Chubu · city guide

Kanazawa

Gardens, teahouses and gold leaf by the Sea of Japan.

Kanazawa was a rich castle town and escaped heavy wartime damage, so much of its old layout survives. Kenrokuen is one of Japan's best-known gardens. Nearby are samurai lanes in Nagamachi and the wooden teahouse streets of Higashi Chaya. Omicho Market is full of crab and fish. It is about two and a half hours from Tokyo by shinkansen and easy to walk around.

Best time: Spring around early April, or autumn from late October to late November. Winter brings snow and crab season.

Weather

4.0°Jan
12.6°Apr
27.3°Aug
17.6°Oct

Average temperature, °C. JMA 1991–2020 normals (Kanazawa (JMA)).

Top 5

  • Kenrokuen GardenA classic strolling garden; in winter, trees are tied with snow ropes.
  • Higashi Chaya districtOld wooden teahouses, cafés and gold-leaf shops.
  • Omicho MarketSeafood bowls and snacks; busiest during crab season.
  • NagamachiEarthen walls and narrow lanes of the old samurai quarter.
  • 21st Century MuseumContemporary art; closed for renovation from May 6, 2027 to around March 2028.

A simple day

  1. Breakfast or early lunch at Omicho Market.
  2. Morning at Kenrokuen.
  3. Kanazawa Castle Park next door.
  4. Afternoon in Higashi Chaya.
  5. Dinner in Katamachi.

Where to stay

  • Kanazawa StationEasy arrival and bus links.
  • Korinbo / KatamachiCentral, with restaurants and bars.
  • HigashiyamaQuiet machiya stays near the teahouses.

Places we’ve checked

  • 21st Century Museum (Kanazawa)spot site ↗
  • Asadayastay site ↗
  • KUMU Kanazawa by THE SHARE HOTELSstay site ↗
  • Hyatt Centric Kanazawastay
  • Guest House Pongyistay
  • Omicho Marketspot site ↗
  • Akadama Hontenizakaya
  • Fumuroya (Kaga-fu cafes)café site ↗
  • Gold Leaf Sakuda (gold leaf workshop)experience site ↗
  • Kenrokuen Gardenspot

From the psst directory. Opening days and prices change — check the official site before you go.

Getting there

Tokyo → Kanazawa: about 2h30 by Kagayaki shinkansen. Osaka → Kanazawa: about 2h10 by Thunderbird and shinkansen with a change at Tsuruga.

psst — skip this mistake: Going to Kenrokuen at midday in peak season. Arrive early, when it is calm.