Things to Do in Kanazawa: A Complete Guide to Japan’s Cultural Gem

From historic samurai streets to gold leaf ice cream and the charm of Little Kyoto, this list of things to do in Kanazawa is anything but ordinary.

Kanazawa is one of those cities that will steal your heart, in the best possible way. Instead of the usual touristy hustle, you’ll find a city that combines history, culture, and food into something truly unique. From wandering through one of Japan’s most beautiful gardens to getting lost in Kanazawa’s geisha districts. This list of things to do in Kanazawa balances the very best attractions and hidden gems. And yes, that definitely includes eating gold leaf ice cream because where else can you do that?

Kanazawa offers a compact layout, easy bullet train access from Tokyo, Osaka or Kyoto, and was included in National Geographic’s “Best of the World 2025” list. Kanazawa is the kind of city that keeps visitors coming back. It’s cultural, it’s full of delicious foods, and it’s ready and waiting to be discovered… all minus the Kyoto-sized crowds.

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Things to Do in Kanazawa: Practical Travel Information to Make Your Trip a Breeze!

Transportation and Getting Around

Kanazawa station serves as the city’s main transportation hub. It connects to Tokyo via the Hokuriku Shinkansen (2.5 hours) and to Osaka/Kyoto via the Thunderbird Limited Express train line.

Once in Kanazawa, the Kanazawa Loop Bus provides the most convenient local transportation. You can purchase a ¥600 day ticket offering unlimited rides to major attractions. The bus operates every 12 minutes, connecting Kanazawa castle park, Kenrokuen garden, the Higashi Chaya district, Omicho fish market, the Samurai district as well as other popular destinations. This transport system makes car rental unnecessary for most visitors.

The Tourist Information Center at Kanazawa station offers English-speaking staff and helpful services including luggage storage, tour bookings and detailed maps. Staff can provide helpful information to help you make the most of your time.

Kaga Onsen Station is another key stop on the Thunderbird Limited Express. It provides convenient access to the scenic Kaga Onsen hot spring towns in Ishikawa Prefecture.

Where to Stay in Kanazawa

You’ll find everything from luxury hotels near Kanazawa Station to cozy ryokan and boutique stays in the historic streets. I recommend you stay near Kanazawa Station. it’s your main transport hub, where you arrive and depart, and taxis get expensive fast in Japan.

We stayed at the budget to mid range Super Hotel Premier Kanazawaeki Higashiguchi hotel during our trip to Kanazawa and honestly, it was such a win. The location made exploring super easy. Located just a few minutes walk from Kanazawa Station and the handy Loop Bus. The rooms were comfy, modern, and the real highlight was their afternoon Happy Hour. Every afternoon they serve unlimited sake, wine, spirits, cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks, major bonus! I’d 100% stay here again! So if you’re after somewhere that makes your Kanazawa trip smooth, stress-free, and packed with perks, this is it.

🏨Find out more here – Super Hotel Premier Kanazawaeki Higashiguchi

Super Hotel Premier Kanazawaeki Higashiguchi also has an onsite onsen ⏬

When to visit Kanazawa

Kanazawa is a fantastic city to visit year-round, but its four distinct seasons can completely shape your experience there.

Cherry blossom season (late March through April) offers spectacular beauty but attracts the largest crowds.

Summer guarantees VERY HOT weather and exploring can be very humid and almost unbearable at time, BUT does offer fewer crowds.

Autumn leaves create stunning landscapes in Kenrokuen and other gardens and the weather is more pleasant.

Winter brings its own unique beauty!

How long to stay in Kanazawa

Planning 2-3 days allows enough time to see all of the main attractions including Kenrokuen garden, Higashi Chaya District, Kanazawa Castle, and Omicho market. Extending stays to 3-4 days enables a deeper explore of lesser-known sites, cultural activities, or day trips to nearby attractions like Shirakawa-go.

The city’s compact layout means even visitors with limited time can experience multiple attractions efficiently. Many of Kanazawa things to do concentrate within a small area, making short visits surprisingly comprehensive.

Detailed list of Things to do in Kanazawa

Now that we have all the important tips out of the way, let’s get into the best things to do in Kanazawa. Because, this city has way more to see than you might expect.

🌟 Quick Overview: Best Things to Do in Kanazawa

• 🍵 Wander Higashi Chaya District: Kanazawa’s geisha quarter with wooden teahouses, kimono rentals, gold leaf ice cream that’s as bougie as it sounds, and browse various shops selling local crafts and souvenirs.
• 🏮 Visit Kaikaro Teahouse (200 years old) in the Higashi Chaya District for an authentic geisha teahouse experience, where you can observe traditional architecture and immerse yourself in Kanazawa’s cultural heritage.
• 💃 Attend a geisha performance in one of Kanazawa’s historic geisha districts.
• ⚔️ Step back in time at the Nagamachi Samurai District. Explore narrow lanes and the Nomura Samurai Residence with its gorgeous garden.
• 🏯 Stroll through Kanazawa Castle Park – dramatic gates, sweeping stone walls, and a fairytale-style illuminated garden.
• 🌸 Chill out in Kenrokuen Garden – one of Japan’s “Three Great Gardens,” changing beautifully with every season.
• 🍡 Try a Japanese Tea Ceremony right inside Kenrokuen garden, complete with wagashi sweets and matcha magic.
• 🦀 Snack your way through Omicho Fish Market. Famous for its fresh seafood, including oysters the size of your hand, seasonal crab, and fresh sushi that melts in your mouth.
• 🍛 Dig into local Kanazawa eats: from rich Kanazawa curry to warming oden, and of course, that shiny gold-leaf ice cream.
• 🎨 Snap Insta-famous shots at the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art – don’t miss the “Swimming Pool” illusion.
• ✨ Get crafty with Gold Leaf Workshops – make your own sparkling souvenir on chopsticks, mirrors, or plates.
• 🏺 Paint your own Kutani-yaki pottery, bold, colourful ceramics straight out of Edo-period tradition.
• 🏘 Take a day trip to World Heritage Shirakawa-go – the iconic thatched-roof village that looks like it belongs in a snow globe.
• 🥷 Live out your warrior dreams with a Samurai Sword Lesson in a rented temple.

Historic Districts and Cultural Heritage

Higashi Chaya District – ‘Geisha District’

Kanazawa’s Higashi Chaya District is the city’s most famous geisha quarter. And, it’s every bit as pretty as Kyotos Gion District, just a whole lot quietier! The Asano River runs alongside the district, providing a picturesque backdrop and connecting to the nearby Kazue-machi geisha area.

But let’s be honest, you can’t come here without trying the city’s most iconic treat – gold leaf ice cream. Yep, we’re talking about a creamy soft serve literally wrapped in 24k gold. It’s as extra as it sounds. And yes, it’s 100% Instagram bait (don’t even pretend you won’t take five photos before the first bite). The best part? Under all that bougie shimmer, it’s genuinely delicious.

Between bites, the district is full of little surprises including kimono rental shops, boutiques tucked inside old machiya houses, and various shops offering local crafts, souvenirs, and specialty items. It’s one of those places where every corner begs for a photo, and every stop feels like a mix of culture, history, and just a little bit of sparkle.

Nagamachi Samurai District

Nagamachi is where Kanazawa’s samurai history really comes to life. The narrow lanes and old residences make it super easy to picture what life must have looked like here centuries ago.

Make sure you stop by the Nomura Samurai Family Residence, it’s the only samurai home you can actually step inside, and wandering through the rooms feels a bit like sneaking a peek into someone’s life from the Edo period.

Kanazawa Castle and Castle Park

Kanazawa Castle Park and castle grounds has been beautifully reconstructed, the sheer size of the grounds and the elegant architecture still make it feel pretty grand. It’s the kind of place where you keep stopping mid-walk just to snap another photo—especially with those dramatic gates and sweeping stone walls.

The Ishikawa-mon Gate is a total showstopper. It’s huge, super photogenic, and one of the few original parts still standing. If you’re into castle vibes (or just love a good Insta backdrop), this one is worth pausing for.

Then there’s Gyokusen-inmaru Garden, tucked inside the park and restored to absolute perfection.

Gardens and Natural Beauty

Kenrokuen Garden

Kenrokuen Garden isn’t just another pretty park, it’s one of the “Three Great Gardens of Japan,” and honestly, it lives up to the hype. It’s huge, beautifully designed, and packed with little details that make you stop in your tracks. The central pond is picture-perfect, and the fountain here has bragging rights, as it’s the oldest in Japan, still bubbling away with nothing but natural water pressure.

The real magic, though, is how different the garden feels in every season. Spring turns it into a cherry blossom wonderland, summer bursts with green and irises, autumn lights it up in fiery reds, and winter brings that dreamy snow-covered scene with the ropes draped over the trees.

Kenroku-en Garden is highly regarded by Japanese people and is considered one of the country’s most beloved gardens.

Japanese tea ceremony right inside Kenrokuen Garden

If you want a truly Japanese experience in Kanazawa, you can’t skip the Kenrokuen Matcha Tea Ceremony. Held inside the charming Kenrokutei teahouse, right in the heart of Kenrokuen Garden, it’s more than just sipping tea, it’s stepping into a moment of calm and tradition. For about 50 minutes, you’ll learn how to whisk bright green matcha like a pro, guided by a friendly tea master.

Find out more – Japanese Tea Ceremony – Kenrokuen Garden

Food and Culinary Experiences

Omicho Market

Omicho Fish Market, often called Kanazawa’s kitchen, has been operating for over 280 years and is renowned for its fresh seafood, making it a key local attraction. As the city’s primary source for fresh seafood and local produce. Omicho Fish Market features over 170 shops packed into a relatively compact area, buzzing with activity as both locals and tourists browse incredible selections of seafood from the nearby sea.

The market’s fresh seafood is impressive and had some of the biggest oysters I think I have ever seen.

Beyond seafood, the market showcases local produce, traditional snacks, and specialty items unique to ishikawa prefecture.

Local Kanazawa Cuisine

Let’s talk eats, because Kanazawa does not disappoint. First up, Kanazawa curry! This dark-brown, curry over fried cutlets is comfort food at its finest. Every restaurant seems to have its own version, and trust me, they’re all worth trying all to pick your favourite.

Then there’s oden, Kanazawa style. Seasonal veggies, seafood goodies, and local farm produce simmering in a deeply flavorful broth, a perfect dish for sharing at an izakaya.

Of course, you can’t skip the gold leaf soft-serve ice cream. Shiny, photo-worthy, and decadent, it’s a dessert that screams “Kanazawa.” and “Bougie”. That edible gold isn’t just for show, it’s a nod to the city’s centuries-old gold leaf craft.

Kanazawa’s food game is rich, seafood-obsessed, and full of surprises.

Museums and Contemporary Attractions

21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art

This spot is a must if you love playful, mind-bending art. The star attraction? Leandro Erlich’s Swimming Pool, an installation that makes it look like you’re standing underwater while staying completely dry. It’s Insta-famous for a reason, and easily the most popular part of the museum.

💡 Tip: Pre-book your time slot online if you want to see the pool up close. I didn’t, and the wait was over three hours (learn from my mistake!).

🕒 Opening hours: 10am – 6pm (closed Mondays)
💴 Entry: The general museum space is free, but special exhibitions (including the pool) usually cost around ¥450–¥1,200 depending on the show.
📍 Location: A short walk from Kenrokuen Garden and Kanazawa Castle, so it’s easy to bundle all three into the same day.

Traditional Arts and Crafts Experiences

Gold Leaf Crafting

Kanazawa produces an astounding 99% of Japan’s domestic gold leaf, making it the undisputed center of this delicate traditional craft.

Gold leaf pasting workshops like this one, offer hands-on experiences where participants learn to apply ultra-thin gold leaf using traditional stencils and techniques and create a souvenir they can take home. Expert artisans guide visitors through the delicate process of handling gold leaf.

Day Trips from Kanazawa

Shirakawa-go village

Shirakawa-go stands as one of Japan’s most picturesque UNESCO World Heritage sites, featuring traditional gassho-style houses with steep thatched roofs designed to shed heavy snow. The village looks especially stunning during winter when snow covers the distinctive architecture, creating scenes that define rural Japan in many travelers’ imaginations.

World Heritage Shirakawa-go and Kanazawa Day Tour

Gokayama villages

Gokayama, tucked away in the mountains of Toyama Prefecture, is the quieter, less commercialised counterpart to the famous Shirakawa-go. Known for its beautifully preserved gasshō-zukuri thatched-roof farmhouses, it offers a peaceful, authentic glimpse into traditional Japanese village life. Just 40 minutes from Shirakawa-go, the two are often visited together on a day tour, giving travellers the chance to experience both UNESCO-listed heritage sites in one trip. Whether you’re travelling from Takayama, Kanazawa, or Toyama, exploring Gokayama alongside Shirakawa-go is a stunning journey through Japan’s timeless countryside charm.

Shirakawa-go & Gokayama and Hida Takayama Bus Tour (From Kanazawa)

Kaga Onsen Town

If you are looking for an onsen town experience, Kaga Onsen town can be reached from Kanazawa Station in about 50 minutes by local train. You’ll find a cluster of four traditional hot spring towns, Yamashiro, Yamanaka, Katayamazu, and Awazu , each with their own vibe. Yamashiro is the most famous, with beautiful public baths and ryokan inns that serve elaborate kaiseki dinners.

Other Unique Things to do in Kanazawa

Kanazawa Samurai Sword Lesson

Kanazawa: Samurai Swordsmanship Lesson at a rented temple

If you’ve ever wanted to feel like a samurai (minus the epic battles and centuries of training), this lesson in Kanazawa totally delivers. You change into a traditional samurai kimono, step into a quiet temple setting, and spend about an hour under the guidance of a master instructor learning sword-basics: stance, grip, swing—the works.

🕒 Quick deets: It takes about 1 hour and costs from approx ¥12,650 per person. You’ll need a minimum of two people to run the session, and it’s not for children under 12.

FAQ

How many days should I spend in Kanazawa?

A minimum of 2-3 days allows you to comfortably see the main attractions like Kenrokuen Garden, Higashi Chaya district, Kanazawa Castle, and Omicho Market. If you want to explore lesser-known sites, participate in traditional craft workshops, or take day trips to Shirakawa-go or the onsen towns, plan for 4 days.

What is the best way to get around Kanazawa?

The Kanazawa Loop Bus is the most convenient option with a ¥600 day pass providing unlimited rides every 12 minutes to all major attractions.

Can I visit Kanazawa as a day trip from Tokyo or Kyoto?

Yes, the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo takes about 2.5 hours each way, making day trips possible but quite rushed. You’d have approximately 6-7 hours in the city, enough to see Kenrokuen Garden, walk through Higashi Chaya district, and visit Kanazawa Castle. From Kyoto, the Thunderbird Limited Express takes just over 2 hours, making it more manageable for day trips. However, staying overnight allows for a much more relaxed exploration of the city’s many attractions.

Is Kanazawa crowded like Kyoto?

Kanazawa city offers a much more peaceful experience than Kyoto and fewer crowds. While providing similar cultural attractions like geisha districts, traditional gardens, and historic sites. The city receives significantly fewer international tourists, especially during weekdays and off-peak seasons.