Guidebook for Kanazawa-shi
Food Scene
Bistro ryomon
1-chōme-23-6 Higashiyama静かな雰囲気のビストロ。 肉料理やパスタなど、おいしいメニューばかり。
季の肴 雨㐂草
2-chōme-12-14 Katamachiワンランク上の居酒屋。 おしゃれな雰囲気と美味しい肴。くじらのような変わった食材も使ったりします。 メニューが幅広いので、オススメしやすいお店です。
片町界隈で最も好きなおでん屋さん。 おでん以外のお料理もおいしいです。 https://tabelog.com/ishikawa/A1701/A170101/17002725/
おでん居酒屋 三幸 - Oden Miyuki Honten
1-chōme-10-3 Katamachi片町界隈で最も好きなおでん屋さん。 おでん以外のお料理もおいしいです。 https://tabelog.com/ishikawa/A1701/A170101/17002725/
旬房さかい
個人的に金沢でもベストのお店です。 ミシュラン一つ星。予約は必須です。 https://tabelog.com/ishikawa/A1701/A170101/17008543/
A seafood and grilled skewer restaurant run by a Japanese chef who was trained in Los Angeles. They also have a great sake selection. The TripAdvisor ratings are pretty high, too. The chef speaks English, and there is an English menu available. About 2–3 minutes from the apartment. https://tabelog.com/ishikawa/A1701/A170101/17010216/
Elbow Room
A seafood and grilled skewer restaurant run by a Japanese chef who was trained in Los Angeles. They also have a great sake selection. The TripAdvisor ratings are pretty high, too. The chef speaks English, and there is an English menu available. About 2–3 minutes from the apartment. https://tabelog.com/ishikawa/A1701/A170101/17010216/
A conveyor belt sushi restaurant in Omicho Market. They usually get pretty crowded during lunchtime (especially on weekends). https://tabelog.com/ishikawa/A1701/A170101/17000822/
6 Einheimische empfehlen
かいてん寿し大倉
38 ShimotsutsumichōA conveyor belt sushi restaurant in Omicho Market. They usually get pretty crowded during lunchtime (especially on weekends). https://tabelog.com/ishikawa/A1701/A170101/17000822/
This restaurant serves modern takes on traditional Japanese cuisine, and their incredible ratings on TripAdvisor are a testament to the quality. The staff is friendly and can speak English. About five minutes from the apartment. https://tabelog.com/ishikawa/A1701/A170101/17009548/
13 Einheimische empfehlen
PLAT HOME Kanazawa Kitchen
1-chōme-3-4 HikosomachiThis restaurant serves modern takes on traditional Japanese cuisine, and their incredible ratings on TripAdvisor are a testament to the quality. The staff is friendly and can speak English. About five minutes from the apartment. https://tabelog.com/ishikawa/A1701/A170101/17009548/
Drinks & Nightlife
A charming hideaway of a bar, located in a rebuilt machiya townhouse. They're usually open pretty late. About 6–7 minutes from the apartment. https://tabelog.com/ishikawa/A1701/A170101/17008555/
長屋Ｂａｒ
1-chōme-8-26 HikosomachiA charming hideaway of a bar, located in a rebuilt machiya townhouse. They're usually open pretty late. About 6–7 minutes from the apartment. https://tabelog.com/ishikawa/A1701/A170101/17008555/
Oriental Brewing
3-chōme-2-22 HigashiyamaKanazawa's craft beer brewery
Sightseeing
This Shinto shrine is dedicated to Maeda Toshiie, the first feudal lord of the Kaga Domain and the man who first established this city as a cultural and artistic center. The most distinctive element of the shrine is the front gate, which was built in the 19th century, not long after Japan opened to the outside world. The gate was designed by a Dutch architect and features a distinctively European look, with bricks and stained glass instead of the usual wood and vermilion paint, giving it a very unique look more like a European church.
30 Einheimische empfehlen
Oyama-Schrein
11-1 OyamamachiThis Shinto shrine is dedicated to Maeda Toshiie, the first feudal lord of the Kaga Domain and the man who first established this city as a cultural and artistic center. The most distinctive element of the shrine is the front gate, which was built in the 19th century, not long after Japan opened to the outside world. The gate was designed by a Dutch architect and features a distinctively European look, with bricks and stained glass instead of the usual wood and vermilion paint, giving it a very unique look more like a European church.
Parks & Nature
Originally built centuries ago, Kenrokuen is widely regarded as one of the finest traditional Japanese gardens in the country. Regular admission is inexpensive, or even free if you go very early in the morning (the hours vary by season, starting as early as 4:00 or as late as 6:00, but usually it’s around sunrise, and you have to enter via the Renchimon Gate entrance). Kenrokuen Garden is also right next to Kanazawa Castle Park and near the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa, making them a good set of destinations for a day out. Admission: ¥310 for adults, and ¥100 for kids 6–17. Hours: 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (8:00 to 5:00 Oct. 16 to end of Feb.)
72 Einheimische empfehlen
Kenroku-en
1 KenrokumachiOriginally built centuries ago, Kenrokuen is widely regarded as one of the finest traditional Japanese gardens in the country. Regular admission is inexpensive, or even free if you go very early in the morning (the hours vary by season, starting as early as 4:00 or as late as 6:00, but usually it’s around sunrise, and you have to enter via the Renchimon Gate entrance). Kenrokuen Garden is also right next to Kanazawa Castle Park and near the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa, making them a good set of destinations for a day out. Admission: ¥310 for adults, and ¥100 for kids 6–17. Hours: 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (8:00 to 5:00 Oct. 16 to end of Feb.)
Arts & Culture
A small museum dedicated to the early 20th century Buddhist philosopher Daisetz Suzuki, who was from Kanazawa. The building is located in a beautiful area a bit off the beaten path, and is largely dedicated to a personal history of Suzuki, with some reading materials available if you’re interested in his writings (including some translations into English). If you aren’t particularly into philosophy, the museum may still be worth a visit simply because of the architecture, especially the “water mirror garden” in back: essentially a giant reflecting pool that is occasionally interrupted by a small wave or two, which you can watch bouncing around the water.
33 Einheimische empfehlen
D.T. Suzuki Museum
3-chōme-4-20 HondamachiA small museum dedicated to the early 20th century Buddhist philosopher Daisetz Suzuki, who was from Kanazawa. The building is located in a beautiful area a bit off the beaten path, and is largely dedicated to a personal history of Suzuki, with some reading materials available if you’re interested in his writings (including some translations into English). If you aren’t particularly into philosophy, the museum may still be worth a visit simply because of the architecture, especially the “water mirror garden” in back: essentially a giant reflecting pool that is occasionally interrupted by a small wave or two, which you can watch bouncing around the water.
Located near Kenrokuen Garden and Kanazawa Castle Park. The grounds have some interesting outdoor exhibits, like the circle of colored walls and the tubes you can speak into, and the museum usually has some sort of interesting temporary exhibition. If nothing else, the centerpiece of the museum — designed to look like a swimming pool, and viewable from both above the “surface” and from “underwater” — is very memorable (and a popular spot to take pictures to post on social media!). Highly recommended for fans of contemporary art. Admission: Varies by exhibition (as of this writing, ¥1,000 or ¥360 for adults, depending on the exhibition, and ¥400 or free for children 6–17)
77 Einheimische empfehlen
21. Jahrhundert Museum für zeitgenössische Kunst
1-chōme-2-1 HirosakaLocated near Kenrokuen Garden and Kanazawa Castle Park. The grounds have some interesting outdoor exhibits, like the circle of colored walls and the tubes you can speak into, and the museum usually has some sort of interesting temporary exhibition. If nothing else, the centerpiece of the museum — designed to look like a swimming pool, and viewable from both above the “surface” and from “underwater” — is very memorable (and a popular spot to take pictures to post on social media!). Highly recommended for fans of contemporary art. Admission: Varies by exhibition (as of this writing, ¥1,000 or ¥360 for adults, depending on the exhibition, and ¥400 or free for children 6–17)
Shopping
The so-called “Kitchen of Kanazawa.” This public market is home to a variety of shops selling fresh seafood caught the very same morning, fresh produce, and much more. Unlike some of Japan’s other famous public markets (such as Kyoto’s Nishiki Market), Omicho still feels very much like it’s mainly meant as a marketplace for, say, people who want fresh seafood for their restaurant, rather than as a tourist destination. The shops here open early, and there are some really good and reasonably priced restaurants at Omochi Market, especially if you like seafood.
57 Einheimische empfehlen
Omicho Fischmarkt
50 上近江町The so-called “Kitchen of Kanazawa.” This public market is home to a variety of shops selling fresh seafood caught the very same morning, fresh produce, and much more. Unlike some of Japan’s other famous public markets (such as Kyoto’s Nishiki Market), Omicho still feels very much like it’s mainly meant as a marketplace for, say, people who want fresh seafood for their restaurant, rather than as a tourist destination. The shops here open early, and there are some really good and reasonably priced restaurants at Omochi Market, especially if you like seafood.
Essentials
FamilyMart Kanazawa Hashibacho Store
1-3 HashibachōClosest convenience store