Kanazawa

Kanazawa gets a lot of rain and snow, so it is best to bring rain gear when you go out.

Kanazawa combines the atmosphere of Edo-period streets with a contemporary art scene. It is quieter than Kyoto, has plenty of dining options, and is generally more affordable, making it a great city to spend time in while traveling through the Hokuriku region.

Classic Two-Day Itinerary

• Day 1 (city center highlights): Kanazawa Station (Tsuzumi Gate) → Omicho Market (brunch) → Kanazawa Castle Park → Kenrokuen Garden → Higashi Chaya District (afternoon tea/gold leaf ice cream) → Oyama Shrine.
• Day 2 (art and history): Nagamachi Samurai District → Ishiura Shrine (the “dog shrine”) → 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa → D. T. Suzuki Museum → Korinbo (shopping and dinner).
• Day 3 (nearby extensions): If you have more time, you can take a day trip to Shirakawa-go or Gokayama to see gassho-zukuri farmhouses. You can also visit Amaharashi Coast for views of snow-capped mountains and the coastline in the same frame.

Main Sights

Sights in central Kanazawa are fairly close together, and many can be linked on foot or by shared bicycle.

• Kenrokuen Garden: One of Japan’s three great gardens, with highlights in every season: cherry blossoms in spring, autumn leaves in fall, and yukitsuri snow-support scenes in winter.

• Higashi Chaya District: Preserves the look of an Edo-period geisha district, with wooden machiya townhouses forming a historic streetscape. You can experience tea ceremony here and also try gold leaf ice cream.

• 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa: Kanazawa’s representative venue for modern art, known for its circular transparent building. Advance reservations are required for the museum’s “Swimming Pool” installation.

• Omicho Market: Considered Kanazawa’s everyday kitchen, this is a good place to try seafood rice bowls, grilled oysters, and local-style oden.

• Nagamachi Samurai District: This was once a residential area for samurai of the Kaga Domain. Its earthen walls, gardens, and other remains are well preserved, making it a good place to learn about traces of samurai life.

Local Food

Kanazawa is close to the Sea of Japan, so there is a wide range of seafood. The city also preserves local specialties such as gold leaf culture and Kaga cuisine.

Accommodation and Transport Tips

• Where to stay: Consider staying near Kanazawa Station for easy train access and convenient morning and evening travel. You can also choose the area around Omicho Market/Kenrokuen Garden, which is convenient for dining, strolling, and sightseeing.
• Getting around: Sights in central Kanazawa are relatively close together, and many routes can be done on foot. If you need to take the bus, you can buy a “Kanazawa Loop Bus One-Day Pass” (880 yen). From Tokyo, the Hokuriku Shinkansen reaches Kanazawa directly in about 2.5 hours.
• Payment reminder: Some long-established market stalls and small shops may accept cash only, so it is a good idea to carry enough Japanese yen with you.