The Best Time To Visit Kanazawa Japan: When I’d Go Back to Kanazawa 2026

Kanazawa is for sure a city that surprised me a lot, especially because originally I didn’t even plan on going there. I kind of just put it on my itinerary last minute and I’m very glad I did.

Kanazawa is a beautiful city, much smaller than Tokyo or Kyoto, that is packed with traditional districts, geisha and samurai heritage, beautiful gardens, and a castle.

I personally loved it a lot because it was way less crowded than other places I went to, and it also felt more authentic in a sense.

Today I want to talk to you guys about the best time to visit Kanazawa because I know from experience that with many places in Japan, weather and temperatures can make such a big difference.

They impact the tourist crowds and they bring cherry blossom season and fall foliage. So, let’s get into when to visit Kanazawa for the best experience.

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The Best Time To Visit Kanazawa Japan: When I’d Go Back to Kanazawa 2026

Best Time to Visit Kanazawa – My Quick Answer

I know that not all of you necessarily want to read this whole article, so I figured I’d give you a quick answer based on my personal experience and recommendations from when I visited Kanazawa.

First up, I visited Kanazawa in between Kyoto and Tokyo. I took the Shinkansen (the Japanese bullet train) from Kyoto to Kanazawa, which was super easy, and then I took it again from Kanazawa to Tokyo.

For that leg of the journey, I actually used a luggage forwarding service and my hotel in Kanazawa sent my suitcases directly to my hotel in Tokyo for only about $15 USD (I’m obsessed with this service, it’s called takkyubin)

It meant I didn’t have to lug them through the train stations, which is a big pro tip! For my personal itinerary, that’s where a Kanazawa visit made the most sense.

As far as the time of year goes, I went to Kanazawa in late November and I absolutely loved it. I had the most amazing time seeing the fall foliage in the Japanese gardens and at Kanazawa Castle Park. The temperatures were mild and the skies were blue (with the occasional rain, but I didn’t mind a bit of rain to be honest).

I really do think that either early spring or fall are the best times to visit Japan and Kanazawa specifically. At least for me, that’s definitely the case.

I’m a big explorer, so I walk around cities a lot to explore the sights and culture, and mild temperatures are just the best for that. I don’t want to be sweating all day while exploring, but I also don’t want to be freezing! Spring is usually more touristy due to the cherry blossoms, which makes me more of a “fall person.” I just think it’s the best time to visit.

Where to Place Kanazawa in Your Itinerary

I’ve seen a lot of people asking about when to visit Kanazawa, not in terms of the time of year, but where it actually fits into a Japan itinerary. That’s why I decided to squeeze in this quick section about it!

I can’t speak for everyone, but I visited Kanazawa in between Kyoto and Tokyo because it just made the most sense for me. I took the Shinkansen from Kyoto to Kanazawa and then from Kanazawa to Tokyo. Everything went smoothly, and it’s a route I’d definitely recommend.

My original plan was actually to go from Kanazawa to Takayama, then from Takayama to Mount Fuji, and finally from Mount Fuji to Tokyo. Looking at a map, that seemed like the most logical path.

However, public transport for that specific route didn’t really exist in the way I wanted it to, which is why I ended up skipping Takayama and doing a separate trip from Tokyo to Mount Fuji later on.

That being said, if you’re traveling Japan by car, that original mountain route is exactly what I would recommend! Otherwise, visiting Kanazawa by train between Tokyo and Kyoto works perfectly fine, whether you’re starting in Tokyo or finishing there.

Fall in Kanazawa (I Think This is My Favorite Time to Visit)

September-November

I visited Kanazawa in the fall and I’m convinced it’s the absolute best time to be in Japan. This is a hill I’m willing to die on! My general travel philosophy, whether I’m in Europe, the US, or Japan, is that if I’m not laying on a beach, autumn wins every time.

I’m a massive outdoor person and love exploring on foot all day. So for me, there is literally nothing worse than being hot and sticky while trying to enjoy some shrines and temples, so summer in Kanazawa is a huge “no-no.”

I’d much rather have some cozy and crisp, fall days with blue skies. Sure, I ran into the occasional rain shower, but I didn’t even mind because I wasn’t sweating my life away!

Also, since it’s the shoulder season, the crowds are way smaller than the spring or summer madness. And, hot take, I actually prefer the colourful fall foliage over the cherry blossoms anyway.

One little tip from my own experience: I arrived in Japan at the start of November and the trees weren’t really all golden and red yet. If you want the fall foliage peak, definitely aim for late November.

Winter in Kanazawa Japan (This Is When I’d Visit Kanazawa Again)

December-February

I’m already planning my next trip back to Japan, and Kanazawa is 100% on the list, but this time, I’m going in the winter.

I’ve always wanted to go snowboarding in Japan, so the plan is to combine a ski resort trip with some city exploring. Honestly, I can only imagine how beautiful Kanazawa looks covered in snow; seeing the Japanese gardens and the castle all draped in white must be a total dream.

A fun little thing I saw while I was there was the locals prepping for the winter season. They put up these massive rope structures over the trees (called Yukizuri) to catch the snow so the weight doesn’t snap the branches. It’s such a cool, unique look for the gardens.

Again, I have to compare this to the summer, specifically in Japan, I’m taking winter over summer every single time. I would much rather bundle up in a puffer jacket than be sweating my butt off!

On top of that, there is no better feeling than hopping into a tiny ramen shop on a frosty day and warming up with a big bowl of hot soup. It’s my favorite experience.

Kanazawa in Spring (Cherry Blossoms Season)

March-May

Springtime in Kanazawa, and Japan in general, is easily one of the most popular times to visit, and I totally get why. Even though I’m a die-hard fan of the fall, I have to be honest: I would love to experience Kanazawa in the spring.

The temperatures are supposed to be super mild with blue skies and barely any rain, which is basically the dream scenario for exploring a city on foot. The obvious highlight here is Sakura season.

While I haven’t been there myself during the bloom, I’ve seen the photos and they look insane. I’d even go as far as to say that Kanazawa might be one of the best spots in all of Japan for cherry blossoms. The entire Castle Park turns completely pink, and the famous Kenroku-en garden right next to it looks absolutely gorgeous draped in blossoms.

The only thing that usually stops me from pulling the trigger on a spring trip is the sheer volume of people. I know how intense the crowds in Japan can get, and even though Kanazawa is a bit more under-the-radar than Tokyo, late March and early April are still peak times. You’re definitely looking at higher hotel prices and a much busier vibe in town. If you don’t mind sharing the view with a few thousand other people, it’s clearly a bucket-list experience!

Summer in Kanazawa

June-August

By now, you probably already know that I’m not the biggest fan of summertime in Kanazawa. It’s nothing against the city itself, I’m just not built for that kind of weather!

Like much of Japan, Kanazawa gets incredibly hot and humid in the summer. It might not bother some of you, but I would honestly just be sweating my butt off.

I can’t imagine anything worse than wandering around a beautiful city all day feeling hot and sticky; it just isn’t for me. If you’re like me and love to explore every corner on foot, the heat can really take the fun out of it.

The one real perk here is that the crowds might be a little smaller. Because the conditions are so uncomfortable, it’s not as popular a time to visit as spring or fall. So, if you’re a heat-seeker who doesn’t mind the humidity, you might actually get some of those famous spots more to yourself!

FAQs About When to Visit Kanazawa Japan

Is Kanazawa worth visiting?

Absolutely, 100%! I’m a huge fan of visiting places in Japan that feel a bit more “off the beaten path,” and Kanazawa is perfect for that. It’s stunning, filled with traditional architecture, and has way fewer crowds than you’ll find in massive hubs like Kyoto or Tokyo.

What to do in Kanazawa in winter?

Kanazawa in the winter is gorgeous with all the snow-covered temples and shrines, even the Kanazawa Castle looks incredible with a fresh dusting of snow. My absolute favorite thing to do on a chilly day is just hop from one ramen shop to the next to warm up. It’s the ultimate winter vibe!

Does it snow in Kanazawa?

It definitely does snow! In fact, the snow gets so heavy that the locals put up these special rope structures over the trees and gardens called Yukizuri. They catch the snow so the weight of it doesn’t snap the branches off. It’s actually really cool to see in person.

What is the weather in Kanazawa like?

Kanazawa has very distinct seasons. You get real snow in the winter, super hot and humid summers, and then those perfect, mild temperatures in the spring and fall. In my opinion, spring and fall are definitely the best times to visit if you want to be comfortable.

Final Thoughts on When To Go To Kanazawa Japan

All in all, I think Kanazawa is a great destination for most of the year. Personally, I would avoid it in the summer, but other than that, you’re going to have a great time.

I honestly think winter in Japan is super underrated, too. I’m actually planning a trip right now to head back during the snowy months. I can’t wait to be all bundled up in a warm coat, wandering through the snow, and slurping hot ramen, it’s going to be amazing!

But if you aren’t a fan of the cold, fall is the winner for the smaller crowds and perfect walking weather. Spring is obviously beautiful too, just be prepared for it to be much busier!