Kanazawa Japan Side Trip

Hensley Travel

We hear so much about Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hakone and many more popular places in japan. Today, I would like to write about Kanazawa. This maybe the first time you hear Kanazawa but it is actually a very cool place to explore!

Kanazawa is the capital of Ishikawa Prefecture, on Japan’s central Honshu Island. It's known for well-preserved Edo-era districts, art museums and regional handicrafts. Kenrokuen Garden, begun in the 17th century, is celebrated for its classic landscape designs incorporating ponds and streams.

You may not have hear much of kanazawa but many have visited Kanazawa for what this place can offer. If you have visited Kanazawa, I really hope you had a great time. Kanazawa is not a big city but has a long history. You probably already know many famous places to visit while you are in Kanazawa like Kenrokuen Garden or Kanazawa Castle Park or Higashi Chaya District but here is some local recommendations for you.

How To Get There
You will arrive in Kanazawa Station from Tokyo or Osaka/Kyoto or Nagoya by JR, from Takayama by bus. By Train, if you come from Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya Station, travel time will be around 2 hours and 30 minutes. You can also take the train from Kyoto Station and will take approximately 2 hr 10 min to arrive in Kanazawa.
Just be careful, Kanazawa station has 2 exits. One is the East exit (Kenrokuen) and the West exit (Minato). The former, Kenrokuen Exit (East), is much larger and busier. There are hotels right by this exit but the best location to stay in Kanazawa is on this exit side, preferably around Musashigatsuji, Minami-cho or Korinbo. (武蔵ヶ辻、南町、香林坊) with a few other hotels that are quite convenient.

Where To Stay
Hyatt Centric Kanazawa for elegance yet seconds from exploring the area.
Hyatt House Kanazawa for a Ryokan experience.
Hotel Nikko Kanazawa provides an ideal mix of value, comfort, convenience, yet romantic atmosphere.
ANA Crowne Plaza Kanazawa is oldie but goldie, a great base in Kanazawa
Hotel Kanazawa provides an ideal mix of value, comfort, convenience, and family-friendly.
Kanazawa Tokyu Hotel is in a great location. Best location!
Oh, Apa Hotel! I forgot to mention, Apa Hotel started in 1984 in Kanazawa! The owner couple are also locals. They still own a huge villa in the middle of Kanazawa.


Things To Do:
Kinpaku, edible gold-leaf crafting for tourists, is very popular with people who want to create something as a Kanazawa memento. It screams of fun!
Join a class and experience making Japanese cakes. It was very fun! Or something unique is Dine like a samurai lord at an authentic geisha teahouse, and taste the cuisine of kanazawa.
To learn how to make Japanese cakes.

Interesting Places To visit
A hidden gem is Yuwaku Onsen. It is a bit far but locals enjoy this hot spring. You know that saying "If you are in Japan, be a Japanese for a day." And a must visit Myoryuji Temple (妙立寺, Myōryūji), commonly known as Ninjadera ("Ninja Temple"), was built by the Maeda lords, rulers over the region during the Edo Period. Kenrokuen was so beautiful and it was not that crowded. Kanazawa castle was also impressive and there are many other spots to explore. I recommend adding this place to any Japan itinerary!

You’ll love the food in Kanazawa and it's not crowded unlike other famous or bigger cities. You can do all shoppings in Kanazawa as the stores are much less crowded and you can look at things more relaxed. When planning Kanazawa, keep an eye on the weather. If you are caught in a snowstorm, Shinkansen might be doing limited trips and you’ll be stuck for a day more to enjoy Kanazawa haha….

Another experience you don’t want to miss in kanazawa is Samurai. Learn the Samurai history and culture while there. There are many interesting places in Kanazawa, starting with Kanazawa Castle, Nagamachi Bukeyashiki (Samurai residence), Ashigaru Shiryokan Samurai Museum, Kaga Honda Museum etc. They are all good to soak yourself into the Samurai history of Kanazawa. Myoryuji is the so-called Ninja Temple, it is an interesting place for tourists. You need a reservation and their English translation is rather poor as more information is usually in Japanese but if you have time to read and study the place beforehand in English, that will be helpful.

Overall, I think Honda Museum and Maeda Tosanokami Shiryokan are the best. Check out Kanazawa Museum.

Kanazawa Castle was built in the 1580s, after the defeat of the Peasant’s Kingdom, Japan's only Buddhist fiefdom.It may not be one of the most impressive in Japan, having been mostly re-constructed, and lacking upkeep since its original one was destroyed in a 1602 fire. On the other hand, Kanazawa Castle Park is very beautiful especially when it's snow season, and the museum inside the restored building is informative and interesting. It also happens to sit right in the middle of town and all the other things to do in Kanazawa, which makes it a perfect place to begin exploring on your Kanazawa trip. The castle also sits literally across Kenroku-en, the Kanazawa garden. Local people say this is a place you need to see in all four seasons so it might be a good idea to visit a few times with each changing seasons and scenery. To be able to see the twisty pines that line the shores of Kasumigaike Pond, to a lush ume plum grove that boasts bursts of bright pink in winter.

Nagamachi may seem a miss unless you are into Samurai. It's perhaps the he best-preserved Samurai district in all of Japan for one. On the other hand, I love strolling through deserted towns, so maybe it’s not such a bad thing that so many people miss it. Alone in town is the best time to explore. Whether you tour Samurai homes like Nomura Clan or just enjoy Nagamachi town, it's a nice place to be.

Omicho Market If you love food, why not Eat Your Way Through Omicho Market? The seafood at Omicho Market is varied (and very beautiful), and lives up to the hype around it. Here you can try gold-leaf soft ice cream. Hey, that’s the Japanese name of Kanazawa: “Marsh of Gold.”



If you happen to be in Kanazawa at the end of April, just after peak cherry blossom time, you could travel to the “snow tunnel” of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, while Natadera Temple in Komatsu makes for a more evergreen excursion while Maruoka Castle nearby Fukui prefecture, is the oldest of Japan’s original such structures. There's so many to explore!

Local Tips

For souvenirs or for a great something to bring home, check out their Kutani ware. As you may already know, Kutani comes in many different classes. The top class, mid range and lowest class and price according to your budget. Nowadays, they have modern types of Kutani which are very popular among young people. You can find them in Katamachi, the middle of Kanazawa. The shop is called Moroeya and very nice store.

Also there are two department stores in Kanazawa. One is called Daiwa Department store and they have many nice dinner wares including Kutani. Also the other department store Kanazawa M'za has nice dinner wares but Daiwa has a larger selection. There are some stores in Kanazawa stations but the selections are limited. However, it is best to look at more local stores as they can be unique and local.

These Japanese names may be confusing but if you can find the famous Omicho Fish Market or Oyama Shrine or Daiwa Department store, these are the areas I am talking about. If your hotel is in these areas, everything will be very close and a short walk. If you have big luggage, take a taxi from the station. If you feel it is inconvenient to drag your luggage, you may have to send your luggage to your hotel in Kanazawa using a luggage forwarding. If you don’t mind walking and dragging your luggage, you can just get out of the station from Kenrokuen exit and walk straight ahead to Musashigatsuji area, Korinbo and Kata-machi area assuming you are ready to get started with shopping. The east gate area of Kanazawa Station are the largest shopping quarters in Kanazawa. It takes about 15 minutes. You will pass by a good and authentic Japanese restaurant Takasakiya on your right and a Sugi Drugstore after you pass by some ancient homes. When you arrive at Musashigatsuji crossing, you see 4 big streets going in 4 different directions. With Kanazawa Station behind you, you'll see the Omicho Fish Market in front of you. On your right is a department store called Kanazawa M’za (pronounced Emuza). It is a small department store but it has good food in the basement floor. Try some Sasazushi at Shibazushi 芝ずしshop there, you can take out these very local Sushi wrapped in bamboo leaves. Pick up some Sasasushi and some more things to eat so your first night is taste of local cuisine. There is a good variety for you to like. If you are planning to visit Omicho Fish Market, check the opening hours as they close early. Kanazawa M’za department store and Omicho Fish Market are connected in the basement. If you go to the second floor of the Fish Market there is a restaurant called Ichinokura, a good and very reasonable Japanese restaurant. You must try it! Lunch menu is served between 11:00-17:00 and is very popular and for 1150 yen ($7.50 USD) you get a good lunch.

Behind the Kanazawa New Grand Hotel there is Kanazawa City Culture Hall, and you can just walk across the street and walk into Oyama Shrine. If you love to stroll, there is a wooden bridge with a gate from Oyama Shrine that leads you to Kenrokuen Park through Nezumi Tamon Gate and you can go into Kanazawa Castle Garden. There is a wonderful fantastic garden called Gyokusen Inmaru Garden. This garden is a MUST visit!! You’ll see a lot if you go for a walk. If you take a bus directly to Kenrokuen Park you might miss all these great gardens along the way.

Kanazawa is one of the nicest and most authentic cities in Japan. Lots to see, well kept, authentic and historical. We hired push bikes and could circumvent the city in a day comfortably. There really isn’t one “best time to visit Kanazawa.”

How Many Days Should You Spend in Kanazawa?
For first timer, I’d say two or three days in Kanazawa is ideal, though there are some reasons to extend. In particular, visiting secondary attractions (such as the lesser-known Kanazawageisha district of Nishi Chaya and the nearby “Ninja Temple” of Myoryu-ji or sampling unique Kanazawa restaurants like the delectably homestyle Manmarumaru, can make you want to spend four days or more in Kanazawa.

If you have questions, let HENSLEY TRAVEL help you plan an Japan itinerary with Kanazawa in it.

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