If you’re planning to visit Kanazawa, one of Ishikawa Prefecture’s most popular tourist destinations, you’ll want to make the most of your time by exploring its highlights efficiently. This article covers all the must-see spots for sightseeing in Kanazawa, including Kenrokuen Garden—one of Japan’s Three Great Gardens—Kanazawa Castle, Omicho Market where you can enjoy fresh seafood and other local cuisine, the atmospheric Higashi Chaya District with its preserved traditional streetscape, and the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa, known for its modern art and photo spots. In addition, a local writer from the Hokuriku region will introduce hidden gems from a local’s perspective, trending gourmet spots on social media, and even a sample 2-day, 1-night itinerary for making the most of your Kanazawa trip—all presented in an easy-to-understand way.
🚅Book your Shinkansen ticket with NAVITIME Travel! 👉 Click here
😄Enjoy a more convenient trip to Japan with NAVITIME eSIM!👉Click here
*If you purchase or book products introduced in this article, a portion of the sales may be returned to FUN! JAPAN.
The Charms of Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture
Kanazawa, a castle town representing the Hokuriku region, is a city where you can enjoy history, gourmet food, and contemporary art all in one place. Most of the main attractions are concentrated in the city center and are located within about an hour’s walk from Kanazawa Station, so with proper planning, you can fully enjoy sightseeing in Kanazawa in just two days and one night.
Kanazawa’s Seasonal Highlights: Weather and Clothing Tips
In Kanazawa, you can enjoy beautiful scenery created by the changing seasons and famous sightseeing spots, such as cherry blossoms at Kenrokuen Garden in spring, summer festivals and the Tsuzumi-mon Gate—a symbol in front of the station—in summer, and snowy landscapes with Kanazawa Castle in winter. These sights are so attractive that even locals visit them throughout the changing seasons. However, especially in winter, there are many snowy days, so be sure to check the weather in advance and prepare clothing suitable for the season.
[Spring] Cherry Blossoms at Kenrokuen Garden
In spring, Kenrokuen Garden in Kanazawa is transformed into a breathtaking scene as cherry blossoms in full bloom paint the grounds pink. During the cherry blossom viewing period, admission is occasionally free, and at night, the illuminated cherry blossoms create a dreamlike atmosphere—making this a must-visit spot.
【Summer】Kanazawa Hyakumangoku Festival & Hokuriku Fireworks Kanazawa Show
Held in early June, the "Kanazawa Hyakumangoku Festival" is the city's largest event. The grand and spectacular "Hyakumangoku Parade," featuring locals dressed in period costumes, departs from Kanazawa Station and winds through the city over about four hours, bringing over 400 years of tradition and culture to life. The sight of the parade passing in front of the iconic Tsuzumi-mon Gate at Kanazawa Station is truly impressive.
IIn late July, the "Hokkoku Fireworks Kanazawa Festival" is also held, with about 12,000 fireworks lighting up the night sky.
👉Check out this article for more recommended fireworks festivals across Japan
【Autumn】Enchanting Autumn Foliage Illuminations: Kenrokuen, Kanazawa Castle Park, and Gyokusen'inmaru Garden
In autumn, Kenrokuen, Kanazawa Castle Park, and Gyokusen'inmaru Garden are illuminated to showcase the autumn foliage. The enchanting scenery created by the historic gardens and colorful leaves is a must-see. Admission is free during the illumination hours.
【Winter】Yukitsuri and Exquisite Crab Cuisine
In winter, "yukitsuri," a traditional method of protecting trees from the weight of snow, is a familiar sight throughout Hokuriku and can be seen all over Kanazawa.
In addition, winter delicacies from the Sea of Japan, such as snow crab (zuwaigani), are exceptional treats unique to the cold season. If you want to enjoy delicious gourmet food nurtured by the wisdom of snowy regions and the natural environment, winter is highly recommended.
【Travel Advice】Kanazawa Weather and What to Wear
Kanazawa is an area with frequent rainfall throughout the year. The weather can change suddenly, so it's a good idea to bring a folding umbrella or raincoat when sightseeing. In winter, snow and cold winds are common, so be sure to dress warmly and take proper precautions against the cold weather.
5 Carefully Selected Must-Visit & Hidden Spots in Kanazawa
From a local perspective, we've carefully selected both famous and lesser-known spots you should visit in Kanazawa. We'll also introduce highlights of each location and tips to make your sightseeing even more enjoyable.
Omicho Market
Omicho Market has a history of about 300 years and has long been known as the kitchen of Kanazawa's citizens. The market is packed with gourmet spots, including fresh kaisendon (seafood rice bowls) and Kanazawa specialties like gold leaf-topped sweets. You can experience Kanazawa's unique food culture in the lively atmosphere of the market.
💡Local Tips
Omicho Market features two main streets, "Kami-Omicho Street" and "Shimo-Omicho Street," as well as many smaller connecting alleys lined with shops, totaling around 170 in all. If you find any souvenirs or gourmet foods that catch your eye, don’t hesitate to give them a try—you’re sure to enjoy your visit to the fullest.
Omicho Market
- Address: 50 Kami-Omicho, Kanazawa-shi, Ishikawa
- Access: 15 minutes on foot from Kanazawa Station
- Opening Hours: Varies by shop
- Closed: January 1–4; many shops are also closed on Wednesdays and Sundays
- URL: https://ohmicho-ichiba.com/
Kenrokuen Garden
Kenrokuen Garden is one of Japan’s Three Great Gardens, a feudal lord’s garden renowned for its beauty. Spanning an area more than twice the size of Tokyo Dome, its vast grounds showcase stunning scenes throughout the seasons, making it a must-visit spot when sightseeing in Kanazawa.
💡Local Tips
The "Kotoji Lantern" inside Kenrokuen Garden is a popular photo spot. Since the garden is quite large, if you’re unsure where to take pictures, start here. The garden opens early in the morning, so visiting at dawn allows you to enjoy the tranquil beauty of the garden at your own pace.
Kenrokuen Garden
- Address: 1 Kenroku-machi, Kanazawa-shi, Ishikawa
- Access: About 10 minutes by taxi from Kanazawa Station, or about 3 minutes on foot from Kenrokuen-shita/Kanazawa Castle bus stop
- Opening Hours: [March 1–October 15] 7:00–18:00 (last entry 17:30), [October 16–end of February] 8:00–17:00 (last entry 16:30)
- Closed: Open year-round
- Admission: Adults ¥320
- URL: https://www.pref.ishikawa.jp/siro-niwa/japanese/top.html
Kanazawa Castle Park & Gyokuseninmaru Garden
Kanazawa Castle Park is the former site of the Maeda family’s castle, rulers of the Kaga Domain. The adjacent Gyokuseninmaru Garden is a beautiful stroll garden with a central pond, designed for visitors to walk around and enjoy its historical scenery. Be sure to also take note of the Ishikawa Gate and the various stone walls, which are designated Important Cultural Properties.
💡Local Tips
At Gyokuseninmaru Garden, you can enjoy a matcha tea experience in the Japanese-style room at the garden’s rest area, Gyokusen-an. Savor tea and original Japanese sweets while gazing at the garden, and spend a relaxing moment. Not only can you enjoy the scenery, but you’ll also take home lasting memories of a unique experience.
Kanazawa Castle Park & Gyokuseninmaru Garden
- Address: 1-1 Marunouchi, Kanazawa-shi, Ishikawa
- Access: About 10 minutes by taxi from Kanazawa Station, or about 5 minutes on foot from Kenrokuen-shita/Kanazawa Castle bus stop
- Opening Hours: [March 1–October 15] 7:00–18:00 (closing time), [October 16–end of February] 8:00–17:00 (closing time) *Gyokusen-an is open 9:00–16:30 (last entry 16:00)
- Closed: Open year-round *Gyokusen-an is closed during the New Year holidays
- URL: https://www.pref.ishikawa.jp/siro-niwa/japanese/top.html
21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa
The 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa is a popular museum where you can experience contemporary art in an interactive way. The museum’s iconic work, “The Swimming Pool,” requires advance reservation to view, so if you definitely want to see it, be sure to check the official website before your visit.
💡Local Tips
There are many outdoor artworks, and you can enjoy art even in the free areas, making it a great place to visit eve early in the morning or at night.
21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa
- Address: 1-2-1 Hirosaka, Kanazawa, Ishikawa
- Access: About 10 minutes by taxi from Kanazawa Station
- Opening Hours: [Exchange Zone] 9:00–22:00, [Exhibition Zone] 10:00–18:00 (until 20:00 on Fridays and Saturdays)
- Closed: [Exchange Zone] Year-end and New Year holidays, [Exhibition Zone] Mondays (or the following weekday if Monday is a national holiday), Year-end and New Year holidays
- Admission: [Exchange Zone] Free, [Exhibition Zone] Fees vary depending on the exhibition and period
- URL: https://www.kanazawa21.jp/
Nagamachi Samurai District
The Nagamachi Samurai District is a historic area where the residences of samurai who once lived here still remain. The stone-paved alleys and earthen walls create an atmosphere reminiscent of the Edo-era. The streets lined with earthen walls and water channels are also popular as perfect photo spots.
💡Local Tips
One of the picturesque sights is the traditional winter preparation called “komo-kake,” where straw mats are placed over the earthen walls to protect them from snow and freezing. You can see this if you visit from autumn to winter.
Nagamachi Samurai District
- Address: Nagamachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa
- Access: About 10 minutes by taxi from Kanazawa Station
Ninja Temple (Myoryuji)
Myoryuji, known as the “Ninja Temple,” is a unique temple filled with hidden staircases and tricks. You can tour the inside on a paid guided tour that takes about 40 minutes. Please note that advance reservation is required for tours, and self-guided visits are not allowed.
💡Local Tips
When it was built, the Kaga Domain, which was in a tense relationship with the Tokugawa Shogunate, installed various tricks such as pitfalls and hidden staircases to deceive enemies in case of attack. Although it appears to be a two-story building from the outside, it actually has a seven-layer structure with 23 rooms and 29 staircases. Be sure to experience these surprising features for yourself.
Ninja Temple (Myoryuji)
- Address: 1-2-12 Nomachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa
- Access: About 15 minutes by taxi from Kanazawa Station, about 3 minutes on foot from “Hirokoji” bus stop
- Opening Hours: 9:00–16:00 (guided tours start every hour or every 30 minutes depending on the day)
- Closed: Please check the official website or call for details
- Admission: [Guided Tour] Adults 1,200 yen
- URL: http://www.myouryuji.or.jp/
7 Must-Try Kanazawa Gourmet Foods: A List of Local Favorites Trending on Social Media
An essential part of any trip to Kanazawa is experiencing the city’s unique food culture, nurtured by its rich natural surroundings and local traditions. Kanazawa offers a variety of gourmet dishes that are both delicious and visually stunning—perfect for your social media feed. Here, we’ve put together a must-try list focusing on the most talked-about gourmet experiences on SNS.
Omicho Market
At Omicho Market, you can enjoy Kanazawa’s signature gourmet dishes such as fresh kaisendon (seafood rice bowls) and sushi. This popular spot is bustling with tourists from early in the morning.
Must-Try List 1: Kaisendon (Seafood Rice Bowl)
When it comes to must-try gourmet at Omicho Market, kaisendon is at the top of the list. This luxurious rice bowl is topped with seasonal seafood from the Sea of Japan, such as nodoguro (blackthroat seaperch), amaebi (sweet shrimp), and crab. One of the most popular spots among both locals and tourists is Kaisen Izakaya Omicho Shokudo, known for its casual and delicious kaisendon (lunch: 2,380 yen).
Kaisen Izakaya Omicho Shokudo
- Address: 1 Aokusa-machi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa
- Opening Hours: [Mon–Sat, Holidays, Day Before Holidays] 10:30–15:00 (LO 14:30), 17:00–22:00 (LO 21:30) [Sun] 10:30–15:00 (LO 14:30), 17:00–20:00 (LO 19:30)
- Closed: None
- URL: https://oumichousyokudou.owst.jp/
Higashi Chaya District
Higashi Chaya District is a popular sightseeing area where the historic streetscape of a teahouse district, which flourished as a rest stop for travelers during the Edo period, still remains. To preserve the area, eating and drinking while walking is prohibited, so be sure to enjoy your meal inside the shops.
Must-Try List 2: Gold Leaf Soft Serve
The gold leaf soft serve, a hot topic on social media, is a must-have sweet treat when visiting Kanazawa. The “Kinpaku no Kagayaki Soft Cream” (891 yen), lavishly adorned with edible gold leaf, is incredibly photogenic. Be sure to snap a picture before it melts and enjoy its delicious taste.
Hakuichi Higashiyama Store
- Address: 1-15-4 Higashiyama, Kanazawa, Ishikawa
- Access: About 5 minutes on foot from Hashibacho Bus Stop or Asanogawa Ohashi Bus Stop
- Opening Hours: 9:00–18:00 (*Gold Leaf Soft Serve available until 17:00)
- Closed: None
- URL: https://kanazawa.hakuichi.co.jp/shop/higashiyama.php
Must-Try List 3: Matcha Sweets
If you want to experience the Japanese atmosphere of Higashi Chaya District, be sure to stop by a café serving matcha sweets. At MACCHA HOUSE Kanazawa Higashi Chaya District, you can enjoy authentic matcha desserts made with carefully selected matcha from Kyoto, such as the “Uji Matcha Tiramisu” (1,050 yen). The modern Japanese interior and beautiful matcha sweets are perfect for photos.
MACCHA HOUSE Kanazawa Higashi Chaya District
- Address: 1-14-7 Higashiyama, Kanazawa, Ishikawa
- Access: About 5 minutes on foot from Hashibacho Bus Stop
- Opening Hours: 10:00–18:00 (LO 17:30)
- Closed: None
- URL: https://maccha-house.com/cr1412/
B-class gourmet
After enjoying the classic gourmet dishes at popular sightseeing spots, be sure to try some of Kanazawa’s unique local B-class gourmet. The city is home to several delicious and slightly unusual specialties that have developed locally.
Must-Try List 4: Kanazawa Oden
Kanazawa Oden is characterized by its gentle flavor, based on kombu dashi and light soy sauce. It features unique ingredients from the Hokuriku region, such as Akamaki and Kuruma-fu, making it a visually delightful dish as well.
Must-Try List 5: Hanton Rice
A Kanazawa specialty, Hanton Rice consists of ketchup-flavored rice topped with a thin omelet, white fish fry, and tartar sauce. You'll be surprised by its rich flavor and generous portion.
Must-Try List 6: Nodoguro Dishes
Nodoguro, known as a luxury fish, is characterized by its refined umami and sweetness. In addition to being served in seafood bowls and sushi, it is also delicious simply grilled with salt, which is highly recommended.
Must-Try List 7: Jibuni
Jibuni is one of Kanazawa's representative local dishes. It is a Kaga cuisine where chicken coated with flour is simmered with Kanazawa's specialty Sudare-fu and vegetables in a sweet and savory soy sauce-based broth. Its thick, rich flavor is especially comforting in winter, warming you up from the inside.
Recommended 2-Day, 1-Night Model Course by Train and Bus
Kanazawa’s main tourist attractions are concentrated in the city center, making it easy to explore efficiently by bus and on foot. This course allows you to enjoy both classic sightseeing spots and gourmet food in a well-balanced way.
Day 1: Course to Experience Kanazawa’s History
12:00: Arrive at Kanazawa Station, lunch at Omicho Market
14:00: Visit and tour Myoryuji (Ninja Temple)
15:30: Kanazawa Castle Park & Gyokusen’inmaru Garden
17:00: Kenrokuen Garden
18:30: Dinner at the hotel
This fulfilling course takes you to Kanazawa’s iconic sightseeing spots such as Omicho Market, Kanazawa Castle Park, and Kenrokuen Garden, allowing you to experience the city’s traditional culture and history.
Day 2: Course to Experience Kanazawa’s Art and Trends
9:00: Breakfast
10:00: Stroll around 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa
12:00: Lunch in Katamachi
13:30: Stroll around Korinbo
14:00: Visit Oyama Shrine
14:30: Stroll around Higashi Chaya District
15:00: Try gold leaf soft serve ice cream
16:00: Shop for souvenirs at Kanazawa Station
17:30: Depart from Kanazawa Station
This course lets you experience art at the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa, and stroll through areas loved by locals such as Korinbo and Oyama Shrine. Enjoy trendy gourmet treats in the Higashi Chaya District and catch up on the latest information about Kanazawa.
[Travel Advice] If You Stay Another Night, Visiting Toyama Prefecture is Also Recommended!
Actually, I was born in Toyama. Toyama is only about 25 minutes from Kanazawa by Shinkansen, making it easy to visit even on a day trip. If you’re coming to Kanazawa, I highly recommend staying an extra night and extending your trip to Toyama Prefecture. Toyama offers many attractions that are different from Kanazawa, such as the world-famous Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, the breathtaking Amaharashi Kaigan (Amaharashi Coast), and Inami, a town with beautiful traditional streetscapes.
Access to Kanazawa
Kanazawa, one of Hokuriku’s leading tourist cities, is easily accessible from all over Japan and overseas. With the opening of the Hokuriku Shinkansen, travel from Tokyo has become more convenient, and you can also visit from the Kansai and Chubu regions by train or express bus.
Access from Overseas: International Flights to Komatsu Airport
When visiting Kanazawa, Komatsu Airport is the most convenient option. Komatsu Airport offers international flights, with access from South Korea (Seoul), Taiwan (Taipei), Hong Kong, and China (Shanghai). Take the shuttle bus from the airport to Komatsu Station (about 12 minutes), then transfer to the Hokuriku Shinkansen, which will get you to Kanazawa Station in about 11 minutes.
Alternatively, you can take a limousine bus from Komatsu Airport, which will take you to Kanazawa Station in about 40 minutes.
👉For more information about Komatsu Airport, check out this article
Access from Within Japan: Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya
To reach Kanazawa from within Japan, the Hokuriku Shinkansen and limited express trains are convenient options. You can access Kanazawa from major cities either directly or with just one transfer.
From Tokyo (Shinkansen & Available JR Pass Information)
If you take the Hokuriku Shinkansen, it takes as little as about 2 hours and 30 minutes from Tokyo Station to Kanazawa Station.
The JR Hokuriku Arch Pass, a great-value rail pass for international travelers, can also be used on this route. It allows unlimited rides between Tokyo and Osaka via Hokuriku for 7 days. The price is about 24,000–25,000 yen for adults, and just a round trip between Tokyo and Kanazawa (normally about 29,000 yen) makes it well worth it. Highly recommended for those planning to travel around the area.
From Osaka (Available JR Pass Information)
From Osaka Station, take the limited express "Thunderbird" for about 2 hours and 40 minutes. It's possible to visit Kanazawa as a day trip from the Kansai area. Osaka is also covered by the JR Hokuriku Arch Pass, making it convenient for traveling around the Hokuriku region and beyond.
From Nagoya (Available JR Pass Information)
From Nagoya Station, take the limited express "Shirasagi" for about 2 hours and 40 minutes. This is a popular route for sightseeing in the Hokuriku region.
Experience the Four Seasons, Traditional Culture, and Trends on a Kanazawa Trip
Kanazawa is a city where you can experience the charm of Japan’s four seasons, making it enjoyable no matter when you visit. As someone from the Hokuriku region, I look forward to the changing scenery and local cuisine every season, and visit Kanazawa throughout the year. Why not take a 2-day, 1-night trip to Kanazawa and experience the four seasons of Hokuriku for yourself?
Comments