Day 1
From Tokyo Station, travel by Shinkansen bullet train to Kanazawa Station, a journey of 2.5 hours.
After a local lunch, travel by private vehicle to Kenrokuen, known as one of Japan's three most beautiful landscape gardens. Expect to be awed by the splendor of Kenrokuen, whichever season you visit.
Immediately adjacent to the garden is Kanazawa Castle, a reconstruction of the 16th century seat of the powerful Maeda Clan. Spend time strolling through the expansive Kanazawa Castle Park and visiting the rebuilt gates and turrets that are now open to the public.
Your next stop is the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, a starkly modern presence in Kanazawa's largely traditional cityscape. Within this colossal, circular structure, immerse yourself in experimental exhibits that beckon to be touched, sat on and climbed into.
From the museum, it is a five-minute drive to the old Higashi Chaya geisha district, which features rows of venerable teahouses. Take a leisurely walk through this fascinating quarter, spend time browsing for souvenirs unique to Kanazawa, or relax over a hot cup of green tea.
Spend the night at a Kanazawa hotel.
Day 2
Travel 40 minutes by private vehicle to Komatsu to discover the fascinating art of Kutani Wa, which fuses Kutani ceramics with Edo-era glass techniques.
Tour the production area, observing the ceramic and glass bonding technique, before spending time admiring exquisite Kutani ceramics and picking out choice souvenirs at the studio store. Spend the last 30 minutes crafting your very own *artwork using overglazing techniques on Kutani Wa glass and ceramics.
*The finished item will be delivered at a later date. If you are in Europe, North America or Australia, there will be an additional shipping charge of approx. 5,000 yen (price varies depending on region and quantity).
After working up an appetite, it’s time for art, sake and a gourmet lunch at Auberge Eaufeu and the nearby Noguchi Naohiko Sake Institute.
Begin with a tour of Eaufeu, which combines fine dining and accommodation with an appreciation of art. Next, head to the Noguchi Naohiko Sake Institute to discover the Yamahai brewing method, a dying craft that was brought back to life by Noguchi Naohiko, the sake master behind the institute. With Noguchi-san as your guide, tour the brewery before tasting some of the best sakes the institute has to offer in a special tasting room. With your palate cleansed, return to Auberge Eaufeu for a gourmet lunch prepared by its celebrated chef.
After lunch, spend time at Komatsu Hikiyama Gallery Miyossa marveling at the enormous floats that are the highlight of the celebrated Hikiyama Festival before learning from members of an all-female kabuki troupe how to apply the distinctive makeup and costumes of this traditional theater.
End the afternoon wandering around the old Ryusuke district of Komatsu before heading to your night’s accommodation at either Yamashiro Onsen or Yamanaka Onsen.
Day 3
Begin your day with a saunter along Yugekaido, the onsen district’s main street. From Korogi Bridge, descend into Kakusenkei, a 1.3-kilometer (0.8 miles) gorge carved out by Daishoji River and passing through lush forest.
From the hot spring area, travel 30 minutes by private vehicle to Sugar Ray, a restaurant showcasing top-notch Australian wine and cuisine. Spend time with Sato-san, Sugar Ray’s award-winning chef, selecting choice vegetables in his kitchen garden before relishing the culinary delights that he mastered during his 10-year tenure down under.
The last stop on the program is Ozuchi, a remote hamlet some 40 minutes by private vehicle. Spend the next few hours off the beaten track with Nimaida-san, Ozuchi’s sole resident. Explore a kominka (old-style rural house) with a traditional sunken hearth and learn about a lifestyle that is rapidly disappearing.
Travel by private vehicle to Kaga Onsen Station and, from there, on to Kyoto.
Jutting out into the Japan Sea, Ishikawa Prefecture is a land rich in culture and history. This is no more evident than in the prefectural capital of Kanazawa, where tradition and modernity are inseparable. Marvel at the beauty of Kenrokuen, considered to be Japan's most exquisite landscape garden, and be awed by contemporary art at Kanazawa’s flagship museum. Venture beyond Kanazawa for novel opportunities that bring you closer to the heart of rural Japan, and see traditional skills that continue to flourish. Included are a hands-on experience of ceramic and glass techniques, sake tasting at a locally celebrated brewery, donning the makeup and costume of a kabuki actor, and touring a village with its one and only resident. Heightening the experience are gourmet dining, fine wines, and a night spent savoring the delights of a hot spring town.