Major city · Japan
Kanazawa金沢
Give Kanazawa 1–2 nights: Kenroku-en, two teahouse districts and Omicho market fit in a day and a half on foot, no car needed.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- JPY
- Best months
- Apr–May, Oct–Nov
- avoid Jan–Feb (cold, heavy snow), mid-Aug (heat and humidity)
- Airport
- KMQ
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 5
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- Japan ↗IC cards (ICOCA/Suica) are topped up with cash at station machines.
- Japan ↗Smoking while walking is banned in most city centres; use designated areas.
- Japan ↗Shinkansen bags 160–250 cm (L+W+H) need a seat reserved with the oversized-baggage area.
Kanazawa keeps its Edo-period shape: samurai lanes, geisha teahouses and a castle garden sit within about an hour's walk of each other. The Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo takes 2.5–3 h, so it works as a stop between Tokyo and Kansai rather than a day trip. Two nights cover the core; one night if you arrive early and leave late.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Kanazawa, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Cities are increasingly cashless; temples, small restaurants and some lodging taxes still want cash.Japan-wide
- SIM or eSIMData-only eSIMs are the easy route: buy before you fly; voice SIMs need a residence card.Japan-wide
- Tap waterSafe from the tap everywhere; stations and parks have fountains.Japan-wide
- TippingRestaurants and bars: No tip; staff will chase you to return money left on the table.Japan-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 100 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Japan-wide
- SafetyKanazawa is a low-crime city and safe to walk at night in the centre.
- RestroomsFree, clean public toilets in stations, parks and konbini; paper goes in the toilet.Japan-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire and ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMuseums close on Mondays (Tuesday when Monday is a holiday); many family restaurants close one weekday, often Tuesday or Wednesday…Japan-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportKMQ Komatsu Airport (Bus to Kanazawa Station about 40 min, ¥1,300 (≈ US$9) (2026 estimate); some flights connect via Tokyo Haneda.).
- Getting aroundThe centre is compact and walkable: east (Higashiyama) to west (Teramachi) is about an hour at a stroll.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee¥400–700 (≈ US$3–5)
- Metro or bus rideLocal bus ride¥200–300 (≈ US$2–3)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week¥2,000–4,000 (≈ US$14–30)
- Museum or sight ticketKenroku-en garden entry¥320 (≈ US$3)
- Budget bedHostel or capsule bed, a night, per person¥3,500 (≈ US$25)
- Mid-range bedBusiness-hotel double room, a night, per room¥16,000 (≈ US$110)
- High-end bedBusiness-hotel double room, a night, per room¥35,000 (≈ US$250)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ¥7,000 (≈ US$50) · Mid ¥13,000 (≈ US$90) · High ¥25,000 (≈ US$170)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- KMQ Komatsu Airport (Bus to Kanazawa Station about 40 min, ¥1,300 (2026 estimate); some flights connect via Tokyo Haneda.)
Weather and climate
Kanazawa: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
7°C45°F
1°C34°F
20 rd
Feb
8°C46°F
1°C34°F
17 rd
Mar
12°C54°F
3°C37°F
16 rd
Apr
17°C63°F
8°C46°F
13 rd
May
22°C72°F
14°C57°F
12 rd
Jun
26°C79°F
18°C64°F
12 rd
Jul
30°C86°F
23°C73°F
13 rd
Aug
31°C88°F
24°C75°F
11 rd
Sep
27°C81°F
20°C68°F
13 rd
Oct
22°C72°F
14°C57°F
13 rd
Nov
16°C61°F
8°C46°F
17 rd
Dec
10°C50°F
4°C39°F
21 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The centre is compact and walkable: east (Higashiyama) to west (Teramachi) is about an hour at a stroll. City buses and a loop tourist bus cover the rest; a one-day bus pass is worth it if you ride three or more times. Bicycles rent at the station and through the Machi-Nori share scheme. Driving in the old town is a maze of one-way lanes: skip it.
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Komatsu
goDoor to door: About 30–45 min
Hokuriku Shinkansen or local train from Kanazawa Station
Airport town with its own station; pair with a flight or a quiet half day.
Kaga
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Hokuriku Shinkansen to Kaga Onsen, then local buses
Onsen town and craft villages; better as an overnight than a rushed return.
Nonoichi
cautionDoor to door: About 20 min
JR or local train from Kanazawa Station
A residential suburb with little for a short trip; useful only if you have a specific errand.
Hakui
cautionDoor to door: About 1.5 h
JR Nanao line from Kanazawa to Tsubata, then onward
Far up the Noto peninsula; a long half day, and check current access before going.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Kanazawa Station and Omicho market
Modern hotels, easiest with bags, market and buses on the doorstep.
Kohrinbo and Katamachi
The liveliest evening area: shops, bars and restaurants; walk to Nagamachi.
Higashi-Chayagai
Quiet lanes north of the Asano river, traditional inns and teahouses.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥7,000–11,000 (≈ US$50–75) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥11,000–18,000 (≈ US$75–130) excl. bed
- High
- ¥18,000 (≈ US$130)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Business-hotel double room1 × 2 nights × ¥16,000 | ¥32,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × ¥13,000 | ¥52,000 |
| Komatsu Airport bus, both ways2 × ¥2,600 | ¥5,200 |
| One-day bus pass, one day2 × ¥500 | ¥1,000 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × ¥2,500 | ¥5,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ¥9,520 |
| Trip total≈ ¥26,180 per person per day, bed included | ¥104,720≈ US$750 |
2026 estimate in yen; flights and rail passes excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | ¥400–700 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Seafood rice bowl at Omicho market | ¥1,500–3,500 (≈ US$11–25) |
| Gold-leaf soft-serve ice cream | ¥500–900 (≈ US$4–7) |
| Kenroku-en garden entry | ¥320 (≈ US$3) |
| Local bus ride | ¥200–300 (≈ US$2–3) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | ¥2,000–4,000 (≈ US$14–30) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Kanazawa is one of Japan's wettest cities: carry an umbrella year-round, and expect snow in January and February.
- Myōryū-ji (the 'Ninja Temple') admits visitors on guided tours only: reserve ahead, and the tour is in Japanese with an English folder.
- Some geisha-district houses are private: check for a sign before entering.
- National Route 157 south of the city is closed in bad weather: check before driving toward Ono.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 119
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Kanazawa金沢
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
ここまでお願いしますTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
Embassy
No embassies in Kanazawa; most countries keep embassies in Tokyo and consulates in Osaka. Check your own country's list before you travel.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Komatsu Airport → Kanazawa Station, bus: about ¥1,300 (≈ US$9), about 40 min
- Kanazawa → Tokyo, Hokuriku Shinkansen reserved: about ¥14,380 (≈ US$100), 2.5–3 h
- Tourist loop bus, one ride / day pass: ¥200 (≈ US$2) / ¥500 (≈ US$4)
Say or show
- すみません — Excuse me / Sorry (sumimasen)
- ありがとうございます — Thank you (arigatō gozaimasu)
- これをください — This one, please (kore o kudasai)
- いくらですか？ — How much is it? (ikura desu ka)
- カードで払えますか？ — Can I pay by card? (kādo de haraemasu ka)
- トイレはどこですか？ — Where is the toilet? (toire wa doko desu ka)
Tourist Information Lobby at Kanazawa Station has English-speaking staff and free maps.
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Kanazawa. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–May, Oct–Nov · avoid Jan–Feb (cold, heavy snow), mid-Aug (heat and humidity) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for KMQ: last bus times, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: station and Omicho, Higashi-Chayagai and Kazuemachi, Nagamachi and Kohrinbo, castle and Kenroku-en.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Kenroku-en, Kanazawa Castle, Shima House, Myōryū-ji) and eat pages with last orders.
- Winter fixtures for snow days and wet-weather swaps so gates A–D can go green.