Kanazawa, Ishikawa: Guide, Hotels, Map & Photos
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JPY 6,600 - 11,000 Kanazawa Miyako Hotel
 Directly connected to JR Kanazawa Station, Miyako Hotel offers affordable rooms with free internet access, coffee/tea maker and private bathroom with … MoreJPY 4,200 - 9,450 Hotel Acty Kanazawa
 Located in downtown area Korinbo, Hotel Acty Kanazawa offers comfortable rooms on just a 2-minute walk from the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Ar… MoreJPY 5,000 - 11,000 Garden Hotel Kanazawa
 Situated in front of JR Kanazawa Station, Garden Hotel Kanazawa offers comfortable accommodation in a convenient location. Rooms feature an en suite b… MoreJPY 7,000 - 14,000 Dormy Inn Kanazawa
 Located in front of Kanazawa Station and, Dormy Inn is a 10-minute walk from Kanazawa Hyakubangai Shopping Centre. It offers rooms with free internet … MoreJPY 4,500 - 8,000 Castle Inn Kanazawa
 Castle Inn Kanazawa is located in Ishikawa, a 3-minute walk to JR Kanazawa Station. The hotel offers modern rooms, free Wi-Fi, a public bath and a res… More | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Kanazawa, Ishikawa: Guide
Kanazawa (金沢) is a historic city in Ishikawa|Ishikawa prefecture, Japan.
Understand
Kanazawa is one of the overlooked jewels of Japanese tourism - although not by the Japanese, who visit in droves. Its relatively remote location, off the beaten (shinkansen) track, has perhaps unfairly contributed to its low standing among Western tourists. However for those travellers who want to see perhaps the best-preserved major Edo-period city in the country, it is hard to beat. Kyoto's offerings of temples and shrines are all very well, but Japanese history and culture is not just about them. The samurai, the merchants, the geisha, and the lords have all left their mark on Kanazawa in a compact, easily navigable central area.
The centre of Kanazawa is the castle site: recently vacated by the national university, which took over the site once used by the Ninth Division of the Imperial Army, the castle is public space now for the first time in its 400-plus years of history. The imposing Ishikawa Gate (石川門), so named as it faced the Ishikawa district, was once a side entrance to the castle grounds, but after several fires and man-made destruction, it is one of the few original buildings left on the site, the other being the Sanjikken Nagaya (三十間長屋) storehouse near the top. However the long Gojikken Nagaya that once guarded the castle palace has recently been rebuilt according to traditional methods, and is open to the public for a 300 yen entry fee. Worth a visit to see the techniques used but if time permits, HImeji Castle at 500 yen is a far better bargain.
Next door is the famous Kenrokuen gardens. Once the outer pleasure gardens of the Maeda Lords, it gradually expanded to take over the entire block. While not completed in its final form until the waning years of the Edo Shogunate, it still represents one of the peaks of Japanese strolling garden design. The way in which water is piped from many kilometres upstream to fill its streams and ponds before going on to fill the castle moats is one of the great engineering feats of the Edo period. In part of the grounds, and with a separate 500 yen entrance fee, is the Seisonkaku Villa, build by a Maeda lord for his mother. Only part of it remains today, but is a rare example of existing daimyo palace architecture. The upper floor, with its bright blues and reds, is in distinct contrast to the muted earth tones of Kyoto style.
On the other side of the castle is the Oyama Shrine, built in the early Meiji period to honour the founding father of the Kaga Domain, Maeda Toshiie. It is notable for a unique gate with stained-glass windows that is a fusion of Japanese and Western architecture. The back gate to the shrine is also one of the few remaining parts of the original castle: a gate from the palace compound that escaped destruction when it was moved to the shrine.
Near Kenrokuen is the Honda Forest (Honda-no-Mori: 本多の森) area, a pleasant green parklike area which houses the very interesting Prefectural Museum (housed in three long narrow prewar army storehouses of brick), the Art Gallery, and a few other smaller museums, as well as the Prefectural Noh Hall and the National Defence Shrine (Gokoku Jinja: 護国神社), a smaller regional version of the main Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo. Just outside the shrine, which is built in the pure Japanese traditional style, is a tall pillar commemorating the dead of the "Great East Asia War" (Dai Tou-A Sensou: 大東亜戦争) that was the subject of considerable controversy when erected for its listing of groups that did not wish to be listed on a right-wing commemoration.
Heading towards the coast from Oyama Shrine lies the famous Nagamachi Samurai District, an area of a few streets where considerable effort has been expended in order to recreate the feel of the samurai housing areas. The fact that almost none of the actual samurai houses remain does little to daunt the enthusiasm of the tourists. While historically dubious, it is a pleasant area to stroll, and the one of the best of the remaining samurai districts in Japan. In Nagamachi, the Nomura House is open to the public, and boasts a small but exquisite garden. A short walk from there the city has relocated and restored two 'ashigaru' (足軽: the lowest rank of samurai) houses that are open for free, and provide a lovely place to rest and enjoy the peace of a traditional Japanese house.
Wandering towards the Asano River to the north, there are a couple more samurai houses, not preserved or set aside as museum pieces, but actually lived in (and not open to the public), and the small but very nice Kazoemachi area of geisha houses along the riverbank. Over the river itself is the bigger and more famous Higashiyama Geisha District. Many of the tall narrow houses are still used as high-class entertainment, but the Shima House is open for all to see, and is well worth the entry fee for a chance to experience its refined and elegant atmosphere. Behind this area is a temple district, and the roads between the main road and the mountain are a twisting labyrinth of narrow lanes perfect for exploring on foot.
The river to the south, the Sai River, has on its far bank the main temple district of Teramachi. One of the more impressive ones in Japan, both sides of the road are lined with imposing walls and looming black-tiled roofs. The famous 'Ninja Temple', though it has nothing to do with ninja beyond the tacky souvenirs sold nearby, is in this area.
Get in
By plane
The nearest airport serving Kanazawa is in the city of Komatsu. JAL offers flights into Komatsu Airport from Tokyo Haneda Airport, and from Okinawa. ANA flies into Komatsu from Tokyo Haneda and Narita Airports, as well as Sapporo Chitose, Sendai and Fukuoka.
From Komatsu airport, buses run directly to Kanazawa (50 minutes, ¥1100).
By train
Kanazawa's train station is located on the West Japan Railway's Hokuriku Line.
From Tokyo Station, Kanazawa can be reached by taking the Joetsu Shinkansen (Tanigawa, Max Tanigawa, Toki or Max Toki) to Echigo-Yuzawa (越後湯沢) and then transferring to the Hakutaka (はくたか) limited express train for the run to Kanazawa. This ride lasts just over 4 hours with a good connection in Echigo-Yuzawa, and it costs ¥13010 each way. Japan Rail Pass holders have to pay ¥1450 each way (The Hakutaka travels on the Hokuetsu Railway between Echigo-Yuzawa and Naoetsu, therefore that portion of the journey is technically not covered under the rail pass).
The journey from Tokyo will be reduced dramatically with the extension of the Hokuriku (Nagano) Shinkansen to Toyama in 2012, and eventually all the way to Kanazawa in 2014.
Frequent Thunderbird (サンダーバード) and Raichō (雷鳥) limited express trains run to Kanazawa from Osaka and Kyoto in Kansai. The one-way ride from Osaka lasts around 2 1/2 hours on the fastest service and costs ¥7640 (No charge for Japan Rail Pass holders).
The overnight Hokuriku (北陸) and Noto (能登) trains make daily runs to Kanazawa out of Tokyo's Ueno station, and it is also a morning stop on the Twilight Express (トワイライトエクスプレス) from Sapporo and Nihonkai (日本海) trains from Aomori.
By car
By bus
Several bus companies make runs from western Tokyo to Kanazawa. Two daytime buses and two night buses run from Ikebukuro, and the same frequency of buses run from Shinjuku. The trip takes seven hours and costs ¥7840 one-way.
From Kyoto to Kanazawa, several bus companies (for example Keihan, JR, Hokutetsu) run about 5 times a day. The trip takes 4 hours and the one-way fare is 4,060 yen.
By boat
Get around
Kanazawa has a decent bus system to help you get where you need to go. There are three types of buses: city buses, a tourist bus, and community buses (Furatto-Bus). The tourist bus makes a loop around the main sights in 15 minutes and costs ¥200 per trip or ¥500 daily. There are three community bus routes which make 15 minute loops around different districts of the city and cost ¥100.
See
Kenroku-en Garden (兼六園), . By far the most famous sight in Kanazawa, the Garden of Six Attributes is considered one of Japan's Top 3 gardens. Admission is ¥300 for adults and ¥100 for children age 6-17.
21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art - Located across from Kenroku-en, this modern marvel offers a fascinating juxtiposition to the tradional splendor of Kanazawa. Even if you don't enter the permanent or temporary exhibitions, it is worth a look. Don't miss the cafe!
Ninja Temple (Myoryu-ji 妙立寺) - Though commonly called 'the Ninja Temple,' Myoryu-ji claims it wasn't actually home to ninja in the Edo Period. It does, however, boast an impressive array of trap doors and hidden rooms. Call ahead to book a tour. The tour is conducted in Japanese but they give travelers a folder with English translations.
Kanazawa Shinise Memorial Hall (Old Merchant House). The Old Merchant House was Kanazawa's leading Chinese medicine shop in Minami-machi during the 18th century. The shop was established in 1759 and provided medicine for the feudal leaders. The merchant's family was given high status by the elders of the town. The shop was instrumental in maintaining the elegance of the tea ceremony, flower arrangement, and haiku during the time period in which it was open. The shop currently has a bridal exhibit on the second floor with examples of bridal gifts and a large flower arrangement made entirely out of sugar.
Ishikawa Prefectural Museum for Traditional Products and Crafts. This is a craft museum that displays 36 types of traditional arts and crafts cultivated by the people who lived in Ishikawa province. The exhibits are grouped by type and well-displayed. Hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (last entry at 4:30). Closed: April to November: 3rd Thursday of the month; December to March: Thursdays, Year-end and New Year. Admission fee is ¥250 for adults; ¥200 for seniors, and ¥100 for children under 17. Group rates are available. The museum is located near the Kenrokuen Garden. Address: 1-1 Kenroku-machi, Kanazawa-shi, Ishikawa 920-0936; Telephone: 076-262-2020.
Kanazawa Gakuin University (金沢学院大学). Kanazawa Gakuin University is composed of 3 faculties.
Hokuriku University (北陸大学). Hokuriku University is composed of 4 faculties with about 3,000 students.
Kinjo University (金城大学). Kinjo University has faculty of welfare.
KIDI Parsons. Kanazawa International Design Institute is an affiliate school of Parsons School of design in New York. Students learn foundation English and Design skills for two years, then have a portfolio interview for the option to continue studying at Parsons.
This "Travel Guide" section is drawn from the Wikitravel article "Kanazawa, Ishikawa". We hope you will edit and improve it. It is available under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.5 license.Do
Learn
Kanazawa University (金沢大学). Kanazawa University is composed of 8 faculties. About 8,000 university students study there. There is also a large post-graduate program. The main campus is Kakuma.Work
Buy
Japanese-style confectionery from Kanazawa makes a good souvenir.Eat
A famous local dish is jibuni (治部煮), made from boiled and seasoned duck. Sushi made with fish from the neighboring sea is also popular.Budget
Omicho-ichiba (近江町市場). A local market selling fish, vegetables, fruits and meat.
There are a number of great kaiten-sushi restaurants in this market, great for eating well on a budget.Mid-range
Splurge
Drink
Sleep
Budget
Ryokan Shibaya (旅館しばや), 2-19-7 Hon-cho, +81-762-223-270 (Japanese only). The best thing about this traditional Japanese inn is the bath in the basement. A piping hot, onsen sized affair with bubbling jets that guests can reserve for private use. Only a short walk from the station, it has a peaceful atmosphere, free green tea vending machines in the hallways and big bright rooms (western style or tatami available). Unfortunately, you may have to ask your hosts to turn on the hot water system if you fancy a morning shower. The owners are extremely friendly and helpful but their English is limited. ¥4400 pp/pn (western style twin room).Mid-range
Splurge
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