If you love Kyoto and its traditional Japanese culture, consider visiting Kanazawa during your Hokuriku trip. Plan a one-day tour to explore Kanazawa’s attractions, such as the famous Tsuzumi Mon Gate at Kanazawa Station, the seasonal illumination at Kenrokuen Garden, the historically significant Kanazawa Castle Park, the bustling Omicho Market, and the charming Higashi Chaya District. Experience a unique journey through this ancient Japanese city.
Philos’s Travel Notes
Kanazawa is often referred to as “Little Kyoto.” Spending a day strolling through Kanazawa’s city center offers a relaxing atmosphere. The city’s transportation mainly relies on buses, but the distances between attractions are relatively short, making it quite convenient to get around.
♨ Recommended Duration: One full day.
About Kanazawa
Kanazawa (金沢市／かなざわし) is located in Ishikawa Prefecture in the Hokuriku region of Honshu, Japan. It is the largest city in Ishikawa and one of the world’s largest cities with significant snowfall, with impressive amounts of snow each winter. Kanazawa developed in the 16th century when Maeda Toshiie moved in, and it is rich in ancient city charm, earning it the nickname “Little Kyoto.”
Transportation to Kanazawa
Thanks to the Hokuriku Shinkansen, traveling to and from Kanazawa is now much quicker. It takes about 2.5 hours to reach Kanazawa from Tokyo by Shinkansen, and using the JR PASS can save you a lot on transportation costs. If you’re coming from Toyama, Shirakawa-go, or Takayama, you can opt for a bus (about 2-3 hours).
If you’re traveling directly from Taiwan, there are direct flights from Taoyuan Airport to Komatsu Airport via Tigerair Taiwan or EVA Air. There are also direct flights from Taipei Songshan Airport to Komatsu Airport, making the journey very convenient. If you’re coming from Chubu Centrair International Airport, you can take the Hokuriku Shinkansen or Hokuriku Railway to Toyama and then transfer to a bus.
Kanazawa City One-Day Tour Itinerary
Kanazawa has many interesting spots, including the famous Kanazawa Station, Kenrokuen Garden, Kanazawa Castle, Higashi Chaya District, Omicho Market, and the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art. Due to time constraints, we visited all but the 21st Century Museum. For a more in-depth trip, consider planning a dedicated Hokuriku region tour next time.
To visit the main attractions in Kanazawa, you can take the “Kanazawa Loop Bus”. For those planning a one-day trip, it’s recommended to purchase a one-day pass (500 yen) for better value.
Kanazawa Station (JR 金沢駅)
Kanazawa Station (金沢駅) is the main gateway to the city, with the bustling downtown area nearby. The most famous feature of Kanazawa Station is the wooden “Tsuzumi Mon Gate” (つづみもん) outside the station. The gate, shaped like a traditional Japanese hand drum, symbolizes a warm welcome to visitors of this historic city. The station itself is built with large glass panels, showcasing modern architectural features that contrast sharply with the traditional Tsuzumi Mon Gate.
The circular roof of Kanazawa Station is called “Motenashi Dome,” symbolizing a warm welcome to tourists.
The giant drum gate in front of Kanazawa Station is one of the most striking structures and a landmark of Kanazawa.
Kanazawa Castle Park (金沢城公園)
Kanazawa Castle was the residence of Maeda Toshiie, the lord of the Kaga Domain, during the Edo period. Originally named Oyama Castle, it was renamed Kanazawa Castle around 1587. The castle suffered damage due to a fire in 1898, and some parts of the existing structure have been restored. The Ishikawa Gate, Sanjikken Nagaya, and Tsurumaru Warehouse within the park are important cultural properties of Japan. Kanazawa Castle is also a famous cherry blossom viewing spot, attracting countless visitors during the sakura season.
Kanazawa Castle Park
Opening hours: 7 AM to 6 PM, winter hours are 8 AM to 5 PM); night visits are available during specific times, check the official website for details.
Admission: Free.
At night, Kanazawa Castle reflects a serene beauty in the moat’s mirror-like surface.
Don’t miss the limited-time night openings of Kanazawa Castle if you have the chance.
Kenrokuen Garden
Located next to Kanazawa Castle, Kenrokuen is one of Japan’s three great gardens (the other two being Korakuen in Okayama and Kairakuen in Mito). Kenrokuen is a traditional Japanese garden, sprawling over approximately 30,000 tsubo (about 99,000 square meters). The main reason for visiting Kenrokuen this time was to catch the last wave of the winter illumination event (held from January 27 to February 4, 2017). For more information, refer to Kenrokuen’s official website. It’s said that Kenrokuen is also beautiful during the day, showcasing the garden’s vast beauty, but due to time constraints, I’ll have to save that for another visit!
Kenrokuen Garden
Kenrokuen GardenOpening hours: 7 AM to 6 PM, winter hours are 8 AM to 5 PM); seasonal night illuminations are held annually.
Admission: 300 yen for adults.
Due to the long queues during the seasonal night illuminations at Kenrokuen, you might only have time to snap a few photos before moving on.
If you’re lucky, you might see Kenrokuen covered in snow, with the unique sight of “yukitsuri” (snow support) protecting the trees.
Higashi Chaya District (ひがし茶屋街)
Chaya are traditional Japanese entertainment and dining establishments, where geisha perform and entertain guests during the Edo period. Higashi Chaya District is the largest chaya district in Kanazawa and is designated as an important cultural property of Japan. If you’re lucky, you might even spot a geisha here. Getting to Higashi Chaya District from Kanazawa Station is simple: just take the Kanazawa Loop Bus to the “Hashibacho” stop, then walk about five minutes.
Even on a rainy Monday, Higashi Chaya District remains bustling.
Take your time to explore the quiet alleys of Higashi Chaya District and discover new delights.
This area is also great for taking magazine cover-like photos, though some shots might be slightly out of focus. Thanks to Maru·Playful Life for assisting with the photography.
Omicho Market
Located in the heart of Kanazawa, Omicho Market boasts over 200 years of history. The market is divided into sections for seafood, fruits and vegetables, and grocery stores. There are many seafood vendors in the market, and although the prices are not cheap, sashimi lovers should give it a try. After all, it would be a pity to miss out on such a treat after traveling so far.
Omicho Market is about a 10-minute walk from Kanazawa Station.
While you can’t take the seafood home, find a favorite vendor and sit down to savor the fresh offerings.
『Original Source：https://www.phototravel.tw/kanazawa-travel/』
