Cédric

Originally from Nancy, France, Kanazawa’s twin city, Cédric went on to study and work for eight years in Paris. He discovered Japan on a world tour, where he chose to settle down later. He first lived in Kyoto and now in Kanazawa.

His/Her background

Cédric holds a double master's degree in Business Law and Art History from Paris Sorbonne University. He worked for law firms and for modern and contemporary art galleries in Paris. 

His/Her advice for you

Must-see :

The 21St Century Museum of Kanazawa, designed by architects Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa. The permanent collection displays works by major artists including James Turrell, Olafur Eliasson, Anish Kapoor and Jan Fabre. The Ohi Ceramic Museum, one of the finest in Japan, located near the biggest Geisha district, Higashi Chaya Gai.

To bring back with you :

Kutani porcelain, (Kutaniyaki in Japanese) from Ishikawa prefecture, of which Kanazawa is the capital.

Things to do :

The "Utatsuyama Hiking Trail", a walk of a little less than 3km that meanders through the streets of Higashiyama where you will pass through dozens of temples. In the same area, too, the sublime Utatsuyama park, nestled on the heights of the eponymous hill.

Words to Know :

"Anyato", which means "thank you" in Kanazawa dialect.

Dishes to Try :

Kanazawa is a true gourmet city, with a plethora of options ranging from cheap neighborhood restaurants to fancy Michelin-starred places. To try, the Obanzai cuisine, local and seasonal, focused on plants and fish. But also seafood, including sea urchins, abalone or Nodoguro (pink bar).

Traps to avoid :

Don’t get up too late in the morning!