India, May 14 -- Situated on the rugged Sea of Japan coast but easily connected to Tokyo by a 2.5-hour bullet train, Kanazawa is gaining traction as a cheaper, less congested alternative to Kyoto. "You can savor that Kyoto atmosphere without the crowds," Yuka Matsushima, one of the city's interpreter-guides, tells Travel + Leisure.

Spared from large-scale destruction during World War II, Kanazawa is a place where history is present around every corner. "We have temples and shrines, a well-preserved townscape, and nature. It's the kind of place you can walk around in a yukata and look right at home," she says. Once part of the wealthy Kaga Domain and a true hidden gem, Kanazawa is certainly worth an extended stop as you explore Ishikawa ...