What comes to mind when you think of Kanazawa? Is it the pavilions and towers of Kenroku-en? The stone-paved streets of Chaya District? Or the gleaming gold leaf craftsmanship? This historic city, known as the "Kaga Hyakumone," is now quietly embarking on an adventure where tradition meets technology—VR virtual reality experiences are making their way into every corner of this ancient city in unexpected ways.
What Makes Kanazawa's VR Different?
Tokyo Akihabara's VR experiences cater to hardcore gaming enthusiasts, while Osaka emphasizes commercial entertainment with dazzling effects. But Kanazawa's VR world takes a different path—"cultural experience." There aren't many VR facilities here, but each one strives to condense Kaga region's traditional culture and craft spirit into virtual space. Indeed in modest yet beautiful Kanazawa, VR is not just entertainment; it's a tool for cultural preservation and recreation.
Why is VR worth playing in Kanazawa? As the largest city along the Sea of Japan, Kanazawa has far fewer tourists compared to Tokyo or Osaka, which means VR facilities almost never require waiting in line, resulting in more stable experience quality. If you're interested in Japanese traditional culture, Kanazawa's VR experiences offer a unique "stepping into history" perspective—for example, walking through virtual century-old Chaya District in a Kaga-dyed kimono, or witnessing the complete gold leaf crafting process. These experiences are difficult to realize in larger cities.
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Recommended Experience Locations
VR facilities in Kanazawa City are mainly concentrated in several areas. Here are reviews based on actual visits:
1. Kanazawa City VR Experience Hall (かなざわとしVRたいけんかん)
Located within a complex commercial facility in the Korinbo Katamachi area, this is the most fully equipped VR experience space in central Kanazawa. The venue is small but well-appointed, offering approximately 6 different themed VR experiences. The most popular is "Tale of Kaga Hyakumone"—a 30-minute virtual tour that takes you through Edo-era Kanazawa streets, allowing you to experience the grandeur of the Maeda clan, lords of the Kaga Domain. The facility uses the latest standalone VR headsets, making it beginner-friendly for those trying VR for the first time. Note that it's closed on Wednesdays, and afternoons tend to be less crowded. Single experiences cost approximately ¥2,500-4,000.
2. 21st Century Museum VR Workstation (21せいきびじゅつかんVRワークステーション)
Located in the basement of the 21st Century Museum of Art, Kanazawa, the VR experience here is completely different—more art than game. The museum collaborates with Japanese VR creative teams on artistic projects, permanently exhibiting 3-4 VR artworks. Among these, "Corridor of Light" is an immersive spatial art piece combining light and shadow techniques, and limited VR special exhibitions are also held during certain periods. Perfect for visitors interested in contemporary art. Tickets can be upgraded with VR experience passes for approximately ¥800-1,500.
3. Gold Leaf Experience VR (金箔體驗VR)
Ishikawa Prefecture produces over ninety-five percent of Japan's gold leaf, and now Kanazawa's gold leaf craft experience has a VR version. Some traditional craft shops (such as Hakuzan) offer "virtual gold leaf making" experiences, recreating the complete process from gold melting to spreading using VR technology. In the end, you can create a gold leaf craft piece in the virtual environment to take home as a souvenir. This experience is shorter (approximately 15 minutes), ideal to pair with the actual gold leaf experience. Fees are approximately ¥1,200-2,000.
4. Omichō Market VR Food Adventure (おうみちょいちばVR美食ぼうけん)
Yes, you read correctly—Omichō Market, the kitchen of Kanazawa, now has a VR experience too. About a 3-minute walk from the actual Omichō Market, within a complex facility, there's a small "VR Food Adventure" experience. Using VR to recreate various stalls in the market, you can learn about Kaga region's ingredients and cuisine through mini-games, and finally receive a discount coupon usable at the actual market. Some restaurant set menus combined with VR experience offer surprisingly high value. Highly recommended for families with children, fees are approximately ¥800-1,500.
5. VR Cultural Experience at WAKU+ (WAKU+ないのVRぶんかたいけん)
WAKU+ is a creative shopping mall at the east exit of Kanazawa Station, gathering young trendsetting brands. On the third floor of this mall there's a small VR experience area, featuring sports and music rhythm-style VR games similar to Tokyo Akihabara's game centers. However, what makes it special is that the mall occasionally hosts limited VR art exhibitions in collaboration with local creators, showcasing VR works by emerging artists from Kanazawa. If your itinerary includes the area around Kanazawa Station, make a detour—the mall itself is worth exploring. VR experience fees are approximately ¥500-1,500.
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Practical Information
How to Get There: From Kanazawa Station, all recommended locations can be reached by Hokutetsu bus or on foot. Korinbo Katamachi area is about a 15-minute walk, Omichō Market about 10 minutes. The one-day bus pass in Kanazawa costs ¥600. If you'll ride the bus three or more times in a day, it's worth purchasing.
Cost: VR experiences in Kanazawa are slightly cheaper than in Tokyo, with single experiences ranging from ¥500 to ¥4,000. Overall, a budget of ¥2,500-5,000 per person is sufficient to experience 2-3 programs.
Opening Hours: Most facilities are open from 10 AM to around 7 PM, with some closing on Wednesdays or Thursdays—confirm before visiting. Facilities are busier during seasonal holidays (Golden Week, Bon Festival, New Year), and weekday mornings offer the best experience quality.
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Tips from Fellow Travelers
1.
VR experiences have age and health restrictions—those with heart conditions, pregnant women, and children under 6 typically cannot participate. Check each facility's policies in advance.
2. When it rains in Kanazawa, indoor VR experiences make for excellent alternative activities.
3. It's recommended to plan your itinerary around Korinbo or Omichō Market first, then intersperse VR experiences to save back-and-forth travel time.
4. If you're interested in historical stories related to "Kaga Hyakumone,"强烈推薦先visit Kanazawa Castle or Kenroku-en first, then体验VR for a deeper appreciation.
5. Some experiences only offer Japanese or English interfaces—if you're not familiar with Japanese, consider the 21st Century Museum VR which offers Chinese explanations.
Kanazawa may not have large-scale VR theme parks like Tokyo, but it's precisely this modest,从容感 allows you to calm down and truly experience the fusion of traditional culture and new technology. Next time you set foot on this land of Kaga Hyakumone, remember to leave some time to rediscover this ancient city's charm through the lens of VR.
