Kanazawa, an ancient capital located in Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan, facing the Sea of Japan, was once a thriving castle town of Kaga Hyakumangoku and now preserves the most complete castle town scenery from Japan's Edo period. Kanazawa's scenic attractions extend beyond the historical districts in the city to the coastline of the Noto Peninsula, forming a tourist route that seamlessly blends culture and nature. This route cleverly connects traditional crafts, culinary culture, and mountain-and-sea landscapes, allowing travelers to experience the profound heritage of Kaga Hyakumangoku while strolling through the streets or driving through the area.
The defining characteristic of Kanazawa's scenic attractions is the "interweaving of past and present." Within the city, well-preserved samurai residences and teahouses stand alongside modern art museums and creative boutiques; driving about an hour from the city center takes you to the cliff coastline of the Noto Peninsula, where you'll encounter magnificent sea views entirely different from the ancient town's charm. This diverse and rich tourism experience is the greatest allure of the scenic attractions around Kanazawa. Additionally, traditional crafts such as gold leaf, lacquerware, and Kaga yuzen add unique cultural depth to these scenic routes.
The first recommendation is the Nagamachi Samurai District, one of Kanazawa's most representative historical districts. Preserving the complete appearance of samurai residences from the mid to late Edo period, the stone-paved paths and earthen-walled alleys are filled with nostalgic atmosphere. Particularly worth seeing are the old samurai gardens and study rooms, which showcase the elegant lifestyle aesthetics of the samurai class. In spring, cherry blossoms bloom throughout the district, adding delicate beauty to the ancient alleyways.
Next is Higashichaya Old Street, a designated Traditional Buildings Preservation Area in Japan. The bustling teahouse buildings preserve the prosperous scenery of the former pleasure district, with intricate wood carvings and lattice windows visible throughout the street. Here, you can not only enjoy traditional matcha and Japanese sweets, but also experience Kanazawa's traditional crafts at their best—many shops offer gold leaf experience courses, allowing visitors to create their own gold leaf crafts firsthand.
Kenroku-en is one of Japan's three most famous gardens and an essential scenic attraction in Kanazawa. This stroll garden, built in 1676, covers approximately 11 hectares and features representative landmarks such as the Yukitsuri stone lantern, the Rainbow Bridge, and flowing water pathways. Cherry blossoms in spring, lotuses in summer, autumn foliage, and winter snowscapes—each season presents a different visage. The distinctive "snow support" (yukitsuri)景观 unique to winter is particularly emblematic of Kanazawa's winter scenery.
If time permits, a self-drive trip to the Senrihama Beach interchange on the Noto Peninsula is recommended—one of Japan's rare beaches where vehicles are permitted to drive. The approximately 8-kilometer sandy coastline allows cars to drive directly onto the beach, offering the opportunity to experience the magnificent scenery where the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Japan. The nearby Shiome Rice Terraces feature a terraced rice field landscape, and at sunset, the fields are bathed in golden light, making it a hidden gem for photography enthusiasts.
The final recommendation is the Osa Coastal Road, a scenic route connecting Kanazawa city center with the Noto Peninsula that passes through multiple fishing villages and headlands. In spring, the rapeseed flower fields along the road form a striking contrast with the coastline; summer offers the best vantage point for watching the sunset over the Sea of Japan. Along the way, you can savor seasonal seafood dishes at fresh fish markets, experiencing the local maritime lifestyle.
Getting to Kanazawa is quite convenient. The Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo takes approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, with fares ranging from ¥14,000 to ¥16,000. From Osaka or Kyoto, the journey takes about 2 to 3 hours. Within Kanazawa, you can use the "Kanazawa Castle Town Loop Bus," with a one-day pass priced at ¥500, allowing unlimited rides to major tourist attractions. For those wishing to self-drive to the Noto Peninsula, car rental at Kanazawa Station is recommended, with rental fees ranging from approximately ¥5,000 to ¥8,000.
The best seasons to explore Kanazawa's scenic attractions are spring (late March to May) and autumn (October to November). In spring, you can admire the cherry blossoms at Kenroku-en and the cherry blossom tunnel in Nagamachi; autumn offers stunning maple foliage scenery. While summer can be hot, it provides opportunities to enjoy coastal scenery and festival activities; although winter is cold, you can witness the rare snow support structures and the ancient capital's charm blanketed in snow.
Travel tip: Kanazawa's city attractions are relatively concentrated. It is recommended to first visit Kenroku-en and Kanazawa Castle Park, then walk along the paths to the Nagamachi Samurai District, and finally proceed to Higashichaya Old Street. This route helps avoid crowds and allows for a leisurely stroll. When visiting Higashichaya Old Street, be sure to try the local specialty—gold leaf ice cream and matcha sweets. When self-driving to the Noto Peninsula, it is advisable to allocate one to two days to fully experience the coastal scenery and local cuisine. Bus frequencies in Kanazawa are less frequent than in Tokyo, so it is recommended to check schedules in advance or purchase a one-day pass to avoid missing buses.
