Katamachi and Korinbo, the nightlife district of Kanazawa

Katamachi and the Korinbo area are the heart of nightlife and entertainment in Kanazawa, with dozens of izakayas, Kaga-cuisine restaurants, local-sake bars and live-music venues concentrated in a few blocks. The speciality of Kanazawa's bars is the sake of Ishikawa prefecture —one of the best in the country thanks to the pure water of the Japanese Alps and the winter cold— served by the glass from 400 ¥ or in flights of three varieties to compare styles. The district's izakayas are perfect for tasting Sea of Japan seafood in small-portion format: pickled squid gut (ika no konowata), tempura crab, buri sashimi. A night in Katamachi with dinner and drinks is around 2.000-3.500 ¥ per person. The district comes alive from 18:30 and most venues close between 23:00 and 1:00. A fifteen-minute walk from Kanazawa station or accessible by bus.