Kanazawa Travel Guide

Kanazawa Attractions

Kanazawa is the capital city of Ishikawa prefecture. It is located about 190 miles northwest of Tokyo, about 120 miles northeast of Kyoto, and about 90 miles north of Nagoya-city, facing the Sea of Japan. It is one of the most well-known castletowns in Japan.
Kanazawa Pictures

The lord of Kaga province, Maeda Toshiie entered Kanazawa Castle in 1583, and Kanazawa has flourished for about 300 years during the Edo Era. Kanazawa-city holds Kanazawa Hyakumangoku festival every year in June to commemorates the entry of Maeda Toshiie into Kanazawa castle.

Since Kanazawa escaped war damage, the historical districts remain in good condition. There are about 70 temples in the district called tera-machi in Kanazawa-city. It's an attractive city where visitors can enjoy the atomosphere of old Japan throughout the year.

Access: It takes about one hour by air from Tokyo Haneda Airport to Komatsu Airport and takes about one hour by airport bus from Komatsu Airport to Kanazawa.
By JR limited express trains, it takes about 2 and half hours from Kyoto, about 3 hours from Osaka, and about 3 hours from Nagoya to Kanazawa.
From Tokyo to Kanazawa by train, it take about 4 hours by Joetsu Shinkansen and limited express trains, changing at Echigo-yuzawa Station.
Book a Cheap Flight to Japan (by Kayak)
Find Places to Stay in Kanazawa by Kayak

Average Weather for Kanazawa

Kanazawa Tourist Attractions:

• Kanazawa Castle Park
  Kanazawa Castle was the residence of the Maeda clan until 1869. Most of castle buildings were destroyed by the fire in 1881, and the Ishikawamon Gate remained. Some castle structures have been restored in recent years.

  Address: 1-1 Marunouchi Kanazawa-city
  Access: 5 minutes by walk from Kenrokuen-shita Bus Stop
  Phone: 076-234-3800
  Hours: 7 a.m.-6 p.m. (March - Oct.15) / 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (Oct.16 - Feb.)
  Admission to the park is free.

• Kenrokuen Garden
  It's one of the three most beautiful Japanese gardens in Japan.

• Ishikawa Prefectural Museum for Traditional Products and Crafts
  Exhibits various craft in Ishikawa prefecture. Includes Kaga Yuzen silk, Wajimanuri lacquerware, Kutaniyaki pottery, and lots more.

  Address: 1-1 Kenroku-cho Kanazawa-city
  Access: Kenrokuen-shita Bus Stop
  Phone: 076-262-2020
  Hours: 9 a.m. - 5p.m. Closed on the third Thursday (April - Nov.) every Thursday (Dec.-March)
  Admission: 250 yen

• Nomurake (Nomura Residence)
  Nagamachi is the district where samurai used live, and old samurai houses, earthen walls, and canals still remain. Nomura-ke is an old samurai house which is open to the public. It has a beautiful Japanese garden and a tea room.

  Address: 1-3-32 Nagamachi Kanazawa-city
  Access: 5 minutes walk from Korinbo Bus Stop
  Phone: 076-221-3553
  Admission: 500 yen for adults, 400 yen for high school students, 300 yen for middle and elementary students.
  Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 5:30p.m. (April - Sep.) / 8:30a.m. - 4:30p.m. (Oct. - March)

• Nagamachi Yuzenkan (former Saihitsuan)
  Kaga Yuzen is a traditional hand-dyeing technique for silk. This is a studio where visitors can observe and experience the dyeing process and can wear Kaga Yuzen kimono.

  Address: 2-6-16 Nagamachi Kanazawa-city
  Access: Korimbo Bus Stop
  Phone: 076-264-2811
  Admission: 350 yen
  Hours: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. / 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.