Kanazawa City in Ishikawa Prefecture is a popular tourist destination, just about a 2-hour ride from Tokyo on the Hokuriku Shinkansen. The city is home to attractive tourist spots such as the “Omicho Market,” where you can enjoy fresh seafood, and the “Kanazawa 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art,” known for its free exhibits.
In this article, we introduce a model itinerary for a fulfilling 2-day, 1-night sightseeing trip in Kanazawa. Efficiently tour the city’s famous spots and enjoy a memorable travel experience.
目次
- 1 [Kanazawa Sightseeing 2 Days 1 Night – Model Itinerary] Day 1: Enjoy Gourmet & Famous Spots
- 2 [13:00 – 15:00] Kanazawa’s Premier Attraction! The Japanese Garden of ‘Kenrokuen’
- 2.1
- 2.2 [15:00 – 16:30] Historical Walk Through ‘Kanazawa Castle Park’
- 2.3 [16:30 – 17:30] Stroll & Shop in the ‘Korinbo’ Area
- 2.4 [18:00 – 19:30] Enjoy the Local Cuisine at ‘Kanazawa Oden Akatama Honten’
- 2.5 [10:00 – 11:00] Visit ‘Suzuki Daisetz Museum’, Popular Among International Tourists
- 2.6 [13:00 – 15:30] Experience Art at the ‘Kanazawa 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art’
- 2.7 [16:00 – 17:00] Immerse in Kanazawa Culture at ‘Higashi Chaya District’
- 2.8 [17:30 – 19:00] End Your Journey with a Visit to the Revolving Sushi ‘Noto Meguri’!
- 3 Introducing a 2-Day, 1-Night Kanazawa Itinerary! Explore the Highlights and Fully Enjoy Kanazawa
[Kanazawa Sightseeing 2 Days 1 Night – Model Itinerary] Day 1: Enjoy Gourmet & Famous Spots
Kanazawa is a popular tourist destination, just one ride away from Tokyo on the Hokuriku Shinkansen. Are many of you thinking about enjoying a 2-day, 1-night trip using the weekend?
On the first day of sightseeing, start from Kanazawa Station, the gateway to the city. Enjoy the seafood at the market and visit the famous spots representing Kanazawa for a fulfilling sightseeing experience.
[10:00] Start at the Hub of Tourism! Arrival at Kanazawa Station
JR Kanazawa Station is one of the major terminal stations in Ishikawa Prefecture. It takes about 2 hours from Tokyo Station via the Hokuriku Shinkansen, and about 45 minutes from Komatsu Airport in Ishikawa Prefecture by limousine bus.
As the gateway to Kanazawa, Kanazawa Station welcomes tourists. The Tsuzumi-Mon (Drum Gate), inspired by the drums used in the traditional performing art of Noh, is a popular spot for photos. This impressive gate, vividly lit up from dusk until midnight, is a fitting start to a 2-day, 1-night sightseeing itinerary in Kanazawa.
Alongside the “Tsuzumi-Mon,” another famous spot at Kanazawa Station is the “Omotenashi Dome.” The dome, with its distinctive geometric patterned glass ceiling, embodies the spirit of hospitality, symbolizing an offer of an umbrella to those alighting at the station in frequently rainy and snowy Kanazawa.
The rest area located under the Omotenashi Dome is perfect for preparing for your day or taking a break before starting your sightseeing.
Address: 1-1 Kinoshinbo-machi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Access: Immediately outside the East Exit of JR Kanazawa Station
[10:30] Drop Off Luggage at ‘Hotel Wing International Premium Kanazawa Ekimae’ and Head Out for Sightseeing!
“Hotel Wing International Premium Kanazawa Ekimae” is conveniently located just a 5-minute walk from the Kenrokuen Gate of Kanazawa Station. Before embarking on your sightseeing model course, it’s a good idea to stop by the hotel to lighten your load by leaving your bags or backpack at the hotel even before check-in.
The charm of this hotel lies in its Japanese-modern style guest rooms, designed by Ryuzo Shiroe, the architect who also designed Kanazawa Station’s Tsuzumi-Mon. During your stay, take the time to appreciate the design that pays homage to Kanazawa’s traditional culture and enjoy a moment of relaxation.
Address: 8-13 Horikawa Shinmachi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Phone Number: 076-290-7776
Access: 5-minute walk from the Kenrokuen Gate of Kanazawa Station
[11:00 – 11:30] Shopping at Kanazawa’s Kitchen ‘Omicho Market’
For the 2-day, 1-night Kanazawa sightseeing model course, the first memorable spot is the “Omicho Market,” known as the kitchen of Kanazawa. You can reach it in about a minute on foot after getting off at the “Musashigatsuji-Omicho Market” bus stop, taking the Hokutetsu bus from JR Kanazawa Station.
Omicho Market boasts over 170 specialty stores ranging from fresh food to daily necessities and sweets. Especially in the fresh food stores, you can have direct conversations with the experts and find the perfect ingredients for yourself.
The primary advantage of shopping at the Omicho Market is the opportunity to encounter fresh ingredients. If you purchase seafood or vegetables at the market and have them packed, you can take them to the “Yamato Transport Kanazawa Omicho Home Delivery Center” and have them sent directly to your home or a friend’s house via cool delivery service.
There is also a wide selection of processed products such as kamaboko (fish cakes) and side dishes, so take your time to explore the shops.
[11:30 – 12:30] Savor the Famous Seafood Bowl at ‘Yutaka Suisan’
“Kaisendon Yutaka Suisan,” located within the “Omicho Market,” is a popular restaurant known for its seafood bowls prepared by a ryotei (traditional Japanese restaurant) chef using fresh fish procured daily at the auction.
Their signature menu item, the “Omicho Yutaka Strongest Bowl” priced at 3,500 yen (tax included), features over 15 carefully selected ingredients by the chef. At first glance, the bowl appears extravagant, but the size of each ingredient and the arrangement are exquisitely balanced. It’s a perfect dish to satisfy your hunger while sightseeing in Kanazawa.
Address: 31 Jumamachi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Phone Number: 090-3293-0032
Closed on: Wednesday
Access: 1-minute walk from the “Musashigatsuji-Omicho Market” bus stop.
[13:00 – 15:00] Kanazawa’s Premier Attraction! The Japanese Garden of ‘Kenrokuen’
An essential spot on the Kanazawa sightseeing model course is “Kenrokuen,” ranked alongside Mito City’s “Kairakuen” in Ibaraki Prefecture and Okayama’s “Korakuen” as one of Japan’s three most celebrated gardens.
As a daimyo (feudal lord) garden representing the Edo period, Kenrokuen has been crafted over many years as a “hill-and-pond, forest-spring, strolling-style garden.” It embodies the six attributes of an outstanding landscape.
Among its many attractions, “Kasumiga-ike Pond” at nearly the center of the garden is particularly appealing for its ability to offer views of the changing seasons while strolling around. In spring, cherry blossoms with pink petals float on the pond’s surface, while in autumn, the area is vividly colored with fall foliage, and in winter, you can enjoy a typical Hokuriku snowscape.
During the cherry blossom and autumn foliage seasons, there are periods of evening illuminations, so if you’re interested, check the website for details.
Address: 1-4 Kenroku-machi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Phone Number: 076-234-3800
Admission Fee: Adults 320 yen, Children (ages 6 to under 18) 100 yen, Seniors (65 and over) free
Access: 1-minute walk from the “Kenrokuen-shita” stop on the Hokutetsu Bus, or 1-minute walk from the Kenrokuen Shuttle Bus “Kenrokuen-shita” stop.
[15:00 – 16:30] Historical Walk Through ‘Kanazawa Castle Park’
For efficiently touring sightseeing spots, the recommended location on the 2-day, 1-night Kanazawa sightseeing model course is “Kanazawa Castle Park.” Centered around Kanazawa Castle, which was built by Maeda Toshiie when he entered the castle in 1583, the park is just a short walk from Kenrokuen Garden.
Although the castle was largely destroyed by fire in 1759, many spots have since been restored. Notable features include the “Nezumitamon Gate” with its distinctive black sea cucumber plaster and the barrier-free “Hisago Yagura, Gojikken Nagaya, Hashizumemon Tsuzuki Yagura,” which are accessible and easy to visit for various guests. The park is filled with historic attractions.
Like Kenrokuen, it is a vast sightseeing spot, so take a break at rest areas or benches and visit the spots that interest you.
[16:30 – 17:30] Stroll & Shop in the ‘Korinbo’ Area
Located about an 8-minute walk from “Kanazawa Castle Park,” “Korinbo” is a bustling shopping district in Kanazawa City. With large commercial facilities and trendy cafes dotted around, “Korinbo” offers various ways to enjoy your time – go shopping if you still have energy, or take a break at a cafe if you’re feeling tired.
Additionally, “Korinbo” is known for its unique hotels, including the “Henn na Hotel Korinbo,” where robotic dinosaurs provide customer service. It’s also recommended as a potential accommodation option.
Address: Korinbo, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Access: 3-minute walk from the “Korinbo” bus stop on the Hokutetsu Bus.
[18:00 – 19:30] Enjoy the Local Cuisine at ‘Kanazawa Oden Akatama Honten’
An essential part of the 2-day, 1-night Kanazawa sightseeing model course is the local specialty, “Kanazawa Oden.”
Just a short walk from the “Nomachi” bus stop, about an 8-minute ride on the Hokutetsu Bus from “Korinbo,” is “Kanazawa Oden Akazawa Honten.” Here, you can enjoy Oden dishes, both as courses and à la carte, prepared with seasonal ingredients.
The menu features unique Kanazawa Oden ingredients like visually striking Akamaki, juicy Kurumafu bursting with broth’s umami, and winter specialty Kanimen. As it’s a popular restaurant, it is recommended to make a reservation as soon as your travel plans are somewhat set.
Address: 2-21-2 Katamachi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Phone Number: 076-223-3330
Closed on: Monday (Saturday, Sunday, and holidays closed from 15:00 to 16:00 for preparation)
Access: 3-minute walk from the “Nomachi” bus stop on the Hokuriku Bus.
Kanazawa Sightseeing 2 Days 1 Night – Model Itinerary] Day 2: Touring Museums and Historical Sites
On the second day of the 2-day, 1-night Kanazawa sightseeing model course, let’s visit some of the most popular spots that attract numerous tourists in Kanazawa.
There are plenty of attractive spots within the city, such as the “Kanazawa 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art,” where even the free areas are enjoyable, and the “Higashi Chaya District,” which exudes a nostalgic atmosphere throughout its streets.
Spend the whole day, from morning till night, touring various places and fully enjoying the sightseeing experience.
[10:00 – 11:00] Visit ‘Suzuki Daisetz Museum’, Popular Among International Tourists
A perfect start for the second day of the 2-day, 1-night sightseeing model course is the recommended spot, the “Suzuki Daisetsu-tei.” This facility celebrates the life and work of the world-renowned Buddhist philosopher Daisetsu Suzuki, born in Kanazawa, through his photographs and writings.
The highlight of the “Suzuki Daisetsu-tei” is the “Water Mirror Garden,” which has become a popular topic on social media. This quiet and fantastical space, where only the sound of the wind resonates, expands as the surrounding scenery reflects on the water. The changing reflections on the water surface with the seasons are a focal point of interest.
Address: 3-4-20 Hondamachi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Phone Number: 076-211-8011
Admission Fee: Adults 310 yen, Seniors (65 and above) 200 yen, Free for high school students and younger
Access: 5-minute walk from the “Hondamachi” bus stop on the Hokutetsu Bus.
[11:30 – 12:30] Lunch at ‘Fusion21’ in the Kanazawa 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art
After leaving the Suzuki Daisetsu-tei, the next destination is “Kanazawa 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art,” a highlight of the 2-day, 1-night Kanazawa sightseeing model course. This popular museum, attracting visitors from within and outside the prefecture, offers an opportunity to view various contemporary art pieces.
To thoroughly enjoy the artworks, start with a meal. Head to “Fusion21,” which follows the concept of “the second impression at the museum,” offering sweets and a buffet using abundant Kaga vegetables and local ingredients.
Enjoy the open atmosphere with large glass windows overlooking the museum’s courtyard, and savor the exciting array of dishes.
Closed on: Monday, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day (If Monday is a holiday, the museum is closed on the following weekday).
[13:00 – 15:30] Experience Art at the ‘Kanazawa 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art’
The “Kanazawa 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art” aims to be a contemporary art museum like a park, where everyone can stop by casually. There are many areas that can be enjoyed for free, and the museum’s garden features various interactive exhibits that you can see, touch, and experience.
Besides various contemporary art pieces that stimulate the senses, the museum also houses the aforementioned restaurant and café, a museum shop, and various other facilities. Take your time and enjoy sightseeing with plenty of leisure.
Among the exhibitions at the Kanazawa 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, the ‘Swimming Pool’ by Leandro Erlich is especially popular. From the ground, it looks like a real pool, but in fact, you can go inside it.
This photogenic exhibition, which can be enjoyed from two perspectives – above ground and underground – is also recommended as a spot for commemorative photographs.
【Address】1-2-1 Hirosaka, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
【Phone Number】076-220-2800
【Fee】Varies with each planned exhibition (Free areas available)
【Access】1 minute on foot from the Hokutetsu Bus ‘Hirosaka･21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art’ bus stop, 10 minutes on foot from JR Kanazawa Station
[16:00 – 17:00] Immerse in Kanazawa Culture at ‘Higashi Chaya District’
The final spot on the Kanazawa 1 Night 2 Days Sightseeing Model Course is ‘Higashi Chaya District’. The streets, designated as an Important Traditional Building Preservation District, still retain the remnants of their past glory as a geisha district.
The town, with its cobblestone streets and beautiful lattice windows, is lined with stylish townhouse cafes and souvenir shops. Since most shops close around 5 pm, enjoy walking through the town and shopping at the stores that catch your interest.
【Address】Higashi-Yama, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
【Access】5 minutes on foot from the Hokutetsu Bus ‘Hashibacho’ bus stop
[17:30 – 19:00] End Your Journey with a Visit to the Revolving Sushi ‘Noto Meguri’!
After finishing your tour of the Higashi Chaya District, return to JR Kanazawa Station and conclude your trip by savoring Kanazawa’s pride, its seafood. Along with the seafood bowl you had at Omicho Market on the first night, revolving sushi is another popular gourmet choice among visitors to Kanazawa.
‘Noto Meguri’, just a 2-minute walk from JR Kanazawa Station, offers a premium revolving sushi experience, featuring seasonal fresh fish caught off the Noto Peninsula, prepared by skilled chefs. The restaurant also boasts a selection of local sake from Ishikawa Prefecture and famous drinks from the Hokuriku region, making it a recommended spot for sake enthusiasts.
End your journey by fully indulging in the seafood delights of Hokuriku, leaving both your stomach and heart satisfied as you head home.
【Address】1-5-3 Hirooka, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture, Cross Gate Kanazawa 2F
【Phone Number】076-255-1577
【Regular Holiday】Irregular holidays
【Access】2 minutes on foot from JR Kanazawa Station
Introducing a 2-Day, 1-Night Kanazawa Itinerary! Explore the Highlights and Fully Enjoy Kanazawa
Kanazawa, a popular area in the Hokuriku region, has various famous spots even within the city itself.
From one of Japan’s most celebrated gardens to museums visited by tourists from both Japan and abroad, and unique Hokuriku gourmet delights due to its proximity to the sea, we have introduced a model course that allows you to fully enjoy Kanazawa in just 1 night and 2 days. Be sure to use it as a reference when touring.
Besides these, there are many other tourist spots in Kanazawa city. For more information, check out AVA Travel as well!
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