A handpicked selection of experiences endorsed by our experts. If you can’t see what you’re looking for, let us know, as our extensive network of local contacts can open many doors.
Visit the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, a landmark attraction famous both for its collection and its design. In 2010, the museum was cited by the Pritzker Prize jury in bestowing architecture’s highest accolade on Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa.
Visit a gold-leaf workshop. Kanazawa is the gold-leaf capital of Japan, producing 99 percent of the product used throughout the country in arts and handicrafts (and sometimes even making it into sake!). If you wish, try your hand at making a set of gold-leaf covered chopsticks.
Visit the Kenrokuen Garden, considered one of the “three most beautiful landscape gardens” in Japan. Located in the heart of Kanazawa, this spacious garden was in construction for over 200 years before it was open to the public in 1871. The word “kenrokuen” means “garden of six sublimities”, which refers to the six essential attributes that make up a perfect garden: spaciousness, seclusion, antiquity, abundant water, artificiality, and broad views.
Visit Nomurake, a samurai residence which, like Kaikaro teahouse, has been painstakingly restored based on historical records to appear as it did during the height of the samurai in the late 16th and 17th centuries. Nomurake’s tiny landscaped garden is stunning and is often said to be among Japan’s best.
Have a private tour of a sake brewery that has been in operation for more than 200 years. Japan's most famous native alcohol, sake comes in varying grades based on the polishing of the rice; generally, the more the rice is polished, the better the quality. The spectrum of tastes spans very dry to highly fruity.
Visit a kaga yuzen silk-dying studio. Yuzen is a traditional technique of dying silks for kimonos and other garments dating to the early 18th century, and the workshop in Kanazawa is one of the most famous. Your expert guide and staff from the studio will walk you through the elaborate process of creating designs in which nature figures prominently, from pattern stenciling and painting to steaming, rinsing and drying.
Make a stop at an authentic Ochaya, teahouse, traditional sophisticated establishments where geisha perform traditional dance and instruments for people in high society. Today guests can have a cup of tea, meet geisha, and admire the interior design of vermilion-laquered stairs, gold-laced tatami mats, and paintings adorning the panels of sliding doors.
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With Remote Lands you'll travel with people who have made Asia the solitary focus of their own lifelong adventure. As our guest, you'll discover Asia on a journey that is completely, authentically your own, adapted from our own remarkable experiences and adventures over the years.
With Remote Lands you'll travel with people who have made Asia the solitary focus of their own lifelong adventure. As our guest, in the continent that our north American founders Catherine and Jay have adored and explored for decades, you'll discover Asia on a journey that is completely, authentically your own, adapted from our own remarkable experiences and adventures over the years.
Multi-Country Specialists
Remote Lands
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An Asia-focused magazine brought to you by Remote Lands – a platform for adventure, luxury, and authenticity from experts and explorers around the continent.
With access to the city now so much easier, Kanazawa will start receiving the attention it so greatly deserves, as this is a city chock full of sights, history and culture, without being overcrowded with tourists.
Kanazawa has been ahead of the gold-leaf food craze for about 400 years. Today, travelers can get gilded sushi, ice cream, and korokke in this lovable Japanese destination.
With Tokyo’s most popular fish market facing an uncertain future, there are plenty of fish markets around the country catering to different tastes.
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From the moment I happened upon the REMOTE LANDS website over a year ago, browsed the options, I knew that this would be well worth it. The entire staff is nothing less than professional with service that made us feel like royals.
This was truly the trip of a lifetime. Magical destinations, the most luxurious hotels in the world, and the most wonderful travel companions we could’ve wished for. We were treated like family everywhere we went and we have 14 new best friends.
We have used some of the top rated travel specialists all over the world and, without question, Catherine Heald and Remote Lands are at the very top of the list!
