Hareyaka's Famous Nodoguro Hitsumabushi & 6 Must-Visit Restaurants in Nishi Chaya District
Kanazawa has a history of developing as a "castle town (a town that flourished around a castle)" and is a popular tourist destination that combines various attractions such as traditional crafts, gourmet food, and scenic landscapes. Because it suffered little war damage, historical buildings still remain, and it is also famous for its many historical and traditional spots.
Did you know that in Kanazawa, which is packed with attractions, you can enjoy a wide variety of gourmet food, including seafood dishes using fish and shellfish caught in nearby waters, Kaga cuisine characterized by elegant seasoning, and soul food such as oden and Hanton rice (a dish of fried shrimp on rice covered with a thin fried egg)?
This time, we will introduce exquisite gourmet food that you'll want to make a reservation for and savor when you visit Kanazawa.
Table of Contents
-If you want to enjoy Kanazawa gourmet at a retro dining hall, Hareyaka Kanazawa is recommended!
-Three charms of Hareyaka Kanazawa, a Kanazawa cuisine restaurant loved by locals
-3 Menus to Order at Hareyaka for Those Who Want to Savor Kanazawa Cuisine
-Recommended Restaurants by Genre for Those Who Want to Enjoy Kanazawa Cuisine
At Kanazawa's historic teahouse districts, you can casually enjoy Kanazawa's traditional cuisine
In the historic teahouse districts (Higashichaya District, Nishi Chaya District, Kazuemachi District), which are also tourist spots in Kanazawa, restaurants where you can savor Kanazawa's traditional cuisine are scattered throughout.
In the teahouse districts, there are various options from long-established stores that have made history alongside the teahouse districts to restaurants renovated from historic buildings, so you can choose according to the number of people and situation.
If you dine at a restaurant in the teahouse district that evokes the good old Japan, you can enjoy exquisite gourmet food while feeling as if you've traveled back in time.
If you want to enjoy Kanazawa gourmet at a retro dining hall, Hareyaka Kanazawa is recommended!
If you want to enjoy Kanazawa gourmet at a retro dining hall, we recommend Hareyaka Kanazawa. The name "Hareyaka" was chosen with the owner's wish that customers "can feel hareyaka (bright and cheerful) when they leave the restaurant."
At this charming restaurant located in Nishi Chaya District, you can enjoy various alcoholic beverages including local sake, along with creative dishes using fresh seafood caught in nearby waters and nama-fu (a processed food made by adding rice flour to gluten extracted from wheat flour).
The interior, unified with a wood-grain design, has a calm atmosphere where you can enjoy your meal while feeling the relaxed flow of time.
Overview and Access to Hareyaka Kanazawa
Address: 2-25-22 Nomachi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Access: 3 minutes walk from Nomachi-Hirokoji bus stop, 7 minutes walk from Katamachi
Closed: Tuesdays
Business hours: 11:00-15:00, 16:00-22:00
Website: https://hareyaka-kanazawa.foodre.jp/
Three charms of Hareyaka Kanazawa, a Kanazawa cuisine restaurant loved by locals
Exquisite Kanazawa cuisine you can enjoy at reasonable prices
Source:Official website
The first is that you can enjoy exquisite Kanazawa cuisine at reasonable prices.
The menu features dishes that pair perfectly with alcohol, centered on Kanazawa's specialty dishes such as assorted sashimi using seasonal fish, Jibuni (a local dish of Kanazawa made by simmering duck meat, fu, and vegetables together), and dishes using nama-fu, so much so that you'll be spoiled for choice.
At Hareyaka Kanazawa, where many dishes use local ingredients, prices are relatively reasonable, so try ordering various dishes and savoring Kanazawa's flavors while sharing with family and friends!
You can savor seasonal flavors with limited seasonal courses
Source:Official website
The second is that you can taste seasonal flavors with limited courses for each season.
The "Hyakumangoku" course, where you can fully enjoy Ishikawa Prefecture's seasonal flavors, includes 8 dishes in total, including Kanazawa's local dish "Jibuni," the signature "Jako and Negi Nama-fu Pizza," and the finishing rice dish "Seared Blackthroat Seaperch Hitsumabushi."
Among them, the appetizer "Assorted 5 Seasonal Varieties" and "Assorted Sashimi" use seasonal ingredients, so they have a reputation for allowing you to enjoy dishes that can only be tasted during that period.
My recommendation is the assorted sashimi, which has just the right amount of fat and condenses the original umami of the fish. The flavor unique to the season made me want to order more!
With an extensive selection of alcohol, it's also recommended as the first stop for bar hopping
Source:Official website
The third is that with an extensive selection of alcohol, it's perfect as the first stop for bar hopping.
For alcohol, there are famous local sake from Hokuriku as well as carefully selected sake from all over Japan according to the season, and you can also experience sake tasting flights (3 types for 1,480 yen, 2 types for 980 yen).
They have brands that match seasonal dishes, so try enjoying pairing them with your food!
In addition, you can choose from various types of alcohol such as craft beer from "Kanazawa Brewery," which represents Kanazawa, and Noto Wine with a fruity taste, so why not choose according to your food and mood?
3 Menus to Order at Hareyaka for Those Who Want to Savor Kanazawa Cuisine
Kanazawa Cuisine's Signature Menu "Blackthroat Seaperch Hitsumabushi Set"
Source:Official website
The first is the "Blackthroat Seaperch Hitsumabushi Set," an original hitsumabushi dish generously featuring Ishikawa Prefecture's specialty "Blackthroat Seaperch." Hitsumabushi is a dish where finely chopped grilled eel is placed in an ohitsu (a traditional Japanese container), and you can enjoy three different ways of eating it with various toppings and broth.
The "Blackthroat Seaperch Hitsumabushi Set" at Hareyaka Kanazawa uses Blackthroat Seaperch instead of eel. First, simply pour soy sauce over it to taste the natural umami of the Blackthroat Seaperch. Next, add richness and depth with sesame sauce. Finally, pour broth over it for a refreshing finish.
If you eat the "Blackthroat Seaperch Hitsumabushi Set," you'll be able to fully enjoy the charm of Blackthroat Seaperch without missing anything.
Price: 2,980 yen (tax included) as of October 10, 2025
Hareyaka's Specialty "Nama-fu Pizza"
Source:Official website
The second item, "Nama-fu Pizza," is a creative dish that uses nama-fu (raw wheat gluten), known as a traditional Kanazawa ingredient, for the dough and is baked like a pizza. The soft, elastic nama-fu dough is generously topped with Japanese ingredients such as crab and green onions along with cheese, allowing you to enjoy a fusion of Japanese and Western flavors.
I have tried the "Crab Nama-fu Pizza" at Hareyaka Kanazawa. The freshly made pizza not only offers a new texture with the elastic dough combined with the crispy texture of the freshly baked crust, but the crab flavor spreading throughout your mouth is so addictive that I finished it in no time.
Since this is a pizza with strong Japanese elements, if you want to add a spicy accent, sprinkle shichimi (Japanese seven-spice blend) instead of Tabasco to enhance the deliciousness even more!
Price: 1,580 yen (tax included) as of October 10, 2025
Lunch Standard "Himi Udon and Seafood Chirashi Set"
Source:Official website
The third is the lunch standard "Himi Udon and Seafood Chirashi Set."
Himi Udon is a representative udon from Himi City in Toyama Prefecture, characterized by its strong chewiness, mochi-like elastic texture, and smooth throat feel. In the lunch set at Hareyaka Kanazawa, it's served as zaru udon (boiled udon arranged on a bamboo strainer, eaten by dipping in sauce), allowing you to taste the umami of the udon directly. The seafood chirashi is topped with several types of sashimi and sliced tamagoyaki (Japanese rolled omelet), creating a luxurious finish despite being mini-sized.
This great-value lunch set combining exquisite udon and seafood bowl is a popular standard menu item among locals as well.
Price: 1,350 yen (tax included) as of October 10, 2025
When You Come to Kanazawa, Enjoy Exquisite Cuisine at Restaurants Loved by Locals!
When you come to Kanazawa, why not enjoy exquisite cuisine at restaurants loved by locals? The Kanazawa Night Foodie Tour allows you to visit three restaurants and bars recommended by guides well-versed in the local area.
At the first two establishments you visit, you'll taste Kanazawa gourmet dishes such as sashimi and fried foods made with local seafood, and oden, along with local sake and carefully selected Japanese sake. The third stop is "kiki-sake," where you can enjoy comparing 3-5 types of Japanese sake while hearing stories about sake from the shop owner. Finally, the tour concludes with Japanese sweets served with matcha tea.
This is a recommended gourmet tour where you can savor all the flavors you want to experience in Kanazawa at once.
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Meeting point: In front of BEAMS at Korinbo Ramoda Building
Tour area: Kanazawa
Start time: 18:00
Recommended Restaurants by Genre for Those Who Want to Enjoy Kanazawa Cuisine
Otome Sushi
Source:Tabelog
Otome Sushi is a representative sushi restaurant of the Hokuriku region, founded in 1995, which has earned two Michelin stars. Their signature sushi features nigiri that maximizes the umami of ingredients, allowing you to enjoy flavors that naturally melt in your mouth.
The sushi toppings generously incorporate local seasonal ingredients such as crab, shrimp, and Blackthroat seaperch, offering seasonal menus. I used the restaurant for lunch and ordered a set of appetizers and nigiri.
The small vinegared rice was well-balanced with the toppings, and every piece of nigiri was exquisite. Among them, the "seared Blackthroat seaperch" is my recommendation. By searing the sashimi, the melting fat of the Blackthroat seaperch stands out, and I enjoyed a blissful moment.
Reservations are essential as this is a popular restaurant with limited seating. For those wishing to visit, I recommend calling two months in advance (the reservation start date) or as soon as your travel schedule is decided.
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Address: 4-10 Kikura-machi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Business hours: 12:00-14:00, 17:00-22:00
Closed: Wednesday, Sunday, and holidays
Phone number: 076-231-7447
Official website: None
TILE
Source:Official website
TILE is a restaurant where you can enjoy creative seafood bowls in an atmospheric interior renovated from a 110-year-old machiya townhouse.
I once ordered the "Kanazawa Yakumi Kaisendon" (Kanazawa Condiment Seafood Bowl). With this bowl, you can choose your favorite toppings from about 30 types of seafood and meat, and arrange them yourself on vinegared rice. I enjoyed the fun of selecting toppings, the enjoyment of decorating, and the deliciousness of the flavors, spending a highly satisfying mealtime.
If you order the optional "Katsuobushi and Katsuo Dashi Ochazuke (a traditional Japanese dish where rice is eaten with broth or tea poured over it) Set," you can also enjoy ochazuke full of bonito umami as a meal finisher.
The menu also includes "Kanazawa Yakumi Shojindon" (vegetarian bowl) that uses no fish or meat, so even those with dietary restrictions can use the restaurant.
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Address: 4-18 Konohana-machi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Business hours: 11:00-15:00, 17:00-22:00
Closed: Irregular holidays
Phone number: 076-255-2802
Official website: https://tile-japan.jp/
Tsubajin
Source:Official website
Tsubajin is the restaurant with the longest history in Kanazawa, founded about 270 years ago, where you can enjoy traditional Japanese cuisine mainly featuring Kaga cuisine. You can spend time leisurely in completely private rooms, and from rooms facing the Saigawa River, you can enjoy your meal while viewing the Kanazawa cityscape.
I once ordered a lunch course and savored dishes with elegant seasoning such as sashimi, simmered dishes, and grilled dishes. The beautifully arranged dishes on substantial tableware were like works of art, allowing me to enjoy them not only with taste but also with my eyes.
For reservation-only breakfast, you can also eat "crab porridge" using plenty of seasonal crab landed at Kanazawa Port. A luxurious breakfast where you can feel the flavors of the four seasons in the historic interior is also recommended.
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Address: 5-1-8 Teramachi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Business hours: 7:00-11:00/ 11:00-14:00/ 17:00-21:00
Closed: Wednesday
Phone number: 076-241-2481
Official website: https://tsubajin.co.jp/
Kifune
Source:Hitosara
At Kifune, under the theme of "encounters that can only be experienced here and now," this is a Japanese restaurant where you can enjoy seasonal flavors with supreme hospitality, with the owner's commitment to ingredients and tableware. The interior, renovated from a traditional house from the Taisho era, evokes the good old Japan.
I have used it for dinner. The dishes carefully prepared using plenty of seasonal ingredients are all unique items that can only be tasted here. The specialty is "takikomi gohan" (seasoned rice cooked in a clay pot), which is eaten as a meal finisher, fluffy cooked in a clay pot. The rice using seasonal ingredients has free refills, so please enjoy it to your heart's content!
For drinks, they have a rich selection of local sake from Ishikawa Prefecture, so you can also enjoy the marriage with exquisite dishes.
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Address: 1-9-69 Hikoso, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Business hours: 12:00-15:00/ 18:00-20:00
Closed: Wednesday
Phone number: 076-220-6131
Official website: None
Miyuki
Source:Google Maps
Miyuki is a long-established restaurant founded in 1967 where you can enjoy single dishes using local ingredients, centered on "oden," a Kanazawa specialty. The original oden broth based on chicken stock, bonito, and dried sardines features a rich yet elegant taste that doesn't leave a lingering aftertaste.
My recommendation for oden is the daikon radish soaked with flavor. The slowly simmered daikon melts in your mouth without chewing, and the gentle taste of the broth spreads throughout your mouth! The restaurant's recommended menu item, "Miyuki-age," is a homemade satsuma-age (fish cake) characterized by a soft and light texture, and it can be eaten even more deliciously when topped with refreshing ponzu sauce.
The lively interior has a reputation for being easy to visit not only with friends but also alone. All items on the extensive menu are reasonably priced, so please try various menu items.
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Address: 1-10-3 Katamachi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Business hours: 16:00-21:30
Closed: Sunday
Phone number: 076-222-6117
Official website: https://www.instagram.com/oden__miyuki_honten/
If You Come to Kanazawa, a City Where Japanese Tradition and History Live and Breathe, Enjoy Exploring the City Too
If you come to Kanazawa, a city where Japanese tradition and history live and breathe, let's also enjoy exploring the city. The Kanazawa Half-day Historical Walking Tour is a tour where you can efficiently visit must-see spots in Kanazawa with a guide.
The tour visits five attractions:
-Omicho Market
-Kanazawa Castle Park
-Kenrokuen
-Japanese Sweets Museum
-Higashichaya District
The tour offers not only sightseeing at famous spots but also the opportunity to taste Kanazawa's specialty dishes, matcha and Japanese sweets, and enjoy shopping. During the walk, the guide explains Kanazawa's history, so you're sure to fully enjoy the charm of Hareyaka Kanazawa!
Since you can visit Kanazawa's scattered famous spots, this tour is recommended for first-time visitors to Kanazawa.
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Meeting point: FamilyMart + Drug Komeya Kanazawa Musashi Store
Tour area: Kanazawa
Start time: 10:00
