Looking for a travel destination in Japan that gets you out of the Golden Route of Tokyo/Kyoto/Osaka?
Take a close look at Kanazawa.
Located on the Sea of Japan, on the “other” coast but just 2.5 hours from Tokyo by bullet train, Kanazawa gives you one of Japan’s great gardens, a castle park that anchors the city’s history, preserved districts that still feel lived in and a food scene that makes it hard to have a bad meal.
At the same time, it is calmer than the big name cities, which is often exactly what travelers want once they have absorbed Tokyo’s intensity or Kyoto’s crowds.
If you want culture, beauty and great food without the constant pressure to rush, Kanazawa is one of the best choices you can make.
Where Is Kanazawa Located and What Is It Known For?
Kanazawa is the capital of Ishikawa Prefecture, located on the Sea of Japan coast. It sits on the Hokuriku side of the country, with mountains nearby and coastal access that shapes its food culture.
Kanazawa developed as a powerful castle town under the Maeda clan. That history left behind wealth, craft traditions and a distinct identity that still shows up today in ceramics, lacquerware, gold leaf … and in Kanazawa’s preserved streets.
Kanazawa is best known for:
- Traditional crafts, especially gold leaf and Kutani porcelain
- Historic districts, including Higashi Chaya and Nagamachi
- Kenrokuen Garden
- Kanazawa Castle Park
- Omicho Market and excellent seafood
Best Time to Visit Kanazawa
Kanazawa works in every season, but your experience will vary somewhat with the weather.
Kanazawa in Spring
Spring brings comfortable temperatures and blossom season energy. Early April is often the highlight, with peak sakura crowds hitting Kanazawa in between ever-popular Tokyo and Kyoto.
Kanazawa in Summer
Summer is greener and busier. It gets hot and humid, but gardens are lush and museums are a nice midday reset.
Kanazawa in Autumn
Autumn is one of the best times to go to Kanazawa. The air turns crisp, walking becomes a breeze and fall color adds depth to Kenrokuen and the castle area.
Kanazawa in Winter
Winter is a special case. Kanazawa gets real snow and the city embraces it. Kenrokuen’s winter rope supports are iconic, and seafood season is strong in the colder months.
How to Get to Kanazawa From Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka
Tokyo to Kanazawa by Shinkansen
The Hokuriku Shinkansen runs directly from Tokyo Station to Kanazawa Station. It is a clean, easy long distance ride and the station is well set up for visitors.
Kyoto to Kanazawa by Train
Kyoto to Kanazawa is a straightforward train trip north, on the Thunderbird Limited and changing to the Hokuriku Shinkansen. It is a natural pairing if you want to balance Kyoto’s intensity with a city that feels calmer but still culturally rich.
Osaka to Kanazawa Travel Options
Osaka to Kanazawa is also simple enough by train. If you are building a multi city route, Kanazawa fits neatly between Kansai and the Hokuriku region.
Practical note: Kanazawa buses are convenient, but many highlights are close enough to connect on foot if you plan your day in clusters.
Best Things to Do in Kanazawa
1. Kenrokuen Garden (One of Japan’s Top Three Gardens)
Considered one of the top 3 “Japanese gardens,” Kenrokuen is a great place to slow down and enjoy.
The garden is designed for movement. Ponds, bridges, small teahouse corners and carefully framed viewpoints create a sequence of changing scenes.
Kenrokuen is also deeply seasonal. Spring softness, summer greens, autumn color and winter snow all feel like different versions of the same place.
How to do it well:
- Go early if you want a calmer experience
- Slow your pace once you enter
- Wander beyond the first obvious paths
Do that, and Kenrokuen is likely to be one of the highlights of your Japan trip.
2. Kanazawa Castle Park
Next to Kenrokuen, Kanazawa Castle Park gives you context and scale. The grounds are open and spacious and the restored structures highlight how the city’s power once worked.
Even if you are not obsessed with castles, this is worth your time. The contrast between the garden’s intimacy and the castle park’s openness makes the pair feel complete. Having said that, this is not an original castle (go to Matsumoto or Himeji for those), but it’s an attractive rebuild.
A nice plan is to do Kenrokuen first, then flow straight into the castle park without leaving the area.
3. Oyama Shrine
Oyama Shrine is a satisfying visit because it feels distinct. Its gate blends Japanese and Western elements in a way that stands out without feeling gimmicky.
It is also an easy detour between the castle area and other central neighborhoods. If you are starting to feel shrine fatigue, this one often resets interest because it has a different personality.
4. Higashi Chaya District
Higashi Chaya is Kanazawa’s most famous old town district, with preserved wooden facades, craft shops and sweets that form the “character” that many visitors seek.
Timing matters here. Midday can feel busy. Morning is usually the best window if you want the streets to feel atmospheric. Late afternoon can also work if you are after softer light and a slower pace.
This is also one of the best places in the city to buy gifts that feel tied to Kanazawa. Gold leaf items, ceramics and well made sweets are ideal.
5. Nagamachi Samurai District
Nagamachi is the quieter historic counterpart to Higashi Chaya. Instead of tea houses and shopping, you get earthen walls, narrow lanes and a strong sense of old Kanazawa.
This district is not built around a single dramatic attraction. The appeal is the texture, the calm and the way the neighborhood holds together visually.
If the weather is good, Nagamachi is one of the best places in the city to put the phone away and just walk.
6. Omicho Market: Kanazawa’s Seafood Hub
Omicho Market was the city’s food engine.
Looking for somewhere to go for seafood, seasonal produce and the buzz of local buying and eating? Well, these days Omicho might not be all that “local” anymore, as the secret is gone and plenty of tourists visit. But it still feels worlds better than the tourist trap counterpart “markets” in Kyoto (Nishiki), Tokyo (Tsukiji) and Osaka (Kuromon).
The smartest approach is simple:
- Do one full loop first
- Then pick your meal spot or snack stall
- Kaisendon is the big thing here; sashimi on a rice bowl, you choose your toppings
If you love food as part of travel, Omicho is a good stop. If you prefer a quiet sit down restaurant, the market may feel chaotic at peak hours, but it still works as a quick taste.
Go earlier in the day for the best selection.
7. Local Sweets and Traditional Crafts
Kanazawa is quietly excellent for refined sweets. Many are tied to tea culture, seasonality and presentation. Even if you are not normally a dessert traveler, it is worth trying one local sweet with tea, such as these wagashi sweets from Kanazawa Pudding Honpo and Koshiyama Kanseido.
Craft wise, gold leaf is everywhere. Some of it is novelty, some is beautiful. The difference usually shows in quality and restraint. Small everyday items, like a dish, a cup, or a tasteful box of sweets, tend to age better than anything that screams souvenir.
8. 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art
Kanazawa’s contemporary art museum is one of the reasons the city feels culturally complete. The building is part of the experience and the exhibits often feel approachable even if you do not normally prefer modern art.
It is also a practical travel tool. If the weather turns rainy or you want a midday reset, this is one of the best places to spend a few hours.
9. D T Suzuki Museum
The D T Suzuki Museum is small, quiet and intentionally designed for reflection. This spot is about space, mood and a slower kind of attention.
If you want a travel moment that feels restorative rather than checklistable, this is a great pick.
10. Myoryuji (Ninja Temple)
Myoryuji is often nicknamed the Ninja Temple for its hidden features and defensive design. It is a fun change of pace and a good example of history you can experience with multiple senses.
This is a guided visit. Plan ahead, because timing is part of the experience.
What to Do in Kanazawa at Night
Kanazawa nights are not about big spectacles. They are about atmosphere and good meals.
A simple evening rhythm works well here:
- Dinner focused on seafood or local specialties
- A calm walk around the castle area or along the rivers that run through the city
- A second stop, like a dessert cafe or a small bar
Higashi Chaya can also be enjoyable after dark when the lighting softens and crowds thin. The city rewards low key evenings.
2-Day Kanazawa Itinerary (Easy and Relaxed Plan)
Day 1: Gardens, Castle, and Samurai Streets
Morning
Kenrokuen early, then Kanazawa Castle Park.
Lunch
Omicho Market for seafood, or a nearby restaurant if you want a calmer sit down meal.
Afternoon
Oyama Shrine, then Nagamachi Samurai District for a slow walk.
Evening
Dinner in central Kanazawa, then a quiet walk to end the day.
Day 2: Old Town, Museums, and Hidden Temples
Morning
Higashi Chaya District earlier in the day for the best atmosphere.
Afternoon
Pick your museum. The 21st Century Museum is the contemporary highlight. The D T Suzuki Museum is the quiet, reflective choice. If you have the bandwidth, you can do both, but one is enough for a strong day.
Late afternoon
Schedule Myoryuji based on tour availability if it is on your list.
Evening
Use your final night for the meal you are most excited about. Kanazawa is a great city for a special dinner without Tokyo level pricing pressure.
Best Souvenirs to Buy in Kanazawa
Five gift-worthy picks that travel well and feel specific to the city:
- Gold leaf items with real everyday use, like small dishes or chopstick rests
- Kutani porcelain in a small format, like a cup, bowl or plate
- Lacquerware with hand hand-painted design that still feels rooted in tradition
- Local sweets tied to tea culture, especially those packaged well for travel
- Food gifts from Omicho Market, such as dried seafood or specialty seasonings
Lacquerware is made across many regions of Japan, each with its own techniques and style. In our store, we curate Japanese lacquerware from skilled artisans around the country.
Tips for Enjoying Kanazawa
Kanazawa impresses through its history, detail and distinct regional & local vibe.
It is a city where craftsmanship still feels like a living thing. Where a garden visit can set the tone for an entire trip. Where food culture is strong enough to anchor your day, but won’t overwhelm you with FOMO or mega lines.
Give Kanazawa two days if you can.
Walk slowly. Enjoy some of the best seafood in Japan. Bring home one beautiful object you will actually use.
That is how Kanazawa becomes more than a mere stop on a Japan trip checklist.
Planning a longer Japan trip? Kanazawa pairs well with destinations like Shirakawago, Takayama, Kyoto, and the Hokuriku region. Explore our Japan travel guides for city itineraries, seasonal advice, and destination planning tips!
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