Location: Kanazawa
Top Things to do in Kanazawa
Countries
The 10 Best Things to do Good for Big Groups in Kanazawa, Chubu
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 Walking Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 237 reviews
Kanazawa Tours offers curated tours of Kanazawa, Shirakawago, Takayama and Kyoto. Our specially trained English speaking guides customise tours to our client's needs and create memorable experiences with renowned local artisans and cultural events. Please take some time to read our reviews for an idea of our services, Click on the tour images for highlights.
2. Reach Kanazawa
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 16 reviews
Jointly operated by Japanese and international students, “Reach KANAZAWA” is an international guide service to bring the brilliance of Kanazawa City to you. You can have a pair of Reach KANAZAWA members guide you around the city and translate for you! Since all of our guided tours and activities are designed by locals, an original and authentic Japanese experience is guaranteed. Let Reach KANAZAWA assist you in making your Kanazawa trip extraordinary!
3. 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!
4. Fukumitsuya Sake Brewery, Kanazawa
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 30 reviews
Fukumitsuya Sake Brewery since 1625 is the oldest sake brewery in Kanazawa. We offer sake brewery tour (during October to April) and tastings (year-round) by a bilingual guide in English or French. Guests will enjoy a rare experience to discover how Junmai sake is made and how it tastes. Reservations are required in advance. To book the guided tour, please visit our website.
5. Hokuriku Shinkansen
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,108 reviews
Reviewed By VinnieLondon_SE2 - Doha, Qatar
The trains and rail network in Japan are truly superb. The trains are all spotlessly clean and maintained, never late and great value compared to Europe. Always advisable to reserve a seat on the main Shinkansen routes. Green class carriages are really comfortable. Trolley service selling drinks and snacks on all Shinkansen trains and again immaculate restrooms. The trains unlike Europe have smoking rooms on the Shinkansens!. The Japan Rail passes are unbelievable value..don’t travel in Japan without one ...will save you a great deal of money on standard fares. Even the Green (first class pass) was only around $360 for 7 days. To note that the JR passes are not valid on the super fast/express trains (Nozomi and Mizuho trains). In some cities you also get free bus services using the pass (in Kanazawa JR buses have a loop route all around the key city sights free with the JR pass for example).
6. Kanazawa Station Tourist Information Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 313 reviews
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
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.
