Kanazawa 2 day itinerary

How to Spend Two Days in Kanazawa

If you’re planning on spending two days in Kanazawa you’re guaranteed to have a wonderful time exploring one of the most beautiful and fascinating cities in Japan. The capital of Ishigaki Prefecture, Kanazawa is rich in culture, history and fantastic food. Our two day Kanazawa itinerary will guide you around all of the must-see sights for the perfect trip to this magnificent city.

Is Kanazawa Worth Visiting?

Yes, Kanazawa is absolutely worth visiting. For several hundreds of years, Kanazawa was ruled by the wealthy Maeda clan, one of the most powerful samurai clans in Japan. As the seat of the Maeda clan, Kanazawa flourished as a city of fine arts, high culture and haute cuisine.

Kanazawa’s cultural heritage can still be seen throughout the city today. Many of Kanazawa’s historic neighbourhoods are still lined with traditional Japanese homes once occupied by samurai, while geisha perform traditional tea ceremonies in Edo-era tea houses.

Amongst the city’s most famous attractions are Kenrokuen, one of the most beautiful gardens in Japan, and the restored Kanazawa Castle, once the home of the Maeda clan. A big part of the city’s culture is food, and Kanazawa is one of the best places in Japan to eat, especially at the bustling Omicho Market.

Is Two Days in Kanazawa Enough?

Yes, two days is plenty of time to explore the bulk of the city. There is a lot to see and do in Kanazawa, but the city’s manageable size makes it an easy place to explore over a couple of days.

Where to Stay in Kanazawa

If you’re spending two days in Kanazawa you’re going to need a place to stay. If you need a few ideas, here are a selection of hotels that we recommend:

• Affordable : Hotel Intergate Kanazawa – The Hotel Intergrate Kanazawa is a modern, stylish yet budget-friendly hotel perfectly located just a few minutes walk from major attractions such as Omicho Market and Oyama Shrine.

• Next level : Hotel Kanazawa Zoushi – Relax in the beautifully styled traditional rooms at the Hotel Kanazawa Zoushi that’s conveniently located in between Kanazawa Station and the city’s main sights.

• Luxury : Hotel Sanraku Kanazawa – A stone’s throw from Kanazawa Castle Park, the Hotel Sanraku Kanazawa’s beautiful interiors feature several elements of Japanese design including an indoor garden courtyard.

👉 You can search for even more accommodation in Kanazawa here.

The Best Things to Do in Kanazawa in Two Days - Day 1:

On day one, explore some of Kanazawa’s most famous sights, beginning with one of the most beautiful gardens in Japan.

Kenroku-en Gardens

Considered to be one of the three most beautiful gardens in Japan, Kenroku-en Gardens was established by the Maeda clan in the 17th century and opened to the public in 1871.

Around 11 hectares in size, Kenroku-en is a quintessential example of a traditional Japanese garden, featuring two main ponds, gentle streams, a picturesque waterfall, and a diverse array of flora, including cherry blossoms, irises, and pine trees.

The iconic Kotoji-toro lantern is one of Kenroku-en’s most famous sights, while dotted around the garden are several traditional buildings, including tea houses such as Shigure-tei, which is a great spot for a bowl of matcha.

Kenroku-en’s meticulously maintained scenery changes with each season, offering a differing experience at different times of the year. In spring the garden is a great place to see both plum and cherry blossom trees, while in summer the garden is rich with flowers and vivid greens. Autumn sees the garden turn a fabulous range of fall colours while the grounds are often submerged in snow in winter.

Also worth a visit is Seison Kaku, a beautiful traditional Japanese villa that sits at the southern end of Kenroku-en (entrance fee: 700 yen). Designated as an Important National Cultural Property, Seison Kaku was built in 1863 by the 13th Maeda lord as a home for his mother to enjoy the views of Kenroku-en.

Kanazawa Castle

Next to Kenroku-en is Kanazawa Castle. The first castle to be built on the site was constructed in the late 16th century to serve as the seat of power for the Maeda clan. The castle’s impressive stone walls, elegant gates, and ornate turrets reflect the Maeda clan’s wealth and status.

The castle had been destroyed by fires many times over the centuries, a common occurrence during the Edo period. The majority of Kanazawa Castle’s current buildings are modern recreations, which show how it would have looked when it was rebuilt in the mid 19th century, with the exception of the original Ishikawa-mon Gate.

The restored castle buildings were all rebuilt using the exact same techniques and materials that would have been used when it was originally constructed in the 1850s.

Adjacent to the castle is the expansive Kanazawa Castle Park, another area of beautifully landscaped grounds. The park features remnants of the original castle buildings, including the Ote-mon Gate and the Sanjikken Nagaya, a long warehouse. Facing the castle is Mamezarachaya, a modern cafe with a beautiful interior which offers a range of excellent Japanese meals as well as gold leaf soft serve ice-cream.

Gyokuseninmaru Gardens

From Kanazawa Castle, wander over to Gyokuseninmaru Gardens. A stone’s throw from Kanazawa Castle, Gyokuseninmaru Garden is a beautifully restored garden that captures the elegance of traditional Japanese landscape design.

Originally created in the early 17th century as part of the Kanazawa Castle’s outer defences, the gardens were meticulously restored and reopened to the public in 2015.

Gyokuseninmaru Garden’s layout is centred around a large pond, with sloping hills, wooden bridges, and scenic walkways that snake around the magnificent garden. Overlooking the garden is Gyokusen-an, a elegant tea house built in the traditional style of the Edo-period. Here you can enjoy a bowl of green tea served with Japanese sweets alongside wonderful views of the garden.

Oyama Shrine

Connected to Gyokuseninmaru Gardens via the Nezumitamon Bridge is Oyama Shrine. Oyama Shrine is a distinguished Shinto shrine renowned for its unique architectural style that fuses traditional elements of Japanese and Western design.

The shrine was built in 1599 but moved to its current location in 1873 to honour the first lord of the Kaga Domain. The shrine’s striking Shinmon gate is unique, with its blend of Western-style stained glass windows and traditional Japanese motifs.

Shinmon Gate was built in the 1875 and its design reflects the blending of influences and aesthetics during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, representing a period of cultural exchange and modernization in Japan.

Inside the complex, the shrine’s historic buildings are traditionally Japanese in style. The shrine’s grounds also include a beautiful garden of landscaped paths, a serene pond, and lush shaded trees.

Omicho Market

Next, head to Omicho Market, a ten minute walk from Oyama Shrine. Originally established in the early 18th century, today Omicho Market is a vibrant and bustling marketplace renowned for its lively atmosphere and delicious seafood. Home to a great selection of restaurants, Omicho Market is also the perfect place for a spot of lunch.

The busy market’s narrow aisles are lined with a colourful array of stalls and shops, offering everything from freshly caught fish and succulent seafood to seasonal fruits, vegetables, and traditional Japanese sweets.

Today, Omicho Market is one of the best places in Kanazawa to eat, with several small restaurants and food stalls where you can sample a range of popular Japanese dishes such as sushi, sashimi, and tempura. There are several stalls that also specialise in quick snacks, such as eel, sea urchin, fried octopus and more.

👉 If you want to find the best places to eat in Kanazawa, you might want to take a guided food tour that begins with the some of the most delicious food in Omicho Market.

Kazuemachi District

In the early afternoon, make your way to Kanazawa’s Kazuemachi Chaya District. Nestled along the Asano River, tiny Kazuemachi is one of three historic tea districts found in Kanazawa. Offering a peek into Kanazawa’s illustrious past, Kazuemachi is a charming area of just a few narrow streets lined with well-preserved traditional townhouses.

Take a stroll around Kazuemachi’s narrow streets to see how it still retains its distinctive Edo-period ambiance. Tea houses, upscale izakyas and traditional ryokans all add to the area’s atmosphere. At night you may even spot a geisha or two entertaining guests in Kazuemachi’s tea houses. In spring, the cherry blossoms that line the Asano River make the area even more special.

Higashi Chaya District

Next, cross over the Asanogawa Bridge to reach the Higashi Chaya District. The largest of Kanazawa’s three historic tea neighbourhoods, Higashi Chaya District also dates back to the Edo period.

The beautifully preserved Higashi Chaya District reflects the grandeur, elegance and wealth of the city during that time, with its streets lined with traditional machiya townhouses adorned with decorative wooden lattice work facades.

Today, many of Higashi Chaya’s buildings are now museums, tea houses, and shops. Two of the area’s original tea houses still remain, Kaikaro Teahouse, with its luxurious interiors where geisha still perform, and Shima Teahouse, which is now a museum and has been designated as an important cultural property by the Japanese government.

Many of the shops and restaurants along Higashi Chaya District’s beautiful streets specialise in traditional Japanese crafts, confectionery and cuisines and this is a great place to pick up a few souvenirs. You’ll also find many modern tea houses and cafes in Higashi Chaya District that specialise in green tea and traditional Japanese desserts, such as Sabo Soshin, Fumurochaya, and Morihachi.

Also nearby is the Kanazawa Yasue Gold Leaf Museum, a small museum that documents the history and the process of creating gold leaf. The museum also displays a range of wonderful artworks and antiques decorated with gold leaf.

Day 2 in Kanazawa

Spend the second of your two days in Kanazawa exploring more of the city’s fascinating history after admiring a spot of modern art.

21st Century Contemporary Art Museum

Start the day at the 21st Century Contemporary Art Museum. Opened in 2004, the 21st Century Contemporary Art Museum is a pioneering gallery that stands out for its innovative approach to showcasing modern art in a uniquely designed space.

The museum’s striking architecture features a circular, glass-encased structure that seamlessly blends into its surroundings, along with several interactive artworks dotted around its grounds.

The 21st Century Contemporary Art Museum houses a dynamic collection of artworks from both Japanese and international artists, with a focus on innovative, thought-provoking and playful contemporary art.

The museum’s diverse exhibitions range from paintings and sculptures to multimedia installations and interactive pieces, including works by celebrated modern artists such as Anish Kapoor and James Turrell. There is also an excellent cafe on site too.

Ishiura Shrine

Located just across from the 21st Century Contemporary Art Museum is Ishiura Shrine, the oldest Shinto Shrine in Kanazawa. Believed to be over 1500 years old, Ishiura Shrine was moved to its current location in the mid 19th century.

Ishiura Shrine is where those looking for love offer prayers. The shrine is also worth visiting to see the rows of vibrant red torii gates that snake through its grounds.

D.T Suzuki Museum

The D.T. Suzuki Museum in Kanazawa is a contemplative space dedicated to the life and philosophy of D.T. Suzuki, a renowned Japanese philosopher and scholar of Zen Buddhism.

Designed by the acclaimed architect Yoshio Taniguchi, the D.T. Suzuki Museum features a minimalist, modern architectural style that beautifully blends with its tranquil surroundings.

The museum’s design emphasises simplicity and reflection, with clean lines, open spaces, and a carefully curated landscape that invites introspection. Inside, visitors can explore exhibits related to Suzuki’s influential writings on Zen Buddhism, his contributions to Eastern and Western philosophical dialogue, and his impact on modern thought.

The museum serves as both a tribute to Suzuki’s legacy and a peaceful retreat for those interested in exploring the principles of Zen and the art of mindful living.

Nagamachi District

Next, walk to the Nagamachi District, an area that offers a captivating glimpse into the city’s samurai past. Nagamachi was once the residential area for the samurai class during the 17th to 19th centuries.

The district is still characterised by its narrow, winding streets, traditional wooden houses, and distinctive yellow earthen walls that gives the feeling of stepping back in time.

Many of the buildings in Nagamachi are former samurai residences or merchants’ homes, retaining their traditional architectural features and beautifully maintained gardens. Nagamachi’s layout and architecture provide a vivid representation of the lifestyle and social status of the samurai during Japan’s feudal era.

A handful of the former samurai houses in Nagamachi are now open to the public, including the excellent Nomura-Ke Samurai House with its meticulously preserved rooms and garden. The Maeda Tosanokami-ke Shiryokan Museum offers insightful exhibits on samurai culture, armour, and weaponry. The exhibits and especially the garden at the Takada Family House are also well worth a visit.

Myoryuji Temple

Continue your exploration of Kanazawa’s samurai past at Myoryuji Temple, commonly referred to as Ninjadera, meaning Ninja Temple. The Myoryuji Temple is an intriguing historical site renowned for its complex design and hidden features.

Built in 1643 by the Maeda clan, the Myoryuji Temple served as a place of worship but also as a strategic fortress with numerous defensive elements. The temple’s architecture and labyrinthine layout is a fascinating blend of religious function and military ingenuity.

The temple’s interior features false doors, secret passages, hidden rooms, escape routes, and cleverly disguised traps, reminiscent of the stealthy and strategic attributes associated with ninjas.

Entry to Myoryuji Temple is only available by a guided tour which takes place every 30 or 60 minutes depending on the time and day. Guided tours are only available in Japanese but guide books are available with information in English during the tour.

Nishi Chaya District

End the day exploring the nearby Nishi Chaya District, another of Kanazawa’s charming neighbourhoods renowned for its well-preserved traditional architecture.

This small district, once a bustling entertainment area during the Edo period, is made up of just a few streets lined with beautiful wooden townhouses, traditional tea houses, and former geisha residences.

As with the Higashi Chaya District and Kazuemachi, the buildings in the Nishi Chaya District feature distinctive latticework facades and elegant wooden details.

There are a couple of small museums here that are worth seeing, including the Ninjabuki Museum, which showcases a range of weapons and body armour used by samurai warriors. Nearby, the Dolls Museum has an excellent collection of many different types of traditional Japanese dolls, such as hina dolls and kokeshi.

Extra Ideas for Your Kanazawa Itinerary

If you need some further ideas for the perfect two days in Kanazawa, here are a few more places you might like to visit:

• Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Traditional Arts and Crafts – The Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Traditional Arts and Crafts contains a fantastic collection of regional craftsmanship, including Kutani porcelain, Kaga textiles, and traditional lacquerware.

• Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Art – The Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Art features a diverse collection of art connected to Ishikawa, including contemporary fine art, traditional crafts, and historical pieces, set in a modern architectural space.

• Ochaya Art Museum – The Ochaya Art Museum highlights the artistic heritage of the city with its collection of traditional and contemporary Japanese art, housed in a beautifully preserved former geisha house.

• Kaga-Yuzen Kimono Center – The Kaga-Yuzen Kimono Center showcases an exquisite collection of kimonos and provides demonstrations of the intricate process of Kaga-Yuzen, a renowned traditional style of silk dyeing.

• Ohi Museum – The Ohi Museum presents an impressive collection of Ohi pottery, renowned for its distinctive Japanese aesthetics and craftsmanship, featuring both historical pieces and contemporary works from the Ohi family’s impressive ceramic tradition.

How to Get to Kanazawa

Kanazawa can easily be reached by high speed train from Tokyo or Kyoto. Both journeys are covered by the Japan Rail Pass.

Direct bullet train services run from Tokyo Station to Kanazawa Station on the Hokuriku Shinkansen, the journey taking between 2 and half to 3 hours.

If you’re travelling from Kyoto, the journey to Kanazawa takes around 2 hours. From Kyoto Station take the JR Thunderbird Limited Express train to Tsuruga Station and then change on to the Hokuriku Shinkansen bullet train to Kanazawa Station.

If you’re travelling to Kanazawa you might want to consider buying the JR Hokuriku Arch Pass, a 7-day pass that offers unlimited travel on JR train services between Tokyo and Kyoto via Kanazawa which is a much cheaper option than the Japan Rail Pass.

How to Get Around Kanazawa

A good chunk of the Kanazawa’s main sights are clustered close together, making it easy to see many of the city’s most popular spots on foot.

Kanazawa Station is also a ten minute bus ride away from the city centre. Some of the city’s beautiful historic areas, such as the Higashi Chaya District and Nishi Chaya District are a little spread out but they’re easy to reach by bus.

You can reach the Higashi Chaya and Nishi Chaya Districts from the centre of Kanazawa by taking regular bus services operated by JR or Hokutetsu, a local transport company. Buses operated by JR are both covered by the Japan Rail Pass and the Hokuriku Rail Pass.

Most single bus trips cost 210 yen, and if you don’t have a rail pass you can pay with cash or by using an IC card such as Suica, Pasmo or the local ICa card.

The Kanazawa Loop Bus also connects all of the city’s major sights, including Kanazawa Station. The loop bus operates services that run in both clockwise and anticlockwise directions every 15 minutes. A single journey costs 210 yen, or you can buy a 1-day pass that allows unlimited travel on the loop bus for 800 yen.

I’m James, the founder, editor, writer and photographer at Where You’re Between. Currently based in Japan, I started Where You’re Between in 2017 to create detailed itineraries and in-depth travel guides for the places that I’m fortunate enough to visit. You can see all of our destinations here.

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Kanazawa 2 Day Itinerary