Ishikawa · Japan

Kanazawa

The city of the Maeda clan on the Sea of Japan: Kenroku-en garden, the castle, tea-house and samurai districts, Omicho Market and the Round Glass Contemporary Art Museum.

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In the photo: Tsuzumi-mon gate at Kanazawa Station.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

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Get to know the place

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

Kanazawa is the capital of Ishikawa Prefecture on the Sea of Japan coast. During the Edo period it was the seat of the Kaga domain, ruled by the Maeda clan, the wealthiest feudal lords after the Tokugawa themselves. The Maeda invested in the arts, crafts and gardens, and the city, which escaped the bombings of World War II, preserves entire neighborhoods from that period.

The center revolves around the castle park and Kenroku-en garden, one of Japan’s three most famous gardens. Around them are the Nagamachi samurai district, with earthen walls and canals, and the geisha tea-house districts Higashi Chaya, Nishi Chaya and Kazuemachi, with wooden lattice façades. Omicho Market, with fish and seafood from the Sea of Japan, lies between the station and the castle.

The city keeps traditional crafts alive: gold leaf—Kanazawa produces almost all of the country’s supply—Kutani ceramics, lacquerware, Kaga-yuzen dyed silk and sweets for the tea ceremony. Next to the castle, the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, in a round glass building, shows the city is not only about the past.

Kanazawa is about 2h30 from Tokyo on the Hokuriku Shinkansen and is the gateway to the bus route to Shirakawa-go and Takayama. In Ishikawa’s coast and mountains are the Kaga hot springs and, to the north, the Noto Peninsula.

This destination brings together 1 city: Kanazawa.

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One destination, many paths

The cities on this trip

Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.

Where Kanazawa is

Dados cartográficos: © OpenStreetMap contributors, via Wambacher / geoBoundaries (ODbL 1.0). Adapted by Cidade Turismo.

How to get there: Kanazawa

✈ Aeroporto de Komatsu (KMQ), in Komatsu · 35 km to Kanazawa

The Hokuriku Shinkansen links Tokyo to Kanazawa in about 2h30 and continues to Fukui and Tsuruga. From Osaka and Kyoto, the express train goes to Tsuruga, where you change to the Shinkansen, for a total of about 2 to 2h30. Komatsu Airport is about a 40-minute bus ride away.

Ishikawa · Kanazawa Capital

Kanazawa

Kanazawa, capital of Ishikawa, was the seat of the Maeda clan and preserves Edo-period neighborhoods. Kenroku-en garden, beside the castle, is one of Japan’s most famous; Higashi Chaya has geisha tea houses; Nagamachi has the samurai streets. Omicho Market sells fish and seafood from the Sea of Japan, and the 21st Century Museum shows contemporary art. The city is a starting point for Shirakawa-go.

The local experience

Things to do in Kanazawa

Kanazawa · Ishikawa · Garden

Kenroku-en Garden

The Maeda clan garden, one of Japan’s three most celebrated gardens, with ponds, pines, the two-legged stone lantern, the country’s oldest water fountain and the winter yukitsuri ropes.

Kanazawa · Ishikawa · Castle

Kanazawa Castle

The Maeda clan castle park, with the original Ishikawa Gate, long wooden storehouses rebuilt using traditional techniques, stone walls and gardens.

Kanazawa · Ishikawa · Neighborhood

Higashi Chaya District

Kanazawa’s geisha teahouse district, with streets of wooden houses featuring thin latticework, the Shima teahouse open to visitors, and gold leaf shops.

Kanazawa · Ishikawa · Neighborhood

Nagamachi Samurai District

The samurai district of Kanazawa, with earthen walls, canals and the Nomura family residence with its small pond garden.

See 3 more places in Kanazawa

Kanazawa · Ishikawa · Market

Omicho Market

Kanazawa’s covered market, with stalls selling fish and seafood from the Sea of Japan, winter crab in season and counters serving rice bowls topped with raw fish.

Kanazawa · Ishikawa · Museum

21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa

The contemporary art museum in a round glass building, next to Kenroku-en, featuring Leandro Erlich’s Pool and James Turrell’s open-sky room.

Kanazawa · Ishikawa · Temple

Myōryū-ji (Ninja-dera)

Kanazawa’s “ninja temple,” a 17th-century temple full of hidden stairs, trapdoors and secret passages, visited only on guided tours with reservation.

Before you go

Practical information

A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.

When to go

April, with the castle and Kenroku-en cherry blossoms, and October and November, with autumn leaves. From November to March, yukitsuri ropes protect the pines from snow, and winter is the season for crab and Sea of Japan fish. Winter is wet, with frequent snow and rain; summer is hot.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

How many days to stay

Two days cover Kenroku-en, the castle, Higashi Chaya, Nagamachi, Omicho Market and the 21st Century Museum. With three days you can add Myoryu-ji temple, the other tea-house districts and craft workshops, or a day trip to Shirakawa-go.

Which city to stay in

Near Kanazawa Station, the area is convenient for the Shinkansen and the buses to Shirakawa-go. The Korinbo and Katamachi areas in the center are within walking distance of Kenroku-en, Nagamachi and restaurants. Higashi Chaya and the old districts have traditional inns in wooden houses.

Respect the place

Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.

Get your questions answered

Frequently asked questions about Kanazawa

How many days to stay in Kanazawa?

Two days are enough for the main sites, which are close to each other. With a third day, you’ll have time for crafts, Myoryu-ji temple or Shirakawa-go.

How to go from Tokyo to Kanazawa?

By the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo or Ueno Station, in about 2h30.

How to go from Kanazawa to Shirakawa-go?

By highway bus from Kanazawa Station, in about 1h15 to 1h30. Many schedules require advance reservation.

Do you need a car in Kanazawa?

No. Tourist circulator buses and city buses link the station to the sights, and the center is walkable or reachable by shared bicycle.

What is Kanazawa gold leaf?

Kanazawa produces almost all of Japan’s gold leaf, used on temples, lacquerware and crafts. Shops and workshops in the city show the process and sell items and even sweets decorated with gold.

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Beyond the guide

Kanazawa

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.