Top places to visit in Kanazawa

• Kenroku-en Garden

  formal Japanese garden · 4.8 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  Ranked as one of Japan's three finest landscape gardens (alongside Korakuen and Kairakuen), Kenroku-en ("Garden of Six Sublimities") was developed by the Kaga Domain over 180 years into a masterwork of Edo-period garden design. The…

• 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art

  contemporary art museum · 4.7 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  Opened 2004, the 21st Century Museum is consistently voted Japan's most popular art museum. Its radical architecture — a completely circular, wall-less, glass-cylinder building — deliberately eliminates hierarchy and confuses…

• Higashi Chaya — Geisha District

  geisha district · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  The largest and best-preserved geisha district in Japan outside Kyoto, Higashi Chaya ("East Tea House District") was established in 1820 and retains an extraordinary cluster of ochaya (teahouses) with distinctive latticed wooden facades.…

• Kanazawa Castle Park

  restored castle · 4.5 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  The restored castle of the Kaga Domain — once the second wealthiest han after the Shogunate — Kanazawa Castle is notable for its gleaming white lead-tile roofs (most Japanese castles use traditional grey tiles). The Hishi Yagura turret,…

• Nagamachi Samurai District

  historic district · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  Preserved earthen-walled lanes of former samurai residences and the Nomura House.

• D.T. Suzuki Museum

  specialty museum · about 0.8 h · entry ¥310 (≈ ₹190)

  Minimalist museum on the Zen philosopher, centred on a contemplative water mirror garden.

• Kanazawa Station (Tsuzumi Gate)

  landmark · about 0.3 h · check the fee at the gate

  Landmark station fronted by the wooden Tsuzumi drum gate and glass Motenashi Dome.

• Omicho Market

  food market · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  Kanazawa's bustling "kitchen" market of seafood, crab and produce stalls.

• Myoryu-ji (Ninja Temple)

  buddhist temple · about 0.8 h · entry ¥1,200 (≈ ₹720)

  Temple riddled with hidden stairways, trapdoors and secret passages.

• Nishi Chaya District

  geisha district · about 0.7 h · check the fee at the gate

  The smaller of Kanazawa's teahouse quarters, atmospheric and less crowded.

• Oyama Shrine

  shinto shrine · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Shrine honouring lord Maeda Toshiie, noted for its unusual Dutch-designed gate.

Things to do

• Higashi Chaya Geisha District Walk & Tea Ceremony Cultural · 2.5 h · from JPY 6,700 per person
• Kanazawa Samurai District & Ninja Temple Tour Cultural · 3 h · from JPY 8,800 per person
• Kenroku-en Garden Dawn Walk & Gold Leaf Workshop Cultural · 3.5 h · from JPY 7,400 per person
• Kaga Yuzen Silk-Dyeing Workshop Class · 2 h · from JPY 3,500 per person

Day trips and tours

• Kanazawa Full Day — Kenroku-en, Higashi Chaya & Ninja Temple 9 h · from JPY 12,600
• Omicho Market Morning & Contemporary Art Afternoon 6 h · from JPY 7,600

Where to stay in Kanazawa

• Historic Center about JPY 5,000 per night

  Castle town with cultural accommodation

• Kenroku-en–Kanazawa Castle about JPY 16,000 per night

  The historic and cultural core of Kanazawa — Kenroku-en garden, Kanazawa Castle, and the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art all within walking distance. Higashi Chaya geisha district is 15 min walk.

Hotels

• Hyatt Centric Kanazawa 4-star
• Kanazawa Hakuchoro Hotel Sanraku 4-star
• Hostel Yui 2-star
• Kanazawa New Grand Hotel 3-star · JPY 9,000 to JPY 18,000 per night
• ANA Holiday Inn Kanazawa Sky 4-star · JPY 15,000 to JPY 30,000 per night

Where to eat

• Omicho Market Seafood Japanese, Seafood, Sushi · about JPY 2,500 per person
• Kenroku-en Chaya Tea House Japanese, Cafe · about JPY 800 per person
• Higashi Chaya Cafe Kanazawa Japanese, Cafe · about JPY 2,000 per person
• Tsuba-san Japanese, Sushi · about JPY 4,500 per person
• Ichinokura Omicho Seafood, Sushi · about JPY 3,500 per person
• Sushi Ippei Sushi, Seafood · about JPY 6,000 per person
• Curio Espresso and Vintage Design Cafe · about JPY 1,000 per person

Getting to Kanazawa

Airport: Komatsu (KMQ)

How visitors arrive in Kanazawa

• Hokuriku Shinkansen to Kanazawa By train from Tokyo · common

  Kanazawa Station is the central hub, on the Hokuriku Shinkansen. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Fly to Komatsu Airport By air from Tokyo Haneda · common

  Komatsu is the nearest airport, with direct buses to Kanazawa Station. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Highway bus By road from Tokyo / Kyoto / Osaka · possible

  Overnight and day buses connect Kanazawa with major cities. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the airport to the centre

• Airport bus from Komatsu

  Buses run direct from Komatsu Airport (KMQ) to JR Kanazawa Station, usually timed to flight arrivals. A bus to Komatsu Station plus a train also works. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Former JR mainline trains on the Hokuriku line are now private railways, so a Japan Rail Pass does not cover them. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the railway station to the centre

• Hokuriku Shinkansen

  Kanazawa Station is on the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo. Kagayaki trains need a seat reservation; Hakutaka stops more often. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Former JR mainline trains on the Hokuriku line are now private railways, so a Japan Rail Pass does not cover them. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

Getting around

• Bicycle useful for some trips

  Bicycles can be rented at Kanazawa Station, and the Machi-Nori share scheme offers e-bikes that can be returned at compatible stations.

  Machi-Nori bike share

• Bus useful for some trips

  Kanazawa has city buses and a tourist loop bus that circles the main sights, plus community Furatto-Bus routes.

  Hokutetsu bus (Hokuriku Railroad)

• Transit Pass
• Walking useful for some trips

Safety and scams to avoid

• Roppongi bar overcharge

  Roppongi · Kabukicho nightlife

  Foreign-fronted bar in Roppongi adds drink charges and seat fees you weren't shown; bill arrives at 5–10x expected.

  How to avoid it: Stick to bars with clear printed menus and prices on the door. Ask price before sitting.

Best time to visit Kanazawa

• Jan 7°C
• Feb 8°C
• Mar 12°C
• Apr 17°C
• May 22°C
• Jun 26°C
• Jul 30°C
• Aug 31°C
• Sep 27°C
• Oct 22°C
• Nov 16°C
• Dec 10°C

More in Japan

• Tokyo
• Kyoto
• Osaka
• Hakone
• Hiroshima
• Kamakura

Frequently asked questions about Kanazawa

How many days do you need in Kanazawa?

A typical trip to Kanazawa is 2-3 days.

What are the top-rated places to visit in Kanazawa?

The highest-rated places in our Kanazawa guide are Kenroku-en Garden, 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Higashi Chaya — Geisha District, Kanazawa Castle Park.

Where should I stay in Kanazawa?

Our guide covers these areas to stay in Kanazawa: Historic Center, Kenroku-en–Kanazawa Castle.

How do I get around Kanazawa?

Ways to get around Kanazawa covered in our guide: Bicycle, City bus, Transit pass, Walking.

What scams should I watch out for in Kanazawa?

Scams reported to us for Kanazawa include Roppongi bar overcharge. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.

What is the weather like in Kanazawa?

Average daytime highs in Kanazawa run from 7°C in Jan to 31°C in Aug.

Which airport is nearest to Kanazawa?

The nearest airport to Kanazawa has the code KMQ.