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Kanazawa on a Budget: 4 Days of Adventure!

Discover the beauty of Kanazawa on a budget without compromising on experiences.

21 June 2023

Visiting Kanazawa on a limited budget is an achievable feat. Enjoy a host of affordable traditional attractions, such as strolling through the beautiful Kenroku-en garden or exploring the samurai district of Nagamachi. Try local foods at a reasonable price, including the famous sushi, bento boxes and traditional wagashi sweets.

Travel plan

• Check-in at Budget Hotel Good Neighbors, a cozy and affordable accommodation in Kanazawa.
• Visit Kanazawa Castle, a stunning 17th-century fortress with beautiful gardens. Don't miss the Ishikawa-mon Gate and the Gojikken Nagaya (longhouses).
• Stroll through the Kenroku-en Garden, one of Japan's top three gardens, and enjoy its ponds, hills, waterfalls, bridges, and teahouses.
• Browse the stalls and food shops at Omicho Market, a lively indoor market that sells fresh seafood, fruits, vegetables, snacks, and souvenirs. Try the crab cakes, oden, and sake.
• Watch a Noh theater performance at Kanazawa Noh Museum, a museum that showcases the history, costumes, masks, and music of Noh, a traditional Japanese form of drama.

• Take a bus to Higashi Chaya District, a preserved geisha district with traditional wooden houses, tea houses, galleries, and shops. Try a cup of green tea and a sweet.
• Participate in a pottery workshop at Kutaniyaki Kiln Village, a facility where you can make your own Kutaniyaki ceramics or paint pre-made ones. Choose from a variety of colors and designs.
• Visit Kanazawa Yasue Gold Leaf Museum to learn about the history, production methods, and artistic uses of gold leaf, a specialty of Kanazawa. See the exhibits and demonstrations.
• Admire the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, a futuristic and interactive museum that hosts avant-garde artworks, exhibitions, installations, and events. Don't miss the swimming pool.
• Explore the old samurai district of Nagamachi, where you can see the former residences of samurai families, such as the Nomura-ke and the Naga-machi Bukeyashiki.

• Go for a hike in the nearby Hakusan National Park, a scenic natural reserve that boasts waterfalls, hot springs, lakes, mountains, and forests. Choose a trail that suits your fitness level and interests.
• Have lunch at Morimori Sushi, a sushi restaurant that serves fresh, seasonal, and creative sushi rolls, nigiri, and sashimi. Watch the chefs prepare your dishes with precision and flair.
• Visit the D.T. Suzuki Museum, a museum that honors the life and works of Daisetz Teitaro Suzuki, a prominent figure of Zen Buddhism and Japanese culture. See the exhibits and watch the videos.
• Try Kanazawa's famous Kaga cuisine at Asadaya, a cozy and elegant restaurant that serves local specialties such as jibuni (duck soup), kaga-yasai (vegetables), and soba (buckwheat noodles). Don't forget to reserve a table in advance.
• End the day with a relaxing onsen (hot spring) experience at Yamashiro Onsen, a nearby hot spring resort that offers various pools, saunas, and massages. Enjoy the healing waters and the peaceful surroundings.

• Return to Kenroku-en Garden and explore its seasonal beauty, such as the cherry blossoms, the autumn leaves, or the winter illuminations. Take a boat ride on the pond or climb the lookout tower.
• Have breakfast at Curio Espresso and Vintage Design, a hipster café that serves specialty coffee, homemade pastries, and vintage finds. Browse the records, books, and clothes.
• Buy some souvenirs at Kanazawa Station, a modern and stylish transportation hub that houses various shops, restaurants, and attractions. Choose from green tea, gold leaf products, crafts, snacks, and more.
• Say goodbye to Kanazawa and head for your next destination, feeling enriched, inspired, and grateful for the memories. Thank you for visiting our city!