Kanazawa Castle might have lost most of its original buildings to fire over the centuries, but man, does that place know how to show off at sunset! One of our best moments in Kanazawa was just lounging on the castle lawn as the day wound down, watching the reconstructed buildings take on that perfect golden hour glow.
While some might say "it's just a reconstruction," they've rebuilt these parts using the same traditional techniques and materials as the originals. Plus, being able to hang out on the grounds for free and stay late enough to catch sunset is a major bonus - not all Japanese castles are this chill about letting you linger.
Pro tip: Skip the interior tour and just find your spot on the lawn around sunset. The castle's exterior is the real showstopper here, and watching the light change on those white walls and traditional architecture is better than any museum exhibit could be.