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4 Hours in Kanazawa Sights of Kanazawa Strolling Tour

4 Hours in Kanazawa

Sightseeing in Kanazawa

Sights of Kanazawa Strolling Tour

Start at

[Kanazawa Station]

Board Kanazawa Loop Bus (Right Loop) (200 yen)

↓ Ride 20 minutes

[1. Kenroku-en Garden & Kanazawa Castle Park] 80 minutes (500 yen)

↓ Walk 15 minutes

[2. 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa] 30 minutes (Free for Public Zone)

↓ Walk 3 minutes

[3. Kanazawa Crafts Hirosaka] 20 minutes

Board Kanazawa Loop Bus (Right Loop)　(200 yen)

↓ Ride 20 minutes

Get off at Kanazawa Station

[Lunch: Teishoku Set Meal] 60 minutes (2,000 yen)

For lunch tips, check the Dining Out page of Eye on Kanazawa (a local English-language free newspaper)
http://www.eyeon.jp/dining/cuisine.html

Total Cost: 2,900 yen

Option

[Option A: Making Maki-e]

90 minutes (Maki-e lesson: 3,240 yen)
At Nosaku, a lacquerware shop that's been in business for centuries, try your hand at painting a design on lacquer and highlighting it with decorative powder.

English website:
http://www.kanazawa.gr.jp/nosaku/info/makietaiken/index.html#english

[Option B: Ishikawa Traditional Crafts]

60 minutes (Admission: 260 yen)
Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Traditional Arts and Crafts

English website:
http://www.ishikawa-densankan.jp/english/index.html

A stroll through Kanazawa's classic sights…and its newest attractions

1. Kenroku-en Garden & Kanazawa Castle Park
80 minutes (Admission: 500 yen)

Ranked as one of Japan's three greatest traditional gardens, Kenroku-en was created during the Edo Period over the course of centuries by the samurai lords of the Kaga domain. The basic concept behind the garden is "immortality", with the large pond representing the oceans, and the small islands within it representing dwelling places of ageless sages. Altogether, the garden symbolizes the aspiration to eternal life and prosperity.
A bridge leads to Kanazawa Castle Park, where you can see the Ishikawa Gate, which survives from the Edo Period, and faithful reconstructions of other fortifications such as Hishi Yagura turret and the Gojukken Nagaya storehouse. The Maeda clan, who ruled Kaga and constructed the garden, were second in wealth only to the Tokugawa shoguns. While most of the historic structures that made up their residence at Kanazawa Castle were lost to a series of fires, in recent years many have been meticulously reconstructed using historical documentation and authentic period techniques.
The Gojukken Nagaya storehouse and Kawakita-mon gate are available to host exhibitions and post-convention events.

English website:
http://www.pref.ishikawa.jp/siro-niwa/english/top.html

2. 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa
30 minutes (Admission: Free for Public Zone)

This museum occupies two stories (one above ground, one below) in a brand-new glass-clad building designed by Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishijima, the famous duo of Pritzker-winning architects known as SANAA. Many of the artworks in the museum, including Leandro Erlich's The Swimming Pool, are immersive installations, making this a fun destination for the whole family.

English website:
https://www.kanazawa21.jp/en/

3. Kanazawa Crafts Hirosaka
20 minutes (Admission: Free)

This shop carries a wide selection of items from Kanazawa's unique craft traditions. Kaga inlay work, Kaga fishing flies and eight other crafts ranging from paper to embroidery are represented. There is a gallery featuring works by traditional master artisans, many available for purchase. These carefully curated items offer classic beauty that fits contemporary lifestyles. A perfect spot to buy souvenirs and gifts.