Kanazawa has a population of 466,029.  I came once just to try out the new Hokuriku Shinkansen in 2015.  This line will be extended to Fukui next year, with an eventual connection to Shin Osaka in 2045. We decided to skip the tours on this stop.  In fact, we might never take any, for we know enough about Japan, that we can get around by ourselves. But about  Kanazawa : It is the capital of Ishikawa Prefecture. The weather is said to be similar to Seattle.  A little wet. There has so far been no population decline. Kanazawa means marsh of gold, for legend has it that a peasant was digging for potatoes when flakes of gold washed up.  For that reason, dating back over 400 years, the city's artisans are famous for creating gold leaf crafts. Sister cities include Buffalo and Ghent, Belgium. Kanazawa University is a national university, tracing its beginnings to 1862. Kanazawa Castle was reconstructed in 2001 Kenrokuen Garden is one of three gems of Japan. Located next door to the garden