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Kanazawa 1

Kanazawa

Kanazawa is a city rich in history and culture located in Ishikawa Prefecture, Hokuriku Region. It is represented by Kenrokuen Garden, one of the three famous gardens in Japan. The abundant plants in the Kenrokuen Garden create a unique scene in all seasons. Omi Town Market is the kitchen of Kanazawa people, providing a wealth of seafood and delicacies. The well-preserved flower street building area in Kanazawa East Chaya Street is a cultural heritage. The gold foil craft experience is also an experience not to be missed.

  • Highlights

    Kenrokuen Garden、Kanazawa Castle、Higashi Chaya

  • Suggested Duration

    1–2 days

  • Location

    Ishikawa・Kanazawa

  • Getting There

    Kanazawa Sta. local bus

Top things to do in Kanazawa

Tours & Experiences

Tours & Experiences

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Shirakawa-go & Takayama Day Tour from Kanazawa

Shirakawa-go & Takayama Day Tour from Kanazawa

4.7(556)・3K+ booked
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Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route 3-Day Tour: Kamikochi (from Nagoya)

Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route 3-Day Tour: Kamikochi (from Nagoya)

4.8(1,060)・3K+ booked
KKday featured tour
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57,391
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Japan | VASARA Kimono Rental | Multiple Locations in Tokyo, Kamakura, Kyoto, and Kurashiki

Japan | VASARA Kimono Rental | Multiple Locations in Tokyo, Kamakura, Kyoto, and Kurashiki

4.6(181)・1K+ booked
Free cancellation 2 days before
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1,792
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Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route 1-Day Tour (Departing from Kanazawa/Nagano)

Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route 1-Day Tour (Departing from Kanazawa/Nagano)

4.9(138)・500+ booked
Free cancellation 8 days before
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11,805
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[Shirakawa-go & Kanazawa 2-Day / 1-Day Tour] Shirakawa-go, Takayama, Omicho Market, Kenrokuen Garden, Kanazawa Castle, Higashi Chaya Street | Departing from Nagoya

[Shirakawa-go & Kanazawa 2-Day / 1-Day Tour] Shirakawa-go, Takayama, Omicho Market, Kenrokuen Garden, Kanazawa Castle, Higashi Chaya Street | Departing from Nagoya

4.7(64)・300+ booked
Free cancellation 8 days before
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3,247
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[Limited Promotion] Tateyama Kurobe Autumn Foliage 2-Day Tour | Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route & Kamikochi & Hida Takayama Old Town | Depart from Nagoya, Japan (Includes 6-way transport ticket for Tateyama Kurobe)

[Limited Promotion] Tateyama Kurobe Autumn Foliage 2-Day Tour | Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route & Kamikochi & Hida Takayama Old Town | Depart from Nagoya, Japan (Includes 6-way transport ticket for Tateyama Kurobe)

4.8(70)・200+ booked
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2-Day Hokuriku Tour from Nagoya: Shirakawa-go, Hida-Takayama, Kenrokuen Garden & Omicho Market

2-Day Hokuriku Tour from Nagoya: Shirakawa-go, Hida-Takayama, Kenrokuen Garden & Omicho Market

4.8(34)・100+ booked
Free cancellation 4 days before
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8,793
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14,987
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Shirakawa-go & Kanazawa Day Trip: Traditional Craft Experience

Shirakawa-go & Kanazawa Day Trip: Traditional Craft Experience

4.3(17)・75+ booked
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Departing from Nagoya | 3-Day Tateyama Kurobe Snow Wall Tour | Kamikochi, Shirakawa-go Village, Magome-juku, Tsumago-juku, Daio Wasabi Farm | Includes Tickets, Accommodation, and Tour Leader

Departing from Nagoya | 3-Day Tateyama Kurobe Snow Wall Tour | Kamikochi, Shirakawa-go Village, Magome-juku, Tsumago-juku, Daio Wasabi Farm | Includes Tickets, Accommodation, and Tour Leader

4.4(26)・50+ booked
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31,933
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Shirakawa-go Day Trip: Traditional Craft Experience (from Kanazawa)

Shirakawa-go Day Trip: Traditional Craft Experience (from Kanazawa)

4.6(10)・50+ booked
Free cancellation 8 days before
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4,796
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Accommodation

Accommodation

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Smile Hotel Premium Kanazawa Higashiguchi Ekimae

Smile Hotel Premium Kanazawa Higashiguchi Ekimae

5.0(1)
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4,307
Daiwa Roynet Hotel Kanazawa-eki Nishiguchi

Daiwa Roynet Hotel Kanazawa-eki Nishiguchi

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4,423
Onyado NonoKanazawa Natural Hot Spring

Onyado NonoKanazawa Natural Hot Spring

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4,513
Tokyu Stay Kanazawa

Tokyu Stay Kanazawa

5.0(1)
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4,023
Hotel Kanazawa

Hotel Kanazawa

5.0(1)
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2,836
SOKI KANAZAWA

SOKI KANAZAWA

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15,697
Smile Hotel Kanazawanishiguchiekimae

Smile Hotel Kanazawanishiguchiekimae

5.0(1)
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CHISUN BUDGET Kanazawa Ekimae

CHISUN BUDGET Kanazawa Ekimae

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Hotel Wing International Premium Kanazawa Ekimae

Hotel Wing International Premium Kanazawa Ekimae

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2,239
Ryokan Matsusaki

Ryokan Matsusaki

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26,175
Gourmet Food

Gourmet Food

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Kanazawa, Ishikawa | Izakaya Seafood & Steak Danshaku | Seat Reservation Only

Kanazawa, Ishikawa | Izakaya Seafood & Steak Danshaku | Seat Reservation Only

4.0(6)
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Ishikawa, Kanazawa | Chanko Nabe Shunsai Washoku Koufuku | Seat Reservation Only

Ishikawa, Kanazawa | Chanko Nabe Shunsai Washoku Koufuku | Seat Reservation Only

4.6(7)
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Kanazawa, Ishikawa | Cafe Coil | Seat Reservation Only

Kanazawa, Ishikawa | Cafe Coil | Seat Reservation Only

4.6(7)
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Ishikawa, Kanazawa | Crab Oumicho Seafood Ichiba Ryouri Ichi no Kura | Seat Reservation Only

Ishikawa, Kanazawa | Crab Oumicho Seafood Ichiba Ryouri Ichi no Kura | Seat Reservation Only

4.7(7)
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176
Ishikawa, Kanazawa | Creative Cuisine Tempura Senmon Ichiban | Seat Reservation Only

Ishikawa, Kanazawa | Creative Cuisine Tempura Senmon Ichiban | Seat Reservation Only

4.5(6)
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Ishikawa, Kanazawa | Oden Hokuriku Seafood Kanazawa Oden Kairiki | Seat Reservation Only

Ishikawa, Kanazawa | Oden Hokuriku Seafood Kanazawa Oden Kairiki | Seat Reservation Only

4.5(6)
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176
Ishikawa, Kanazawa | Korean Cuisine Yakiniku House Daishogun (Kanazawa Branch) | Seat Reservation Only

Ishikawa, Kanazawa | Korean Cuisine Yakiniku House Daishogun (Kanazawa Branch) | Seat Reservation Only

4.6(6)
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176
Ishikawa, Kanazawa | Izakaya Kanazawa Notoushi Gyuuya Eitarou (Musashi Branch) | Seat Reservation Only

Ishikawa, Kanazawa | Izakaya Kanazawa Notoushi Gyuuya Eitarou (Musashi Branch) | Seat Reservation Only

3.7(6)
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Kanazawa Gourmet, Japan | Tempura Specialty Ichiban | Online Reservation

Kanazawa Gourmet, Japan | Tempura Specialty Ichiban | Online Reservation

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Ishikawa, Kanazawa | Yakiniku Yakiniku Ichibo (Kanazawa Station Front Branch) | Seat Reservation Only

Ishikawa, Kanazawa | Yakiniku Yakiniku Ichibo (Kanazawa Station Front Branch) | Seat Reservation Only

3.8(5)
Free cancellation 3 days before
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176
Transport

Transport

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Tokyo Private Car Transfers | Tokyo City, Tokyo Disney Resort, Mt. Fuji, Hakone, and Izu

Tokyo Private Car Transfers | Tokyo City, Tokyo Disney Resort, Mt. Fuji, Hakone, and Izu

5.0(6)・100+ booked
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Kanazawa Private Day Tour: Takayama and Shirakawa-go

Kanazawa Private Day Tour: Takayama and Shirakawa-go

4.7(22)・75+ booked
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27,976
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Kansai Airport to Osaka & Kyoto Private Transfer

Kansai Airport to Osaka & Kyoto Private Transfer

4.9(3,620)・20K+ booked
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JR PASS Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass

JR PASS Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass

4.8(475)・4K+ booked
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7,913
JR PASS Hokuriku Area Pass

JR PASS Hokuriku Area Pass

4.8(230)・3K+ booked
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Japan JR Pass | Kansai & Hokuriku Area Rail Pass 7-Day Ticket | eMCO E-Ticket

Japan JR Pass | Kansai & Hokuriku Area Rail Pass 7-Day Ticket | eMCO E-Ticket

4.8(221)・3K+ booked
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Hokuriku Arch Pass

Hokuriku Arch Pass

4.8(220)・2K+ booked
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13,988
Nagoya Airport (NGO) to Nagoya City Hotel Private Transfer | Japan

Nagoya Airport (NGO) to Nagoya City Hotel Private Transfer | Japan

4.8(247)・1K+ booked
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Japan Transfer Ticket: JR Hokuriku Osaka/Kyoto-Toyama/Fukui/Kanazawa | One-way Ticket Discount

Japan Transfer Ticket: JR Hokuriku Osaka/Kyoto-Toyama/Fukui/Kanazawa | One-way Ticket Discount

4.6(88)・1K+ booked
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JR PASS | Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass | Pick up at Hong Kong International Airport

JR PASS | Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass | Pick up at Hong Kong International Airport

4.7(86)・1K+ booked
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7,913
Nearby experiences

Nearby experiences

【Japan Tokyo Customized Multi-Day Private Charter】Tokyo City, Kamakura, Yokohama, Saitama, Kawagoe, Hakone, Mt. Fuji, Nagano, Nikko, Karuizawa, Izu, and more.

【Japan Tokyo Customized Multi-Day Private Charter】Tokyo City, Kamakura, Yokohama, Saitama, Kawagoe, Hakone, Mt. Fuji, Nagano, Nikko, Karuizawa, Izu, and more.

5.0(6)・100+ booked
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Kamikochi Independent Day Tour in Japan | Round-trip from Nagoya - Bookable for 1 person

Kamikochi Independent Day Tour in Japan | Round-trip from Nagoya - Bookable for 1 person

4.9(156)・700+ booked
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2,318
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Tokyo Private Car Transfers | Tokyo City, Tokyo Disney Resort, Mt. Fuji, Hakone, and Izu

Tokyo Private Car Transfers | Tokyo City, Tokyo Disney Resort, Mt. Fuji, Hakone, and Izu

5.0(6)・100+ booked
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Kanazawa Private Day Tour: Takayama and Shirakawa-go

Kanazawa Private Day Tour: Takayama and Shirakawa-go

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Free cancellation 15 days before
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[Minimum 1 Person to Depart] Shirakawa-go Gassho Village Day Tour, Japan | Optional Direct Access to Observation Deck + Hida Takayama Old Town Tour | Departure from Nagoya

[Minimum 1 Person to Depart] Shirakawa-go Gassho Village Day Tour, Japan | Optional Direct Access to Observation Deck + Hida Takayama Old Town Tour | Departure from Nagoya

4.8(3,154)・10K+ booked
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3,117
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4,796
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Shirakawa-go Day Tour from Nagoya: Hida Takayama, Gassho Village & Shiroyama Tenshukaku Observation Deck (Hotel Transfer Optional)

Shirakawa-go Day Tour from Nagoya: Hida Takayama, Gassho Village & Shiroyama Tenshukaku Observation Deck (Hotel Transfer Optional)

4.6(1,563)・8K+ booked
Free cancellation 2 days before
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3,117
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4,396
29% OFF
Shirakawa-go Village Day Tour from Nagoya | Hida Takayama Old Town & UNESCO World Heritage Gassho-zukuri Farmhouses

Shirakawa-go Village Day Tour from Nagoya | Hida Takayama Old Town & UNESCO World Heritage Gassho-zukuri Farmhouses

4.6(590)・3K+ booked
Free cancellation 2 days before
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1,399
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Japan Hokuriku Hidden Gem Japanese Alps Kamikochi Day Tour | Round-trip from Nagoya

Japan Hokuriku Hidden Gem Japanese Alps Kamikochi Day Tour | Round-trip from Nagoya

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2,798
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4,796
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Shinhotaka Ropeway E-Ticket, Japan | Nohi Bus + Okuhida Value Ticket Packages

Shinhotaka Ropeway E-Ticket, Japan | Nohi Bus + Okuhida Value Ticket Packages

4.8(165)・1K+ booked
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[Japan Private Charter Tour - Tokyo] Tokyo Downtown, Mt. Fuji, Hakone, Kamakura, Lake Kawaguchiko, Karuizawa, Atami, Izu, Kawagoe, Nikko, Yokohama, Japan Alps - Kamikochi & More | Customized Private Charter Service Departing from Tokyo

[Japan Private Charter Tour - Tokyo] Tokyo Downtown, Mt. Fuji, Hakone, Kamakura, Lake Kawaguchiko, Karuizawa, Atami, Izu, Kawagoe, Nikko, Yokohama, Japan Alps - Kamikochi & More | Customized Private Charter Service Departing from Tokyo

4.4(10)・50+ booked
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Featured activity reviews in Kanazawa

Shirakawa-go & Takayama Day Tour from Kanazawa

2026/10/03

The tour guide was dedicated and experienced, the driver was skilled and friendly, and the tour bus was clean and comfortable, a JR line. The website provided clear information, the meeting point was easy to find, and the overall itinerary was well-managed. The tour guide made good use of helpful tools and checked with each member at each stop to ensure they understood the route. JR provides brochures in various languages, so foreigners had no trouble understanding the tour.

Anonymous user

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JR PASS Hokuriku Area Pass

2026/09/26

For first-time visitors to the Hokuriku region, this pass offers unlimited Shinkansen travel and a wide selection of JR trains, all at a very reasonable price. Highly recommended for travelers to the Hokuriku region.

Anonymous user

Friends

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Kanazawa travel FAQs and useful info

Is Kanazawa, Japan worth visiting?

Kanazawa was recognized in 2009 as a UNESCO Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art. Kanazawa offers many opportunities to participate in Japanese culture, from dressing in lavish Kaga Yuzen kimono to lessons on making the local Kaga cuisine. Experience Japanese traditional crafts!

Why is Kanazawa so popular?

Kanazawa is famous for its well-preserved historic atmosphere, including Kenrokuen Garden, one of Japan's top three gardens. Its samurai and geisha districts, and its national leadership in gold leaf production, a traditional craft found in cosmetics and crafts, contribute to its popularity. Known as the "Kyoto of the North," the city also boasts exceptional local cuisine, particularly fresh seafood, and a vibrant arts and crafts scene.

What are the must-see historical sites in Kanazawa?

Kenrokuen Garden is widely considered one of Japan's most beautiful landscape gardens and a must-see attraction. The city retains its historic charm with preserved samurai residences in districts like Nagamachi and traditional teahouses in the Higashi Chaya district. Kanazawa was spared from World War II bombing, preserving its rich history and culture, including temples and traditional architecture.

What does Kanazawa mean in Japanese?

The name "Kanazawa" (金沢, 金澤), which literally means "marsh of gold," is said to derive from the legend of the peasant Imohori Togoro, who was digging for potatoes when flakes of gold washed up.

What traditional crafts is Kanazawa known for?

Kanazawa is renowned as a national leader in the production of gold leaf, a shimmering craft utilized in everything from cosmetics and desserts to intricate artworks. The city also excels in other traditional crafts such as Kaga Yuzen silk dyeing and Kutani pottery, offering visitors a chance to witness and even participate in these artisanal practices.