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There are some places you just click with immediately, places that feel like somewhere you’ve always known without having set foot there before. Kanazawa felt just like this to me, comfortingly familiar but with all the excitement and anticipation of somewhere new.

It took three trips to Japan before I made it to Ishikawa Prefecture’s capital, but I’m so glad I did. And even after spending almost a week in the city, I’m itching to return which is why I’ll be heading back there in 2025.

Kanazawa has been dubbed ‘Little Kyoto’ due to its preserved tea and geisha districts with traditional Edo Period architecture, and it’s a great alternative to beat the crowds at Kyoto’s popular attractions. Still an underrated destination, often overlooked in favour of Tokyo or Osaka, Kanazawa is a brilliant place to spend a few days and make use of the Hokuriku Arch Pass - a great alternative to the (now very expensive JR Pass).

Kanazawa in a nutshell

Short on time and looking for my top recommendations? Here are things you shouldn’t miss when in Kanazawa.

1 | Omicho Market and Higashi Chaya Food and Culture Tour
2 | eBike Tour of Kanazawa
3 | Half Day Private Guided Tour

Where to stay in Kanazawa

Tsuzumimon Gate surrounded by pine trees outside Kanazawa station

Things to do in Kanazawa

1 | See one of Japan’s top three gardens: Kenroku-en Garden

Part of the illustrious group ‘Japan's Three Great Gardens’, Kenroku-en is every bit deserving of this title. Built over two centuries by the Maeda family, the manicured gardens are picturesque every season. From the blush-pink plum and cherry blossoms in spring to the fiery maples in autumn, this is one of the best things to do in Kanazawa.

golden light streaming through treetops at Kenroku-en garden in winter with snow patches on the ground

2 | Wander the historic streets of Higashi Chaya

Be transported back to the Edo Period as you wander around the streets of Higashi Chaya, one of Kanazawa’s largest geisha districts. The buildings have been restored and now have a variety of restaurants and cafes, stores selling handcrafted goods, and sake brewers.

Far less busy than Kyoto’s Gion and Higashiyama areas, you can experience a similar atmosphere without the crowds. Once serving as the main entertainment district where geisha would sing and dance at the teahouses, you can now visit two in this area which are open to the public. Shima Teahouse and Kaikaro Teahouse showcase how the geisha lived and performed, giving you a unique insight into the profession.

3 | Uncover samurai history in Nagamachi

Kanazawa is home to one of Japan’s best-preserved Samurai districts, where you can see how the samurai who served the Maeda family once lived. Nagamachi is a short walk from the city centre and has several public buildings you can visit to see the lifestyle of the samurai.

Nomura Samurai Residence is a beautiful stored house with traditional tatami floors, a tea room, and a manicured garden with a koi pond. There were only two other visitors when I visited, meaning I could comfortably move between rooms and watch out over the garden in almost complete solitude.

A handful of stores sell locally produced goods, mostly ceramics, which are well worth visiting for a closer look at the intricate detail of these fine porcelain goods. I’d allocate around two hours to wander the narrow lanes and visit Nomura Samurai Residence.

4 | Visit Myoryuji Temple (Ninja Temple)

Built by the Maeda Lords, this temple commonly known as Ninjadera, surprisingly doesn’t have any real ties to ninjas. Instead, it earned the name due to several deceptive defences and escape routes that could be used in case of an attack.

5 | Wander around Kanazawa Castle Park

Kanazawa castle was once the home of the ruling Maeda Family who ruled the Kaga Domain. Today’s castle is predominantly a reconstruction after two fires destroyed most of the castle. Its central location very close to Kenroku-en Garden makes it ideal for visiting both on the same day.

There is a museum in one of the buildings that has historical information, but the highlight is the castle park which is beautiful throughout the year, especially during sakura season when the moat is lined by pink blossoms.

kanazawa castle park in winter with blue sky and snow melt

6 | Eat your way through Omicho Market

I visited Omicho Market every day during my time in Kanazawa, sometimes for breakfast, other times for a bottle of sake to take back to my room. Kanazawa is close to the sea and the market has over 170 stores, many of them fishmongers. In winter, the seasonal speciality is snow crab (delicious by the way), and you can purchase fresh catch-of-the-day or grilled seafood from many of the stores.

I also grabbed a croquette almost every day from Omicho Croquette, freshly made and served hot to go. My favourite was the pumpkin, with beef a close second. Omicho Market is a great place to spend time on a rainy day too - which there are plenty of as Ishikawa is one of Japan’s rainiest prefectures. Consider this food tour of Kanazawa to experience the best of the city’s culinary scene.

7 | Oyama Shrine

Built in 1599, Oyama Shrine is a Shinto shrine with an architecturally unique front gate. Sanmon Gate which is the main entrance to the shrine has Dutch-influenced architectural features, with the design blending Japanese, Chinese and European details including a three-tiered gate with stained-glass windows.

The grounds have a tranquil atmosphere with manicured gardens, a pond, and stone lanterns. I would recommend visiting Oyama Shrine on the same day as Kenroku-en Garden and Kanazawa Castle Park as it’s close by.

8 | Experience Kanazawa’s gold leaf history

Japan is known for its craftsmanship and arts that have been passed down through generations, and in Kanazawa, gold leaf remains as important as ever. Traced back to the 16th century, the entsuke technique which is unique to Kanazawa continues to be used to decorate national treasures and local handicrafts.

The best way to learn more about Kanazawa’s rich gold leaf history is to visit the Kanazawa Yasue Gold Leaf Museum. Gold leaf isn’t only to be admired in arts and crafts though, it’s also applied to sushi, soft serve ice cream, and even in umeshu and sochu.

9 | 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art

This cutting-edge modern art museum doesn’t only house works of art, it is one too. Designed by Japanese architects Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa, the museum opened in 2004 and has become a top attraction in Kanazawa. Its unique circular design with no main entrance or facade has both permanent and temporary collections from Japanese and international artists and has some truly outstanding pieces.

10 | D.T. Suzuki Museum

A space designed for serene contemplation dedicated to Japanese Philosopher Daisetz Teitaro Suzuki, this museum is an ode to Zen. His work and writings were pivotal in introducing the concepts of Zen and mindfulness to the Western world, and the museum has been built to reflect those concepts.

The museum’s focus is on experience, encouraging visitors to slow down, take time to engage with their surroundings, and meditate if they wish. While Kanazawa is generally a calmer experience than busier tourist destinations, this is the perfect place if you're looking for somewhere to truly chill out.

11 | Stroll through the riverside Kazuemachi Chaya District

Located on the south bank of the Asano River, the Kazuemachi Chaya District is another of the city’s entertainment quarters with traditional architecture. I loved strolling along here at sunrise, sharing the path with only a few as the golden morning light stretched across the waterway.

In spring, the banks of the river are lined with a delightful row of soft pink cherry trees which are lit up in the evenings during spring. There are several restaurants in the alleys of Kazuemachi Chaya, and it’s just a short walk across the river from Higashi Chaya.

12 | Explore Nishi Chaya District

The third preserved district with Edo Period tea houses is Nishi Chaya, which is the least commercialised of Kanazawa’s entertainment districts. This lends itself to a more peaceful experience with the opportunity to gain a glimpse at traditional geisha entertainment and lifestyles. The Nishi Chaya Shiryokan Museum has a collection of geisha accessories, musical instruments, and photos that showcase the area's golden era.

traditional wooden edo buildings in nishi chaya in kanazawa

13 | Shop for Kutani ware

Japan has several regions that are well-known for their ceramics, and Kanazawa is home to Kutani ware. With its origins dating back to the Edo Period in the mid-17th century, hallmark characteristics are bright colours and intricate designs.

Made from fine porcelain, gold is often added for a touch of luxury to designs that typically feature traditional Japanese motifs including flowers, birds, or mythical creatures. I bought several cups and bowls to add to my ever-growing ceramic collection.

14 | Take a day trip to Shirakawa-go

If you’re spending a couple of days in Kanazawa, dedicating time for a day trip to Shirakawa-go is one of my top recommendations. I took a tour of the UNESCO-listed villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama on Christmas Day, revealing an absolute winter wonderland.

The gassho-style farmhouses are unique to the region, a result of the heavy snowfall the valley sees in winter. Joining a tour made it easy to visit both towns in a day and learn about the silk-weaving history of the town.

15 | Visit Takayama on a day trip

Another great day trip from Kanazawa is Takayama, which has a well-preserved Old Town where narrow streets are lined with Edo Period merchant houses that are now cafes, stores, and sake breweries. Known for its mouthwatering Hida beef, miso, and annual matsuri, there’s more than enough to keep you busy for a day.

It takes around 2.5 hours through the scenic Japanese Alp landscape via the JR Hida line to reach Takayama from Kanazawa and I recommend arriving by around 9 am to make the most of your day there.

old town of takayama at dusk with lit lanterns and traditional wooden buildings

How to get around Kanazawa

Most attractions in Kanazawa can be reached on foot from either the train station or the city centre. However, the Kanazawa Loop bus is a circular route around the most popular attractions in town including Kenroku-en Garden, Kanazawa Castle Park, and Higashi Chaya. This is a great option if you’re short on time or can’t walk the distances between the places you’d like to visit.