns! Japan is leading [...]
Everything You Need to Know About Hakuba: The Ultimate FAQ for Your Japan Ski Trip
There’s truly something for everyone in Hakuba. Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Japanese Alps, Hakuba Ski Resort is one of Japan’s standout alpine destinations. With deep, consistent powder, expansive terrain, and [...]
The Grasshopper’s Japan 2025-2026 Seasonal Outlook – La Niña Set to Deliver Above Average Snowfall
Mountainwatch |The Grasshopper Welcome back new and regular guests to our Japanese Seasonal Outlooks. With the weather in the southern hemisphere getting warmer and the northern hemisphere getting cooler it’s time to look ahead [...]
Snow Machine Returns to Hakuba Valley in 2026 – With a Monster Lineup Locked In
After a huge edition in 2025, Snow Machine is officially heading back to Japan in 2026 – and the frosty festival favourite is shaping up to be even bigger this time around. Held in the breathtaking Hakuba Valley, Snow Machin [...]
