Why You Need To Add Kanazawa Japan To Your Itinerary

Kanazawa Japan is an underrated city that you should consider visiting, even on a first time trip to Japan.

At a glance, it seems out of the way, and to be honest, it doesn’t really look like much either.

But! After actually visiting Kanazawa City, I fell in love. In a way, it’s a better Kyoto, with everything Kyoto has, and more! Plus, if you plan your itinerary properly, it’s so easy to include on any trip to Japan!

This is why you have to visit Kanazawa Japan, and I’ll even go over the best way to add it to your itinerary!

Psst! This blog post contains affiliate links in it which sends me a bit of extra money if you use them… at no extra cost to you!

Kanazawa City Has Things You Can’t Get Anywhere Else In Japan!

You should visit Kanazawa because there are two experiences you can’t get anywhere else in Japan.

The Oldest Samurai District (& House)

There aren’t a lot of original Samurai paraphernalia in Japan because most of it was destroyed along with the feudal system in the late 1800s.

That’s why Kanazawa stands out: there are still remnants of the old Samurai district in Kanazawa. The walls of the district are the ORIGINAL walls that stood here hundreds of years ago. The rest of the district was completely destroyed… except for one single house.

The Namuro family house is an original Samurai house and the only one in Japan still standing. You can actually walk inside, explore the layout and art work of the house, and relax in the traditional garden with a koi pond.

There’s also a small museum with really neat historical Samurai artifacts. Normally I’m not interested in these types of museums, but this was worth it. Make sure you read the mail that was sent to the house … it’s absolutely hilarious, and an amazing depiction of the times!

But the best part?

On the second floor of the Namura house, there’s a small room looking out onto the gardens below. At first it doesn’t look like much, but it’s actually a private tea room.

You can have a traditional matcha and sweet made just for you and your party. On top of that, while you sip on your tea, you can enjoy the best view without anybody else (yup! It’s a completely private room!).

You get all this for only 300 yen (in 2023!).

Off The Beaten Path Japan: Learn & Experience Japanese Gold Leaf

Another main reason to visit Kanazawa Japan is for their gold leaf (Kinpaku) heritage.

If you don’t know what gold leaf is, (I didn’t before I went), it’s a very VERY thin sheet of gold. In fact, it’s so delicate, the faintest breath will send it flying!

You might have noticed that there’s actually quite a bit of gold in Japanese art and architecture. This is most likely all made with gold leaf.

Today, Kanazawa actually produces 99% of Japan’s gold leaf, but the industry dates back to the late 16th century! So if you’re coming to Kanazawa, you have to indulge in at least one gold leaf activity while you’re here.

Lucky for you, Kanazawa is very proud of their gold leaf heritage, and offers many gold leaf related activities!

In Kanazawa, you can go to the Kanazawa Yasue Gold Leaf Museum. It’s a quick and short museum that gives you the history of gold leaf in Japan and an introduction on how it’s made.

But above anything else, one of the best things to do in Kanazawa is the Kinpakuya Sakuda Head Shop & Workshop. Here, you’ll work with gold leaf and make your own souvenir to take home.

This experience really allows you to appreciate the art of working with gold leaf. You can make a reservation in advance here (you have to choose a specific time).

Or if you’re more pressed for time, you can pick up a snack with gold leaf as a garnish. Yes, you can actually eat gold leaf because it’s so thin, so you’ll be able to find it as a garnish on a lot of snacks in Kanazawa (like ice cream!).

But There Are Also Some Classic Japanese Things To do In Kanazawa

Don’t worry, I’m not sending you to Kanazawa for just these two things, there’s a lot more to discover in this historical city.

Kanazawa also has some traditional Japanese activities that are worth checking here as well…

Discover The Old Tea District – Higashi Chaya District

In addition to the oldest samurai district, there is one of the oldest Chaya districts (tea districts): the Higashi Chaya district. It dates back to 1820.

It’s like Gion in Kyoto, although much, much smaller. These are the “entertainment” hubs of the cities, lined with tea houses for Geisha to perform in.

You might even see a Geisha (or Geigi as they’re known in Kanazawa) walking to their next engagement at night. In fact, if you’re interested in a geisha performance in Japan, Kanazawa might be the best place to go.

There are a few aspects of the Higashi Chaya district that stand out compared to Gion in my mind, and make Kanazawa city even more worth visiting…

Perk of Kanazawa’s Chaya District (Vs. Kyoto’s)

You can’t actually book a Geisha performance in Japan – at least not an authentic one.

Geisha’s can only be booked by regular guests or those with a referral. As a foreigner in Japan, I doubt you’re a regular, or even know a regular to get a referral.

But, Kanazawa City has partnered with the Kanazawa City Tourism Association to open up tea houses to tourists to see authentic Geisha performances. They hope to educate and pass down this part of Japan’s culture and heritage.

You can find out more about this experience here, or book it (on Airbnb) here.

On top of this, if you aren’t interested in an actual geisha performance, you can still visit a historical teahouse in Kanazawa. I couldn’t find any historical tea houses in Kyoto that you can tour as they’re all still in use today.

A popular historical tea house that you can tour in Kanazawa is the Geisha House Shima in Higashi Chaya. There was a long line when I was visiting, so instead, I went across the street to Kaikaro Teahouse.

I would absolutely recommend going to Kaikaro Tea House. You can buy a combined ticket, which includes entry to the tea house and traditional matcha (or drink of your choice!) in the cafe to enjoy.

P.S. Kaikaro also offers geisha experiences for foreigners as well. See if they have any events when you’re visiting here.

Kanazawa Castle

Kanazawa Castle grounds are open to the public and I recommend walking around to admire this perfect example of incredible Japanese architecture!

The castle and grounds date back to 1583 as residences of the lords of the Kaga Domain. Unfortunately, most of the original buildings were lost in a fire in 1759.

There are two original structures that survived: the Ishikawa-mon gate and Sanjikken Nagaya storehouse.

After the destruction of the feudal system, the grounds were used as a military base until after WWII. And in 1995 it became the campus for Kanazawa University.

You might also be able to get an English tour of the garden and castle for free. Head to the information booth to sign up – I couldn’t find any information online about this though…

Kenrokuen Gardens

Kenrokuen Garden is the perfect place to stroll through after Kanazawa Castle. It’s across the street from Kanazawa Castle and offers a place to relax and get lost among nature.

Make sure you head to the edge of the park for a view of the mountainous landscape, and to see the main attraction: the Kotojitoro Lantern.

Although the Kotojitoro Lantern is beautiful, I’m not exactly sure why it’s such a main attraction. There are several other bridges and lanterns throughout the park, and even around the same pond, without a line to see them…

The Kenrokuen Gardens is also home to several notable tea houses. For one, Yugao-tei Teahouse is the oldest building in the park, dating back to 1774!

But if you want to enjoy a traditional matcha in a teahouse, you should head to Shigure-tei. Although I recommend heading here fairly early to make a reservation – it fills up quickly!

P.S. Shigure-tei isn’t without it’s historical value either. It was originally called Renchi-ochin and was a rest house built in 1676. Of course, the original house burned down with the rest of the castle in 1759. The one you see today, was reconstructed in 2000.

The Fish Market In Kanazawa (Ōmichō Market)

In any respectable Japanese city, there is of course, a fish market, and Kanazawa is no exception.

Ōmichō Market is very similar to Nishiki Market in Kyoto. There are vendors selling every type of sea food imaginable – but let’s just say it’s not for the faint of heart…

People are eating at bars on the spot, while the catch is still fresh!

Don’t worry, if you’re a picky eater like me, there’s still hope that you’ll find some food to eat here. We picked up some delicious croquettes and fish cakes, with a side of local blue beer!

It’s quite the experience just walking around seeing all the food vendors.

Kanazawa Japan Is In A Way Better Kyoto

Kanazawa Japan is often compared to Kyoto as they share quite a few similarities. They’re quite close to one another as well, only about 3 hours apart by train.

I visited Kanazawa before visiting Kyoto and it definitely felt like a sneak peak of what I was about to see. Kanazawa Japan is much smaller than Kyoto, so it felt more manageable.

I spent one night in Kanazawa versus the eight nights I spent in Kyoto (of course, that included leaving Kyoto on a few day trips!).

So in no way am I saying that Kanazawa replaces Kyoto (or vice versa). They each offer their own unique experiences.

I already mentioned how the Higashi Chaya district offers different experiences than Kyoto. But there are some added benefits to Kanazawa on top of that.

Kanazawa felt like an off the beaten path Japanese city compared to the over-popularized Kyoto. In the end, I’m so happy we decided to include it in our itinerary.

There Are Fewer Tourists In Kanazawa Than Kyoto

Kanazawa doesn’t see nearly as many tourists as Kyoto does. But that doesn’t mean it’s not a popular spot to visit.

There are tons of Japanese tourists here, but far fewer Western tourists. So speaking English will be more of a struggle. But if you’re looking for a more authentic Kyoto, this is it!

I feel like this is what Kyoto used to be before it boomed and everyone discovered its beauty!

Heads Up, Kanazawa City Can Feel Deserted At Night!

Because there are less people during the day, it was EMPTY at night (and a little creepy!). Keep in mind though, Gion in Kyoto is also empty at night.

I think a bulk of the tourists come to Kanazawa on day trips. So they’re gone by the evening, leaving the city empty.

On top of that, the people that do stay for the night, are all inside. We saw packed Izakaya’s! A lot of people could also be inside tea houses after dark. And we later found out that Kanazawa Castle lights up at night, so perhaps that would also be a livelier place to walk around in the evening.

I would try to avoid going to the Higashi Chaya district at night, or just don’t expect it to be buzzing.

Kanazawa City Felt More Authentic Than Kyoto – Off Beaten Path Japan

Even though Kyoto is all about showcasing a historical, traditional side of Japan, some of it just feels very forced.

Kanazawa felt a bit more real. Of course, everything is still done with tourists in mind but for some reason it didn’t feel as gimmicky as it did in Kyoto.

For example, I was very interested in participating in a traditional tea ceremony while I was in Japan. I ended up booking a tea ceremony in Kanazawa over Kyoto because it felt so much more authentic. There are tons of tea ceremonies in Kyoto, but they always offered a Kimono to wear and I just wasn’t interested in that.

Instead, the Tea Ceremony SOYU in Kanazawa offered something I didn’t see anywhere else in Kyoto. They would make not one, but two types of matcha (a thick and thin version), which is how a traditional tea ceremony is supposed to be performed.

P.S. Interested in booking a tea ceremony at SOYU? Check out their website here? Their online reservation system didn’t work for me, but they answered when I emailed them.

Kanazawa Is Even On The Shinkansen Line (& Really Easy To Get To!)

The best part about visiting Kanazawa city is that it’s still on the Shinkansen (train line) from Tokyo and Kyoto!

So because it’s on the train line, you should easily be able to add it to your Japan itinerary.

I would recommend staying the night in Kanazawa, but you could also just go on a day trip to explore the city.

Add Detour To Kanazawa & Stay The Night

Instead of taking a direct route on the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Kyoto (about 3 hours) I went in the opposite direction. This way, I added a night in Kanazawa before making it to Kyoto the following day.

Kanazawa is about 3-4 hours from Tokyo, depending on the train times. And then it’s another 2-3 hours to Kyoto.

If you plan on staying the night in Kanazawa (which I recommend) then you have two half days in Kanazawa, if not more. I would leave Tokyo as early as possible and arrive in Kyoto later at night.

Make sure to check how late the last train leaves from Kanazawa to Kyoto.

P.S. Where To Stay: Kanazawa Hotel Zoushi

If you’re staying the night, I recommend Kanazawa Hotel Zoushi (see it on Booking.com here). It’s not in any of the main districts, but rather in the middle of Kanazawa Castle, Higashi Chaya district AND the train station.

Plus, I wouldn’t recommend staying in the Higashi Chaya district in Kanazawa any way, as I said, it becomes very creepy and deserted at night…

Instead, Kanazawa Hotel Zoushi is within walking distance to the train station and the Higashi Chaya District. But, if you don’t want to walk, you can still hop on one of the many buses that stop in front of the hotel.

You’re also across the street from Ōmichō Market and a shopping mall!

The hotel itself was one of the best I’ve stayed at. The room is small, but what it lacks in square footage, it make up in amenities and service.

The second you walk in, you’re greeted by the friendliest staff, and a traditional dessert at check-in.

The room is in a traditional modern Japanese style (and of course, you’re given PJs for your stay too!). Plus all the drinks in the mini bar are FREE! And there are even more free drinks (like tea and coffee) in the lobby.

Check out the Hotel Kanazawa Zoushi, or click here for more hotels on Booking.com.

Go On A Day Trip To Kanazawa Japan

Instead of staying the night in Kanazawa, you could go on a day trip from Kyoto to Kanazawa (or even from Tokyo). It would be a long day trip from Tokyo, but you can always sleep on the train!

Visiting Kanazawa from Kyoto would definitely be a lot easier day trip than Tokyo, as it’s closer.

I would recommend booking the earliest trains to Kanazawa and the last train back. This way, you can make the most of your time in Kanazawa City.

The main downside to limiting yourself to a day trip to Kanazawa is that you miss the early morning and evening. These are some of the best times to explore the city, due to the absence of tourists.

Tips For Visiting Kanazawa City

I hope I’ve convinced you to visit Kanazawa Japan by now, so here are some things you might want to know before you go!

How Long Do You Need In Kanazawa Japan?

We stayed one night in Kanazawa City and I would say it was the perfect amount of time. In the end, we had a bit over one full day (split into two) to explore.

We did everything we wanted to and more in that amount of time!

Your IC Card Won’t Work In Kanazawa City

Perhaps one of the biggest negatives to visiting Kanazawa Japan is that your IC card won’t work here.

Despite popular opinion, it doesn’t work throughout Japan, just in specific regions. But nevertheless it was still easy enough to get around on public transit without it. You’ll just have to make sure you have cash with you to pay for the bus.

Make sure you get on the back of the bus and take a ticket. The cost will depend on how long you stay on the bus.

Where To Eat In Kanazawa Japan: Ramen Wakadaisho

We had probably one of the most unique experiences we had at any restaurant in Japan, in Kanazawa.

We ended up at a (soy-based) ramen Izakaya, Ramen Wakadaisho. The kicker – it was a one man shop.

We saw family and friend run Izakayas throughout Japan, but this was an experience! One guy was doing it all. From seating people, taking orders, cleaning, cooking the food, AND handling the bills!

And there wasn’t only bar seating, he had a mini restaurant too! But it was very fun to sit at the bar and watch a master at work!

P.S. Are you a picky eater too? Read some of my tips for traveling as a picky eater here.

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Last update on 2024-05-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API