Kanazawa – Self-Guided One-Day Tour (7 Things You Can’t Miss)

Kanazawa is one of Japan’s most charming cities. Here, samurai history, gold leaf art, and traditional teahouse districts come together in one walkable destination. This self-guided one-day tour covers the 7 best places to visit in Kanazawa, including gardens, markets, and cultural landmarks. It’s the perfect day trip from Tokyo, Kyoto, or Osaka, easily reached by bullet train and ideal for travelers who want to experience authentic Japan without the crowds.

This itinerary is designed so you can explore at your own pace, whether you prefer to start your morning at Kanazawa Station and follow the route step by step, or skip ahead to the sights that interest you most. Each stop is within easy walking distance or connected by the convenient Kanazawa Loop Bus, making it effortless to see the city’s highlights in just one day.

Kanazawa is a perfect destination for a day trip from Tokyo, Kyoto, or Osaka. The easiest and fastest way to reach Kanazawa from these cities, or from most other major cities on Honshu (Japan’s main island), is by train.

If you have a Japan Rail (JR) Pass, all the options below are fully covered, making your travel even more convenient. (If you haven’t purchased a JR Pass yet, it’s worth doing before your trip — it can save you a lot of money!

You can buy it here.)

• From Tokyo to Kanazawa – Take the JR East Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Kanazawa Station. The journey takes about 2 hours and 28 minutes. You can reserve seats online via JR East Train Reservations and pick up your tickets at any JR Ticket Office.
• From Kyoto to Kanazawa – From Kyoto Station, hop on the JR West Thunderbird Express to Kanazawa Station. Travel time is approximately 2 hours and 13 minutes.
• From Osaka to Kanazawa – From Osaka Station, take the JR West Thunderbird Express to Kanazawa Station. The journey takes around 2 hours and 30 minutes.

For this Kanazawa self-guided one-day tour, you can easily explore on foot. The main attractions are conveniently close to one another, and walking allows you to truly feel the city’s old-world charm.

The route starts in the Higashi Chaya District and continues through the Gold Leaf Museum, Kazue-machi Chaya District, Kanazawa Castle, Kenrokuen Garden, Naga-machi Samurai District, and ends at Omicho Market. It’s a full but comfortable day of discovery.

If you prefer not to walk the entire route, the Kanazawa Loop Bus is an excellent alternative. It connects all the major attractions and runs in two directions — Left Loop (counterclockwise) and Right Loop (clockwise), departing every 15 minutes from Kanazawa Station.

A one-day pass costs around ¥800 and allows unlimited rides for the day. You can purchase tickets at Kanazawa Station, directly from the driver, or at most hotels.

PRO TIP: The bus stops near every major sight on this itinerary, so you can easily mix walking and riding, for example, take the bus from Omicho Market back to the station, or between Kenrokuen Garden and Higashi Chaya District if you’d like to save time.

Whether on foot or by bus, Kanazawa is compact, peaceful, and wonderfully easy to navigate, making it perfect for a self-guided day of exploration.

If your adventure in Kanazawa turns into two days (or if you’re arriving late and want to rest up), here are two standout hotels that offer comfort, charm, and really good locations. Plus some touches that make them feel special rather than just functional.

Onyado Nono Kanazawa – This ryokan-inspired hotel brings in all the pleasures: onsen (hot spring baths), indoor/outdoor spa facilities, and sound-proofed windows that help you sleep well even after a long train ride. Rooms come with all the modern conveniences, WiFi, electronic bidets, good bathrooms, and breakfast is a solid spread of Japanese and Western options. Best of all, it’s close to Kanazawa Castle Park, Kenrokuen Garden, Omicho Market, and a pleasant walk to many of the places in your one-day tour.

UAN Kanazawa – Combines stylish design, thoughtful amenities, and a central location. If you like a bit of luxury without going overboard, this is a great pick. You’ll find free evening soba noodles, lounge spaces to relax in, and options like courtyard or terrace rooms. The rooms are clean, elegant, and very comfortable, though if you want extra space (or a terrace or courtyard), it’s worth booking early.

Start your self-guided walking tour in Higashi Chaya District, one of the best-preserved historic areas in Kanazawa.

GOOD TO KNOW: Higashi Chaya is about a 20-minute walk or a short ride on the Kanazawa Loop Bus from Kanazawa Station. The nearest bus stop is Hashiba-cho (RL5 or LL10). Plan to spend about 1 to 1.5 hours here before heading to your next stop.

Higashi Chaya District still looks much like it did hundreds of years ago, with traditional wooden teahouses and narrow streets that capture the feel of old Japan.

“Chaya” means teahouse, and in Kanazawa, some of these historic buildings are still used for traditional entertainment. Even today, geisha perform here, showcasing dances and music played on instruments such as the shamisen (a three-stringed lute), bamboo flute, and drum.

The Higashi Chaya District is the perfect place to wander at your own pace, explore the narrow streets, and get a feel for what life was like in old Japan.

As you walk through Higashi Chaya District, you’ll notice that most buildings are two-story wooden teahouses with distinctive sliding wooden shutters on the upper floors. In the past, these shutters were opened whenever a performance or party was taking place inside.

The ground floors feature finely crafted “Kaga lattice” work — a style unique to Kanazawa — that adds beautiful detail to the façades.

The overall layout of a teahouse is similar to that of a merchant’s house, but with one key difference. In merchant homes, the front section of the second floor was low and used for storage. In teahouses, the upper floor was taller and designed as the main entertainment area, where guests were welcomed and performances were held.

Today, some teahouses still operate for private events, but most have been turned into cafés, shops, and small museums. Kanazawa is one of the few cities in Japan where geisha still work, so you’re seeing a tradition that has survived for centuries.

There are two teahouses worth visiting in Kanazawa: Kaikaro Tea House and Shima Tea House.

Kaikaro Tea House is the largest and most famous teahouse in the Higashi Chaya District, built in 1820 and beautifully preserved.

Before you step inside, take a moment to notice the barred wooden window panels, called kimusuko. They were designed to let in sunlight while keeping the interior private — a clever feature of traditional teahouse architecture.

Inside, Kaikaro offers a rare look at the refined world of Edo-period entertainment. You’ll enter through a wooden sliding door and immediately see the vermilion staircase, one of the teahouse’s most recognizable details.

Upstairs are the elegant ozashiki banquet rooms, where guests were once entertained. The rooms feature red-lacquered walls and bold fusuma-e paintings, giving you a sense of the luxury and artistry that defined Kanazawa’s teahouse culture.

Shima Tea House once catered to Kanazawa’s upper-class merchants during the Edo Period. Today, it’s beautifully preserved, offering a rare look into the refined world of geisha culture.

Inside, you can explore the geisha’s private quarters, located at the front of the house. Here you’ll see where geishas once applied their makeup, dressed for performances, and prepared to meet their guests. The rooms also feature a fascinating collection of accessories and tools used during that time.

Next to the geisha quarters is the reception room and office, where the okami-san (the mistress of the house) managed records and day-to-day operations.

Upstairs, you’ll find the elegant rooms used for entertaining guests, a glimpse into the artistry and grace that defined evenings in Kanazawa’s historic tea houses.

From Higashi Chaya District, the Gold Leaf Museum is about a 10-minute walk, or you can take the Kanazawa Loop Bus for a short ride if you prefer. It’s an easy stop and a fascinating glimpse into one of Kanazawa’s most famous crafts.

Visiting the Gold Leaf Museum is one of the most interesting things to do in Kanazawa. Here, you’ll learn how gold leaf is made, its long history, and all the ways it’s used in art and decoration.

Gold leaf is created by mixing a small amount of silver and copper with pure gold to make an alloy. The mixture is then sandwiched between two sheets of paper and hammered into an extremely thin sheet, so thin that it measures only 1/10,000th of a millimeter. Considering how delicate it is, it’s amazing to think how labor-intensive this process was before mechanization.

Gold leaf has been used for centuries, primarily for decoration. The technique was imported from China during the late Nara or early Heian Period (around 800 AD) and was introduced to feudal lord Toshiie Maeda in 1593. Maeda ordered Kaga region craftsmen to produce gold leaf, starting a tradition that continues today.

The museum displays a wide range of tools used for gold beating as well as artistic items collected by the famous artisan Komei Yasue. Exhibits include folding screens, Noh costumes, Kutani porcelain, Kanazawa Buddhist altars, Kaga lacquer work, and Kaga inlay pieces.

FUN FACT: 99% of the gold leaf produced in Japan comes from Kanazawa, making it a truly unique stop for your tour.

Just a short walk across the Asanogawa Ohashi Bridge from Higashi Chaya District is the quieter, picturesque Kazue-machi Chaya District. Compared with Higashi Chaya, this neighborhood is much less crowded, making it a perfect spot to soak up traditional Kanazawa without the hustle and bustle.

One of the most interesting features here is Kuragarizaka, or “Dark Slope,” a narrow stone-paved alley that connects the business district to the entertainment district. During the Edo Period, wealthy merchants used it to move discreetly between work and leisure, adding a little mystery to the area.

Kazue-machi is filled with narrow streets, wooden teahouses, and latticework façades lining the river. Some of these teahouses are still active, and in the evenings, the area becomes especially atmospheric: lanterns light the streets, and you might hear the faint strains of shamisen music drifting from inside. Keep an eye out — geisha occasionally appear as the sun sets, just as they did hundreds of years ago.

From Kazue-machi Chaya District, Kanazawa Castle is about a 10–15 minute walk or a short ride on the Kanazawa Loop Bus.

The castle sits on a hill with great views of the city and is easily recognized by its white walls and weathered tile roofs. It was originally built in 1580 by Sakuma Morimasa under orders from Oda Nobunaga, though he never lived there.

In 1583, Maeda Toshiie took control of the castle, and it became the seat of power for the Maeda clan until the Meiji Restoration in 1871. Fires destroyed many of the original buildings over the centuries, but some structures, like Ishikawamon Gate and Sanjikken Nagaya, have survived.

Kanazawa Castle / Kanazawa – Self-Guided One-Day Tour

Kanazawa Castle / Kanazawa – Self-Guided One-Day Tour

Today, several parts of the castle have been reconstructed using traditional wooden methods, including:

• Hishi Yagura Turret – overlooks the northern approach.
• Hashizume-mon Tsuzuki Yagura Turret – guards the entrance to the central grounds.
• Gojikken Nagaya Storehouse – connects the turrets.

These reconstructions, completed in 2001, give a clear look at Edo-period castle architecture. Don’t miss exploring the turrets and storehouse to see how the castle would have looked centuries ago.

From Kanazawa Castle, Kenrokuen Garden is just a 5–10 minute walk, making it an easy next stop on your self-guided tour.

Kenrokuen is considered one of Japan’s top three most beautiful gardens, and it’s easy to see why. The garden feels natural and effortless, but it’s actually the result of over two centuries of careful design and landscaping by Kanazawa’s master gardeners. Every hill, pond, and plant was intentionally placed to create an idealized version of nature, one that surprises and delights as you walk through it.

Don’t miss these highlights:

• Funsui Fountain – The oldest fountain in Japan. Its water comes from Kasumigaike Pond and flows naturally due to the difference in water levels between the two ponds. The fountain usually reaches 3.5 meters, but the height can change depending on the pond level.
• Kotoji-toro Stone Lantern – The garden’s most famous landmark. Built with two legs to represent the bridge of a koto (a traditional Japanese stringed instrument), this lantern has become a symbol of Kanazawa.

Take your time walking the paths, snapping photos, and noticing the careful arrangement of rocks, trees, and water features. Kenrokuen is beautiful year-round, so no matter when you visit, it’s a highlight of any Kanazawa trip.

From Kenrokuen Garden, the Nagamachi Samurai District is about a 15–20 minute walk or a short ride on the Kanazawa Loop Bus. This is the only samurai district still in existence in Japan, making it a unique stop on your self-guided tour.

Start your visit by strolling along the cobblestone streets and following the path along the peaceful Onosho Canal. The canal is lined with tall, historic mud walls, made from mud mixed with gravel and hardened over time. Today, these walls are protected with shingled roofs, and in winter, straw coverings shield them from the elements.

Unlike samurai in other parts of Japan, those in Kanazawa during the Edo Period (1603–1868) lived in a peaceful golden age under the Maeda clan. They focused on scholarly pursuits, craftsmanship, and building beautiful residences with opulent gardens rather than military campaigns.

One of the top places to visit in the district is the Nomura Samurai House, which has been home to the Nomura family for 11 generations. This house gives insight into the life of a high-ranking Edo-period samurai.

The drawing room is made of Japanese cypress with intricate rosewood and ebony designs. The alcove panel is crafted from paulownia wood, and all nails are hidden with black persimmon wood. Every sliding paper door features grand landscape paintings by Sasaki Senkei, a master of the Kano School.

Inside, you’ll also find personal effects of the Nomura family, including a samurai outfit, swords, lacquerware, and the family altar.

Step into the garden to see a classic Kobori Enshu-style garden. Highlights include a winding stream and waterfall, a bridge made of cherry granite, charming garden lanterns, and a unique 400+ year-old myrica tree — all carefully designed for beauty and harmony.

Garden at Nomura Samurai House / Kanazawa – Self-Guided One-Day Tour

From Nagamachi Samurai District, Omi-cho Market is about a 10–15 minute walk or a short ride on the Kanazawa Loop Bus.

Established in 1721 during the Edo period, Omi-cho Market has been a cornerstone of Kanazawa’s culinary scene for over 300 years. Affectionately known as “Kanazawa’s Kitchen”, it offers a vibrant mix of fresh seafood, local produce, and regional specialties.

The market features over 170 shops, including fishmongers, greengrocers, butchers, and specialty food vendors. Here, you’ll find everything from fresh sashimi and seasonal vegetables to pickles, sweets, sake, and more.

A few local specialties are not to be missed. Kaisendon, a seafood rice bowl topped with fresh sashimi, is a local favorite and served at many nearby restaurants. Jiro Ame soft-serve ice cream, made with barley and rice, offers a unique, lightly sweet flavor. Kanazawa-style curry is another must-try — thick, rich, and often served with tonkatsu (breaded pork cutlet). Champion’s Curry is a popular spot to taste this dish.

GOOD TO KNOW: For the best experience, visit on a weekday morning when the market is less crowded. Many shops are closed on Wednesdays and Sundays, and while cash is widely accepted, some vendors may not take credit cards.

PRO TIP: One tour I’m recommending is a Taste of Kanazawa, where you start at Omicho Market tasting fresh seafood and local treats, then stroll through Kazuemachi and Higashi Chaya Districts to enjoy the historic streets and traditional sweets.