Location: Kanazawa
Top Things to do in Kanazawa
10 Things to do in Kanazawa That You Shouldn't Miss
Kanazawa (金沢市, Kanazawa-shi) is a city located in Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 January 2018, the city had an estimated population of 466,029 in 203,271 households, and a population density of 290 persons per km². The total area of the city was 468.64 square kilometres (180.94 sq mi). It is the capital of Ishikawa Prefecture.
Restaurants in Kanazawa
1. Dolls Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 122 reviews
Japan is one of the biggest doll’s possession country that the world has ever seen. In Japan, people have used various crafting methods in order to create dolls. We establish Doll’s Museum in Nishi Chaya district, Kanazawa city, Ishikawa prefecture so that you can enjoy traditional Japanese dolls which have been loved by Japanese people for long time.
Reviewed By fkt2019
Saw this museum at Tripadvisor and we decided to pay a visit. Location is easy to find and the ladies from the museum are kins enough to welcome us with home made green tea. It is awesome to see the ko collection of dolls that the owner keeps and truly interesting to see how different provinces producing their own unique dolls. Personally like the wooden dolls from all over Japan, too bad it is not for sell. Go earlier so that u can spend more times there seeing the doll one by one.
2. Kenrokuen Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,780 reviews
This beautiful park contains one of the top three celebrated gardens in Japan. The name Kenrokuen literally translates to “garden combining six”, referring to the six attributes all gardens should have: seclusion, antiquity, spaciousness, human ingenuity, water and scenic views.
Reviewed By 400kayl - Kaohsiung, Taiwan
Outside Kanazawa Castle, these magnificent gardens attract visitors near and far to experience the serene, peaceful, zen ambience and the tranquil, calm waters with lots of quiet time amongst the pine trees and cherry blossoms. Located at Kanazawa, this region is famous for its gold leaf industry, which can be sampled as gold-decorated ice-cream. It is now a regional commercial centre and transportation hub for Ishikawa Prefecture. There are multiple outlets, selling gold-themed items, cosmetics and desserts. Choose ice-cream with gold sprinkles, gold (See my HAKUICHI review) sheets or gold tinsel garlands. Besides the lacquer and gold-mix-lacquer-work, the plum and cherry blossoms are also a major attraction here. There are some engineering feats, designs and techniques in the garden, such as the natural water fountain without any pressure system, or the bamboo supports which form the backbone for juvenile and senile trees. Many famous pictures show snow on the supporting ropes and bamboo, which illuminated at night appear as Christmas tree props. There is an earthy tone throughout the park, emphasizing the wonders and powers of nature interspersed with the gentle, soft colors and texture of the flora. Walk to Kasumigaike Pond and see the karasaki pine tree with its horizontal branch propped up by sticks. There are many bridges and footpaths traversing ponds and streams. The kotoji lantern at the lake is another photogenic site. The 6 Confucian virtues and elements; seclusion, antiquity, spaciousness, human ingenuity, water and scenic views are embodied in the design, character and layout of this traditional Japanese garden. Our group visited on a sunny morning, then continued our journey to snowy SHIRAKAWAGO (see my review) in the afternoon!
3. D. T. Suzuki Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 440 reviews
Reviewed By 759chinh - Singapore, Singapore
A wonderful example of contemporary Zen architecture. On a quiet day, the spaces are perfect for contemplation. Using light, lack of light, walls, windows and long corridors, the designers created an expansive space with a small footprint.
4. Kanazawa Station
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,671 reviews
Reviewed By DGandJudy - Ann Arbor, United States
The new Kanazawa station, built for the coming of the Shinkansen bullet trains in 2014, is great - has every amenity you could want, and is small enough to be easily negotiated. Be sure to stop by the Tourist Information Center, staffed by knowledgeable and friendly Good Will Guides volunteers, before setting out into the city. The east entrance (shown in the picture) is a striking combination of the old and new, with the traditional wooden torii gate juxtaposed in front of the ultramodern station building; the water clock (behind the photographer) is a fun place for photos.
5. Nomura Family Samurai House
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 865 reviews
Step inside this traditional Japanese home, complete with tea-ceremony room, a small, enchanting garden, artifacts from the Edo period and personal belongings of the Nomura family, who lived here for 10 generations.
Reviewed By 958lilijanak - Maribor, Slovenia
Wonderful house full of peace and good karma. Extremely beautiful environment. Worth a visit.Wonderful garden with space for thought, relaxation and concentration.
6. Kanazawa Castle
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 2,176 reviews
All that remain of this castle, once occupied by the powerful Maeda family, are the Ishikawa Gate, a moat and stone walls.
Reviewed By Safariholic - Horsham, United Kingdom
It is impressive from every stand-point - History, Scale, Architecture, Engineering, Design, Structural Integrity after so many years (incl Fires, Earthquakes etc etc), the Extent of Restorations, Cleanliness (typically Japanese), and fascinating, even for someone with as little Japanese History Knowledge, as me. TA advises 1 - 2 Hrs. I would regard that duration as 'skimming it'. It really is worth taking the time and having a thorough look round. It spans grounds over several hundred acres, huge buildings dating back several hundreds of years, even if subject to considerable restoration. These buildings included Barracks & Stables, fit to house Garrisons of men. Parts of it, were not that Disability Friendly, yet still worth covering what you can.
7. Oyama Shrine
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 656 reviews
The unique entry gate for which this 1599 shrine is famous was originally part of Kanazawa Caste.
Reviewed By ToruO - Setagaya, Japan
Oyama Shrine has a beautiful garden with a pond that you can walk over. There are a lot of ancient trees within the premises that give the shrine a mystic atmosphere. The main gate has a stained glass window, which makes its appearance unique. The rear exit will take you Kanazawa castle.
8. Nagamachi Neighborhood
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 925 reviews
Many samurai (Japanese warriors) used to live in this area, where remnants of that era, like several mansions, a canal and private gates, still remain.
Reviewed By keithbU3507KP - Karuizawa-machi, Japan
Step back in time in this picturesque neighborhood. The best of old Japan has been restored and preserved here.
9. Higashichaya Old Town
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 2,599 reviews
Reviewed By WarnerL_12 - Pasadena, United States
Kanazawa is one of few cities spared by bombing in WWII and the buildings are originals going back into the Edo Period; this is one of the neighborhoods that shows that history. It is must see when in the city.
10. Omicho Market
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 3,102 reviews
Open: 8 am to 6 pm (varying with each store) - Closed: holidays; Jan. 1 to 4; and around Aug. 15
Reviewed By JnJapan
The main floor is almost always filled with shoppers looking to buy fresh seafood or try out the restaurants. The shops also offer fresh produce, dried goods, and even clothes. The second floor has many more restaurants and they're often busy, so try to come as soon as they open or wait until the lunch rush is over to get a decent seat. For families--the third floor has a free indoor play area for children, which is open to everyone, even out-of-town travelers. Take the elevator in front of おしゃれなbookcafe to the third floor and enter the doors to your right. Here you'll find the play area. They have a family-friendly bathroom where you can change kids' diapers if needed. Across the road is M'za, which is a big department store with lots of stores and goods. The top floor is a food market with stalls. Not sure if it's closed due to COVID.
