Tea Houses, Samurai Streets, and Shirakawa Views: 3 Days in Kanazawa 🇯🇵 🦪

Kanazawa is a charming city on Japan’s western coast, known for its well-preserved historic districts, rich culture, and artistic traditions. The city is off the beaten track and offers plenty to explore within a compact and walkable area. Here are my recommendations for three days in Kanazawa:

1️⃣ Higashi Chaya District
Step back in time in Kanazawa’s beautiful geisha district. Quaint streets and alleyways are lined with teahouses, restaurants and traditional craft shops. The area is alive with culture from Japan’s Edo period and photography enthusiasts will love snapping the iconic wooden buildings and lantern-lit alleys.

2️⃣ Nagamachi Buke Yashiki District
Just a short walk from Kanazawa Castle lies the Nagamachi Samurai District. This neighborhood preserves the lifestyle of feudal Japan very well. Wander the stone-paved lanes lined with walls, wooden gates and canals before exploring the Nomura Samurai House. This district truly feels frozen in time.

3️⃣ Omicho Market
A lively hub since the Edo period, the Omicho Market is the beating heart if Kanazawa’s food scene. The market specializes in seafood, oysters, and rice bowls and the area is popular amongst locals and tourists alike! It’s a great place to stop by for lunch after exploring one of the city’s historic districts.

4️⃣ Kanazawa Castle
A restored historical site in the center of Kanazawa, the castle offers visitors insight into the samurai heritage of Japan. Stroll through the grounds before heading to the connected Kenrokuen Garden - widely regarded as one of the most beautiful gardens in Japan.

5️⃣ Shirakawa-Go
A perfect day trip from Kanazawa awaits in Shirakawa-Go! Nestled in the mountains of central Japan, the village is famous for its traditional farmhouses. The village looks like a scene from a storybook with its narrow lanes and surrounding rice fields. A short walk can be taken up to the Shiroyama Observatory for panoramic views of the village. Buses can be booked online via the Nohi Bus website.

🏨 Where to Stay:
Hotel MYSTAYS Kanazawa Castle is in a great location a 5 minute walk from Kanazawa Train Station. Rooms are big and the buffet breakfast is fantastic.

🍚 Where to Eat:
🍜 Ramen Taiga
🍛 Go Go Curry
🦪 Omicho Ichiba Kanazawaoden Ippukuya
🥩 Restaurant Irori (Shirakawa-Go)

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