Kanazawa Itineraries: For Half-Day, 2-Day, and 3-Day Trips

Recommended Itineraries for Kanazawa

Kanazawa, where visitors can enjoy an authentic Japanese atmosphere—including Kenrokuen Garden, Higashi Chaya District, and Nagamachi District—is also famous for its contemporary art and food. Most sightseeing spots are located within walking distance and easy to visit.

This article introduces three model itineraries (half-day, two days, and three days) for a sightseeing tour in Kanazawa.

Kanazawa Itineraries

1. Half-Day Itinerary in Kanazawa: Kenrokuen Garden
2. 2-Day Kanazawa Itinerary: Enjoy Art and History
3. 3-Day Kanazawa Itinerary: Visit Famous Places

Half-Day Itinerary in Kanazawa: Kenrokuen Garden

Visitors to Kanazawa should not miss Kenrokuen Garden and Higashi Chaya District, even on a half-day trip. This course starts from the latter site.

Higashi Chaya District

Photo by Pixta

From Kanazawa Station, the Kanazawa Loop Bus takes 10 minutes to Hashiba-cho bus stop, which is located near Higashi Chaya. Walking from the station to Higashi Chaya takes about 26 minutes. Visitors can enjoy souvenir shopping and local cuisine in this area, where the old townscape is well preserved.

Shima, an ochaya (tea house) designated as an important cultural asset by the government, was built in the Edo Period and remains the same today. Kanson-an, the next-door building, serves matcha tea and has a great view of the tsuboniwa (inner garden). It easily takes about two hours to appreciate the area's appeal since there are rental kimono shops, traditional handicraft stores, and cafes nearby.

The district is filled with eateries, so having lunch before moving on to Kenrokuen Garden would be best.

Higashi Chaya District
Address: Ishikawa, Kanazawa, Higashiyama
Official Website: https://visitkanazawa.jp/en/attractions/detail_10212.html

Kenrokuen Garden

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From Higashi Chaya to Kenrokuen, it takes about 5 minutes on the Kanazawa Loop Bus and 14 minutes on foot. It might be fun to walk on days of good weather. Kenrokuen, one of the three major gardens in Japan, offers a grand scenery along with a rich sense of history.

The garden is illuminated every season. If you have the chance, we recommend visiting in the evening. Yukitsuri (*) can also be seen in winter from November to March. Admission for visitors over 18 is 320 yen.

Those who are hungry should go to Turban Curry Sohonten, where Kanazawa curry originated. It is an 11-minute walk from the Katsurazaka Gate of Kenrokuen. The curry, with its black roux and topped with a sauced cutlet, has been loved by locals for over 50 years.

*A technique for protecting trees and shrubs from heavy snow.

Kenrokuen Illumination Events: https://kenrokuen.or.jp/illumination/?stt_lang=en

Kenrokuen Garden
Address: Ishikawa, Kanazawa, Kenroku-machi 1
Business Hours:
From March 1 to October 15: 7:00 to 18:00
From October 16 to the end of February: 8:00 to 17:00
Official Website: https://www.pref.ishikawa.jp/siro-niwa/kenrokuen/e/index.html

2-Day Kanazawa Itinerary: Enjoy Art and History

A one-night stay in Kanzawa enables more visits to sightseeing spots. On day one, this course starts from a cafe to Kenrokuen Garden, Kanazawa Castle Park, and ends at the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa. The second day starts from Nagamachi District and goes to Atelier Himito.

Day One/Early Morning: Isotope

The tour starts at Isotope, a cafe in Chuodori-machi, which opens at 8:30. From the East Gate of Kanazawa Station, take the bus bound for Nomachi and get off at the Kohrinbo bus stop. From there, it is a 7-minute walk to the cafe.

The interior is elegantly decorated with dried flowers. Moreover, their popular dish is the morning plate, which consists of roasted Noto pork, mozzarella, fried egg, and toast. The cafe also serves various dishes, including hot sandwiches and cheesecake.

Day One/Morning: Kenrokuen Garden and Kanazawa Castle Park

Photo by Pixta

The walk to Kenrokuen, which takes about 20 minutes, will be the perfect post-meal exercise. While people often line up to take photos of the Kotoji stone lanterns, which can be seen on garden posters, it is less crowded in the early hours and much easier for a photo shoot—serving as a reminder of the trip.

Be sure to visit Kanazawa Castle Park, which is located nearby. At Mamezara Chaya, visitors can enjoy Kanazawa confections served on a mamezara (small plate).

Day One/Afternoon: 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa

Picture courtesy of The 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa. Photographer: Shu Watanabe

After lunch, head to the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa, located 3 minutes away by foot from Kenrokuen. The museum, famous for its swimming pool exhibition, displays various works of contemporary art, including experience-based types, and hosts exhibitions intended for families.

The grounds also display artwork, making them perfect for a stroll. Visitors can stow away baggage in lockers and take breaks in chairs produced by famous designers.

Day Two/Morning: Nagamachi District

Photo by Pixta

The second day starts in Nagamachi District. From the East Gate of Kanazawa Station, ride any bus numbered 9 to 11 and get off at the Kohrinbo bus stop. From there, it is a 5-minute walk to Nagamachi. The admission fee is 550 yen for adults. This was a residential area for the samurai class and exhibits a different aura from Higashi Chaya.

While there are cafes with garden views serving Japanese confections, most of the houses are still used as residences. Visitors should also take a look at Onosho Yosui (water supply channel), which has a townscape consisting of mud walls and stone pavements.

The canal was used to supply domestic water to the houses. It was also a route for transporting lumber when Kanazawa Castle was built.

Day Two/Afternoon: Atelier Himito

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Atelier Himito, decorated with over 10,000 dandelion fluff, is located in Nakakawa Yokemachi in Kanazawa. From Nagamachi, it is an 18-minute walk to the atelier via Saisei no Michi. In addition to its wonderful interior, visitors can enjoy "peel art," which uses the peels of fruits and vegetables along with egg shells.

Ms. Saida, who started the art, is the atelier owner. A lantern workshop using orange peels will be held with more than two participants. Reservations are required for the workshop, which costs 5,500 yen per person.

3-Day Kanazawa Itinerary: Visit Famous Places

A 3-day itinerary will allow you to visit most of the famous spots. Our recommendations include the following sites:

1. Kenrokuen Garden and Kanazawa Castle Park
2. 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa, and Myoryu-ji Temple
3. Omicho Market
4. Higashi Chaya District
5. Kanazawa Station

Day One/Morning: Kenrokuen and Kanazawa Castle Park

Photo by Pixta

The first two stops are places listed on the half-day itinerary. Please check the information above.

Day One/Afternoon: 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa, and Myoryuji Temple

Photo by Pixta

The first stop in the afternoon is the 21st Century Museum, which is mentioned in the two-day itinerary. From the museum, it is a 20-minute walk to Myoryuji Temple.

Also known as Ninjadera ("Ninja Temple"), it is filled with pitfalls, hidden stairs, and secret rooms. According to legend, there was a route to the Kanazawa Castle from the bottom of the well. Although it looks like a two-story building, it is said that there are seven levels inside, with 29 stairs.

A guide will lead a 40-minute tour of the temple. Reservations must be made by phone and cost 1,200 yen.

Myoryu-ji Temple (Ishikawa Prefecture Official Tourism Website): https://www.hot-ishikawa.jp/blog/detail_193.html#5026 (Japanese)

Day Two/Morning: Omicho Market

Photo by Pixta

From Kanazawa Station, it is a 10-minute walk to Omicho Market, known as the "citizen's kitchen." There are about 170 stores handling freshly caught seafood, local vegetables, fruit, and meat.

This is an ideal place to look for souvenirs and dining, with restaurants serving Japanese, Western, and Chinese dishes.

MATCHA recommends Morimori Sushi Omicho Restaurant, where visitors can watch chefs making sushi while tasting Kanazawa seafood to their heart's content. You'll also be surrounded by a spotless, Japanese-style interior.

Day Two/Afternoon: Higashi Chaya District

Photo by Pixta

From Omicho Market, it takes about 19 minutes to walk to Higashi Chaya, which is mentioned in the half-day itinerary. The following are some additional information.

While all the popular cafes are renovated, some are designed in a cute, contemporary style while others exhibiting a retro-chic Taisho Period style.

They serve various Japanese confections, such as warabi-mochi drinks or shiratama nama-fu (wheat gluten dough), making it difficult for visitors to decide where to eat.

Many people still wear kimono in Kanazawa. Kanazawa Kirara Higashi Gai Main Store has various rental kimono, from modern to retro patterns. There will be something that catches everyone's eye.

Heighten your mood with a kimono and enjoy a stroll.

Day Three/Morning: Kanazawa Station

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The last day will be spent at Kanazawa Station. Motenashi Dome, a glass ceiling designed in a geometric pattern, welcomes passengers at the Kenrokuen Gate. This is appropriate architecture for Kanazawa, a land known for its rain and snow. Tsuzumi-mon, built in the image of a tsunami (hand drum) used in Noh, stands in front of the dome. Many tourists take photographs upon arriving at the station.

Kanazawa Hyakubangai Anto is the perfect place to look for souvenirs. It offers a wide variety of items, such as Japanese confections produced in Ishikawa Prefecture or chocolate cookies.

The station building displays works by local artists and traditional Kanazawa crafts so visitors can experience local culture.

If there is still time, visit Oyama Jinja, a shrine with a modern gate and traditional architecture. Located near Kanazawa Castle Park, it will take about 25 minutes on foot and 13 minutes on a bus from the station.

Enjoy Sightseeing in Kanazawa

We hope you enjoyed the three model itineraries (half-day, two-day, and three-day) mentioned above. The sightseeing spots in Kanazawa are close to each other and can be visited using public transport or on foot.

In addition to the places in this article, Kanazawa offers various places to visit. It might be fun to create an itinerary of your own!

Main image by Pixta
Written by Kakutama Editorial Team