What to Do in Kanazawa

Wander around the Kenrokuen Garden and Kanazawa Castle grounds

At the very heart of Kanazawa City lie the Kenrokuen Garden and Kanazawa Castle, located equidistant between the Asano and Sai rivers. The castle was originally built in the 16th century as the city of Kanazawa started to grow under Maeda’s rule. While the castle and its grounds are worth a visit, the adjoining Kenrokuen Garden is on another level which has earned it the official title as one of The Three Great Gardens of Japan. Slightly raised above the city, appreciate views over Kanazawa while soaking up the peaceful atmosphere of this 300-year-old landscape garden and its bridges, water features, and teahouses. Choose between the two attractions or buy a discounted joint ticket to explore both the gardens and the castle for 500 yen.

Kenrokuen Garden

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Ishikawa Pref. Kanazawashi Kenrokumachi 1

0762343800

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House Hotel Kenrokuzaka

Koshomachi 8-36 Kanazawa

Climb up Mt. Utatsu for Views Over the City

Getting a panoramic view of Kanazawa from Mt. Utatsu is unarguably one of the best ways to get a good feel for the city, especially if you can make it for sunset. For the seasoned hiker, it’s a 20-minute march up to the summit from the Higashi Chaya District but anyone can enjoy a leisurely stroll up the mountain without exerting too much energy. Distractions along the way include dozens of small, hidden temples and shrines scattered across the mountain as well as the ever-present Japanese vending machines. Mt. Utatsu can also be reached by bus or car with plenty of parking spaces at the top. Be warned that buses don’t run late into the evening so be sure to pick up a map from the Tourist Information Center if you plan to make your way back down by foot in the dark.

Visit Nomura-ke Samurai House

Hidden behind heavy wooden doors in the Nagamachi Samurai District lies the restored Nomura-ke Samurai House. The Nomura were a wealthy family of samurai that lived in the residence during the Edo Period while serving the Maeda clan. The impressive interior is finished off with fusuma sliding doors which were painted by the family’s own personal painter. After discovering remaining artifacts of the samurai lifestyle including samurai swords and Edo Period money, head to the residence gardens which, despite being miniature, have been repeatedly voted as one of Japan’s most beautiful gardens.

Nomura Samurai Residence

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Ishikawa Pref. Kanazawashi Nagamachi 1-3-32

0762213553

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Take a Stroll Along Asano River

Asano river runs through the east of Kanazawa and holds a number of hidden surprises along its banks. Starting in the north there are a number of temples, shrines and quiet streets off the river which are best researched before setting off to avoid disappointment. The most photogenic part of the river is at Kazue-machi, an old geisha district which borders the river and leads on to the Higashi Chaya District for a kilometer stretch of wooden teahouses. While the river offers a peaceful stroll at any time of year, the cherry blossom season, which usually takes place around the end of March or beginning of April, promises the prettiest views of the year as the pink blossom flutters into the river.

Asanogawa Kahan

Ishikawa Kanazawa-shi Higashiyama

076-232-5555

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Explore Oyama Shrine and its Gardens

Originally built in 1873, Oyama Shrine is a three-tiered shrine that was constructed for Maeda Toshiie, one of the most prominent lords of the Maeda clan during the Edo period. Moved to its current location at the end of the 20th century, the shrine is now located to the northwest of Kanazawa Castle and Kenrokuen Garden and a 10-minute walk from Omicho Market. Traditional in many aspects, the shrine’s unique qualities include its torii gate designed by a Dutch architect and its tranquil surrounding gardens.

Oyama-jinja Shrine

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Ishikawa Pref. Kanazawashi Oyamamachi 11-1

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Kanazawa New Grand Hotel PRESTIGE

4-1 Minami-cho Kanazawa Ishikawa

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