Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Kanazawa?

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Kanazawa?

Many visitors spend one to two days in Kanazawa during their trip. If you're not sure how much time you might need here, we have the answers because your journey calls for making the most of every moment. The city offers the chance to spend time at the museums, sample the delicious cuisine, find the best deals at the shops, and browse around the old town.

Kanazawa is the capital of Ishikawa Prefecture and some people consider it a "Little Kyoto". The city has several traditional areas with preserved buildings. There are also museums and large markets to explore.

Do you have one or two days to visit Kanazawa? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.

Is one day enough time in Kanazawa?

Kanazawa is a small city that is quite popular with tourists. One day is probably not enough time here. You might feel rushed to see the main attractions of Kanazawa such as the famous sights and museums, the food, the quaint shops, and the historic old town. To thoroughly enjoy all that the city has to offer, you'll probably want more time. Most travelers schedule one to two days to fully experience the cultural city. Nevertheless, if time is of the essence, we have some nice suggestions for your visit.

How to spend a day in Kanazawa

Don't miss Kenroku-en Garden during your trip to Kanazawa, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.

The restaurant and food scene here is top notch, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine. There's a long history to the city's cuisine and you'll find many diverse dishes that combine traditional ingredients with international fusion. The cuisine uses a lot of seafood, but you'll also find the one pot meal of Hanton Rice, Oden (hot pot), and Jibu-ni (made with duck and vegetables).

Kanazawa is a walkable city and easy to explore on foot. With only a day in the city, you'll have no trouble seeing the local sights. The city is relatively walkable with some rolling hills. It's possible to walk to Kanazawa Castle from Kanazawa Station in about 35 minutes.

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Kanazawa?

For many visitors, a weekend in Kanazawa would be just the right amount of time. In fact, lots of tourists spend roughly one to two days in the cultural city to check out the amazing museums and landmarks and terrific food. Below we have some suggestions on how to spend your time here.

Kanazawa, Japan

How to spend 2 days in Kanazawa

If you have more than a weekend (two to three days) in Kanazawa, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the city has to offer.

A number of fantastic museums and famous landmarks are found in Kanazawa, so spend at least one full day exploring those that look the most appealing to you. The city is filled with history and you can visit the Kanazawa Castle, the Higashi Chaya Area with preserved Geisha houses, and the Nagamachi Samurai House Area. There are also museums such as the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art and the D.T. Suzuki Museum.

The nightlife scene is very popular here. After dark, head out to one of the many venues around town. The town has everything from international style bars to local theaters that let you experience the traditional Japanese culture.

The public transit in Kanazawa is fast and efficient. Over the course of a few days, you should be able to explore the city quite easily and affordably. There are two main buses that tourists use in town. The Kenrokuen Shuttle goes between the Kanazawa Station and Kenrokuen Gardens and the Kanazawa Loop Bus runs from Kanazawa Station via the Teramachi area, the Higashi Chaya District, and Omicho Market.

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Kanazawa, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.