KANAZAWA FORUS: Trendy Brands, Souvenirs, and Local Cuisine All in One Place!

Right by Kanazawa Station! A Must-Visit on a Hokuriku Trip

Not sure what to do while waiting for the Shinkansen (bullet train)? We recommend KANAZAWA FORUS.

KANAZAWA FORUS is a shopping mall conveniently located right by Kanazawa Station. In this article, we’ll introduce all the charms KANAZAWA FORUS has to offer.

What is KANAZAWA FORUS?

KANAZAWA FORUS is a seven-story shopping complex with about 150 stores.

Located immediately to the left of Kanazawa Station’s East Exit, the mall has been a local favorite since it opened in 2006.

The mall is bright and spacious, housing popular brands, Kanazawa-exclusive products, and a food court serving local cuisine.

Even if it rains during your trip, you can enjoy a comfortable day indoors at KANAZAWA FORUS.

5 Sightseeing Spots Near Kanazawa Station

You’ll find many sightseeing spots near Kanazawa Station.

If you visit KANAZAWA FORUS, consider adding these five recommended sightseeing spots to your travel plans for a more fulfilling experience.

Picture courtesy of PIXTA

First up is Tsuzumimon Gate, often regarded as the symbol of Kanazawa Station. The gate’s impressive design is inspired by traditional taiko drums.

Also known as the Motenashi Dome, it’s a popular stop for many travelers to Kanazawa.

Picture courtesy of PIXTA

Kenrokuen Garden, one of Japan’s three most famous gardens, still preserves the beauty of the Edo period. You can enjoy its scenery throughout the four seasons.

Yukitsuri is a winter highlight, a technique where ropes support tree branches to prevent breakage from heavy snow. It truly is a sight worth seeing.

Picture courtesy of PIXTA

Kanazawa Castle was the residence of the Maeda family of the Kaga Domain (*) during the Edo period (1603-1868). It is renowned for its long, white armory called Gojikken Nagaya (commonly referred to as Tamon Yagura), as well as its stunning stone walls.

The castle is adjacent to Kenrokuen Garden and is one of the most important historical sites in Hokuriku.

* Kaga-han Maeda-ke: an influential samurai clan that governed Japan's wealthiest domain during the Edo period.

Picture courtesy of PIXTA

Omicho Market, also known as the “Kitchen of Kanazawa,” is lined with shops selling fresh seafood, vegetables, and fruits.

There’s also a wide variety of restaurants serving sushi and Japanese cuisine, making it a must-visit for anyone that wants to enjoy the local food.

Picture courtesy of PIXTA

Higashi Chaya District is home to many wooden buildings from the Edo period, offering a glimpse into life during that time throughout the area.

Every corner of the district exudes charm, with wagashi (traditional Japanese confectionery) shops, gold-leaf workshops, and traditional tea houses.

Transportation Access to KANAZAWA FORUS

From Abroad

There are direct flights to Komatsu Airport from Taipei, Seoul, Shanghai, and Hong Kong (for more details, please check Komatsu Airport’s official website).

The limousine bus takes you directly from Komatsu Airport to Kanazawa Station in 40-50 minutes.

Another option is to take the bus from Komatsu Airport to Komatsu Station, then transfer to a local train line or the Hokuriku Shinkansen to get to Kanazawa.

From Tokyo Station

The fastest and most convenient way is to take the Hokuriku Shinkansen Kagayaki. The bullet train reaches Kanazawa Station in about two and a half hours with no transfers.

The Hokuriku Shinkansen Hakutaka also stops at Kanazawa Station, but since it makes more stops, the journey takes about two hours and 50 minutes.

From Osaka Station

Take the Limited Express Thunderbird to Tsuruga Station, then transfer to the Hokuriku Shinkansen Tsurugi to reach Kanazawa Station. The journey takes about two and a half hours.

Express buses also operate from Osaka, but the trip takes about six hours, making it a longer option.

Popular Shops for Visitors at KANAZAWA FORUS

KANAZAWA FORUS features a wide selection of shops popular with international visitors. Next, we’ll introduce them in three categories: shops with smooth tax-free procedures, local cuisine, and items perfect for souvenirs or travel memories.

Duty-Free Shops

If you love high-quality, practical Japanese products, well-known stores like UNIQLO and Mujirushi Ryohin (MUJI) are essential stops.

Both brands are major retailers at KANAZAWA FORUS. The spacious retail areas offer a comfortable shopping environment.

These retailers are attractive for their wide selection from new arrivals to staple products. You’re sure to find something you want.

At atmos, a well-known sports specialty store, they mainly carry limited-edition collaboration sneakers.

The store carries popular brands such as Nike, adidas, and ASICS, and is loved by fashion-conscious youth and sneaker collectors alike. If you’re lucky, you might even find the pair you’ve been searching for.

@cosme STORE also has a large store in KANAZAWA FORUS.

The store’s fashionable interior design is also a draw, making you want to stop by and pick up the latest trending cosmetics.

PLAZA is a lifestyle store overflowing with exciting goods that brighten your everyday life. It brings small, heart-fluttering moments to each customer’s day.

They carry a wide variety of products from cosmetics that help you shine, to sweets, fashion items, and colorful international character goods, offering new discoveries every time you visit.

Stop by during your trip for a one-of-a-kind shopping experience that awaits you here!

Local Cuisine

On the sixth floor of KANAZAWA FORUS, you’ll find a dining area with a wide variety of restaurants. The selection is so diverse, you may have a hard time deciding where to eat.

If you’re having trouble deciding, we recommend Tomikinton.

Thick-Cut Pork Loin Tonkatsu (250g) 1,780 yen (tax included)

Tomikinton uses Noto pork, raised on the natural waters of Noto. Their signature tonkatsu (pork cutlet) is known for tender, juicy meat encased in a crispy coating.

Among their popular dishes—the thick-cut pork loin tonkatsu and bone-in pork loin katsu—the thick-cut pork loin tonkatsu lets you choose your preferred thickness of the meat. The portions are hearty and incredibly satisfying.

The dining area also features many restaurants that use local ingredients.

Kanazawa Meat is a specialty hamburger steak restaurant that uses Kanazawa beef.

Picture courtesy of Kanazawa Meat
The dish is served with a red wine reduction sauce, accompanied by locally grown rice and seasonal side dishes, letting you enjoy flavors unique to Kanazawa.

At Ebi Tendon KOSHI, you can enjoy tempura bowls topped with fresh shiroebi and amaebi, two varieties of shrimp. The shrimp are sourced directly from ports in Hokuriku and fried in a crispy light batter.

Picture courtesy of Ebi Tendon KOSHI
The restaurant uses Koshihikari rice from Ishikawa Prefecture. The special sauce, added as the finishing touch, is exquisite and offers a flavor that is unforgettable once you’ve had it.

Perfect Items for Souvenirs and Travel Memories

MIHON-ICHI KANAZAWA is a select shop curated by KANAZAWA FORUS. It primarily sells traditional handicrafts that represent Ishikawa Prefecture, including Kutani ware and Yamanaka lacquerware.

The shelves are lined with items inspired by everyday life, as well as products brimming with the creativity of young artists. It’s the perfect store for choosing a souvenir.

Recently, Kutani ware products have become very popular among international visitors. In particular, compact, portable toothbrush holders have been especially well-received.

It can be used not only as a toothbrush holder, but also as a pen stand, making it a popular choice for many as an item that combines traditional design with practicality.

T-shirts printed with Japanese characters and traditional patterns are also popular as souvenirs.

Traveler-Friendly Facilities! Stress-Free Shopping at KANAZAWA FORUS

KANAZAWA FORUS offers a variety of convenient facilities to ensure a comfortable experience for international visitors. You can shop here with peace of mind.

Well-Equipped with Coin Lockers

The 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 6th floors are equipped with coin-operated lockers, so you can shop with peace of mind even if you have a lot of luggage.

Some coin lockers on the 2nd floor also have refrigeration, so you can temporarily store ingredients that need to stay cool.

A currency exchange machine is located next to the escalators on the 6th-floor dining area.

The screen displays are available in 10 languages and you can exchange 12 different foreign currencies. Even if you suddenly need cash, you can exchange money with ease.

Some ATMs in the mall also allow foreign currency withdrawals. Before using, please check whether the ATM handles foreign currency.

Additionally, a multilingual guide system is available at KANAZAWA FORUS’ information counter to meet the needs of the increasing number of inbound visitors each year.

Touch the screen and select your language to easily search for information on the mall. If there is something you don’t understand, you can rest assured that translation devices are available at the information counter.

Free Wi-Fi is also available throughout the mall. Simply connect to the SSID “FORUS” to access the internet instantly.

The mall also offers facilities designed with families with children in mind.

Diaper-changing stations, nursing rooms, and around 50 rental strollers are available for customers to use freely. These facilities are a great support for families with children.

Elevate Your Hokuriku Trip! Enjoy KANAZAWA FORUS

KANAZAWA FORUS, conveniently located and well-equipped with facilities, offers a wide range of shops from popular brands to Kanazawa specialties and souvenirs. It’s the perfect place to visit on a day with bad weather, during a family vacation with the kids, while waiting for the Shinkansen, or when you’re hunting for Kanazawa-exclusive products.

Having a pleasant and fun shopping experience is another charm of KANAZAWA FORUS. It’s the perfect place to pick up souvenirs at the end of your trip to beautifully wrap up your Hokuriku memories.

Make sure to add this spot to your itinerary when planning your trip to Kanazawa!

Kanazawa Forus

3-1 Horikawa Shinmachi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture 920-0849

Kanazawa Forus is a commercial facility located next to Kanazawa Station. It houses a variety of stores including fashion, miscellaneous goods, and cosmetics, and is popular with locals and tourists alike. Many stores are located here, from the first basement floor to the seventh floor above ground. There are restaurants on the top floor, where you can enjoy not only shopping but also eating. It is easily accessible from JR Kanazawa Station, and is attracting attention as a stopover spot when sightseeing in Kanazawa.

Written by Kenko
Sponsored by OPA