Top attractions to visit in Kanazawa, Japan

Kanazawa is one of the most beautiful cities in Japan. Thanks to the new shinkansen, it will be easier to get there. Why don't you visit the historic city on your next vacation?

21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art

This circular and light-filled museum focuses on art produced since 1980 and is heavy on installations, video and mixed-media pieces, much of it playful, energetic and thought provoking. The museum holds a variety of display spaces and function rooms and the museum is spacious enough to absorb the huge crowds that usually fill the place. 

Higashi Chaya District

Higashi Chaya is the main entertainment district in Kanazawa. It is a charming area of teahouses much like Gion in Kyoto and has its own community of geisha.

The photogenic streets of Higashi Chaya are perfect for a morning or afternoon stroll with a stop at one of the many cafes or historic tea houses. If you are looking for a special souvenir, there are many craft shops to browse including the glittering Hakuza Gold Leaf Store where you can visit their tea ceremony room completely covered in gold leaf.

Kanazawa Station

Kanazawa Station is one of the gates of Kanazawa to visitors. The station has a huge glass dome called the Motenashi Dome. The Motenashi Dome looks like a huge umbrella and it is said that this dome is offering visitors an umbrella as Kanazawa has many rainy days.

There is a huge wooden gate called the Tsuzumimon  in Kanazawa station. A tsuzumi is traditional Japanese hand drum, and "mon" means gate. When you arrive at Kanazawa station, you can feel the welcoming mood and historical atmosphere right away.

D.T. Suzuki Museum

D.T. Suzuki was the Japanese writer responsible for introducing Zen Buddhism to the West. The D.T. Suzuki Museum is the perfect monument to the man and his work. Like Zen, the museum invites you to contemplate and empty your mind of distraction. The water “garden” outside the museum is sublime and do not miss the fine traditional Japanese garden behind it.

Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Art

Often overlooked by visitors who rush to the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, this fine museum of Japanese art is well worth a visit. The small but excellent collection covers the main fields of Japanese art. And, downstairs, there is a brilliant café where you can refuel with some delicious coffee, tea and pastries.

Omicho Market

Omicho Market has been in the center of Kanazawa for more than 280 years. In the market, there are large numbers of stores including fish stores, vegetable stores, grocery stores, and so on.

In some fish stores, they offer a special sushi where you can taste fresh fish caught in the Sea of Japan. You may also find unique Kaga vegetables grown in the Hokuriku area. Omicho Market is always very crowded, but you must visit.

Read more: Top 5 hot springs in Japan

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Must-visit attractions in Kuching, Malaysia

Sarawak in Malaysia attracts tourists for jungle-related activities, cities with a small-town feel and its rich and diverse ethnic culture and traditions. Kuching, the state capital, is often the first port of call.

Sarawak’s White Rajahs

The clock tower is located inside the complex

The Astana, or ‘Palace’ in English, always features on lists of the must-visit attractions in Kuching. Sitting elegantly on the banks of the River Sarawak, the 1870 colonial palace exudes grandeur. Formerly the residence of Sarawak’s White Rajahs, it’s now the Governor of Sarawak’s seat and isn’t open to the public. Manicured lawns and a fence surround the palace with ‘Astana’ spelled out in giant white letters. Stand on the opposite side of the river for the best photographs. Return after dark when the palace lights up.

Tua Pek Kong Temple

Dating back to 1843, Tua Pek Kong holds the title as Kuching’s oldest Chinese temple. Located in the heart of the city centre near the Waterfront and Chinese Museum, the colourful façade welcomes curious visitors. While the Taoist temple might not be an obvious entry into the list of the must-visit attractions in Kuching, it does provide cultural insights into the city’s past and hosts several annual festivals.

Cat Museum

Cat monument in Kuching city center

Sarawak’s name translates as ‘Cat’ in English, giving the nickname ‘City of Cats’. The world’s first cat museum covers four galleries inside the City Hall buildings. With over 4,000 items covering everything related to felines, this is a must-visit attraction in Kuching for cat lovers. Since opening in 1988, the Cat Museum gets thousands of annual visitors. Expect to find figurines, photographs, posters and a rare Egyptian mummified cat.

Bako National Park

Holding the title as Sarawak’s oldest and one of the state’s smallest, Bako National Park can be reached within an hour to the northeast of Kuching. After taking a boat to the park entrance, visitors can hike along colour-coded trails, visit beaches and go wildlife-spotting in the many habitats. Highlights include its resident population of endemic proboscis monkeys, slow loris and pangolins, as well as 190 species of birds, lizards and other mammals. Bako National Park is an ideal place to go wildlife-spotting and experience Sarawak’s rainforests.

Sarawak State Museum

Borneo’s oldest museum first opened in 1891. The White Rajah at the time, Charles Brookes, had a passion for natural history and commissioned the Sarawak State Museum. Several displays cover all aspects of Sarawak from ethnographic exhibits and traditional longhouses to Neolithic artefacts, natural specimens and both Chinese and Islamic art. The grand three-storied colonial building housing the museum is a masterpiece in itself.

Read more: Experience Malaysian cuisine in a day

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Reasons why you should choose Abu Dhabi over Dubai

Most people when booking their trip to the UAE immediately pick Dubai as their destination. However, only an hour and a half away is Abu Dhabi, and visitors should definitely consider visiting this incredible city instead. Abu Dhabi has some of the most epic touristic attractions in the country and is possibly a better destination for tourists coming to the UAE.

Abu Dhabi is the UAE’s Capital

Abu Dhabi is not only the country’s capital, but it also occupies approximately 80% of its territory. The city is also the home of the UAE’s president, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. In fact, all of the country’s presidents must be from the Al Nahyan family, which is from Abu Dhabi. This makes Abu Dhabi perhaps the most important city in the country politically, geographically and historically. When visiting the UAE, seeing – and even staying – in the capital is a must!

Seeing more of the local culture

Anyone who has been to both Dubai and Abu Dhabi will agree that the capital is much more traditional than the vastly more touristy city of Dubai. In Abu Dhabi, visitors will be more in touch with the local culture, being around locals much more often. This is the best place to see the Emirati costumes, garments and traditions. Whereas in Dubai one would most likely be surrounded by expats and other tourists, Abu Dhabi offers a more traditional experience.

Great concerts and events

Abu Dhabi has become known for amazing concerts. The capital has hosted some household names in music internationally such as Coldplay, Paul McCartney, Rihanna and Lionel Richie. Events such as Beats On The Beach have made Abu Dhabi the UAE’s most important hub for live music. The city has an event heavy calendar that includes music festivals, cultural happenings and sporting events, attracting people from all over the world.

Not as busy as Dubai

Anyone who has visited Dubai during peak season can confirm this – the city is packed! Seeing that this is a vastly popular tourist destination, people from all over the world fly to Dubai during the months of October-March in order to spend some time in the city. Airports are packed, hotels are super expensive and even just buying a ticket to go up the Burj Khalifa needs to be done months in advance. Abu Dhabi has attractions that are just as fun and exciting as Dubai, with much less hassle, making it a much better destination during peak season.

A more authentic trip

While everyone around is saying they have been to Dubai and seen Dubai Mall and the Burj Khalifa, anyone who choose to visit Abu Dhabi will be able to share stories of a truly authentic and unusual holiday. Everyone who has been to the UAE has had the chance to see the Burj Al Arab, but not all got to contemplate the skyline from Fast and Furious 7. Choosing Abu Dhabi over Dubai will guarantee new and unique stories to share with those back home.

See more: Top destinations in Abu Dhabi, UAE

Source: Internet