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Best Things to Do
Top 10 Best Things to Do in Kanazawa [2025]
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Kenroku-en
4.6
/5
263 reviews
5.4
Based on 5,949 reviews
583m from downtown
Phone +81762343800
Address: 1 Kenrokumachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-0936, Japan
Recommended sightseeing time: 2 hours
Highlights:
Japanese garden artistry & techniques
Cherry & maple blossoms spot
Saved by 363 users120 positive reviews
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Kenrokuen Garden, located in the heart of Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture, was shaped into its present-day form by the successive lords of the Kaga Domain. In ancient times, Kanazawa was Japan's fourth-largest city, boasting a "Kaga million koku" (million-koku) inhabitants. Located in the Hokuriku region, far from the turmoil of politics and war, the successive lords of the Kaga Domain strongly supported cultural endeavors. Leveraging its exceptional natural environment and rich cultural heritage, Kanazawa's nobles and commoners were active in gardening.
The construction of Kenrokuen Garden was a long process. Initially, the garden occupied a small, sloping plot on the west side. Only with the disintegration of central power within the shogunate did Kenrokuen Garden expand, ultimately becoming a vast garden. The guiding philosophy of Kenrokuen Garden, constructed by successive lords of the Kaga Domain, was the concept of the gods, with the pond as the sea and the islands as its companions. Therefore, within the vast Kasumi Pond, three islands—Pengcai, Hojo, and Eishu—are located, said to be the ideal habitats of the gods.
Kenrokuen Garden is not big, and it takes about an hour and a half to walk around it, which is a relatively slow pace. If you just rush around, you can finish the walk in half an hour. Overall, it is still worth a visit.
Omicho Market
4.6
/5
75 reviews
5.2
Based on 3,190 reviews
1.2 km from downtown
Phone +81762311462
Address: 50 Kamiomicho, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-0905, Japan
Recommended sightseeing time: 2–3 hours
Highlights:
Taste fresh seafood rice bowls
300-year-old Edo-era charm
Saved by 265 users59% positive reviews
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Omi-cho Market has several doors and is quite large. In addition to the first floor, there are also shops upstairs. It mainly sells seafood, fruits and vegetables, etc. There is a flower shop inside. I saw that the price of Kawazu Sakura has dropped from 400 to 100 yen.
I came here three times and ate at three restaurants. I will come again to check in next time
Kanazawa Omicho Market is actually a bit similar to Osaka Kuromon Market, but it feels cleaner than Kuromon. There are many seafood and other fresh vegetables and fruits. It is the busiest here at noon, and you can eat the freshest seafood on the spot.
21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa
4.7
/5
111 reviews
5.1
Based on 2,235 reviews
214m from downtown
Phone +81762202800
Address: 1-chōme-2-1 Hirosaka, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-8509, Japan
Recommended sightseeing time: 1–1.5 hours
Highlights:
14 rooms of diverse modern art
Artist workshops held regularly
Saved by 243 users45% positive reviews
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It was my first time in Kanazawa. The bright sunshine at the JR station and the well-behaved children made for a wonderful day. The bus routes were easy to spot, and the waiting lines were clear. You just boarded the bus and paid after checking the fare list. It's across the street from the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art.
The circular museum breaks the barriers of entry and exit, lacking any artificiality; everything blends seamlessly with nature. It's currently undergoing renovations, with only Halls 1-6 open. It's not a large space, but it combines indoors and outdoors, with staggered heights, white and gray, and features art exhibitions and stone elements, creating a simple yet down-to-earth atmosphere. This includes the restaurant.
We entered as soon as it opened at 10:00 AM. We booked a pool reservation at 12:47 PM, so we walked around and had dinner, perfect for a quick stroll. The pool allows five minutes per person (on a discretionary basis). You can use the ladder, but you can't climb. I laughed when I first heard about it. Who would do such a foolish thing in a museum? And, it really is... [pull face H] I highly recommend the swimming pool. On the way in, a small, shadowy doorway appeared, like an exit from the darkness, and it immediately captured my heart. Standing inside the small pool, everything felt surreal. Looking up, I could see the real blue sky, white clouds, and people gazing down at the bottom. Being there, everything seemed to flow again, a bit disorienting.
I took a fancy to the staff's uniforms and bags, and upon checking, they were custom-made by Issey Miyake. Really discerning! 😂
Kanazawa 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, you must visit the famous swimming pool. The key point is: make an appointment in advance for the swimming pool. If you arrive a few minutes early, you can't enter. According to the stipulated time, you have to wait for another 18 minutes. Each person is limited to 5 minutes, but it actually takes less than 5 minutes. I just took a few photos and left.
There are also many people visiting on weekdays
No.
4
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Higashi Chaya District
4.7
/5
97 reviews
5.0
Based on 2,691 reviews
1.6 km from downtown
Phone +81762202469
Address: 1 Chome Higashiyama, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-0831, Japan
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5–1 hour
Highlights:
Authentic geisha performance viewing
Historic teahouse & local shop
Saved by 276 users33% positive reviews
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Kanazawa Higashi Chaya Street is a place full of traditional Japanese style! The antique wooden buildings and stone paths make you feel like you have traveled back to the Edo period. There are many teahouses and small shops here where you can experience matcha, Japanese sweets, and even encounter geisha performances. It is especially romantic when the lanterns are lit in the evening, and it is a great place to take photos! It is a must-visit for those who like a slow pace and love taking photos when they come to Kanazawa!
Take the Northern Railway bus from Kanazawa East Tea House Street (ひがしChaya Street) in Hokuriku, Japan and get off at Hashibacho Station. The tea house is where Japanese geishas performed during the Edo period. It retains the flavor of the Edo period and is quite interesting for taking photos. It feels like it’s a popular spot in Kanazawa!
No.
5
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Nomura-ke Samurai Residence
4.8
/5
8 reviews
4.7
From PHP 208.84
Based on 901 reviews
637m from downtown
Phone +810762213553
Address: 1 Chome-3-32 Nagamachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-0865, Japan
Highlights:
Visit the 400-year-old Samurai Residence
Enjoy matcha and garden views at the upstairs teahouse
Verified user reviews
Beautiful atmosphere, peaceful surroundings, and a stunning garden. The building’s structure is fascinating, and it carries such a unique story behind it.
Walking into the Nagamachi Samurai Residence Ruins in Kanazawa is like stepping into a historical scroll. The narrow, quaint streets are lined with tall earthen walls and exquisite wooden buildings, and the stone pavement gleams in the sunlight, reflecting the radiance of time. Every step feels like stepping on the pulse of history, allowing you to experience the atmosphere of samurai life centuries ago. Nomura-ke, considered one of Japan's most beautiful residences and gardens, is a well-preserved samurai residence within the ruins, offering a wonderful opportunity to immerse yourself in Edo-period samurai life and traditional Japanese architecture. Nomura Denbei Nobumasa was one of the retainers of the Kaga domain who followed Maeda Toshiie into the domain in 1583. His annual salary was 1,200 koku. Compared to the Kaga Eight Elders, who commanded over 10,000 koku annually, this was not a high income for a typical mid-level samurai in the domain. ② The Nomura family's design, taking into account limited land, adopted a design that incorporated a winding stream beneath the Rujiu ridge, creating a sense of closeness to nature. The Nomura family garden is a representative example of a secular garden, reflecting the sophisticated aesthetic tastes of the Japanese middle class at the time. Its aesthetic appeal and interpretability are far superior to dry landscape gardens. The small tea room on the second floor is particularly interesting, offering a panoramic view of the entire garden.
No.
6
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Kanazawa Castle Park
4.5
/5
45 reviews
4.6
Based on 2,239 reviews
566m from downtown
Phone +81762343800
Address: 1-1 Marunouchi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-0937, Japan
Recommended sightseeing time: 1–2 hours
Highlights:
Winter lights illuminate brightly
Historic architecture & craftsmanship
Saved by 106 users92% positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Kanazawa Castle is a majestic relic of Japan's Warring States Period. Although the white-walled and black-tiled castle tower is a reconstruction, it perfectly reproduces the glory of the Kaga Domain. The cherry blossoms in Kenrokuen Garden complement the ancient castle, where history and nature blend together. Walking through it, you can almost hear the sound of swords and the fragrance of tea from the samurai era.
Kanazawa Castle Park is very large and has beautiful scenery. It is suitable for a leisurely walk and enjoyment. The Nimaruden of Kanazawa Castle is still under restoration, and other parts of the ancient city that can be visited have just been restored. You can go and have a look. It is a good place to take your family for a stroll.
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