Kanazawa Itinerary: How to spend 2 days in Kanazawa, Japan

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When we did our research for our 3 week Japan trip, we obviously knew we wanted to hit all the well-known cities and places, but we also wanted to build some calmer stops into our schedule. We eventually settled on Kanazawa and Takayama because they fit nicely into our route, promised us a bit of an escape from the busier tourist hubs, and especially because we learned that Kanazawa is home to one of the three most beautiful gardens in Japan. We do love us some pretty gardens!

But as we discovered, there is much more to Kanazawa than Kenroku-en. From beautifully preserved old neighborhoods and traditional crafts to fresh seafood, samurai history and atmospheric streets along the river, Kanazawa turned out to be exactly the kind of place we were looking for. It felt distinctly Japanese without feeling quite as overwhelming as Kyoto, and two days gave us enough time to explore without rushing from one sight to the next.

Here’s our 2 day Kanazawa itinerary that will help you plan your visit!

Is Kanazawa worth visiting?

Yes! If you’re looking for a slice of ‘traditional’ Japan without the Kyoto bustle, Kanazawa is a great option. It’s a fantastic place to slow down a little if you have a few days to spare. If you’re rushing through Japan on a 7 day trip, it’s not ideal.

2 day Kanazawa Itinerary

Day 1: Kenroku-en, Kanazawa Castle & Higashi Chaya

We started our day at Kenroku-en, one of Japan’s Three Great Gardens. It’s designed to be walked slowly, with the path constantly reframing the view: a pond opens up, then a stone lantern, then a teahouse tucked behind pines. We spent an hour or two wandering around here and enjoying the tranquility. We visited in summer, when everything was in bloom, but the garden is beautiful and well worth visiting in any season. Come as soon as they open to enjoy the peace.

Kanazawa Castle is located directly by the garden, and easy to tack onto your day. The original castle burned down multiple times over the centuries, so much of what you see today consists of surviving structures and careful modern reconstructions. The buildings were reconstructed using traditional techniques, and the white lead-tiled roofs and stone walls are particularly striking. It’s less ornate than something like Himeji or Matsumoto, since the castle keep itself was never rebuilt, but the grounds are spacious and pleasant to walk even if you’re not much into castle history.

We finished the afternoon at Oyama Shrine, known for its unusual three-story gate that blends Japanese, Chinese and European architectural influences. It’s a peaceful little stop and doesn’t take long to explore.

After resting our feet for a bit, we headed to Higashi Chaya for the evening, which is a traditional neighborhood, one of Kanazawa’s three traditional geisha districts (We did not see any). We enjoyed wandering the streets and discovering little shops and teahouses.

We finished the day at sake bar Toaru, which really was a find! Hidden away in a back alley, it is a tiny, 5 seat bar that serves sake and snacks. They are very knowledgeable, female run and really take care of their guests, encouraging conversation. A great place to have a drink if you’re traveling solo as well!

📖 Catch up on our full 3 week Japan itinerary here!

Day 2: Nagamachi, Omicho Market & Kazuemachi

After a relaxed breakfast, we started our day by heading to the Nagamachi Samurai district. Nagamachi is the old samurai neighborhood, and it’s one of the nicest parts of Kanazawa to just wander without a real plan. Those mud-colored walls lining the narrow streets have a completely different feel from the rest of the city, like you’ve stepped somewhere else. There’s a little canal running alongside some of the lanes too, which adds to it.

If you want to actually go inside somewhere, the Nomura Family Residence is worth a visit. It has a small but lovely garden, along with old armor and furnishings still on display. It doesn’t take long either.

By lunchtime, we headed to Omicho market to get some fresh fish! It’s mostly seafood, which makes sense given the Sea of Japan is right there: crab, a winter delicacy, plus sea urchin, oysters, all sorts of things stacked on ice that you might not recognize. The fun part is you can just eat your way through it, which we did! Loads of little counters do fresh sashimi or seafood rice bowls right there, so it works well as a lunch stop rather than just something to look at.

I will admit, after lunch here, our further afternoon plans were a bit derailed, as we walked into a Japanese wine festival just outside the market! It was tiny, but it had 6 Japanese wine houses on display, and naturally, we were intrigued. We swapped our money for some coupons and visited them one by one. A great use of free will, if you ask us!

We finished our 2 day stay in Kanazawa with a wander around Kazuemachi and a sushi dinner at a tiny restaurant.

Best things to do in Kanazawa

Kenroku-en

We spent around two hours here, and I wouldn’t rush it. The garden is designed to be explored slowly, with something new opening up around practically every bend.

Kanazawa Castle

Just across from Kenroku-en, Kanazawa Castle was once the seat of the powerful Maeda clan. Wander through the beautifully restored gates, walls and buildings, and take a walk through the spacious castle grounds. An hour should be enough time.

Oyama Shrine

Oyama Shrine is an unusual little shrine known for its distinctive three-story gate, which blends Japanese, Chinese and European architectural influences. It’s a peaceful, 30 minute stop that can easily be combined with a visit to Kanazawa Castle.

Higashi Chaya District

Higashi Chaya is one of Kanazawa’s beautifully preserved geisha districts, with traditional wooden teahouses lining narrow streets. Come for the atmosphere, browse the small shops and cafés, and keep an eye out for the occasional geisha or maiko.

Omicho Market

Known as Kanazawa’s kitchen, Omicho Market has been serving the city for centuries and is the place to go for fresh seafood and local specialties. It’s particularly famous for its seafood bowls, so arrive hungry!

Nagamachi Samurai District

Nagamachi was once home to Kanazawa’s samurai families, and its narrow lanes and traditional earthen walls still give the neighborhood a glimpse of its past. Take a stroll through the atmospheric streets and visit one of the preserved samurai residences.

Myoryuji (Ninja Temple)

Despite its nickname, Myoryuji isn’t actually a ninja temple, but its elaborate design certainly makes it feel like one. Hidden passages, secret rooms, traps and clever architectural tricks were built into the temple, making a guided visit particularly fun.

21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art

Kanazawa’s 21st Century Museum is a great place to experience something completely different from the city’s historic sights. The bright, circular building houses contemporary installations and interactive works, including the famous Swimming Pool.

Tea Ceremony

Taking part in a traditional tea ceremony is a lovely way to experience one of Japan’s most enduring cultural traditions. In Kanazawa, you can combine the ceremony with the city’s long history of tea culture and craftsmanship.

Kintsugi

Kanazawa is closely associated with kintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing broken ceramics with lacquer and gold. You can learn about the philosophy behind the craft and, at some workshops, try repairing a piece yourself.

So, was 2 days enough?

For us, yes. We saw the major sights we wanted to see, but we never felt like we were running from one attraction to the next. We also had plenty of time for wandering, sitting down for drinks, getting distracted by a wine festival and generally enjoying the city, which, for us, was the whole point of adding Kanazawa to our Japan itinerary.

How to get to Kanazawa

From Kyoto, we took the train to Kanazawa with a straightforward change at Tsuruga. The journey took us around two hours, and the transfer was easy to navigate and well signposted. From Tokyo, the Hokuriku Shinkansen runs directly to Kanazawa and takes around 2.5 hours. The Kanazawa station is a 15 minute walk to the city centre.

Where to stay in Kanazawa

Kanazawa is a fairly compact city, so you don’t necessarily need to stay right next to every sight. We stayed at Tokyu Stay Kanazawa, which we found to be a fantastic base for exploring the city, with many of the main sights within easy walking distance.

The area around Korinbo and the central city is a good choice if you want to be close to restaurants, shops and many of Kanazawa’s main attractions. Staying closer to Kanazawa Station is another convenient option, particularly if you’re arriving by train or continuing your Japan trip by rail, although you’ll rely a little more on walking or buses to reach the historic districts.

Kanazawa itinerary: practical tips

• Book the Ninja Temple in advance. Myoryuji operates guided visits and isn’t a place where you can simply wander in whenever you like. Bookings by phone only: +81-76-241-0888
• Check museum days before visiting. Kanazawa’s museums can have regular closing days, and you don’t want to build your itinerary around one only to find it closed.
• Bring an umbrella/rain jacket. Kanazawa is known for relatively wet weather, so rain can be a factor even when the forecast looks reasonable.
• Don’t overpack your itinerary. Kanazawa is compact enough to see the major sights in two days, but the charm is in slowing down and wandering through the historic neighborhoods.
• Visit Omicho Market hungry. It’s more fun when you actually have room for a seafood bowl or other local specialties!
• Start Kenroku-en early. It gets noticeably busier later in the morning, and early morning is also a much nicer time to enjoy the garden.
• Wear comfortable shoes. You’ll do a lot of walking in Kanazawa, particularly around the historic neighborhoods, and the easiest way to experience the city is on foot.

Kanazawa itinerary FAQ

How many days do you need in Kanazawa?

Two days is enough to see Kanazawa’s main sights without rushing. If you prefer a slower pace or want to explore more of the city’s museums, crafts and food scene, three days would be even better.

Is Kanazawa walkable?

Yes, many of Kanazawa’s main attractions can easily be reached on foot, particularly around Kenroku-en, Kanazawa Castle, Higashi Chaya and Nagamachi. For longer distances, the city’s buses are convenient and save you a fair amount of walking.

Can you visit Kanazawa as a day trip?

You can, but I wouldn’t recommend it if you have the option to stay overnight. A full day allows you to see some of the highlights, but two days gives you much more time to enjoy the historic neighborhoods without rushing.

What is the best time to visit Kanazawa?

Kanazawa is a year-round destination, with every season offering something different. Spring and autumn are particularly beautiful for the gardens, while winter brings snow-covered scenery and a quieter atmosphere.

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