Is Kanazawa Worth Visiting? My Honest Review (2026)

Kanazawa isn’t necessarily one of the most popular places to visit in Japan, but that’s probably exactly why I enjoyed spending time there so much.

It’s a coastal city that’s way quieter than Osaka, Kyoto, or Tokyo, but it is super charming. It has a beautiful castle, a massive Japanese garden, and some really beautiful traditional geisha districts. 

I personally always say if you want to get off the typical tourism path in Japan, Kanazawa is probably a great first step in that direction.

I had an amazing time there, especially because I had spent so much time in the big cities right before. I really enjoyed finally being somewhere quieter and calmer, but still really beautiful and fun to explore, with, of course, amazing Japanese food on top of that.

I know Kanazawa isn’t that popular yet, but I also know loads of you want to see more than just the big cities. I figured I’ll put together a series of guides, starting with this one: Is Kanazawa worth visiting? 

I want to help you guys get a rough idea of what to actually expect and what Kanazawa is all about.

Is Kanazawa Worth Visiting? My Quick Answer

The short answer is yes, in my opinion, it is 100% worth it.

I was lucky enough to have a whole month in Japan, so I had plenty of time to wander off the main path to places like Kanazawa. 

That being said, if you’re on a super tight schedule, I wouldn’t necessarily call it a “must-see” in the same way I would Tokyo or Kyoto. I wouldn’t pick it over the icons if you’re rushed, but if you have a few extra days to breathe, Kanazawa is an amazing addition to your itinerary.

What I loved most was how authentic it felt. It’s less crowded and just felt more “real” than the major hubs, mostly because it isn’t completely overrun with tourism. I spent a lot of time just walking by the river and exploring tiny traditional alleyways. 

My favorite part probably was that I actually found amazing food spots where I didn’t have to stand in a line for hours. After the madness of the bigger cities, having a less crowded experience was such a nice change of pace.

The absolute highlight for me was Kenroku-en. It’s supposed to be one of the top three most beautiful gardens in Japan, and honestly, it lives up to the title. That and the castle were definitely the parts of the trip that stuck with me the most.

What I Loved About Kanazawa Japan

Kanazawa is less crowded

I’m not necessarily the type of person to actively complain about tourist crowds, I mean, I’m a tourist myself, so I can’t really blame other people for doing exactly what I’m doing. But the reality is that, of course, I’d much rather have a quieter experience if possible. 

That’s the main reason why I loved Kanazawa so much, especially after the shoulder-to-shoulder crowds in Kyoto. Yes, I still saw other tourists, but overall it was so much less busy and I loved it. That alone made me feel like I was visiting a proper “off the beaten path” place.

Kanazawa Castle & Kenroku-en Gardens

My favorite part of the city was definitely the Kanazawa Castle Park and the Japanese garden right next to it. 

Wow, they are just so beautiful. I’ve been to a few gardens in Japan by now, but this one is easily my absolute favorite. It’s so peaceful that I literally spent hours just wandering around and needless to say, I tried to get some cute pictures while I was at it!

Kanazawa is cheaper!

Another thing I obviously loved is that Kanazawa was just so much cheaper overall. It really goes to show how overpriced cities like Kyoto and Tokyo can be. 

I stayed in a really beautiful, brand-new boutique hotel that was super cute, and I only spent about $50 USD a night. I feel like every hotel I looked at in Tokyo or Kyoto was at least $150 USD a night for me. I can’t remember the exact numbers for everything, but I’m also sure that going out for dinner here was a lot more budget-friendly than in the big cities.

Traditional & Architecture

Kanazawa, at least in my opinion, was such a beautiful city with so many old and traditional areas. There are loads of traditional houses, so it felt “very Japanese” to me, if that makes sense. It felt more picturesque and serene than the massive urban hubs.

Walkability

If you’ve ever read any of my other blog posts, you might already know that I love walking. I love exploring as much as I can on foot because I think it’s the best way to actually see a city. I stayed in the city center in Kanazawa and I could literally just walk everywhere; I never had to take public transport once, and I loved that!

Things I Didn’t Like About Kanazawa

Quiet at Night

I’m not saying I was looking to party or anything, but Kanazawa was super sleepy. I remember walking through the city center at maybe 8:00 PM or 9:00 PM after dinner, and it was just dead. There were barely any people around, which I guess isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it was just something I noticed.

Not many Big Sights

I definitely loved Kanazawa a lot, I just want to tell you guys that it’s not necessarily known for its big, iconic sights. 

I came here for the overall atmosphere and for experiencing a town that’s less busy and less touristy, just to wander and explore. It wasn’t about checking off a list of world-famous landmarks. There are definitely cool things to see, like the castle (don’t get me wrong!), but it’s just not quite on the same scale as Kyoto.

What to Do in Kanazawa Japan

Visit the Kanazawa Castle Park

I’ve been to so many castles in Japan, but Kanazawa Castle is easily one of my favorites. It’s super majestic and sits right in the middle of a beautiful park. I did get a little unlucky though (typical me), and there were parts of it under construction when I visited. Even with the scaffolding, I still had a great time. I got lucky with the weather, at least, and wandering through the park under a bright blue sky was the best.

Wander Through Kenroku-en Gardens

The Kenroku-en Gardens were so stunning when I was there. Keep in mind that I was visiting in November, so the fall foliage was in full swing, which definitely made the experience even better. The gardens are so well-kept, with little ponds, lakes, streams, and loads of trees. It was just beautiful and felt incredibly peaceful overall.

Explore the Higashi Chaya District

Higashi Chaya is definitely the most popular geisha district in Kanazawa (there are actually a few others, too!). It’s really beautiful, with cobblestone streets and old buildings that make you feel like you’ve gone back in time. I thought it was nice to just wander around here and soak it all in.

I also did one of the most “touristy” things possible: getting soft-serve ice cream with actual gold leaf on top! Since Kanazawa is known for its gold leaf production, it felt like a must. I definitely overpaid for it, but it was a fun gimmick for the experience.

Join a Sake Tasting

While I was in the Chaya district, I decided to join a sake tasting at a place called Fukumitsuya Higashi. I figured it might be fun and that maybe I’d finally discover a taste for it. First off, the place was great, the staff were super friendly and amazing at leading us through the tasting, so I’m definitely praising the experience itself.

However, it turns out sake just isn’t for me. I don’t know what I was expecting, but oh boy, I couldn’t even finish it! I’m clearly not an expert, but it felt like doing a vodka tasting. It’s definitely not my thing, you guys, but at least now I know!

Where to Stay in Kanazawa Japan

I’ll keep this quick and easy because I don’t want to make it more difficult for you than it needs to be. Kanazawa is much smaller than Tokyo, for instance, so the actual neighborhood you stay in won’t matter as much as long as you stay somewhere central.

I stayed in an area called Kamiomicho, which is basically the city center, and it was perfect. I had the Omicho Market right next to my hotel (they have amazing sushi there, by the way), and I could walk anywhere. From the famous geisha districts to restaurants and the castle, I could reach anywhere in 20 min tops. I highly recommend doing that, it’s the best way to see the city.

Just stay central and you’ll be fine. Here are some of my favorite hotels in Kanazawa that are right in the city center:

Book Here: Hotel Kanazawa Zouchi

Book Here: UAN Kanazawa

FAQs About Is Kanazawa Worth It?

How to get to Kanazawa?

The easiest way is by Shinkansen, which is the bullet train in Japan. I took the Shinkansen from Kyoto, which only took me about 2 hours and was super easy.

What is there to do in Kanazawa?

Kanazawa is known for its more relaxed and quiet atmosphere. My favorite things I did were visiting the multiple geisha and samurai districts and exploring the Kanazawa Castle Park. I also did a sake tasting which I guess was fun but I also found out that I hate sake.

What is the best time to visit Kanazawa?

Kanazawa can be absolutely magical but also super busy around cherry blossom season for sure. I went to Kanazawa in late November during fall foliage and it was absolutely gorgeous with all its orange, brown, and golden leaves. I definitely think fall foliage is underrated and I might even prefer it to cherry blossoms.

Should I go to Kanazawa Japan?

100%. If you have the time for some “off the beaten track” exploration in Japan, then I would totally recommend Kanazawa. I spent about 3 full days in Kanazawa and I loved the more relaxed and authentic vibe, especially compared to Kyoto or Tokyo.

Final Thoughts on Staying in Kanazawa Japan

All in all, I have to say I’m a huge fan of Kanazawa. I really enjoyed a city that felt more real, authentic, and calmer. Especially compared to Kyoto, Tokyo, and Osaka, Kanazawa felt super different and I really liked that.

I don’t think Kanazawa is necessarily a “must-see” in the sense that I wouldn’t pick it over Kyoto or Tokyo if you’re short on time. But for any of you that are looking for a less touristy experience, Kanazawa is a really easy one to add to your itinerary.

I hope this little guide on is Kanazawa worth visiting gives you a good idea of what it’s about and if it’s worth your time, I think it probably is!

Check Out My Other Kanazawa Guides

How Many Days in Kanazawa: A Day to Day Guide

The Best Time to Visit Kanazawa: My Favorite Season of the Year

Best Cafes in Kanazawa: My Favorite Coffee Shops in Kanazawa

Best Food in Kanazawa: My Number One Restaurants in Kanazawa

Is Kanazawa Worth Visiting? My Honest Review

2 Days in Kanazawa Itinerary: How I Spent 48 Hours in Kanazawa

Where to Stay in Kanazawa: My Favorite Areas & Hotels I Stayed At

Things to Do in Kanazawa: Activities in Kanazawa I Enjoyed the Most

Check Out My Other Japan Travel Guides

Japan Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting Japan

Best eSIM for Japan: My Honest Comparison

Is Japan Worth Visiting? My Honest Review

Is Japan Expensive to Visit? Japan Budget Guide

7 Days in Japan Itinerary: How I Spent 1 Week in Japan