Kanazawa-Shi, Japan

If you only have time for one stop on the Sea of Japan coast, make it KANAZAWA. Back in the mid-nineteenth century this was the fourth largest city in Japan, built around a grand castle and the lovely Kenroku-en, one of Japan's top three gardens. Kanazawa 's past wealth and high culture reveals itself in many fascinating museums, temples (including the "Ninja" temple, Myōryū-ji), and well-presevered areas of samurai houses and geisha teahouses. Modern Japan is perfectly represented by the dazzling 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa, the shock of the new amid the many beautiful traditional arts that the city actively cultivates.