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Kanazawa is a city where the beauty and traditions of Japan vividly come alive. On this enchanting 2-night, 3-day tour, you'll have the opportunity to deeply connect with Kanazawa's rich history and culture, fully experiencing its charm. Stroll through the nostalgic streets, taking in the picturesque scenery. Engage in traditional crafts, including the delicate art of gold leaf application. Be mesmerized by the seasonal transformations of the stunning Kenrokuen Garden and the historic Kanazawa Castle. Relish the local cuisine, known for its fresh seafood, a specialty of the Hokuriku region. You can also spend time with art at Kanazawa's many art museums and galleries. As you learn about Kanazawa, you will be drawn into its charms, encountering new emotions and discoveries at every turn.

DAY1

Departing from Tokyo Station

The tour begins at Tokyo Station. From here, you'll board the Hokuriku Shinkansen bound for the beautiful and historic city of Kanazawa. As you gaze out the train window, watching the landscapes swiftly change, a sense of anticipation builds during the approximately 2.5-hour ride.

To Kanazawa on Japan's World Famous Bullet Train, the "Shinkansen".
＊Transportation: Hokuriku Shinkansen (about 2.5 hours)

Travel in the "Gran Class," where mere travel is transformed into a luxurious experience. Settle into the spacious leather seats and enjoy special services such as beverages, light snacks, and towels. The journey to your destination unfolds in an opulent space, allowing you to enjoy a relaxing respite from the ordinary

Arrival at Kanazawa Station

The Tsuzumi Gate at the Kenrokuen Gate of Kanazawa Station serves as a popular photo spot welcoming travelers with its striking design inspired by the traditional Noh drum. Towering at 13.7 meters and supported by two robust pillars, it's a remarkable entrance to the city. The interior design of Kanazawa Station incorporates many of the city's traditional crafts, such as gold leaf, Kaga Yuzen – a vibrant silk dyeing technique, and Futamata Washi paper, known for its durability and texture, so be sure to look for these details. Just steps away, the 'Kanazawa Hyakubangai' shopping area offers a variety of traditional crafts and unique souvenirs, perfect for a tangible memory of your visit.

Enjoy Hokuriku's Fresh Seafood

Don't forget to try the fresh seafood when you visit Kanazawa, a culinary highlight of the region. From Kanazawa Station to the Omi-cho market area, numerous restaurants serve exquisite sushi and seafood delicacies. After indulging in Hokuriku's rich seafood, it's time to explore the city's streets.

Higashi Chaya-gai (Higashi Chaya District)

Higashi Chaya-gai is a tourist destination where you'll feel like you've been transported back in time to the Edo period. Wander through the historic streets, lined with traditional townhouses with beautiful lattice windows and cobblestones rightfully designated as a National Important Traditional Building Preservation Area. Surrounded by cultural richness, you can enjoy shopping and dining while exploring the quaint cafes, sweet shops, and traditional craft stores showcasing artisanal wonders, as well as unique boutiques.

Kanazawa Geisha Experience

In Kanazawa, the traditional culture of geisha hospitality has been preserved. Initially, these services were reserved for intimate guests, but now, opportunities have been created for foreign tourists to experience them. In an immersive 60-minute experience, visitors can enjoy tea and Japanese sweets at a local teahouse while watching geisha's graceful traditional dance and soulful music performances. It is not just an entertainment but a bridge to the rich cultural heritage of Kanazawa.
https://visitkanazawa.jp/en/activities/detail_491.html

Yoshiro and Yoshio Taniguchi Museum of Architecture, Kanazawa

Opened in July 2019, the Yoshiro and Yoshio Taniguchi Museum of Architecture, Kanazawa is dedicated to architecture and urban development. It was designed by Yoshio Taniguchi, known worldwide for designing the Museum of Modern Art in New York. His father, Yoshiro Taniguchi, was also a prominent Japanese architect who used to live where the museum now stands. The museum showcases Kanazawa's unique architectural culture, including historic buildings from the early modern period and contemporary structures such as the Kanazawa 21st Century Museum and the D.T. Suzuki Museum. The museum features not only architectural marvels but also narrates the city's dynamic transition through time.

D. T. Suzuki Museum

Explore the tranquil world of the D. T. Suzuki Museum, a serene sanctuary dedicated to the life and teachings of Daisetz Suzuki, a Kanazawa Buddhist philosopher known for spreading Zen Buddhism worldwide. This impressive structure, consisting of three wings and three gardens connected by corridors, was designed by Yoshio Taniguchi, as was the Yoshiro and Yoshio Taniguchi Museum of Architecture, Kanazawa. Rather than simply learning from the exhibits, visitors are encouraged to wander through the space, designed in harmony with the surrounding nature, and engage in personal reflection and discovery. Each step in this contemplative space is an invitation to connect with Suzuki's profound legacy and the essence of Zen itself.

Gold leaf application experience

Kanazawa is the heart of Japan's gold leaf production, accounting for 98% of the nation's output. This gold leaf is also a key element in the diverse range of traditional crafts that Kanazawa prides itself on. Some places in the city offer "gold leaf application experiences," where you can decorate items such as dishes, small containers, and chopsticks with gold leaf to create unique souvenirs. The gold-leaf soft ice cream is a must-try local delicacy, an extravagant treat topped with a delicate sheet of gold leaf, symbolizing Kanazawa's opulent craft heritage.

To explore Kanazawa's rich cultural scene more affordably, consider these passes:

Kanazawa Cultural Facilities Passport

This cost-effective pass allows unlimited entry to 17 designated cultural sites in Kanazawa City. The price varies depending on the validity period: 1 day, 3 days, or 1 year.
For more details, visit: https://www.kanazawa-museum.jp/foreign/index.html
* Check the last page of the Guide Map.

Bunka no Mori Odekake Pass

For just 1,000 yen, this pass offers two days of unlimited access to 16 designated cultural sites in central Kanazawa. It also includes discounts for food, drinks, and experiences at some locations.
For more details, visit: https://odekakepass-hot--ishikawa-jp.translate.goog/?_x_tr_sl=ja&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=ja&_x_tr_pto=wapp

DAY2

Omicho Market

Omicho Market, nestled in the heart of Kanazawa for over 300 years, has grown with the city's development and is affectionately known as the kitchen of Kanazawa residents. It is home to about 170 shops, offering a wide range of products, including fresh seafood, vibrant vegetables, succulent fruits, quality meats, delectable sweets, and various household goods. It has also become a popular destination for tourists to enjoy the pleasures of local gourmet food tasting and souvenir hunting.

Kenrokuen Garden & Kanazawa Castle Park

Kanazawa Castle Park, the former residence of the influential Maeda family who once ruled over this area, and its adjoining outer Kenrokuen Garden are historical tourist attractions best visited in tandem. Kenrokuen is one of Japan's three most famous gardens, and visitors can stroll through its varied landscape and enjoy breathtaking views in any season. In winter, the unique landscape created by the traditional technique of "yukitsuri" (snow suspension) to protect trees from heavy snow becomes a picturesque scene.

21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa

Since its opening in 2004, the Kanazawa 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art has established itself as one of Japan's premier museums. Designed by the internationally acclaimed Japanese architecture firm SANAA, the museum's impressive large circular glass structure is surrounded by trees and lawns. True to its concept of being a 'museum open to the city like a park,' it offers free access to several permanent outdoor exhibits and some indoor areas. Notable among these are "The Swimming Pool" and "Blue Planet Sky," which are famous for their Instagram-worthy photo opportunities. Furthermore, the museum regularly hosts collections and special exhibitions, making it a visit full of fascinating sights.

National Crafts Museum

The National Crafts Museum, which opened in 2021 in the central part of Kanazawa City, is a national art museum specializing in the collection and exhibition of modern and contemporary crafts and design. Its collection features about 4,000 items covering various genres, including domestic and international ceramics, glass, lacquerware, woodworking, bamboo crafts, textile dyeing, dolls, metalworking, industrial design, and graphic design. Adding to its allure is the museum's architecture, which cleverly repurposes a historic Western-style building constructed at the turn of the 20th century.

DAY3

Nagamachi Samurai District Area

The Nagamachi Samurai District area retains the atmosphere of Kanazawa's old castle town with its row of stately samurai houses, yellow mud walls, and cobblestone streets. In particular, Nomura House, a splendid example of samurai architecture, has been recognized with two stars in the Michelin Green Guide Japan. Open to the public, it offers visitors a chance to experience the space of 'Wa' – the quintessential Japanese harmony – beautifully manifested in its traditional architecture and serene Japanese garden.

Kanazawa Hyakubangai

Kanazawa Hyakubangai, which is directly connected to Kanazawa Station, is a shopping mall ideal for the final stop of your trip. It has numerous shops selling local specialties such as famous confectionery, traditional crafts, and local sake, as well as restaurants serving regional cuisine for connoisseurs of traditional handicrafts, including lacquerware from "Nouka" and other products such as exquisite gold leaf handicrafts, Kutani ware pottery, and Kaga Yuzen textiles, the mall houses top quality, long-established brands that represent Kanazawa. You're sure to find quality souvenirs to remember your trip by. It is also a good idea to pick up a bento box to enjoy on the Shinkansen ride home.

As we conclude our three-day exploration of Kanazawa, we hope you've experienced the vibrant fusion of tradition and modernity that defines today's Kanazawa. This city continues to evolve into a more attractive destination, proudly preserving its traditional culture while embracing contemporary sensibilities.