My first stop is generally at the Lawson convenience store on the southwestern corner of this intersection, where Shijo-dori (Fourth Avenue) meets Higashi-oji (Eastern Street).

BBC: The walk that made me love Japan

On my first morning in Kanazawa, I made a beeline for the neighbourhood of Higashi Chaya and met Kiyoe Nagashima, a 6th-generation resident and Kanazawa Excursions guide.

BBC: Get lost in Japan��s ancient samurai town

Higashi Chaya, however, is anything but modern.

BBC: Get lost in Japan��s ancient samurai town

Each of four local communities Kita-machi, Higashi-machi, Nishi-machi and Hom-machi creates a parade float that serves at once as a space to worship a deity and as a multi-level puppet theatre.

UNESCO: Culture