Kanazawa – a historic city on the west coast of Japan.
It’s often called “Little Kyoto” and appeals to travelers who enjoy venturing off the beaten path. Those looking to connect with locals. To experience Japan’s unique history without the hordes of tourists.
That’s exactly what I was in search of.
And yes, I found it in Kanazawa.
I spent 3 days exploring the city and have picked out the best attractions for this 1 day Kanazawa itinerary. This guide includes everything you need to know, from how to get there, where to stay, and the best things to do in Kanazawa.
I also share my honest thoughts on which is better: Kanazawa or Kyoto.
Torn Tackies contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using one of these links, I may receive compensation at no extra cost to you. See my disclosure for more information.
Quick Navigation
How to get to Kanazawa
Whether you’re coming from Tokyo, Osaka, or Kyoto, the Shinkansen bullet train is the best and quickest way to reach Kanazawa.
By train
From Tokyo, there’s a direct Shinkansen train that arrives in Kanazawa within 3 hours.
From Osaka or Kyoto, it takes 2 hours to reach Kanazawa by train. Unfortunately, this is not a direct train.
You’ll first take the JR Thunderbird train to Tsuruga Station and then the Shinkansen train to Kanazawa. Don’t worry, the transfer at Tsurugu is very simple and only takes 5 minutes.
By bus
The bus is the cheaper option, but it’s a much longer journey.
The Express bus takes 6 hours from Osaka and 4.5 hours from Kyoto.
If you’re going from Tokyo to Kanazawa, the Express bus takes 9 hours.
How to get around Kanazawa in 1 day
While Kanazawa is smaller than Kyoto, it’s pretty big to cover on foot.
But if you’re up for getting your steps in, it’s totally walkable since it’s nice and flat.
There’s no metro or train connecting all the attractions. Instead, the bus runs a loop around the city, making it easy to get around.
But with only 1 day in Kanazawa, it’s probably easier to get a taxi.
This Kanazawa itinerary follows a route that’s mostly walkable with the option to take a bus or taxi between the last two stops (which is what we did).
Where to stay in Kanazawa
If you’re visiting Kanazawa on a day trip like this one, you can skip this part.
But I strongly suggest spending at least one night in the city so that you have a full day to explore.
Near Nagamachi Samurai District (Korinbo)
I stayed at this hotel in the Korinbo area, only a 10-minute taxi ride from the train station.
The biggest drawcard for me was that it’s next to the Nagamachi Samurai District and Kanazawa Castle. I loved it here!
The area has a local vibe to it, and you’ll find an array of shops, restaurants, and bars within walking distance. If you stay here, I recommend eating at Sushi Ippei. It’s a small place but the owners are lovely and the sushi is incredible!
Near Omicho market
Staying near the Omicho Market means you’re closer to Kanazawa Station. This is an ideal place to stay if you’re in a rush, as you’re close to all the Kanazawa attractions.
My friends stayed at this hotel and highly recommended it. They said it wasn’t in a vibey area, but that it was so close to everything.
Kanazawa itinerary 1 day
Since you only have one day in Kanazawa, I suggest starting your day early to make the most of your time.
You can easily walk between the first few stops on this itinerary. When it gets to a point where a bus or taxi might be better, I’ll let you know!
Nagamachi Samurai District
Time needed: 30 minutes
This Kanazawa itinerary starts in the Nagamachi Samurai District (location here). It’s a beautifully preserved area where samurai and their families once lived.
The district isn’t very large, so it doesn’t take long to stroll along its stone-paved streets lined with water canals.
From there, walk towards Choco Tea for the most delicious coffee and custard taiyaki (location here). It’s en route to our next stop, so there’s no detour needed.
Oyama Shrine
Time needed: 15 minutes
The Oyama Shrine (location here) is a 10-minute walk from Nagamachi Samurai District and is situated at the foothills of the Kanazawa Castle.
It’s a historic Shinto Shrine with a beautiful garden and a Koi pond.
Kanazawa Castle Park: Gyokusenin Maru Garden
Time needed: 45 minutes
The Kanazawa Castle Park is a gorgeous park worthy of a visit.
It’s home to impressive landscaped gardens and ancient castle ruins. You could spend hours exploring it.
But since you don’t have much time, you’ll need to move pretty quickly through the park before making your way to the crown jewel of Kanazawa: the Kanazawa Castle itself.
I suggest entering Kanazawa Castle Park from the west entrance at Nezumita-mon Gate (location here). There’s a bridge that connects the Oyama Shrine to this gate, so it’s hard to miss.
After entering the castle park, follow the path to your right, which will take you through the stunning Gyokusenin Maru Garden.
Continue further and you’ll soon reach the Kanazawa Castle.
Kanazawa Castle
Time needed: 45 minutes
This castle is the highlight of every Kanazawa itinerary. It was built in 1580 and is a stunning piece of history that lives up to all the hype.
Over the centuries, the Kanazawa Castle has suffered repeated fires, but many of the structures have been reconstructed to resemble how they once were.
It costs 320 JPY to enter the castle. Once inside, you’ll get a deeper look at its history and the important role it played in shaping Kanazawa.
After the Kanazawa Castle, walk east toward the Ishikawa-mon Gate (here).
Top tip: If you’re looking for the most impressive castle in Japan, I recommend visiting Matsumoto for the day. The Matsumoto Castle has a bold black exterior and is Japan’s best preserved original castle.
Kenroku-en
Time needed: 1 hour
Kenroku-en is named as one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan, making it a must-see in Kanazawa.
It features peaceful paths, moss-covered trees, wooden bridges, and quiet streams, offering a calm, beautiful place to explore.
This garden is connected to Kanazawa Castle via a bridge, so the two can be easily visited together.
I’m not typically a garden type of gal! However, I thoroughly enjoyed walking through Kanazawa Garden Park and Kenroku-en.
Entry to Kenroku-en costs 320 JPY (the same price as the Castle entrance). You can get a combined ticket for 500 JPY, which gives you access to both Kenroku-en and Kanazawa Castle.
Next, you’ll need to take an 8-minute taxi or a 15-minute bus to Omicho Market.
Omicho Market
Time needed: 1 hour
Hungry yet?
Omicho Market is the largest fresh food market in Kanazawa, featuring a bustling network of covered streets lined with more than 170 shops and stalls.
It’s the best place to try Japanese Sushi as the seafood here is as fresh as it gets. Mori Mori Sushi is a famous conveyor belt sushi restaurant that is delicious and affordable.
The market is open from 9 to 5 pm, but a few stalls close at 3:30 pm. It’s best to plan your visit over lunchtime so you can feast on the delicious food. Many stalls are closed on Wednesdays and Sundays, so try to avoid those days if you can.
Higashi Chaya District
Time needed: 1 hour
The Higashi Chaya District is one of the city’s most famous and beautifully preserved geisha districts. It was my favorite district in Kanazawa and is not to be missed.
Here, you’ll find beautiful traditional homes, tea houses, pastry shops, and more. This is also the best place to try the famous golden leaf ice cream.
Higashi Chaya District is a 15-minute walk from the Omicho Market, so you can either walk here or take a short taxi ride.
Other things to add to your itinerary for Kanazawa
Nishi Chaya District
The Nishi Chaya District (location here) is a small geisha district south of the city.
It’s not as big (or impressive) as Higashi Chaya, but it is home to the Ninja Weapon Museum and Ninja Temple (Myouryuji Temple). You can take a tour of the temple, which has numerous hidden floors with disguised staircases, trapdoors, false walls, and even secret rooms. It’s pretty epic!
If you only have time to visit one Geisha district in Kanazawa, I’d skip Nishi Chaya in favor of Higashi Chaya.
Kazuemachi Chaya is the third and final geisha district in Kanazawa. It’s extremely small, so unless you have a few more days to spare, I recommend visiting the other geisha districts instead.
Day trip to Shirakawa-go
Shirakawa-go is a world heritage site famous for its traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses, which have steep thatched roofs. This design helps shed heavy snow in winter and has become an iconic symbol of rural Japan.
We rented a car and drove from Kanazawa to Tokyo, stopping at Shirakawa-go along the way. It’s incredibly picturesque, and while it is touristy, it absolutely lives up to the hype.
You can easily take a day trip to Shirakawa-go from Kanazawa, and this tour is a great choice. It includes stops at two UNESCO-listed villages, with an optional visit to Takayama as well.
Kanazawa vs Kyoto
Kanazawa or Kyoto. Which is better if you can only choose one?
This is the question I kept asking myself.
I eventually decided to visit both cities. And while they have a few similarities, they are very different from one another.
There’s no doubt that Kyoto has a more impressive list of historical sites and traditional neighborhoods. I’ve never seen anything like it.
But it’s crowded, and the city is not as walkable as Kanazawa.
Planning a Kanazawa itinerary means you’ll experience the rich history of Japan in a less touristy way. And for me, I preferred that.
The streets were quiet, I was able to meet and interact with locals, and I could walk peacefully through the districts and gardens without hundreds of other tourists.
Is Kanazawa worth visiting?
Yes! I loved Kanazawa as it had a good mix of everything: Geisha and Samurai districts, historic castles, stunning gardens, and the best sushi you’ll find in Japan.
After Kanazawa, I drove 2 hours inland to the beautiful old town of Takayama. This is a great option if you’re looking to explore more of Japan’s hidden gems.
