The 10 Best Free Things to do in Kanazawa, Chubu

August 21, 2021 Fernanda Pittenger

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. Kanazawa Station Tourist Information Center

1-1 Kinoshimbomachi JR Kanazawa Station, Kanazawa 920-0858 Ishikawa Prefecture +81 76-232-6200 http://www.kanazawa-kankoukyoukai.or.jp/
Excellent
47%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
14%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 313 reviews

Kanazawa Station Tourist Information Center

Kanazawa City Tourism Association

Reviewed By 952fabians

the lady at the info desk solved the problem for us to arrive in Shirakawa-go, after we discovered that the only bus company service in the city was already fully booked. fantastic, thank you

2. Kanazawa Station

1-1 Kinoshinbomachi, Kanazawa 920-0858 Ishikawa Prefecture +81 76-262-7605 http://www.jr-odekake.net/eki/top.php?id=0541449
Excellent
41%
Good
47%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,671 reviews

Kanazawa Station

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.

3. Gyokusen-immaru Garden

3 Marunouchi, Kanazawa 920-0937 Ishikawa Prefecture +81 76-234-3800 http://www.pref.ishikawa.jp/siro-niwa/kanazawajou/gyokusen-in/index.html
Excellent
44%
Good
41%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 171 reviews

Gyokusen-immaru Garden

Reviewed By 31hartonot - Medan, Indonesia

This beautiful small park with pond is one of the well preserved park inside the castle park. A few steps up and down in order to reach the park from the castle and if you are in wheelchairs then you can reach this park from Ohori dori avenue. A tea pavilion just facing the small pond to enjoy the beauty. Worth a visit and it is free. During night time the garden is litted up and more beautiful..

4. Oyama Shrine

11-1 Oyama-machi, Kanazawa 920-0918 Ishikawa Prefecture +81 76-231-7210 http://www.oyama-jinja.or.jp
Excellent
27%
Good
53%
Satisfactory
19%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 656 reviews

Oyama Shrine

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.

5. Nagamachi Neighborhood

3 Nagamachi, Kanazawa Ishikawa Prefecture +81 76-263-1951 http://www.hot-ishikawa.jp/spot/5962
Excellent
28%
Good
48%
Satisfactory
21%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 925 reviews

Nagamachi Neighborhood

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.

6. Teramachi District

Teramachi, Nomachi, Kanazawa Ishikawa Prefecture +81 76-241-3905 http://www.kanazawa-kankoukyoukai.or.jp/feature/temples/shizune/
Excellent
35%
Good
43%
Satisfactory
19%
Poor
3%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 77 reviews

Teramachi District

This temple district is most well-known for its "Ninja Temple," nicknamed ninja (Japanese spies) because of its hidden tunnels, secret rooms, maze of halls and stairways and other techniques to catch intruders.

Reviewed By KYHENG - Singapore, Singapore

There are temples every few steps and if this is your thing, you got to come here. Don’t miss the ninja temple.

7. Higashichaya Old Town

1 Higashiyama, Kanazawa 920-0831 Ishikawa Prefecture +81 76-220-2194 https://www.kanazawa-kankoukyoukai.or.jp/spot/detail_10212.html
Excellent
31%
Good
49%
Satisfactory
18%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 2,599 reviews

Higashichaya Old Town

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.

8. Kazuemachi Tea House Street

Kazuemachi, Kanazawa 920-0902 Ishikawa Prefecture
Excellent
25%
Good
54%
Satisfactory
19%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 297 reviews

Kazuemachi Tea House Street

9. Mt. Utatsu

Wakamatsumachi, Kanazawa 920-1165 Ishikawa Prefecture
Excellent
27%
Good
47%
Satisfactory
26%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 70 reviews

Mt. Utatsu

10. Omicho Market

50 Kamiomicho, Kanazawa 920-0905 Ishikawa Prefecture +81 76-231-1462 [email protected] http://ohmicho-ichiba.com/
Excellent
29%
Good
44%
Satisfactory
23%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 3,102 reviews

Omicho Market

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.

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