Kanazawa is a tourist city where historic buildings and streets still exist. Many tourists visit not only from Japan but also from abroad. Another attractive feature is that you can travel from Tokyo to Kanazawa in about 2 hours and 30 minutes using the Hokuriku Shinkansen.
In this article, we will introduce 7 nightlife spots that you should visit to enjoy Kanazawa at night.
Highlights and characteristics of Kanazawa at night
During Japan’s Edo period (1603-1868), Kanazawa flourished as the fourth largest city in Japan after Edo (present-day Tokyo), Osaka, and Kyoto. For this reason, historical buildings such as “Kanazawa Castle“ and beautiful landscapes such as “Kenrokuen Garden“ and “Higashi Chaya District“ are must-see tourist spots.
In addition to historical tourist spots, the scenery unique to a big city and the nightlife district are also other things to enjoy. If you go to “Katamachi”, you can enjoy fresh seafood caught in the Sea of Japan and Kanazawa’s local cuisine to your heart’s content. Kanazawa’s nightlife spots are characterized by the presence of many spots where you can experience Japanese history and culture, and the various ways to enjoy the downtown area unique to a big city.
Nightlife spots in Kanazawa
Recommended #1: Kenrokuen Garden
“Kenrokuen Garden” is a Japanese garden located in Kanazawa City. It is known as one of Japan’s three most famous gardens, alongside “Kairakuen Garden” in Mito and ”Korakuen Garden” in Okayama. Many trees and flowers are planted within the vast grounds, allowing you to enjoy the scenery that changes with the seasons. It is a recommended tourist spot where you can experience the beauty of Japan.
Kenrokuen Garden is lit up at night, allowing you to enjoy a fantastical view. This gives a different impression than during the day. Another feature is that it is lit up according to the four seasons of Japan. In spring, the cherry blossoms blooming in the garden are lit up. In summer, the colorful plants and trees, in autumn the bright red leaves, and in winter the fantastic snow scenery are lit up. It’s a typical tourist spot that you’ll want to visit again and again.
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| Official website | https://kenrokuen.or.jp/ |
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Kenrokuen Garden also has illumination events. For example, in early July there is a “Firefly Viewing Event” and the garden is lit up specially. Please refer to the official website for event dates.
Recommended #2: Kanazawa Castle Park
Kanazawa Castle Park was developed as a park around Kanazawa Castle, which was built in 1580. It is a representative tourist spot in Kanazawa and is also known as the best place to see cherry blossoms in the city. For that reason, many tourists visit in the spring to enjoy the cherry blossoms.
Kanazawa Castle Park is open at night on Saturdays and designated days (such as during cherry blossom season and Golden Week holiday). Admission is free at night, so it is highly recommended. Various spots in the park are lit up, allowing you to fully enjoy the charm of the night. During cherry blossom season, the cherry blossoms are lit up at night, so spring is the best time to visit.
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| Official website | https://www.pref.ishikawa.jp/ |
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Kanazawa Castle Park is located next to Kenrokuen Garden, so we recommend visiting both.
Recommended #3: Higashi Chaya District
Higashi Chaya District is an old townscape area that has been designated an “Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings”. Stone-paved roads lined with tasteful buildings, the area is characterized by a landscape that strongly reflects Kanazawa’s traditions, art, and culture. During the day, cafes and souvenir shops are open, but in the evening, many of the shops close. At night, the soft, warm light of the street lights transforms the area into a fantastical atmosphere.
Just by taking a leisurely stroll through Higashi Chaya District at night, you will come across many photo spots. If you are lucky, you may even encounter a Geisha. Many of the shops are closed, but there are also casual bars and Izakayas (Japanese pubs) where you can relax and enjoy a drink.
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| Official website | https://chayagai.goldleaf-sakuda.jp/ |
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The “Ochaya-san” (restaurants where you are entertained by Geishas) in Higashi Chaya District operate under a system of “no first-time customers allowed”. This means that you cannot enter the restaurant unless you are introduced by a regular customer of the restaurant. Therefore, tourists are usually not allowed to enter the Ochaya-san, but some offer “Geisha Experience” during the day. If you want to be entertained by Geisha at Ochaya-san, you can try this “Geisha Experience”.
Recommended #4: Katamachi
Katamachi is one of the largest downtown areas in the Hokuriku region (Niigata Prefecture, Toyama Prefecture, Ishikawa Prefecture, Fukui Prefecture). Located in the center of Kanazawa City, it thrives as a shopping district during the day and bustles with thousands of restaurants at night. It is a popular spot visited by many people every night, including locals and tourists.
If you go to Katamachi, you can find everything from seafood dishes such as Kanazawa’s specialty “Nodoguro fish”, steaks made from Kanazawa’s brand beef “Noto beef”, and the local delicacy “Kanazawa curry”. For this reason, it is a popular spot for tourists looking for gourmet food. There are also many hostess bars and cabaret clubs. It is a lively place that entertains its visitors. It would be fun to stroll around Katamachi with friends.
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| Official website | https://www.e-katamachi.com/ |
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Recommended #5: Kanazawa Station
Kanazawa Station is known as the only station in Japan to be selected as one of the “14 Most Beautiful Train Stations in the World”. It is the first place tourists who visit Kanazawa take commemorative photos. Kanazawa Station is beautiful enough during the day, but it is even more beautiful at night when it is lit up.
The highlight is the huge and impressive gate called “Tsuzumi-mon”. Kanazawa is famous for the traditional Japanese performing art of Noh, so the two thick pillars were made with the motif of the Tsuzumi drum, an instrument used in Noh.
Another feature is the huge ceiling dome commonly known as the “Motenashi Dome”. It was made using glass and aluminum alloy to resemble a “big umbrella”. As Kanazawa experiences a lot of rain and snow, the concept behind it is “the spirit of hospitality of offering an umbrella to people who get off the station”. It is a wonderful gesture of care for visitors.
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| Official website | https://www.kanazawa-kankoukyoukai.or.jp/ |
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Recommended #6: CRAFEAT
“CRAFEAT” is a restaurant where you can experience traditional crafts. Food is served on lacquerware called “Wajima-nuri”, a traditional craft of Ishikawa Prefecture. The name “CRAFEAT” is a combination of “CRAFT” (traditional craft) and “EAT” (food).
On the first floor of the restaurant, you can enjoy a la carte dishes of Ishikawa Prefecture’s specialties. On the second floor, you can enjoy a full course of authentic Japanese cuisine. Traditional crafts can not only be viewed in art museums and galleries, but can also be touched and tasted to feel their softness and warmth. If you are interested in traditional crafts such as “Wajima Lacquerware”, we recommend you try it out at CRAFEAT.
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| Official website | https://www.craft-eat.com/ |
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Recommended #7: Champion Curry
“Champion Curry” is a chain restaurant serving ”Kanazawa curry”, a local Kanazawa delicacy. It is famous as the restaurant that first created Kanazawa curry. Kanazawa curry is a curry rice dish that features a thick curry roux and toppings of cabbage and pork cutlet. It is placed in a steel dish, with the curry roux and topping almost covering the rice.
When you go to a Champion Curry restaurant, you’ll find a variety of menus with different toppings. Toppings such as sausages and fried shrimp are also popular. However, the most popular menu item is the “L Katsu Curry” topped with pork cutlet. For those trying Kanazawa curry for the first time, we recommend starting with this “L Katsu Curry”. It is soul food loved by the people of Kanazawa. Be sure to give it a try.
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| Official website | https://chancurry.com/ |
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