Written by Alexander Kopp, Sandra Frank, Sophie King
21/08/2025
Bruna Santos, Pexels
Kanazawa offers a rich immersion into Japan's historical and cultural past, presenting a beautifully preserved cityscape reminiscent of the Edo period. Visitors discover a harmonious blend of traditional arts, serene gardens, and historic districts alongside modern cultural attractions, making it a compelling destination for those seeking a deeper appreciation of Japanese heritage.
For those seeking to socialize, the Higashi Chaya District provides a vibrant setting with its traditional wooden teahouses, cafes, and shops, offering opportunities to experience local culture and interact within an atmospheric historical backdrop. Additionally, the Korinbo district serves as a modern hub with department stores, diverse dining options, and lively bars, popular with locals on weekends.
Top 7 Things to do in Kanazawa
Kanazawa offers a journey into its rich past and vibrant present, where visitors can explore meticulously maintained gardens, historic districts, traditional markets, and contemporary art spaces.
1. Kenrokuen Garden
Considered one of Japan's three most beautiful landscape gardens, Kenrokuen provides a serene escape with its meticulously manicured landscapes, ponds, and teahouses. It embodies the essence of traditional Japanese garden design, showcasing six characteristics that make a perfect garden. Exploring this garden reveals new perspectives with each turn, from the iconic Kotoji Lantern to the various seasonal displays. It is particularly enchanting during cherry blossom season in spring and when autumn leaves display their vibrant colors.
Cost: Admission is 320 JPY. Early morning admission is sometimes free.
Transport: From Kanazawa Station's East Exit, take the Kanazawa Loop Bus or Hokutetsu buses to the Kenrokuen Garden / Kanazawa Castle Park stop, which takes approximately 12-20 minutes and costs 210 JPY. A taxi from Kanazawa Station takes about 7-10 minutes and costs between 3,100-3,800 JPY.
2. Kanazawa Castle Park
Adjacent to Kenrokuen Garden, Kanazawa Castle Park offers a glimpse into the city's feudal past. While the original castle has been rebuilt multiple times due to fires, extensive reconstructions based on historical research allow visitors to appreciate its architecture and scale. The park grounds are vast, providing ample space for leisurely walks, and some reconstructed buildings can be entered for a fee to learn about traditional construction techniques and enjoy views.
Cost: Entry to the park grounds is free. Access to some reconstructed buildings, such as the turrets and storehouse, costs 310 JPY for adults.
Transport: The Ishikawa-mon Gate of Kanazawa Castle Park is a 5-minute walk from the Kenrokuen bus stop. From Kanazawa Station, take the Kanazawa Loop Bus or Hokutetsu buses to Kenrokuen Garden / Kanazawa Castle Park, taking approximately 17-20 minutes and costing 210 JPY. A taxi from Kanazawa Station takes about 3-10 minutes and costs between 1,600-2,000 JPY.
3. Higashi Chaya District
This beautifully preserved geisha district transports visitors back to the Edo period with its traditional wooden teahouses. Wandering through its narrow streets, you can find various artisan shops, cafes, and teahouses, many of which specialize in gold leaf products—a Kanazawa specialty. Visitors can experience local culture, enjoy Japanese sweets, and even observe the interiors of historic teahouses like Shima.
Cost: Exploring the district is free. Entry to specific teahouses or for experiences like tea ceremonies or gold leaf application will incur costs, for example, tasting matcha and Japanese confectionaries at Shima's Kansonan tea house.
Transport: From Kanazawa Station's East Exit, take the Kanazawa Loop Bus or other Hokutetsu buses to the Hashiba-cho bus stop, approximately 10-13 minutes and costing 210 JPY. From there, it's about a 5-minute walk to the district. A taxi from Kanazawa Station takes about 3 minutes and costs between 1,500-1,800 JPY.
4. Omicho Market
Known as 'Kanazawa's Kitchen' since 1721, Omicho Market is a vibrant covered market offering a diverse array of fresh seafood, local produce, and specialty items. It is an ideal place to experience the city's culinary culture, sample fresh sushi, kaisendon (seafood bowls), or buy unique local ingredients. The market buzzes with activity, providing an authentic local experience and opportunities to interact with friendly vendors.
Cost: Entrance to the market is free. Food and goods purchased within the market vary in price. A 'kaisendon' bowl might cost around 2,000-3,000 JPY depending on ingredients.
Transport: Omicho Market is a 15-minute walk from Kanazawa Station's East Exit. Alternatively, take the Kanazawa Loop Bus from the East Exit to the Musashigatsuji/Omicho Market bus stop, a 5-6 minute ride costing 200-210 JPY. A taxi from Kanazawa Station takes about 1 minute and costs between 1,200-1,500 JPY.
5. Nagamachi Samurai District (Nomura-ke Samurai House)
Stepping into the Nagamachi Samurai District feels like traveling back to the Edo period. This area was once home to samurai and their families, with well-preserved residences, earthen walls, and narrow lanes. A highlight is the Nomura-ke Samurai House, a restored high-ranked samurai residence with an exquisite garden, showcasing the lifestyle and artifacts of the samurai era. It is a place for quiet contemplation and understanding a significant part of Kanazawa's history.
Cost: Entrance to the Nomura-ke Samurai House costs 550 JPY.
Transport: From Kanazawa Station, take the Kanazawa Loop Bus or Kenrokuen Shuttle to the Korinbo bus stop (approximately 10 minutes, 210 JPY), from where it is about a 5-minute walk. A taxi from Kanazawa Station takes about 3 minutes and costs between 1,500-1,900 JPY. It is also a pleasant 20-minute walk from Kanazawa Station.
6. Myoryuji Temple (Ninja Temple)
Despite its nickname, Myoryuji is not associated with ninjas but gained its moniker due to its elaborate defenses and hidden features, designed to protect the Maeda clan in times of conflict. This temple is a fascinating architectural marvel, full of secret stairs, hidden rooms, traps, and escape routes. A guided tour is required to navigate its labyrinthine interior, offering a unique and intriguing historical experience.
Cost: Admission is 1,200 JPY for adults. Reservations by telephone are required and highly recommended due to its popularity.
Transport: From Kanazawa Station's East Exit, take the Kanazawa Loop Bus to the Hirokoji bus stop (approximately 10-14 minutes, 200-210 JPY), followed by a 3-7 minute walk. Taxis from Kanazawa Station take approximately 10-15 minutes.
7. 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art
This circular glass museum is a prominent modern attraction in Kanazawa, celebrated for its unique architecture and interactive contemporary art installations. It features both permanent and temporary exhibitions by acclaimed Japanese and international artists. One notable permanent exhibit is Leandro Erlich's 'Swimming Pool,' which creates an illusion of being underwater. The museum's open design and playful approach to art make it enjoyable for all ages.
Cost: Entry to the public spaces and some permanent installations is free. Temporary exhibitions are ticketed, typically costing around 1,400 JPY for adults.
Transport: From Kanazawa Station, take the Kanazawa Loop Bus or Hokutetsu local buses to the Hirosaka / 21st Century Museum bus stop (approximately 10-20 minutes, 210 JPY). A taxi from Kanazawa Station takes about 3-10 minutes and costs between 1,600-3,700 JPY.
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