The wonderful city of Kanazawa is located in the center of Ishikawa Prefecture and once prospered as a castle town with Kanazawa Castle at its heart.
A surprisingly large number of the city’s beautiful old buildings and streets remain intact and traditional arts such as tea ceremony and Noh drama, and traditional crafts are on display throughout the city.
Home to Kenrokuen, possibly Japan’s best garden, Kanazawa castle, and several world-class museums it’s easy to see why Kanazawa is becoming such a popular place for visitors to Japan who want to step off the well-worn corridor between Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka.
Kanazawa faces the Sea of Japan and is famous for its seafood cuisine. It is a city where one can enjoy not only sightseeing but also gourmet food.
Kanazawa can be reached from the three major cities of Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka in about 2.5 hours by Shinkansen bullet train, and the city is relatively compact, making it easy to get around on foot or local buses.
Next, we’ll show you all the best things to do in Kanazawa. A wonderful city where you can enjoy walking its old townscapes, enjoying beautiful gardens, and visiting gourmet restaurants and teahouses.
Kenrokuen Garden
Kenrokuen Garden is considered one of the best gardens in Japan, along with Kairakuen in Mito and Korakuen in Okayama. And don’t tell the others but we think Kenrokoen is the best of the best.
The centrally located and vast, lush garden is dotted with mini mountains, ponds, and rustic teahouses and you can easily see why it has been awarded the highest rating of three stars in the Michelin Green Guide Japon.
Known as Yuki hanguri, the ropes set up to protect the prized trees and their branches from the snow, are a must-see winter tradition in Kanazawa.
The view of the iconic Huishin Toro (Chinese lantern) and the Rainbow Bridge at Kasumigaike Pond is beautiful and scattered throughout Kenrokuen are places where you can take a break to enjoy tea and sweets.
The park is also home to Japan’s oldest fountain and is a popular place to stroll around while wearing traditional Japanese kimonos.
Pro Tip: If you are up for an early morning stroll you can enter Kenrokuen early in the morning, you can enter the garden for free. This is also a great time to take pictures without worrying about strange jumping into frame.
The free admission hours vary depending on the time of year.
Kanazawa Castle Park
Exploring the expansive Kanazawa Castle Park is another one of the best things to do in Kanazawa and its spectacular Ishikawa Gate is just over the road from Kenrokuen.
The gate is the symbol of the former power and prestige of the area which is sometimes referred to as the time of Hyakumangoku or million bales of rice.
Passing through the dramatic stone-walled Ishikawa Gate, you can see the distinctive and beautifully-hued stone walls and the restored turret and outer lookouts.
Although there is no castle tower, stone walls and faithfully rebuilt sections can be seen throughout the spacious castle grounds and you can feel how much power and authority the full castle would have projected in its glory days.
Gyokusen in Maru Garden
The idyllic Gyokusen-in Maru garden sits at the western foot of the castle grounds and has been the focus of much attention in recent years due to its timeless elegance.
The beautiful pond garden has been lovingly restored, and the contrasting view of the castle’s high stone walls overlooking the pond and greenery is mesmerizing.
Don’t miss the stonewalls with colored strips that the former lords took great pride in. The colorful stones are piled up like a wonderful mosaic, and water flows between the stonewalls, making it look like an almost contemporary work of stone wall art.
21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa
The incredible 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art puts on display unique cutting-edge art from around Japan and abroad.
The undisputed centerpiece of the Museum is Leandro Erlich’s mind-bending Swimming Pool. This famous work gives you the magical experience of looking up from the underwater depths of a swimming pool.
In addition to the fantastic artworks in the museum’s collection, the conveniently located building itself is a must-see.
Central to the design is a glass circle that has no front or back, and is strategically illuminated to give a sense of openness and space.
The overriding philosophy of the contemporary museum is to encourage community engagement so you are free to enter the building even if you do not plan to enter the ticketed exhibition area.
Omicho Market
The always bustling Omicho market is lovingly called the kitchen of Kanazawa, with its 180 stores selling everything from the freshest fish from the Sea of Japan to household goods.
The cheerful voices of vendors calling out have become another hallmark of this fantastic market.
The freshness of the ingredients is also unquestionably excellent and we highly recommend trying a few of the ample fresh seafood dishes available.
The magnificent kaisen-don or seafood bowl is world-class with incredibly fresh seafood seemingly overflowing from the bowl.
Another recommendation is the always popular Morimori Sushi Omicho, a conveyor-belt sushi restaurant with its must-try at specialties such as Nodoguro, a high-grade fatty white tuna, Shiroebi white prawns from Toyama Bay, the delicious Umegai, which is caught in the deeper waters, and the crab, which is a winter delicacy.
Higashi Chaya District
The must-visit Higashi Chaya District has been a flourishing street since the Edo period, and its atmospheric lanes with stone pavements provide one of Kanazawa’s iconic views.
The fascinating area is also perfect for strolling during the day, as it is lined with fashionable cafes and stores where you can enjoy the wonderful atmosphere of traditional architecture, and select stores selling exquisite handicrafts by local artists.
During the day, the area is crowded with eager visitors enjoying a stroll, but at night, it retains the atmosphere of the old times when geikos would entertain customers at the many teahouses.
Samurai Residence District
The truly unique Naga-machi Bukeyashiki is a group of fascinating restored samurai residences.
The narrow streets are lined with samurai residences where the might Kaga clan’s samurai warriors once lived, including, the chief vassal of the Maeda clan that ruled the Kaga domain in the Edo period.
The earthen walls and stone pavement of the area have been fantastically preserved as they were in those days, and you can enjoy the historical atmosphere of the area as you stroll the around the picturesque streets.
In winter, samurai residences are covered with komo-hake, or straw weaving, to protect the earthen walls from snow and freezing temperatures.
Myoryuji Ninja Temple
The mysterious Myoryuji Temple is a popular attraction that has come to be known as the ninja temple due to its hidden stairs, secret rooms, pitfalls, and other trickery built into its design.
The fascinating temple was built by the ruling Maeda clan during the period when the power of the Edo Shogunate was strong and would allow for a secret escape route or hideaway during a seige.
In the main hall of the temple, there is a hidden room for samurai, and many hidden doors and staircases.
It’s intriguing to see the many tricks that the imaginative designer had come up with, such as the Seppuku Room and the Pit Hole, and the secret passage under a money box.
Advance reservations are required, so check the official website before visiting. Tours are in Japanese only but there is some English signage and the experience is thoroughly enjoyable.
For more information about Myoryuji Temple and reservations (also known as Ninja Temple) Check their website.
D. T. Suzuki Museum
At this unique museum, you can encounter the ideas and philosophy of D.T. Suzuki, a Kanazawa-born Buddhist philosopher who was instrumental in introducing Japanese zen Buddhism and Eastern thought to the west.
The minimalist main building, which stands on the site where Suzuki was born and raised, has a fascinating layout with corridors connecting the exhibition space, learning space, and contemplation space.
As you walk through the long, dimly lit interior corridor, you feel as if your mind is calming down. The water mirror garden is surrounded by silence and gazing at the surface of the water, it’s easy to surrender to the zen as you lose track of time in the tranquility.
The exhibits, which include his calligraphy and other works, have no commentary, allowing visitors to experience ZEN’s philosophy with a free mind.
Passing through the exterior corridor you enter a contemplation space that seems to float on water. Here you are encouraged to sit down and look through the open windows at the clean garden, which reflect the shadows of the buildings, the greenery, and the colors of the sky as they slowly change.
To top it all off the sound of waves on the surface of the water, the rustling of trees, and the occasional chirping of birds can be heard. This is the “show don’t tell” introduction to zen and it’s remarkable how peaceful everything is.
Oyama Shrine
The distinctive and venerable Oyama Shrine is dedicated to the mighty Lord Maeda Toshiie, the founder of the Kaga domain, and his wife Omatsu no Mata.
The shrine is famous as one of Kanazawa’s must-see attractions due to its Shinmon gate, which was designed by a dutch architect and uses a multicultural mix of architectural styles of Japanese, Chinese, and Western, which is a rarity in the archipelago.
A particular drawcard of the shrine is the surprisingly placed stained glass windows on the top floor that is illuminated from the evening until 10 pm. The way it floats in the light creates a fantastic atmosphere.
Kanazawa Phonograph Museum
The intriguing Kanazawa Phonograph Museum is one of the best and more unusual museums in Kanazawa, with its overflowing collection of 500 gramophones.
The music played on the gramophones projects a unique sound and without electricity, each gramophone is carefully wound up one by one using a spring that is no longer replaceable.
You can listen to the phonograph invented by Edison 100 years ago. The range is narrow, but the sound is very realistic.
JR Kanazawa Station
The stunningly designed Kanazawa Station has become a top attraction in Kanazawa itself and has been voted the most beautiful station in the world.
Two of Kanazawa Station’s main drawcards are the commanding Tsuzumi Gate and the Motenashi Dome.
The Tsuzumi Gate
The mighty Tsuzumi gate which greets you as you exit the east exit of JR Kanazawa Station is a great welcome to this fantastic city.
The unique design of the gate, which maintains a truly traditional Japanese image while somehow simultaneously evoking a futuristic vibe, was inspired by the drum of Noh, a traditional Kanazawa performing art.
The 13.7-meter-high Drum Gate is a majestic structure with an imposing appearance that is not only beautiful on the outside, but also ingenious within.
The two pillars that support the giant gate have water pipes running through them, and rainwater that falls on the roof of the Motenashi Dome flows into these pillars and then into a water tank.
The Gate is also illuminated from sunset to midnight with light inspired by the five colors of Kaga (indigo, red, grass, ochre, and ancient purple).
Keen observers will notice that with it has a different color for each day of the week.
Motenashi Dome
This wonderful building, which you can see when you head for the Kenrokuen Exit of Kanazawa Station, is called the Motenashi Dome.
The word Motenashi can be loosely translated as “hospitality”.
And as Kanazawa is known as the area with the most rain and snow in Japan, representing the Motenashi Dome as an umbrella, represents “the spirit of hospitality” by offering umbrellas to those who get off at the station.
The extraordinary dome is also unique in its exterior with a total of 3019 pieces of geometric patterned glass and a spectacular view can be seen when looking up at the ceiling.
The dome is designed to always be bright even when it rains for the sake of tourists visiting Kanazawa, and we must say that the design is effective as you can feel the “spirit of hospitality” everywhere.
Kazue-machi Chaya District
Located along the picturesque Asano River, the charming Kazue-machi Teahouse District is lined with long-established traditional Japanese-style restaurants, teahouses, and other buildings lined with 1,000 distinctive lattice screens, creating the area’s trademark calm and serene atmosphere.
When strolling through the Kazue-Machi teahouse district, the real charm is along the narrow back streets and alleys.
Look out for the so-called Dark Slope, with its faintly dark and narrow stone steps, it’s a popular photo spot during the daytime and early evening.
It is said that in the past, masters used this path as a discrete back way to the teahouse district to visit geiko and avoid being seen.
Another popular place is the wonderful Akari-zaka, or Light Slope named by the writer famous Japanese writer Hiroyuki Itsuki, where the accending steps give of a intriguing light.
Also in the area is the b Naka-no-Bashi Bridge, a wooden bridge for pedestrians only that spans the Asano River and is illuminated at night, providing a romantic view of the bridge.
Nishi Chaya District
The fantastic Nishi Chaya Gai or Western Teahouse District is another one of Kanazawa’s three teahouse districts.
It is located on the other side of the downtown area about 15 minutes on foot from Kenrokuen Garden. The picturesque Nishi-chaya district was established in 1820 during the Edo period and has been beautifully preserved.
The traditional teahouse-style townhouses are neatly lined up in a quiet residential area that retains the appearance of the old town.
The street is also lined with Japanese and Western sweets stores, including a long-established store selling a famous sweet bean curd called amanatto, and a chocolate store that has received a royal decree from the British Royal Family.
When you visit the area, be sure to visit the attached tea house and cafes. We recommend trying soft ice cream, parfaits, and a traditional sweet bean soup called zenzai in stylish settings full of Japanese flavor.
Seisonkaku Villa
The elegant Seisonkaku was built by the 13th lord of the feudal domain, for his mother, Shinryu-in.
The sq building, which has two distinct styles of architecture, is impressive in its stately appearance and is a National Important Cultural Property.
Inside the villa, the vivid blue color of the room leaves a lasting impression, and the interior of the building, full of flower and bird designs and rich colors, has a feminine and elegant atmosphere, reminding us of the feelings of the feudal lord toward his mother.
The meticulously maintained garden is another highlight and has been designated as a national place of scenic beauty.
Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Art
The fascinating Ishikawa Art Museum houses and exhibits an extensive collection of arts and crafts related to Ishikawa Prefecture, with national treasures and important cultural properties on permanent display.
The museum’s wonderful collection of traditional crafts, such as Kutani ware, Kaga maki-e lacquerware, and Kaga yuzen, is so extensive that it is difficult to decide which to see first.
Pro tip: Just next to the museum is Le Musee de Ashe KANAZAWA, a patisserie, and café produced by world-renowned patissier Hirohiro Tsujiguchi, and it is no exaggeration to say that if you like sweets, it is worth coming just for the café.
Kanazawa Shrine
The small but scenic Kanazawa Shrine is dedicated to Sugawara Michizane, known as the famed god of learning.
The shrine also enshrines the awesomely named “White Snake Dragon Goddess”, who is blessed with good luck and can reportedly ward off misfortune and give you luck with money.
Also within the shine’s grounds is the Kinjo-reitaku, a blessed place, where a local farmer was said to have washed his potatoes when all of a sudden pure gold sand was said to have come out.
