Kenroku-en and Kanazawa Castle
Kenroku-en is one of the three most beautiful gardens in Japan according to tradition: six attributes in harmony, four spectacular seasons and a centuries-old design. The restored castle is right next door.
Kanazawa at a glance
For centuries Kanazawa was the seat of the Maeda clan, the most powerful after the Tokugawa shogunate. That legacy translates into a spectacular garden, intact samurai and geisha districts, and a food scene that boasts some of the best seafood from the Sea of Japan.
Kanazawa is often called "the Kyoto of the Sea of Japan": it is less crowded and offers a more authentic experience of feudal Japan. Since 2015 the Hokuriku Shinkansen has connected it directly with Tokyo in about 2.5 hours, making it a very accessible detour. Two nights are enough to see it at a relaxed pace, and it combines very well with Takayama and Shirakawa-go.
See also: Takayama guide · Kyoto guide · Tokyo guide
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Key Kanazawa areas
The city is perfectly manageable on foot or by bus. Its main attractions are concentrated in three clearly distinct areas.
Higashi Chaya
The best-preserved geisha district in Kanazawa, with 19th-century tea houses still in operation. Today it also houses gold-leaf (kinpaku) shops and charming cafes.
Nagamachi and Omicho Market
Nagamachi is the samurai district, with canals and mud walls marking out the old residences. Omicho Market, a few minutes away, is the place for fresh seafood breakfast at a good price.
Activities and experiences in Kanazawa
Recommended plans, sights and experiences, with budget guidance and direct links.
Sushi and Japanese cooking class in Kanazawa
Gastronomy, Workshops · Class with a local chef to prepare sushi, miso soup and the regional dish jibuni with seasonal ingredients; from around 6.000 ¥.
5.000 - 10.000 JPY
Historic tour with a Kaga Yuzen dyeing workshop
Tradition, Viewpoints · Half-day historic walk through Kanazawa with the chance to meet Kaga Yuzen craftspeople and try this kimono dyeing technique; from around 4.000 ¥.
2.500 - 4.999 JPY
Evening food tour of Kanazawa
Gastronomy, Nightlife · Evening walk with a local guide through Kanazawa's izakayas and bars, tasting Kaga cuisine, seafood and local sake; from around 9.000 ¥.
5.000 - 10.000 JPY
Showing 19–21 of 21 activities
How to fit Kanazawa into your itinerary
Kanazawa lies outside the classic Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka triangle, but the Hokuriku Shinkansen connects it directly with Tokyo in about 2.5 hours. It fits well as a two- or three-night detour during a longer route, and combines naturally with Takayama and Shirakawa-go inland. To see whether it fits into your available days, check the itineraries by duration.
Travel between cities
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Tokyo
The capital: iconic neighbourhoods, pop culture and the best entry point to the country.
Kyoto
Temples, Gion, the bamboo grove and the most traditional face of Japan.
Osaka
Street food, Dotonbori and the liveliest city on the classic route.
Nara
The deer park, the Great Buddha of Tōdai-ji and historic Japan 45 min from Kyoto.
Hiroshima
The Peace Memorial and the shrine island of Miyajima with its torii over the sea.
Takayama
A mountain town with craft sake, historic streets and access to Shirakawa-go.
Kobe
Kobe beef, Chinatown and the cosmopolitan Kitano district 30 min from Osaka.
Hakone
Mount Fuji views, onsen and the best ryokan experience near Tokyo.
Kamakura
The Great Buddha, zen temples, hiking and beach an hour from Tokyo.
Fukuoka
Hakata ramen, night yatai and the gateway to southern Japan.
Nikko
The UNESCO Tosho-gu mausoleum, the Kegon Falls and Lake Chuzenji 2h from Tokyo.
Kinosaki
A hot-spring town by the Sea of Japan: seven public baths to tour in a yukata among canals and willows.
Kusatsu
One of Japan's great onsen, in the mountains of Gunma, with the steaming Yubatake right in the centre.
Nagano
The Zenko-ji temple, the Jigokudani snow monkeys and the gateway to the Japanese Alps 1h20 from Tokyo.
Wakayama
A historic castle, the fishing-village coast of the Kii Peninsula and the Nachi waterfall, an hour from Osaka.
Kurashiki
The historic Bikan quarter by the canal, the Ohara art museum and Ivy Square, 15 min from Okayama.
Frequently asked questions about Kanazawa
Is Kanazawa worth it if I am already going to Kyoto?
Yes. Kanazawa offers a similar experience but without the crowds of Kyoto. Its geisha and samurai districts are in very good condition and the seafood from the Sea of Japan is exceptional.
How do you get to Kanazawa from Tokyo or Kyoto?
From Tokyo, the Hokuriku Shinkansen is direct in about 2.5 hours. From Kyoto or Osaka, the Limited Express Thunderbird arrives in a little over 2 hours. Both options are covered by the JR Pass. See the Japan transport guide →
Does the JR Pass cover the Shinkansen to Kanazawa?
Yes, the standard JR Pass covers the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Kanazawa from Tokyo or from connections with the Tokaido Shinkansen line. Work out whether the JR Pass is worth it →
How many nights should you stay in Kanazawa?
Two nights let you see the Kenroku-en garden, the castle, the Higashi Chaya and Nagamachi districts and the Omicho market without rushing. A single night covers the essentials, but the city invites a more leisurely pace.
What is Kanazawa gold leaf?
Kanazawa produces 99% of Japan's gold leaf (kinpaku). It is commonly found in shops in the Higashi Chaya district applied to lacquerware, ceramics and desserts, including the famous ice cream covered in gold leaf.