古い町並み、庭、工芸、温泉、海の幸、そして歴史。これほど財産がそろっている街はめずらしい。それらが、ついつい歩きすぎてしまう大都市にはないスケールに艶っぽく溶け込んでいる。しかも金沢市はアートを更なる要素として加え、それがうまい具合に効いている。21ｓｔ美の街の中での佇まい！こんな風に利用されている美術館って他にあるのでしょうか。観光が大切な産業であるので、各種交通機関も整備されているし、サインや案内も親切。住民も親切。

次の日に名古屋へ移動し、鬱蒼とする思いにとらわれる。この街の財産は金シャチ？名古屋嬢？トヨタ？それならデザイン都市などと掲げるのをやめて堂々と拝金主義ですすめればいいのに。ああ、、、金沢なら定住してもいいのだけど。

kanazawa: it has old houses, beautiful gardens, fine craftsmen, natural onsens, great seafood and a long history. not so many cities have this amount of treasures. and all these are in a sensual scale that make us want to deliberately walk around. on top of these, it even has contemporary art as a new element. and it works: i cannot imagine kanazawa without the 21st century museum, and in a way that is used by its residents. because the city is aware that tourism is an important industry, the public transportation is well organised and the signage and information systems are kind and friendly. likewise, the local residents are kind and  friendly.

traveling to nagoya the following day,  i thought about what its treasures are: two golden carp finials on the old nagoya castle; the glamorous nagoya girl with LV bags and barbie doll looks; and the world-famous toyota company. i suggest nagoya stop calling itself a “design city”. instead, they should seriously promote themselves as a “materialistic city”.  (translated by km)