
September 15, 2026

If you're traveling to Kanazawa and there are no direct flights to Komatsu Airport from your area, you can either fly to Tokyo and take the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Kanazawa, or take an express train from Osaka or Nagoya. Kanazawa boasts numerous popular spots where you can enjoy history, culture, and gourmet food, including Kenrokuen Garden, Kanazawa Castle Park, Higashi Chaya District, and Omicho Market. For sightseeing within the city, a one-day pass for the castle town sightseeing bus is convenient. This article provides a comprehensive guide to Kanazawa, including access, sightseeing spots, gourmet food, and even luxurious accommodations you can enjoy in Ishikawa Prefecture.
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Kanazawa is located in Ishikawa Prefecture, in the central part of Honshu, on the Sea of Japan side. It can be accessed from Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya by Shinkansen or limited express train. Because Kanazawa suffered little large-scale air raids during World War II, much of the townscape from its Edo period as a castle town of the Kaga domain (with a million koku of rice production) remains. In particular, the Higashi Chaya District offers a historically charming landscape with wooden buildings and lattice doors.
| Departure | transportation | Acitivity Time | Reference fare (one way) | Recommended Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo | Hokuriku Shinkansen "Kagayaki" | about 2 hour 30 minutes | About 14,000 yen | Convenient with no transfers required. |
| Osaka | Limited Express "Thunderbird" | about 2 hour 30 minutes | Approximately 7,000-8,000 yen | Convenient access from the Kansai region |
| Nagoya | Limited Express "Shirasagi" | Approx. 3 hour | Approximately 6,000-7,000 yen | Convenient for those coming from the Chubu region. |
| Kyoto | 特急列車 | Approx. 2 hour | About 6,500 yen | Easy to combine with a trip to Kyoto |
| Kanazawa city | Castle town sightseeing bus | Depending on the tourist destination | Approximately 600 yen (1-day pass) | Easy to sightsee even without a rental car |
*Actual fares may vary depending on the time of purchase, use of discount tickets or passes, etc. Please check the latest fares on the official websites of JR West and other companies before departure.
When traveling from Taiwan or Hong Kong to Kanazawa, the most common method of transportation is a combination of air travel and train travel.
You can reach Kanazawa Station from Tokyo Station by taking the Hokuriku Shinkansen "Kagayaki" without changing trains. The journey takes approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.
You can access Kanazawa from Osaka using the "Thunderbird" limited express train, and from Nagoya using the "Shirasagi" limited express train. The journey takes approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes from Osaka and approximately 3 hours from Nagoya.


Image provided by: Kanazawa City
| Sightseeing | Characteristics | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Kenrokuen Garden | One of Japan's three most famous gardens. It is also famous for its snow-covered trees in winter. | Admission fee: Approximately 320 yen Address: 1 Kenroku-machi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture Phone: 076-234-3800 |
| Kanazawa Castle Park | The white walls and historical castle architecture are a major draw. | Address: 1-1 Marunouchi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture Phone: 076-234-3800 |
| Higashi Chaya District | A popular photo spot featuring Edo-period teahouse architecture. | Address: 1-13 Higashiyama, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture |
| Kazue-machi Teahouse District | A relatively quiet and peaceful streetscape. | Address: 2-5 Kazue-machi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture 920-0908 |
| Omicho Market | Enjoy fresh seafood bowls, crab, and more. | Address: 50 Kami-Omi-cho, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture Phone: 076-231-1462 |
| Myōryūji Temple (Ninja Temple) | It features intricate mechanisms and hidden passages. Advance reservations are recommended. | Admission fee: Approximately 1,200 yen |
| Oyama Shrine | The distinctive gate, a blend of Japanese and Western architectural styles, is a highlight. | Address: 11-1 Oyama-cho, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture Phone: 076-231-7210 |
| 鈴木大拙館 | A quiet cultural spot where the architecture itself is a sight to behold. | Admission fee: Approximately 300 yen Address: 3-4-20 Hondamachi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture Phone: 076-221-8011 |


Image provided by: Kanazawa City

Located along the Sea of Japan coast, easily accessible from Kanazawa in Ishikawa Prefecture, this glamping facility boasts an exceptional location just a 5-second walk from the sea. It features a private barrel sauna where you can enjoy ocean views, and guests can savor dishes made with Ishikawa's local ingredients, such as fresh abalone grilled on the beach, smoked duck, and Noto beef steak, outdoors. All rooms are equipped with air conditioning and heating, ensuring a comfortable stay regardless of the season.

This accommodation is located in Hakui City, Ishikawa Prefecture, on the western side of the Noto Peninsula. Guests can enjoy local cuisine, including BBQ using ingredients from Noto, chawanmushi (steamed egg custard) with Noto pufferfish and matsutake mushrooms, and salt-grilled sea bream. Another attraction is the natural hot spring, which uses amber-colored hot spring water that gushes from approximately 1,300 meters underground at the Chirihama Yuuna Hotel. In addition, complimentary ice cream and welcome drinks are provided.
For those traveling from Taiwan or Hong Kong to Kanazawa, a combination of air and rail travel is a convenient option. From Tokyo, the Hokuriku Shinkansen "Kagayaki" takes approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes to Kanazawa. From Osaka and Nagoya, you can also take a limited express train to Kanazawa.
Using the Hokuriku Shinkansen "Kagayaki," the journey from Tokyo Station to Kanazawa Station takes approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes without any transfers.
Kanazawa is a city located in Ishikawa Prefecture. Besides Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture has various other tourist areas, including the Noto Peninsula, Wakura Onsen, and Mount Hakusan.
The general admission fee for adults to Kenrokuen Garden is approximately 320 yen. Opening hours vary slightly depending on the season, but are usually from 7:00 AM until after sunset. Please refer to the information provided on-site for actual admission fees and hours.
While there are many hotels in Kanazawa city, if you want to enjoy private time surrounded by hot springs and nature, we recommend combining it with a luxurious glamping facility or resort in Ishikawa Prefecture. For example, at glampark hotel Yuka and Glamping Resort Oceans Terrace SHIBAGAKI, you can enjoy hot springs, saunas, BBQ, and more, experiencing a resort stay that is different from sightseeing in Kanazawa.
Kanazawa is a tourist destination where you can efficiently enjoy history, culture, and gourmet food, whether you're on a one-night, two-day trip or just a day trip. After visiting classic spots like Kenrokuen Garden, Kanazawa Castle Park, Higashi Chaya District, and Omicho Market, we recommend extending your trip to a luxurious glamping facility in Ishikawa Prefecture, where you can relax in hot springs, enjoy a BBQ, and spend time in a private space. By combining Kanazawa sightseeing with the nature of Ishikawa Prefecture, you can enjoy a more fulfilling travel plan that goes beyond just walking around the city.

He is an editor at Resort Glamping.com, a glamping-focused media outlet visited by approximately 100 million people a month. He has written over 150 articles introducing glamping facilities and experience reports, and is involved in a wide range of glamping facility services, from planning and development to operation and customer acquisition consulting.
























































































































