Kanazawa is a beautiful, welcoming city with a great history, one of Japan's best gardens and offers incredible seafood. It's a big statement, but we think we possibly had our best sushi here in all of Japan. There are so many things to do in Kanazawa, as a destination it offers many of the attractions of Kyoto including historic laneways, great food, wonderful gardens and Geisha with far fewer crowds.
You also have the option of a Kanazawa day trip from Kyoto which we did on our first visit to the city and now with the opening of the Hokuriku Shinkansen line, a day trip from Tokyo is also viable.
Read More: If you are interested in Kanazawa you may enjoy some of our other recommended day trips from Kyoto.
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Things to do in Kanazawa
Kanazawa's Geisha Districts
We started at one of the furthest stops from Kanazawa station and worked our way back in, this was also the area we wanted to visit before it got too busy later in the day. The Higashi geisha district is in the northeast of the city, unlike the Geisha districts in Kyoto there are a couple of historic O-chaya in this area that open as tea houses and one as a museum that you can talk a look through.
The Shima teahouse museum has been beautifully maintained and preserved with many antiques associated with the geisha performance and traditions on display. It was well worth the small entrance fee.
Higashi is one of three Geisha districts in Kanazawa, it's a beautiful historical area and I understand if you are lucky you can sometimes glimpse a Geisha in the early evening heading out to an appointment. Whether or not you pass a geisha it would be a beautiful area to wander around in the evening if you're staying in Kanazawa.
Kenrokuen Garden
You can get back on the loop bus for a few minutes from the Geisha district or walk 15-minutes to Kenrokuen Gardens. The gardens are on your left as you arrive and almost opposite is the main entrance gate to the castle. If you are doing the day trip circuit we suggest doing it in this order as you'll walk through the castle grounds heading back toward town later in the day.
Kenrokuen Gardens are renowned as being one of Japan's top three gardens and they really are beautiful. One of the most striking features to me is the amount of water, everywhere there are lakes, ponds, waterfalls and small creeks flowing.
An interesting feature we noticed here, possibly due to the microclimate in the gardens, was that the Ume (plum blossoms) and Sakura (cherry blossoms) were in flower together in the garden after the long cold winter. In most places, the plum blossom is well and truly finished by the time the cherry trees bloom.
The gardens are open from 7 am to 6 pm during Spring and Summer and in winter and autumn from 8 am until 5 pm. Entry is Y300.
Relax over refreshments or lunch
There are a few restaurants and a couple of souvenir shops selling local crafts around this main entrance to the castle and garden. Like many castles and heritage attractions in Japan, there is a small shopping street that leads up to it that is also in a heritage style with a range of interesting stores, cafes and restaurants.
We decided to stop for lunch at this point in our day trip knowing we'd almost certainly exit the castle grounds by a different gate and there was a good choice here. On day trips we like our meals to be part of the experience rather than grabbing something on the run. We found a lovely little 'mom and pop' place and ordered lunch menu sets which were delicious but there are several other choices and you can sit out on the sidewalk tables with a drink or ice cream.
Kanazawa Castle
Kanazawa castle was founded in 1546 but today only the Ishikawa-mon gate, Sanjikken Yagura, the Tsurumaru Storehouse and rock walls date back to feudal times. The Ishikawa-mon gate was built in 1788 and has been designated as an Important National Cultural Asset.
The other castle buildings are authentic replicas, the originals having burned down several times during its history.
There is no fee to enter the castle grounds and as we had been inside the original castles at Hikone and Himeji we didn't go into the turrets and storehouses here. If you aren't visiting other castles you can access the Hishiyagura Turret, Gojukken Nagaya Warehouse, and Hashizume-mon Tsuzuki Yagura Turret here at a fee of Y320 for an adult.
The castle grounds and park are very pretty and if you visit in early spring it is another great spot in Kanazawa to enjoy the cherry blossom, from what we saw most here were a slightly earlier blooming variety to those in Kenrokuen so if you miss one you may catch the other in peak flower.
Omiya Jinja Shrine
Walking west after the castle we found and wandered through Omiya Jinja Shrine, one of the things I like best about walking in Japan is the things that you just find tucked away in quiet corners, this Shinto shrine had a lovely old strolling garden with a big pond that you could walk around on a path within the pond.
The shrine is dedicated to Maeda Toshiie, the first lord of the powerful, local Maeda Clan and was constructed in 1599 by Toshiie's successor, Maeda Toshinaga on Mount Utatsu. It wasn't until later that it was moved to its present location. The impressive entry gate had earlier stood at the castle before being moved to the present location.
Omi-Cho Market
Heading back towards the train station is Omi-Cho market, a local fresh produce market. There are also lots of smaller places to eat within it and being on the northern coast there was a lot of really fresh seafood, every type of crab seems to be the specialty here but there was a good range of fish and other seafood too.
This can be a great option to have an early dinner before heading back to the train station and on to Kanazawa but it isn't your only option. You will pass a few places on the way back and a few more in and around the station.
Kanazawa Station
It is a flat 15-minute walk back to the station from the market, keep walking straight down Kanazawa Ekidori Avenue, you can't miss it.
The station has the usual mix of shops and eateries, there is a Starbucks outside the main entrance and we've picked up some mixed packs of deliciously fresh sushi at a great price at a kiosk inside to enjoy as train snacks on the trip on to Kyoto.
Kanazawa Loop Bus
We suggest making a quick stop at the information centre just outside the Train Station to pick up an English map, even with maps on your phone a paper version is a big help in navigating your way around a new city. It is also incredibly helpful if you need to ask for directions or information from a local.
On our first visit, we also bought a day ticket to use the sightseeing bus (Y500) which circuits around the main sightseeing attractions in the city every 12 minutes.
In hindsight we could have easily walked without losing much time, we only ended up using the bus to get to the Higashi Geisha District and then to Kenrokuen Gardens but it's excellent value, super cute and does enable you to save a bit of time especially if you want to backtrack between attractions during the day.
Getting to Kanazawa
You might consider a night or two in Kanazawa between Tokyo and Kyoto taking the longer route around the top on the Hokuriki Line that adds in a few very interesting options along the way including Nagano and Iiyama.
You can also include Kanazawa as a day trip from either Kyoto or Tokyo. When travelling in Japan we find it can be very helpful to base yourself out of 2 or 3 cities to minimize the time spent changing between accommodations and to maximise the time you have available to explore using the amazing rail system. This is especially true when using the Japan Rail Pass.
Trains between cities are so much more comfortable than commuter trains and it is easy to start early and return later in the evening to give plenty of time at the destination, usually including staying for an early dinner and evening walk if there are light-ups or other events. If you are thinking you may get one of the last trains out in the evening, make sure you know what time that is and with the JR Pass, we usually book that ahead to ensure a good seat and no complications at the end of a great day.
Kyoto is one of our favourite cities in Japan to base from in this way because of its proximity to many other cities and because Kyoto Station is a great hub for taking day trips. With the JR Pass and some research, we had no problems making the 250km day trip to Kanazawa on the northern coast.
Kanazawa day trip from Kyoto
Using the Thunderbird Limited Express the trip takes just over 2 hours each way and if you have the
Kanazawa is a beautiful city, a welcoming blend of modern and traditional. If you are planning to head to this part of Japan for the first time what is it you are most looking forward to?
Harlan says
Hi!
From Kanazawa I would like to find a way to easily travel to a picturesque onsen village in the Japanese Alps. I do not want to drive. Are there any good ones on a train line? Or can I hire a taxi at a reasonable rate? I would like to spend two nights in a really nice village. Your advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
Toni Broome says
Hi Harlan. In general in Japan we've found the taxi's to be similarly priced to Australia (for most of the world that's quite expensive) we use them for a short hop from station to the hotel with luggage but they are an expensive way to travel a longer distance. An option I'd consider for Kanazawa is the towns of Kaga Onsen in Ishikawa Prefecture. The Thunderbird Limited Express train takes 25 minutes to Kaga Onsen station from Kanazawa then there is the loop bus (Can Bus) that loops once an hour through the 4 onsen towns and other attractions (a bus pass is Y1200 for 2 days).
Poh Ow says
Hi Can you advise on a day trip to Hiroshima from Osaka, is it possible to stop at Kobe Or Okayama. From Kyoto when we check out wonder if it is a idea to go to Takayama for a night via Fukui, Kanazawa and Toyama so that can go to the world heritage site the next day. Then proceed to Nagoya then Tokyo and to Shinnagawa for 3 few nights. Thanks
Toni Broome says
Kobe and Okayama are stops on the shinkansen train route between Osaka and Hiroshima so it is technically possible. However although I enjoy visits to all of these cities, it would be difficult for us to fit 2 into a single day given the commute time. Hiroshima itself is a full day, especially if making the crossing to the island of Miyajima. We all have different travel styles though and it would depend how much you want to see in each place.
I have assumed you are planning this by train rather than by car? The route works by train but it is around 5.5 hours of travel alone so would leave very little time to see the sites in each of the 3 destinations along the way, again it will depend what you have planned for each and how far those sites are from the stations.
Enjoy your travels, it sounds like a fabulous trip.
Carolyne Thornton says
Hi, I am going to be in Kyoto for 4 nights in mid December. I was originally going to stay in Kanazawa for 6 nights but was told it will likely be freezing and snowing. After reading your post I am thinking it might be worth a day trip from Kyoto (with 13 year old daughter). I am interested in the gardens and food and culture, not really worried about Temples. Do you think it would be worth it at this time of year, or would a day trip to Osaka be a better option? If I went to Osaka I would try to find something with a mix of gardens with autumn leaves and food and interesting markets.
2 Aussie Travellers says
That's a tough one Carolyne, the weather and autumn colour can be unpredictable things. On average it's unlikely to be snowing in Kanazawa in mid-December and technically not freezing but daytime highs are around 10c and overnight lows down in the single digits so it won't be warm either. I also rains a bit in December so you wouldn't expect the snow to be built up and impeding you getting around but if there is snow it's more likely to be the slushy stuff. I'll include a link to the long-range weather forecast site I use when planning our trips, it's not perfect but I've found it surprisingly accurate for such a long distance out. https://www.accuweather.com/en/jp/kanazawa-shi/224165/december-weather/224165?monyr=12/1/2017 .For culture and gardens I think Kanazawa is better and both cities have their own strengths for food but Osaka is much closer, as little as 30 minutes depending on where you're heading.
Chi Tran says
I want to go to Kanzawa from Kyoto on the 26th but will need to meet up with a friend in Tokyo on the 27th. I was thinking of buying the Kansai KR Pass but that doesn't cover Kanzawa, do you have any recommendations for passes and stay? Should I stay in Kanazawa and move onto Tokyo after?
2 Aussie Travellers says
Hi Chi, as you have already found the Kansai and JR West passes won't work for you getting to Kanazawa. As far as I know there is no pass other than the JR Pass and that makes no sense for just these fares. I am going to assume speed and using limited express / shinkansen is your intention and if so it would be cheaper and faster to go Kyoto-Kanazawa, stay the night and move on to Tokyo from there. The reason is that the time and cost to Tokyo is quite similar from either (167 minutes and Y13400 from Kyoto on the Hikari shinkansen or 152 minutes and Y13920 from Kanazawa on the Kagayaki shinkansen). Likely your room night in Kanazawa would also be lower than Kyoto, therefore, saving you the limited express fare back to Kyoto on the 26th. The downside is that you will have your luggage to contend with on the train both days (not a really big issue on these intercity trains) and you will need to drop it to your hotel or put it in a locker in Kanazawa before you go exploring but it will give you a more relaxed evening there to balance it out. Sounds fabulous, enjoy!
Linda says
We are going to stay in Kyoto and have the opportunity to spend 3 to 4 days in Kyoto while taking 3 or 4 day trips to neighboring cities. We currently plan on spending time in Osaka and Nara but we are not sure about the other 1 or 2 day trips. Any suggestions?
2 Aussie Travellers says
Hi Linda, we love Kyoto as a base and day trips are a great way to see a bit more of the country. These are our top 10 day trips we recommend if you have Kyoto or Osaka as your base. https://www.2aussietravellers.com/10-of-the-best-day-trips-from-kyoto/ Nara and Osaka are great choices as they don't involve too much travel but there are quite a few options depending on your personal preferences.
Cindy Welch says
I can only take one day trip from Kyoto on a upcoming trip to Kyoto. Would you go to kanazawana or himinji castle? I'm having a tough time deciding.
2 Aussie Travellers says
Ohh tough choice, Himeji castle is less travelling and great if you enjoy the history and architecture of that feudal period. It does have beautiful extensive gardens including Kokoen but the castle is the main attraction in Himeji unless you have time to get out of the city a bit perhaps to Mt Shosha. https://www.2aussietravellers.com/a-visit-to-himeji-castle/ Kanazawa on the other hand has several well preserved and still operational geisha districts and the garden is one of the top three in Japan, a well deserved title, there are some nice temples and shrines including the interesting Ninja temple (not a theme activity it just was built with secret doors and hatches) but Kanazawas castle while impressive especially in the size of the grounds, is a recreation. We enjoyed the markets and the food in Kanazawa, I thought the sushi here was even better than around the famed Tsukiji fish market in Tokyo. We enjoyed both cities and in your position not having seen either I would also find it a tough choice, but the one we will return to would be Kanazawa for the diversity of what to see and do.
JCB says
Thanks for your great photo's and info!
I have 3 weeks in Japan coming up in November, my 3rd visit, and I have not been to Kanazawa next.
I have been researching it for a few weeks on other websites and on Youtube, and I wasn't sure if I should go or not, but after reading your info and the photos, I have changed my mind and will go.
I am going from Mt Fuji area (unfortunately back to Tokyo Station and then across, and then from Kanazawa to Osaka via the Thunderbird train. I plan on spending 1 1/2 half days there which should be enough?
2 Aussie Travellers says
Yes I think the day and a half would be perfect, we found the day trip was fabulous but we missed a couple of stops that we would have included had we had those extra couple of hours. Have a wonderful time, Japan really is a country that just keeps calling you back.
JCB says
That is a great way to put it, as I have thought the same thing.
Both times when I have arrived back in Australia, it actually feels like Japan is calling me back in some strange spiritual way.
I ended up booking a nice little Ryokan not far from Kanazawa station for a good price for 2 nights. I'm hoping the Autumn colours will be in full effect in early November!
2 Aussie Travellers says
Fingers cross for you on those colours - will be an amazing place to see them. I would love to hear which Ryokan and what you thought of it after your stay, we'll definitely be back up that way again.
Lucy says
Wonderful blog, loving the extra details you give - it just whets my apetite! Looking forward to a couple of days there in Kanazawa in January. In the winter it will be all snowy and pretty too.
2 Aussie Travellers says
I really enjoyed Kanazawa and it will be so pretty if you can catch it in winter with a bit of snow in the garden and around the city. Have a fabulous time!