Kanazawa is the largest city in Ishikawa Prefecture. During the Edo period (1603-1868), Kanazawa prospered as a castle town under the reign of the Kaga clan, which dominated a large territory, and was called “Kaga Hyakumangoku” (a name which refers to the measure of the Kaga region’s wealth.) Kanazawa is also fondly referred to as “Little Kyoto” because the old buildings and streets from yesteryear remain intact. Kanazawa boasts the nation’s largest gold leaf production, and is renowned for crafts and food made with gold leaf. There are many unique places to visit in Kanazawa, including Kenrokuen, one of Japan’s three most famous gardens, and Higashichaya District, where buildings and streets remain as they have been for centuries.

Plane

・ Direct flights from Sapporo, Tokyo, Fukuoka, and Naha.
JR Kanazawa Station can be reached from Komatsu Airport by limousine bus (about 40 minutes)　

Train

・ From JR Tokyo Station to JR Kanazawa Station, take the Hokuriku Shinkansen for about 2 hours and 30 minutes.
・ From JR Nagoya Station to JR Kanazawa Station, take the Shirasagi limited express train for about 3 hours.
・ From JR Osaka Station to JR Kanazawa Station, take the Thunderbird limited express train for about 2 hours and 10 minutes.

Bus

Me-guru is a bus service operating from Tuesday to Sunday* as an effective way of getting around the key sightseeing spots of Nagoya. Day passes are available for purchase onboard.
* When Monday falls on a public holiday the following weekday is a non-operational day.From JR Nagoya Station (Meitetsu Bus Center) to JR Kanazawa Station, take an expressway bus for about 3 hours and 40 minutes.

Top Attractions

Kanazawa City has no shortage of charming and impressive places to visit, including Kenrokuen and Higashichaya District. The city is bursting with must-see places, such as the Ohmicho Market, which has around 170 vendors selling fresh seafood and homegrown vegetables, and the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa, which is highly-reputed as an art museum where visitors can experience contemporary styles of art.

Kenrokuen／兼六園（Ishikawa）

• Kanazawa
• Ishikawa
• Gardens
• Cultural Experience
• Castles
• Historical Sites
• Cherry Blossoms
• Autumn Leaves
• Beautiful Places

Kenrokuen is one of the three most famous gardens in Japan, alongside Okayama Korakuen in Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture, and Mito Kairakuen in Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture. As one of the most famo...

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Higashi Chaya District／ひがし茶屋街（Ishikawa）

• Kanazawa
• Ishikawa
• Arts and Crafts
• Cultural Experience
• Historical Sites

Higashi Chaya District is located about 10 minutes by bus from JR Kanazawa Station. It is the largest of the three teahouse districts (Higashi Chaya, Kazue-machi Chaya, and Nishi Chaya) that still rem...

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