Kanazawa is a very easy place to visit for first-time visitors, as various tourist facilities are concentrated in the center of the city. The entire city is compact, and many tourist attractions can be visited on foot, with historical buildings and elegant streets scattered throughout the city. This makes it possible to visit many tourist attractions without difficulty, taking breaks in between.
The sightseeing route introduced here requires a little physical fitness, as it involves approximately 10,000 steps on foot. However, children aged 13 and over can walk it without difficulty. The last stop on the route, Nabetaro(なべ太郎) in Kazuemachi, requires advance booking. Please be assured that our inn, Kanerokutei Oyado(兼六亭 御宿), will be happy to help you with your reservations.
Here are the details of the model route.
| Sightseeing Spot | Mode of Transport | Estimated Visit Time | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Kenrokuen Garden | Walking (short walk from Kenrokutei Oyado) | About 40 minutes | One of Japan’s three most famous gardens. Enjoy beautiful scenery across all four seasons, with highlights like the Kotoji Lantern and Kasumigaike Pond. |
| 2. Oyama Shrine | Walking (about 15 minutes) | About 20 minutes | Dedicated to Lord Maeda Toshiie, the founder of the Kaga clan. Known for its unique stained-glass gate and beautiful seasonal gardens. |
| 3. Nagamachi Samurai District | Walking (about 10 minutes) | About 30 minutes | A historic area with stone-paved paths and earthen walls, providing a glimpse into the lifestyle of middle-class samurai during the feudal era. |
| 4. Higashi Chaya District | Bus (about 10 minutes) | About 40 minutes | A traditional teahouse district from the Edo period, with wooden buildings and cobblestone streets. Offers tea experiences and souvenir shopping. |
| 5. Kazuemachi Chaya District | Walking (about 5 minutes) | About 30 minutes | A quieter, more relaxed teahouse district along the Asano River, offering a serene atmosphere especially at dusk. |
| 6. Dining at Nabetaro | Walking (about 5 minutes) | Dinner time | A renowned restaurant in the Kazuemachi Chaya District, known for its hot-pot dishes made with local produce. Advance reservation is required. |
Start with Kenrokuen Garden, which is a short walk from the inn. Known as one of the three most famous gardens in Japan, Kenrokuen Garden is a place where you can enjoy beautiful scenery in each of the four seasons. It has a different look depending on the season you visit: cherry blossoms in spring, lush foliage in summer, autumn leaves in autumn, and snow-covered trees in winter. The snowy winter scenery is particularly magical, and a stroll in the quiet morning hours is recommended. The garden is dotted with sights such as the Kotoji Lantern and Kasumigaike Pond, so take your time and enjoy the beauty of the area.
After finishing your stroll in Kenrokuen Garden, the next stop is Oyama Shrine. This is also located within walking distance and can be reached after a 15-minute walk through the Ishikawa Gate. Oyama Shrine is dedicated to Lord Maeda Toshiie, the founder of the Kaga clan, and his wife, Lady Omatsu, and is particularly notable for the stained glass fitted into the shrine gate. This exotic architecture was built in the Meiji era (1868-1912) and is designated as a national important cultural property. The shrine also has an extensive garden within the shrine grounds, where visitors can enjoy the changing nature of the seasons.
The next stop is the Nagamachi Samurai District. About a 10-minute walk from Oyama Shrine, the area is home to the residences of middle-class warriors from the feudal era. A stroll through the samurai residences provides a sense of history, with stone-paved paths and earthen walls. In winter, the earthen walls of the samurai residences are decorated with komo (straw mats), providing an atmospheric view. Take your time to walk around the area and think back to the lifestyle of the time.
The next stop is Higashi Chaya-gai. It is some distance from the Nagamachi Samurai District, so it may be best to take a bus or taxi.
To get from the Nagamachi Samurai District to the Higashi Chaya-gai area by bus, board a bus bound for Higashi Chaya-gai from the Korinbo bus stop near the Nagamachi Samurai District. The bus is Hokutetsu Kanazawa Bus No. 80. The journey takes about 10 minutes, and you will get off at the nearest bus stop, Hashiba-cho. From there, it is a few minutes’ walk to the Higashi Chaya-gai. Buses run at relatively short intervals, so there is little waiting time and the journey is comfortable.
Higashi Chaya District was a teahouse district that flourished during the Edo period and still retains a strong trace of its former glory. Just strolling through the elegant streets lined with traditional wooden buildings and cobblestone streets is a calming experience. There are also shops in the teahouse district where you can actually enjoy tea and buy souvenirs, so be sure to stop by.
After exploring Higashi Chaya-gai, head to the nearby Kazuemachi Chaya District. This is characterized by a slightly more relaxed atmosphere than Higashi Chaya-gai. Located along the Asano River, you can enjoy a relaxing stroll while listening to the murmur of the river. Especially at dusk, the teahouse street is lit up with lights and offers a fantastic view.
After a day of sightseeing, enjoy a meal at Nabetaro in Kazuemachi. Located on the Kazuemachi Chaya District street, this restaurant is renowned for its cuisine made from fresh local produce. Especially in winter, you can enjoy hot-pot dishes made with Kaga vegetables and local seafood. The restaurant also offers a view of the Asano River and a relaxed atmosphere in which to enjoy your meal.
How was it? The route introduced this time allows you to explore the sights and attractions that Kanazawa has to offer. As much of the tour is on foot, you will be able to enjoy the sights and feel the city of Kanazawa at a leisurely pace. We hope you will enjoy Kanazawa’s history, culture, and beautiful scenery, and that your visit will be a memorable one. We hope you enjoy your Kanazawa sightseeing tour.
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