21 Fun Things to Do in Kanazawa: Dreamy Japanese Gardens, Unmissable Experiences & Hidden Gems

1. Kokoyui – Make Your Kanazawa Experience Even More Authentic with Kimono Rental!

You’ll often spot kimono-clad residents wandering the streets of Kanazawa. And not just Japanese – foreign tourists donning kimono are a common sight! Favorited by locals, Kimono Rental Shop Kokoyui is just 5-minutes on foot from Kanazawa Station. This is where we’ll start our trip!

You can rent a kimono to wear from their impressive range, including those using the ancient kaga yuzen dyeing method, antique kimonos from the Taisho and Showa periods, and luxurious silk kimonos!

For those with a larger stature, kimonos with lengths of up to 195cm are available – a rarity in Japan!

Don’t stress if you haven’t worn a kimono before – professional fitters will dress you! Just relax and enjoy! On hot days, summer kimonos and yukata are also available to rent!

2. Kenroku-en Garden – Appreciate the Beauty of Each Season!

One of the ‘Three Great Gardens of Japan,’ Kenroku-en teems with historical buildings, stunning ponds, and a collection of over 160 varieties of plant life. It’s no surprise that it takes around 90 minutes to properly explore the garden’s bountiful offerings.

See if you can find the two stone lanterns, the Kotoji Tourou, which are the symbols of this magnificent paradise!

The cherry blossoms of spring, the fresh green leaves of summer, the magnificent colors of autumn, and the snowy scenery of winter. Kanazawa truly experiences the full force of each season!

Depending on your time of visit, the park may also be illuminated, creating an otherworldly spectacle! Each season has a different light-up period, and entry is free.

The stunning illuminated Kenroku-en. Jef Wodniack / Shutterstock.com

3. Kanazawa Castle Park – Take a Stroll in an Ancient Castle District!

Adjacent to Kenroku-en is Kanazawa Castle Park, which was once the site of the ruling Maeda Family’s castle. While a fire in 1759 destroyed much of the complex, the Ishikawa Gate, Sanjikken-Nagaya, and Tsurumaru Warehouse remain to this day.

The Gojukken Nagaya, Kahoku Gate, and other areas have been restored, and their interior is open to the public. Springtime attracts thousands of sightseers looking to enjoy the blooming cherry blossoms, of which the park is abundant.

4. 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art – A Fascinating Interactive Gallery!

Michael Lin “Citizen’s Gallery 2004.10.09-2005.03.21”

Crossing over the road at Kenroku-en’s Mayumi-zakaguchi exit will bring you to the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art. The art here is about the experience, rather than just passive ‘looking.’

This innovative concept has earned it a high status amongst the global art community. In addition to the Exhibition Zone, which requires a ticket, the ‘Exchange Zone’ is completely free.

Leandro Erlich “Swimming Pool” 2004 / 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa

Leandro Erlich “Swimming Pool” 2004 / 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa

In the ticketed zone is the famous ‘Swimming Pool;’ the museum’s most popular attraction. While at first glance a normal pool, there is a cleverly hidden room with a glass roof under the pool’s surface.

This allows you to stand under the water and look up through the surface above. Seeing other attendants looking down at you through the water is a very surreal experience!

*The outside area of the ‘Swimming Pool’ is closed during bad weather.
*Photography: Osamu Watanabe
*Additional photos provided by: 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art

5. The Ninja Temple – Spot all the Hidden Tricks!

Myouryuji, the so-called Ninja Temple, can be found in the historic Teramachi district. Despite its nickname, there are no ninjas to be found here!

Instead, the building is filled with various pitfalls, hidden staircases, and secret passages designed to trick and scare intruders. Unfortunately, guidance is in Japanese only, however, there is a pamphlet with simple explanations in 11 languages you can read while taking the tour.

*Tour reservations require advanced telephone bookings (same-day booking is possible if an opening is available).
*Pre-schoolers (as per the Japanese system) are not allowed entry.
*Please wear a mask when visiting (visitors without masks will be refused entry).
*Your temperature will be checked upon entry. Those with body temperatures above 37.5°C will be refused.

6. Stroll in the Geisha District and Visit Kaikaro!

Kanazawa is home to three unique ‘chaya’ tea house districts – Higashi, Nishi, and Kazuemachi. Dotted with traditional sliding lattice doors and paved walkways, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time!

Within these three, Higashi Chaya is the biggest and most complete, with a wide collection of tea houses, cafes, and shops to enjoy.

Visiting a tea house in Kanazawa is a must! Once a place where talented geisha performed music, danced, and entertained high-status samurai, these pieces of history still operate today and provide an authentic insight into Edo period customs. To preserve their special-standing, first-time customers are often refused.

This exclusivity can make cracking the surface of Kanazawa’s tea culture rather daunting! But fear not! While first-time customers are refused at night, at Tea House Kaikaro, all are welcome to visit during the day! With over 200 years of history, it is Kanazawa’s biggest tea house.

From the vermillion-colored reception hall to the gold leaf-covered tea room, Kaikaro’s tasteful and refined elegance is an invaluable piece of the area’s unique ambiance. Don’t miss the first-floor café serving legendary ‘golden noodles!’

*Currently only open on weekends (business will slowly reopen step-by-step)

7. Omicho Market – Help Yourself to a Mega-sized Kaisendon!

The Kaisen Enishi Donburi (with nodoguro fish and miso soup) \2680

Nicknamed the ‘Kitchen of Kanazawa,’ Omicho Market is the most direct way to relish all of Kanazawa’s seafood, vegetables, and other delicacies in their freshest and purest form! Restaurants serving gigantic kaisendons, a bowl of rice covered with sashimi, are found dotted throughout the market’s lanes.

While there are guaranteed to be hefty lines of hungry fans outside the best of these restaurants, lining up is a small price to pay for a Kanazawa kaisendon!

Inside Omicho Market, the restaurant Sensai Enishi pours the goodness of Kanazawa’s bountiful ocean directly into their renowned ‘Kaisen Enishi Donburi.’ They also offer a dish of the high-class nodoguro fish along with other local unique specialties just waiting to be found!

*The ingredients in the Kaisen Enishi Donburi depend on availability.
*Prices are tax-inclusive.

8. Gold Leaf Gourmet at Omicho Market

The Ichiban-boshi Gold Leaf Donburi (includes side-dish, soup, and traditional lacquer chopsticks) \3900

With 99% of the gold leaf produced in Japan being from Kanazawa, you’ll naturally come across dishes sprinkled or topped with its golden luster all throughout the city.

Once place where you can try this luxury is Ichiban-boshi, who serve a gold leaf donburi popular with foreign tourists. Overflowing with 8-9 different types of sashimi, including sea urchin, sweet shrimp, and yellowtail, the dish is topped off with a dazzling piece of gold leaf.

Even the accompanying soup has gold floating inside! If you desire another of their menu items, the staff are happy to put a piece of gold leaf or sprinkling of gold dust on any dish of your choosing.

*Prices are tax-inclusive.
*Ingredients depend on availability.

9. KIRARI – Fresh Kanazawa Sushi, Revolving Style!

The Tuna Sushi Assortment (market price)

While often regarded as peddling to the masses, revolving sushi restaurants worthy of their city’s profound reputation can be found all throughout Kanazawa!

One of these, known as KIRARI, is next to the west exit of Kanazawa Station. What makes this establishment unique is that, in order to preserve the sushi’s freshness, their sushi train doesn’t actually revolve! There is instead a special lane for each piece to be sent to you as you order it. With pieces of the highest quality delivered fresh from places like Kanazawa and Himi Port, it’s as good as any high-end sushi counter!

A touch-screen with English, Chinese, and Korean language options allows you to easily order your sushi, which zooms to your seat on a mini Hokuriku bullet train. The menu has pictures, so you’ll have no trouble finding your favorites!!

Nodoguro Gold Leaf Sushi \1280

The Nodoguro Gold Leaf Sushi and Tuna Sushi Assortment are particularly popular with foreign travelers. If you’re unsure of what to order, we recommend trying the ‘5-piece Kaga Assortment,’ which provides a satisfying range.

*Prices are tax-inclusive
*Dishes marked ‘market price’ have fluctuating prices depending on the market.

10. Kanazawa Bikazari Asano – Complete Your Trip with Traditional Arts and Crafts!

Tumblers printed with age-old kaga yuzen techniques (\3200)

Traditional culture, art, and handicrafts from Edo Japan still thrive in Kanazawa. These age-old techniques create perfect souvenirs, allowing you to take home a genuine piece of Kanazawa’s history.

Kanazawa Bikazari Asano, a shop that stocks and sells items from young artists, has a dazzling range of gorgeous handicrafts that will get your souvenir shopping rolling! These include eye-catching kaga yuzen prints, kutani porcelain, and adorable temari balls.

*Prices are tax-inclusive.

11. Kanazawa Castle Park

Photo courtesy of Kanazawa City

The home of the Maeda Family, who ruled the Kaga Clan (present-day Ishikawa and Toyama areas) for more than 280 years.

Photo courtesy of Kanazawa City

Despite the original main tower being destroyed by war, the other fortress buildings such as the Ishikawamon Gate and Sanjikken Nagaya warehouse were reconstructed repeatedly and make the castle an important cultural property.

Photo courtesy of Kanazawa City

Millions of tourists come to visit every year to see the castle’s traditional architecture and beautiful designs. Some stone walls in the castle’s architecture are more than 400 years old.

12. Higashi Chaya District

Photo courtesy of Kanazawa City

This street in Kanazawa is filled with traditional buildings called “chaya” houses used for eating and entertainment with geisha.

Photo courtesy of Kanazawa City

Here, you can still watch geisha performances live.

Photo courtesy of Kanazawa City

The chaya houses you will find are over 200 years old, with their original interiors along with ones that have been renovated into restaurants, teahouses, and souvenir shops. Travelers strolling through this street will get a unique Japanese historical experience.

13. Asanogawa River

Photo courtesy of Kanazawa City

A great spot for strolling. Asanogawa River flows along Ume-no Hashi Bridge, Higashi Chaya District, to Kazue-machi under the Asanogawa Ohashi Bridge.

Photo courtesy of Kanazawa City

Travelers can take in the stunning atmosphere while walking along where this magnificent river leads.

Photo courtesy of Kanazawa City

14. Ochaya Shima Teahouse

Photo courtesy of Kanazawa City

A chaya house built at the same time along with the Higashi Chaya district, now it has become an Important Cultural Property.

Photo courtesy of Kanazawa City

Inside Shima, visitors can view some traditional Japanese interior designs as well as receive spectacular geisha entertainment. In the courtyard, Japanese green tea and sweets are served.

Photo courtesy of Kanazawa City

15. Nomura Samurai Family Residence

Photo courtesy of Kanazawa City

Once the home of the Nomura’s, an important samurai family who served the Maeda’s in the 16th century, now it is a cultural museum.

Photo courtesy of Kanazawa City

The paintings on the sliding-door panels were done by the Maeda family’s personal painter. The garden is stunning and contains a Japanese bayberry over 400 years old.

16. Nagamachi Buke Yashiki District

Photo courtesy of Kanazawa City

Kanazawa used to be a castle town that the Maedas, the most powerful or the wealthiest daimyo, once ruled, and the Nagamachi Buke Yashiki samurai residential district was the neighborhood for top and middle-class samurai to reside.

Photo courtesy of Kanazawa City

The houses have changed a great deal but the alleys, earthen walls, and Nagayamon gates remain as they were.

Photo courtesy of Kanazawa City

17. Nagamachi Yuzen Silk Center

Photo courtesy of Kanazawa City

What trip to Japan would be complete without an opportunity to wear kimono?

Photo courtesy of Kanazawa City

At the Nagamachi Yuzenkan (Silk Center) kimono shop, you can buy their famous Kaga Yuzen kimonos and dresses, which are made using their special dying process.

Visitors can even see their many exhibited kimonos on display.

18. Kohrinbo and Kata-machi

Photo courtesy of Kanazawa City

Kanazawa has excellent shopping.

Photo courtesy of Kanazawa City

Korinbo and Katamachi are the favorite shopping centers for the locals, with the latest fashion and brand shops open.

Photo courtesy of Kanazawa City

There are also many restaurants plus department and handicraft stores.

19. Kanazawa Station

Photo courtesy of Kanazawa City

As soon as travelers arrive in Kanazawa, they are greeted by an amazing display of technology and culture right at the station.

Photo courtesy of Kanazawa City

Kanazawa Station is one of the most impressive stations in Japan with a glass dome called the “Motenashi (Welcome) Dome” at the east entrance and a wooden gate called the “Tsuzumi-mon” inspired by the Japanese instrument the tsuzumi (hand drums).

Photo courtesy of Kanazawa City

An information center at the underground of the dome informs travellers the most recommended things to do in Kanazawa.

20. Kanazawa Hyakumangoku Festival

Photo courtesy of Kanazawa City

The biggest summer festival in Kanazawa celebrating the historic entrance of Daimyo Toshiie Maeda into Kanazawa Castle.

Photo courtesy of Kanazawa City

Hyakumangoku festival features lanterns floating on the river, a large taiko (Japanese drum) performance, and a huge parade of people in samurai costume.

21. Kanazawa Sake

Photo courtesy of Kanazawa City

Kanazawa has produced high quality rice wine for over 400 years using rice and water from the region.

Photo courtesy of Kanazawa City

Kanazawa sake is extremely pure and loved throughout Japan for it’s rich flavor.

Photo courtesy of Kanazawa City

Some breweries in the city are more than 100 years old and will offer tours showing how it is made.

From the eyes of a Kanazawa native, you now know local gems to add to your next Japan itinerary! A city teeming with history and samurai culture that continues to this very day, Kanazawa is one of the most authentic slices of Japan. Best yet, these recommend spots are all within a 2km radius, making it really easy to get around!

There’s nowhere better to experience the beauty and food of Japan than the ancient city of Kanazawa!

Article by Kana Tsuchiya

Explore fun tours of Kanazawa