Exploring Kanazawa – Photography + Travel Guide

Nestled in the tranquil northwest region of Tokyo, Kanazawa is a hidden gem along the picturesque Sea of Japan. Unlike bustling tourist hotspots like Kyoto and Tokyo, Kanazawa offers a serene escape with fewer crowds, allowing you to immerse yourself in its rich tapestry of gardens, arts, and cultural wonders.

Spending a couple of days in this charming city is a delightful addition to any travel itinerary. Convenient direct train services connect Kanazawa to Tokyo and Kyoto, making it a breeze to explore. With plenty to see and do, Kanazawa also serves as an ideal base for exciting day trips in the surrounding area.

Whether you’re seeking unique experiences or picture-perfect photography spots, our Location Guide is your go-to resource for planning a memorable stay. Let us guide you through Kanazawa’s hidden treasures and provide insider tips for capturing the essence of this enchanting destination. Feel free to reach out with any queries or share your thoughts in the comments section below.

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Above: Higashi Chaya-gai – One of most visited and well know of the three chaya entertainment districts.

Getting to Kanazawa is fairly straightforward from Tokyo, as mentioned it will take about 2.5 hours and is directly connected by the JR Hokuriku Shinkansen. The trip is covered by the JR Pass and Hokuriku Arch Pass. If you are travelling from Kyoto or Osaka it will take about 2 hours on the limited express trains which provide one or two direct connections per hour between Kyoto and Kanazawa. This route is also covered by the JR Pass.

Most places to visit in Kanazawa can be visited on foot. There is, however, the option to use the Loop Bus and the Kenrokuen Shuttle that departs from Kanazawa Station and covers all the major sightseeing locations. There is also a JR bus which is free with the JR Pass, however, check the times/days it is running at the tourist office at the station. If you get tired from walking you can use any IC transport card (such as Pasmo Passport, Suica, etc). We have written a comparison post about the available IC transport cards that can be purchased. Click here to read.

On this 20-day trip to Japan, we purchased the 14-day JR Pass (Japan Rail Pass) which we activated after our time in Tokyo & Yokohama. This would ensure that the JR Pass would last until our departure date. Depending on the length of your trip and the places you’re visiting it may or may not be worth purchasing. You can get a 7, 14 or 21-day pass. You can use the JR Pass calculator to calculate whether it’s economical to buy the pass or not. With the dramatic rise in the price of the JR pass in late 2023, you may find that it is cheaper to buy individual tickets. 

We also pre-purchased a SIM card (data only) for our phone to assist with daily street navigation which is essential for any traveller visiting Japan. Here’s a great place to purchase both the JR Pass & SIM card in Australia (check to see if these can be purchased in your own country).

IMPORTANT UPDATE: In October 2023 the JR Pass increased in price significantly. In many cases, the pass will no longer be viable as the cost of individual tickets will be cheaper. We strongly suggest that you use the JR Pass Calculator to see whether the JR Pass will be worthwhile. For longer trips, the JR Pass is still a good option but for a 2-week visit, we don't think the JR Pass will be worthwhile anymore. For example - based on a 2-week visit to Tokyo - Kyoto - Osaka - Hiroshima - Kanazawa - Nikko - Tokyo it would cost Y65,330 if buying the tickets individually, but a 2-week JR Pass will cost Y80,000.

Filters

Our NiSi 100mm filter kit didn’t get any use in Kanazawa, although our URTH CPL  filters went everywhere with us. If you don’t own a square filter system, consider getting a URTH ND Variable filter. This filter will help you obtain slower shutter speeds on sunny days. We use both the Urth Variable ND8-128 (3-7 stop) and Urth Variable ND2-400 (1-9 stop). For nighttime shots, you may want to consider taking a Black Mist filter (1/8 or 1/4). These are great for diffusing harsh lighting and giving the scenes an ethereal look. Lastly, a Night Filter may also be useful for balancing out a mixture of light sources in street scenes.

For our first time visit to Kanazawa, we booked for 3 nights. There are many hotels to choose from, so you will find something that suits any budget. We chose to stay at the Hotel Forza, which is located about a 10-minute walk from the station and just down the road from the Ōmichō Markets. We had a economy double, which was a good size room (around 18sqm), It was well priced. The room had a good size bed & bathroom and also came with some nice extras such as a massage cushion, free wi-fi and free drinks (sake, red & white wine) during happy hour at reception every evening.

We tend to do a lot of walking in cities as this allows us to capture more images rather than seeing potential images through bus windows. There are some sites that you may wish to get the local transport if you are short on time otherwise lots of walking is to be expected. Depending on which side of the station you base yourself on, most of the sights are easily accessible by foot (check out the map at the bottom of this post). Below you can find more information about the places we visited and photographed during our brief stay.

Chaya Entertainment Districts

Discover the enchanting world of chaya teahouses in Kanazawa, where dining takes on a whole new level of entertainment. Step into a realm where a geisha captivates guests with their mesmerising performances, showcasing talents in singing, musical artistry, and graceful dance routines.

Immerse yourself in the rich cultural experience of Kanazawa by exploring three meticulously preserved chaya districts: the charming Higashi Chayagai and Kazuemachi in the Eastern Chaya District, as well as the elegant Nishi Chayagai in the Western Chaya District. Indulge in the magic of centuries-old traditions and witness the beauty of geisha culture in these historic enclaves.

Please Note: You can no longer take unauthorised photographs of Geisha’s or Maiko’s in Gion in Kyoto. This has been the result of the invasive nature of the minority of visitors. Regardless of what town you visit, please respect this traditional art form and refrain from any disrespectful behaviour. 

Higashi Chaya-gai

The Higashi Chaya-gai is probably the most visited and well-known of the three Chaya entertainment districts. There are plenty of alleyways to explore and a couple of chaya (teahouses) open to the public. Along the central street, you will find cafes and shops selling gold leaf products, a specialty of Kanazawa. 

The Higashi Chaya District can be accessed by the Right Loop of the Kanazawa Loop Bus about 10 minutes from Kanazawa Station. Get off at Hashibacho (Koban-mae) bus stop (number RL5), from where the district can be reached in a five-minute walk.

Kazuemachi

This is probably one of the least visited and smallest of the districts. It is only a short 10min walk from Higashi Chaya-gai. We actually preferred it because it was quiet and took one of our favourite shots of a geisha waiting for her ride (see above), and yes we did ask permission to take her photo.  

The main street runs alongside the Asano River, with a number of nice restaurants, private homes, and alleys to be explored.

Nishi Chaya-gai

Located just a short walk from Ninja Temple, the district is smaller and is much quieter than the other two districts with only one public museum, though there is not as much to see compared to the others, it makes for a pleasant area to walk around if you have the time.

Kenrokuen Garden

Considered one of the three great gardens in Japan, it is no wonder the gardens are the main attraction in Kanazawa. Covering over 25 acres (11 hectares), you can easily spend a whole day in the gardens regardless of the season/time of year you visit. This is not just a day venue, night illuminations are held during the year and are also worth taking the time to visit.

There are two main entrances to the gardens, if you are arriving from Kanazawa Castle Park, as we did, you enter across the north-eastern Ishikawamon bridge. The other entrance is on the southwestern Mayumizaka entrance, near the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, we used this entrance for the night visit to the gardens. As is the case with many sites in Japan, if you are visiting during the day hours, you cannot just stay in the venue for the night session, even when it is free. You must leave and purchase another ticket if necessary and re-enter to see the night illuminations.

The garden has several ponds, streams, fountains, bridges and teahouses as well as the famous two-legged Kotoji-toro stone lantern, and carefully planted trees and flowers.

There are countless photographic opportunities in the gardens. It is quite common to see a lot of local photographers with couples and children dressed in traditional costumes.  

If you are coming from the Kanazawa station it is about a 20min bus ride. There are several local buses, including the Kanazawa Loop Bus, which stops in front of the Ishikawamon Gate which is also close to the entrance of Kenrokuen Garden.

Omicho Market

These large and busy markets have existed since the Edo Period (1603 and 1867). With over 200 shops and stalls, there is plenty of excellent local seafood and produce. The best time to visit the markets is in the morning, as it gets quite busy around lunchtime at the restaurants inside the markets. Omicho market is about a 15-minute walk from Kanazawa Station (towards the city centre). It is also a short bus ride from the stations, get off at the Musashigatsuji bus stop. Most buses, including the JR bus, will get you there. The entrance is free.

The markets are great for people shots, however, due to the narrow spaces and the crowd it can be quite challenging. You may want to consider shooting with a fast 35mm prime lens or similar. We used the Samyang AF 35mm f2.8 FE and AF 18mm f2.8 FE lenses to capture shots. These low-profile lenses (the 35mm f2.8 is almost a pancake lens) don’t scream “professional photographer” and we prefer to use faster wide-angle lenses for these types of shots, as they make it difficult to get the background out of focus even when wide open at f/2.8. Please Note: Many market stalls do not like you taking photos and have signs denoting “No Photos”.

Nagamachi Buke Yashiki District

Located near the former Kanazawa Castle is the preserved samurai district of Nagamachi. This is where samurai and their families used to reside. It is a pretty area with narrow lanes and water canals with many of these residences still having their original earthen walls.

One of the main attractions of the district is the restored samurai residence, Nomura-ke, with artifacts showcasing the lifestyle and era of the samurai. The district has a few other museums and restored structures, as well as a number of shops and restaurants scattered throughout.

Nagamachi district is a 10min bus ride from Kanazawa Station and then about a five minute walk south of Korinbo bus stop. Bus cost is 200 yen from the station (Kenrokuen Exit). You can also take the JR bus and the Kanazawa Loop Bus however these run less frequently.

21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art

Not far from Kenrokuen Gardens is the unique 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art. The building is circular shaped and is an architectural marvel in itself. The museum is one of the most popular in Japan, with exhibits featuring artists from Japan and around the world. There are both paid and free exhibits, as well as exterior sculptures surrounding the building. The entrance fee varies depending on the exhibition, typically around 1200 yen.

As mentioned, it is within walking distance from Kenrokuen and Kanazawa Castle Park. From Kanazawa Station (East Exit) to the Hirosaka bus stop is about 10 minutes (200 yen). You can also take the less frequent JR buses or Kanazawa Loop Bus.

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Even though there is enough to keep you busy in Kanazawa for a few days, you can also use it as a base to explore other beautiful sites in the region. Here are some we visited from Kanazawa, or tried to at least 😁

Toyama

About an hour’s train ride is Toyama. Not initially on our itinerary. We had planned to do a day trip to Takayama. however, the weather & a tree across the tracks forced us to change our plans.  Its location on the JR Line makes it an alternative base for visiting the attractions in the area. Getting around is easy. It’s about a 15-minute walk from the station to Toyama Castle Park (Free Entry but there’s a fee for the Sato Memorial Museum of Art). The park is home to a reconstructed castle, an art museum, and Japanese gardens. The walk along the Matsukawa River is pretty during autumn and would be an excellent spot to see cherry blossoms. An observatory deck at the Toyama City Hall Observation Tower is free. It offers a 360-degree panoramic view of the city and surrounding areas, right out to the Tateyama Mountain Range. There’s also the Toyama New Port Observation Deck which is also free, although this does not give much elevation. Regardless, it may inspire you to capture an image from a viewpoint that is not often visited. If you love architecture, visit the amazing Toyama Glass Art Museum.  Both the exterior and interior are worthwhile photographic opportunities. For those who love trams, take a ride on The Doraemon Tram. This enchanting tram ride is on the Man-You Line that connects Takaoka with Shinminato.

Takayama

Just over 2 hours train ride away from Kanazawa is Takayama. We had planned a whole day trip with a 7 am departure and was all going smoothly until a fallen tree across the rail tracks derailed our plans. Had it all gone smoothly we would have only had time to visit the main street of Takayama, but not enough time to explore the town in detail. If you only want the highlights, then a day trip will give you that, however, a few nights would be better. We were able to get back there in 2023 for 3 nights, however, this time we came directly from Kyoto.

The train trip between Toyama and Takayama is spectacular and worth the visit in itself. The beautifully preserved old town of Takayama is where most visitors will gravitate towards and rightly so when doing a day trip. There are many preserved streets, however, Sanmachi Suji is considered the main street and this is where most of the crowds will be. However, leave enough time to visit the Hida Folk Village, Hachiman Shrine, and Kusukabe Heritage House. If you still have time then try walking a section of the Higashiyama Walking Course (see image above). We were fortunate to walk this during Autumn, and it was spectacular. Alternatively, you could do a Taste Takayama: Food & Sake Brewery Tour, experiencing some of Takayama’s food and sake breweries.

If you are considering spending more time exploring the region, and you do not have a JR Pass we would suggest you consider purchasing the Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass* (5-day Pass) or the JR Hokuriku Area Pass* (4-day Pass – this one does not cover Takayama). * The links will take you to Klook where you will be able to purchase the pass cheaper.

We hope you enjoyed this post given you lots of options for your visit to Kanazawa and surrounds. If you have found your own little gem in Kanazawa, leave us a message and we’ll try to include it in an update of the post. If you are interested in more Japan guides click on the banners below.

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Please Note: We may receive commissions when you click links and make purchases. However, this does not impact our reviews or recommendations. We try our best to keep things fair and balanced, in order to help you make the best choice.