Kanazawa, the capital of Ishikawa Prefecture on the Sea of Japan, is the former city of the Maeda clan: people come for the Kenroku-en garden, one of Japan’s three great gardens, the castle park, the teahouses of Higashi Chaya, the Nagamachi samurai district and the Omicho market. Since the Hokuriku Shinkansen arrived in 2015, the city has had a direct high-speed rail link to Tokyo (Wikipedia). What to see, how many days, when to go: here is the essentials, with official sources.
Kenroku-enopen every day, 7:00-18:00 from 1 March to 15 October, 8:00-17:00 from 16 October to the end of February (last entry 30 minutes before closing); 320 yen per adult — checked 12 November 2026 on the Ishikawa Prefecture site
Getting thereHokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo; nearest airport: Komatsu
Time zoneUTC+9 all year: 9 h ahead of London in winter (8 h in summer) and 14 h ahead of New York in winter (13 h in summer)
Climatevery wet, especially in winter (301 mm / 11.9 in in December); August at 31.3 °C (88 °F) average maximum (JMA 1991-2020)
Best timesApril-May and October-November
EntryUS citizens: visa-free stays of up to 90 days (U.S. State Department); UK citizens: visa on arrival for up to 90 days (UK FCDO)
What to see in Kanazawa: the highlights
Kenroku-en garden
Laid out by the Maeda lords from the 17th century, Kenroku-en is ranked among Japan’s three great gardens with Mito’s Kairaku-en and Okayama’s Kōraku-en (Wikipedia): ponds, the Kotoji lantern, stone bridges, a tea house and the « yukitsuri » ropes that protect the pines from snow in winter. According to Ishikawa Prefecture, the garden is open all year (except the Shigure-tei tea house, closed from 29 December to 3 January), from 7:00 to 18:00 from 1 March to 15 October and from 8:00 to 17:00 from 16 October to the end of February, with last entry 30 minutes before closing; adult admission is 320 yen. Entry is free on certain dates: about 7 days during the cherry blossom season, 3 days in early June during the Hyakumangoku festival, 14 to 16 August, 3 November and 31 December to 3 January (checked 12 November 2026 on shiro-niwa.pref.ishikawa.lg.jp).
Kanazawa Castle Park
Directly opposite Kenroku-en, the castle park has had several of its buildings rebuilt in wood using traditional techniques, including the Hishi-yagura turret and the Gojukken-nagaya long storehouse (Wikipedia). The park is free to enter; some interior buildings charge admission. The Gyokusen’inmaru garden completes the visit.
Higashi Chaya, the teahouse district
Across the Asano River, Higashi Chaya has wooden teahouses with latticed facades, some of which can be visited. Kanazawa is also known for gold leaf: almost all of Japan’s production comes from here (Wikipedia), and you will even find it on ice creams in the district. Come early in the morning for quieter streets.
Nagamachi, the samurai district
Lanes lined with earthen walls, canals and former samurai family homes: Nagamachi keeps the atmosphere of the feudal town. The Nomura House, with its small garden, is the most visited (Wikipedia).
Omicho Market
Omicho Market has been Kanazawa’s « pantry » since the Edo period: fish and seafood from the Sea of Japan, crab in winter, and small stalls serving rice bowls with toppings (kaisendon) for lunch. Many stalls close in the middle of the afternoon: come in the morning.
The 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art
A circular glass building designed by the firm SANAA, opened in 2004, this museum is known for its installations, including Leandro Erlich’s « swimming pool » (Wikipedia). Part of the spaces can be entered freely; exhibitions are paid. Some installations require a timed ticket: check the museum’s website before you come.
Day trips: Shirakawa-go and the Noto Peninsula
The village of Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO World Heritage site for its thatched « gassho-zukuri » farmhouses, can be visited as a day trip from Kanazawa, by bus or on an organised tour. Further north, the Noto Peninsula was hard hit by the earthquake of 1 January 2024 (Wikipedia): find out about the state of roads and sites before making any plans.
Booking visits: official site or reseller?
Kenroku-en, the castle and the museum sell tickets on site. Resellers mainly offer day trips to Shirakawa-go, tea ceremonies or gold-leaf workshops: check what is included (transport, entrance fees, guide), the meeting point and the cancellation terms.
Kanazawa in one or two days
Morning: Kenroku-en at opening time, then the castle park.
Midday: Omicho Market (kaisendon).
Afternoon: the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, then Nagamachi.
Late afternoon: Higashi Chaya and the banks of the Asano.
Second day: day trip to Shirakawa-go, or a gold-leaf workshop and the Kazuemachi district.
If you…
Then…
Come from Tokyo
Direct Hokuriku Shinkansen; two nights let you add Shirakawa-go
Want the cherry blossoms
Late March to early April, when entry to Kenroku-en is partly free
Come in winter
The yukitsuri ropes and snow on the garden, but often grey skies: 62 hours of sunshine in January
Love food
Omicho in the morning, Sea of Japan crab in season
Are short of time
One day is enough for Kenroku-en, the castle, Omicho and Higashi Chaya
Are aiming for Noto
Check the state of access first after the 2024 earthquake
When to go to Kanazawa
Official 1991-2020 normals from the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) for the Kanazawa station, with our calculations of sunrise, sunset and day length.
Month
Max °C (°F)
Min °C (°F)
Precipitation mm (in)
Sunshine (hours/month)
Sunrise / sunset on the 15th
Day length
Verdict
January
7.1 (45)
1.2 (34)
256 (10.1)
62
07:04 / 17:00
9 h 56 min
⚠️ Cold, frequent snow and rain
February
7.8 (46)
1.0 (34)
163 (6.4)
86
06:42 / 17:33
10 h 51 min
⚠️ Cold, often grey skies
March
11.6 (53)
3.4 (38)
157 (6.2)
145
06:05 / 18:00
11 h 55 min
✅ End of winter, bright spells
April
17.3 (63)
8.2 (47)
144 (5.7)
185
05:20 / 18:27
13 h 06 min
✅ Cherry blossom, mild
May
22.3 (72)
13.6 (56)
138 (5.4)
207
04:46 / 18:52
14 h 06 min
✅ The most pleasant
June
25.6 (78)
18.4 (65)
170 (6.7)
162
04:34 / 19:13
14 h 39 min
⚠️ Rainy season
July
29.5 (85)
22.9 (73)
233 (9.2)
167
04:46 / 19:12
14 h 26 min
⚠️ Hot, humid and wet
August
31.3 (88)
24.1 (75)
179 (7.0)
216
05:10 / 18:45
13 h 35 min
❌ The hottest (31.3 °C / 88 °F)
September
27.2 (81)
19.9 (68)
232 (9.1)
154
05:35 / 18:01
12 h 27 min
⚠️ Rainy, typhoons possible
October
21.8 (71)
13.9 (57)
177 (7.0)
152
05:59 / 17:18
11 h 18 min
✅ Mild, autumn
November
15.9 (61)
8.1 (47)
251 (9.9)
109
06:30 / 16:45
10 h 15 min
✅ Maples, cool
December
10.2 (50)
3.5 (38)
301 (11.9)
69
06:57 / 16:38
9 h 41 min
❌ The wettest month
Temperatures, precipitation and sunshine: 1991-2020 normals from the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), Kanazawa station (data as given by Wikipedia). Sunrise, sunset and day length on the 15th of each month: Destination de Voyage calculation (NOAA solar algorithm).
Reading the table: Kanazawa is on the « Sea of Japan » side: winter is grey and very wet, unlike Tokyo. Destination de Voyage calculation: November, December and January total 808 mm (31.8 in), or 34% of the annual 2,402 mm (94.6 in), and January has only 62 hours of sunshine, against 216 in August. August is the hottest month (31.3 °C, 88 °F maximum; 24.1 °C, 75 °F minimum). April-May and October-November offer 16 to 22 °C (61 to 72 °F) in the afternoon: these are the best periods, with the cherry blossoms of Kenroku-en in spring and the maples in autumn.
Kanazawa Station is served by the Hokuriku Shinkansen, which links it directly to Tokyo; the line was extended to Tsuruga in 2024 (Wikipedia). The nearest airport is Komatsu, south-west of the city; from abroad you usually arrive via Tokyo or Osaka, then continue by train. For a private transfer, check the pick-up point and how delays are handled.
In the city
The centre can be explored on foot and by bus: loop lines link the station to the main sites (Kenroku-en, Higashi Chaya, Omicho). To compare rail passes and single tickets, see our Japan travel guide. Driving in Japan is on the left, and GOV.UK says UK visitors need the 1949 version of the international driving permit plus their UK licence and insurance documents.
Where to stay in Kanazawa
The station district is the most practical with luggage and for an early-morning excursion. The Korinbo and Katamachi area, between the castle and Nagamachi, puts sites and restaurants within walking distance. Ryokan can be found near Higashi Chaya.
Entry requirements, health and safety
US citizens
According to the U.S. Department of State (travel.state.gov, last updated August 11, 2025), US citizens can make « visa free » tourist or business stays of up to 90 days. Your passport must be valid for the entire time you are staying in Japan, and you should have proof of a return or onward ticket. You cannot work on the local economy or change to another visa while in Japan. All visitors must provide fingerprints and have their photo taken on arrival, and immigration officers may deny entry if you lack proof of how you will support yourself.
UK citizens
According to the UK FCDO (GOV.UK foreign travel advice, updated 28 August 2026), you can get a visa on arrival for tourism or business for up to 90 days and do not need to apply before you travel. Your passport must be valid for the length of your stay (no additional validity is required) and you need a blank page for your visa stamp. You can apply at your nearest immigration office for an extension of another 90 days.
If the two governments’ wording differs (US: « visa free »; UK: visa on arrival), check the current rules with the Japanese embassy before you travel.
Health and safety
Bears: GOV.UK says bear sightings and attacks have increased in parts of Japan, especially in mountainous and forested areas, including near populated zones. It advises researching local wildlife, avoiding walking alone where bears have been sighted and reporting sightings to the local authorities. This is useful advice if you plan walks around Shirakawa-go or in the mountains of the region.
Winter: the U.S. State Department lists heavy snow among the main weather events in Japan: in winter, northern Japan and the mountains get a lot of snow, which can disrupt travel.
Noto Peninsula: neither GOV.UK nor the U.S. State Department sections we read give specific advice on the Noto Peninsula; check local conditions before travelling there.
Emergencies: dial 110 for police and 119 for ambulance and fire (GOV.UK).
Earthquakes and tsunamis: GOV.UK says Japan is in a major earthquake zone; take note of instructions in hotel rooms and at train stations, and monitor Japan Meteorological Agency information, including tsunami warnings.
Typhoons and heavy rain: according to GOV.UK, the typhoon season runs from June to December and peaks from July to September, with the highest risk in the south; intense rain can cause floods and landslides. Follow local authorities and any evacuation orders.
Medication: GOV.UK warns that some common medicines are illegal in Japan, including Vicks inhalers, cold and flu medication containing pseudoephedrine and some painkillers containing codeine; the U.S. State Department notes that some prescription drugs legal in the United States are illegal in Japan. Check with the Japanese embassy before you travel.
Food imports: it is illegal to bring meat products, including sausages, bacon and ham, into Japan without permission from the Animal Quarantine Service (GOV.UK).
Money: GOV.UK says Japan is still a predominantly cash-based society and that cards issued outside Japan may not always work; post offices, 7-Eleven stores and JP Post Bank cash machines accept some foreign cards.
Health care: medical facilities are of a high quality but treatment is expensive (GOV.UK); make sure your travel insurance covers medical costs.
Language: A few words go a long way here: start learning Japanese on Targumi before your trip, with 30% off via our link.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do I need for Kanazawa?
One day for Kenroku-en, the castle, Omicho and Higashi Chaya; two days with Nagamachi, the 21st Century Museum and a day trip to Shirakawa-go.
What are the opening hours of Kenroku-en?
7:00-18:00 from 1 March to 15 October, 8:00-17:00 from 16 October to the end of February, last entry 30 minutes before closing; open every day (Ishikawa Prefecture, checked 12 November 2026).
Is Kenroku-en free on certain days?
Yes, according to the prefecture: about 7 days during the cherry blossom season, 3 days in early June, 14 to 16 August, 3 November and 31 December to 3 January.
When is the best time to go to Kanazawa?
April-May and October-November; winter is very wet (301 mm / 11.9 in in December) and August is the hottest month (JMA 1991-2020).
How do I get from Tokyo to Kanazawa?
By the Hokuriku Shinkansen, direct from Tokyo.
What should I bring back from Kanazawa?
Gold-leaf items, lacquerware and Kutani ceramics, specialities of the city.
Our sources
Ishikawa Prefecture (shiro-niwa.pref.ishikawa.lg.jp): Kenroku-en practical information, checked 12 November 2026
Japan Meteorological Agency: 1991-2020 normals, Kanazawa station (via Wikipedia, which cites the JMA)
Wikipedia (English): Kanazawa, Kenroku-en, Kanazawa Castle, Higashi Chaya, Nagamachi, Ōmichō Market, 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Hokuriku Shinkansen, 2024 Noto earthquake
Astronomical calculations: NOAA solar algorithm applied by Destination de Voyage (15th of each month, year 2027)
Learn the languageTargumiLearn a few words of Japanese before you go — 30% off via our link.See the course
