Kanazawa 2-Day Itinerary: Explore Samurai Districts, Geisha Culture & Kenroku-en Garden
Kanazawa is the capital city of Ishikawa prefecture. Located on the Japan Sea side, it is the most prosperous city in the Hokuriku region and is a castle town that has developed since the Edo era. In Kanazawa, there are many spots where you can feel the history, including Kanazawa Castle Park, Japanese gardens, and Chaya districts.
In addition to historical spots, Kanazawa is also well-equipped with tourist destinations such as markets and art museums. It is also famous as a gourmet city, and in Kanazawa you can enjoy everything from sightseeing to gourmet food in an all-round way. This time, we will introduce Kanazawa and its surroundings in a tour format that can be enjoyed over 2 days. Please make use of this as a reference for your Kanazawa sightseeing!
The Charm of Kanazawa
Kanazawa is a city surrounded by sea and mountains, blessed with abundant food ingredients. Kanazawa is also called a gourmet city, where you can taste cuisine using high-quality and fresh ingredients. Especially the seafood is exquisite, and you can taste top-level seafood cuisine that ranks among the best in Japan.
Also, since tourist destinations are concentrated around Kanazawa Castle Park, you can efficiently enjoy sightseeing even on foot. From Tsuzumi Gate, which is also the gateway to Kanazawa, to the Chaya districts where you can feel Japanese atmosphere, to art museums where you can enjoy cutting-edge art, spots that show refined beauty are abundant, which is also part of Kanazawa's charm.
Route Overview of 2-Days Itinerary in Kanazawa
Travel Schedule
Day 1
- 10:00 AM: Kanazawa Castle Park
- 12:00 PM: Lunch around Kanazawa Castle Park
- 1:00 PM: Japanese Garden Kenroku-en
- 2:00 PM: Higashi Chaya District
- 4:30 PM: Kinpakuya Sakuda Gold Leaf Shop
- 6:00 PM: Kanazawa Station Tsuzumi Gate
- 6:30 PM: Dinner around the station
Day 2
- 9:30 AM: Stroll through shrines and temples in the city
- 12:00 PM: Lunch at Omicho Market
- 1:00 PM: The 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art
- 4:00 PM: Nishi Chaya District
- 6:00 PM: Bar hopping in Katamachi area
2-Days Itinerary to Fully Enjoy Kanazawa's Traditions, Culture, and Food (Day 1)
Day 1 starts from Kanazawa Castle Park. It's a day packed with content including Kanazawa's symbolic castle and Japanese gardens, as well as traditional craft-making experiences. Please fully enjoy the charm of food and culture!
10:00 AM: Explore Kanazawa Castle Park
Kanazawa Castle Park is a park located in the center of Kanazawa city. This park, which boasts vast grounds in the heart of the city, is beloved by both locals and tourists as a place of relaxation and recreation.
This park has existed on this site since 1546 and has watched over Kanazawa's flourishing days from then until today. You can feel the romance of history through the Japanese garden created in 1634 and the stone walls built in 1592, which boast over 400 years of history.
In spring, cherry blossoms bloom, making it famous as one of Kanazawa's premier flower-viewing spots. In autumn, the autumn leaves are beautiful, allowing you to enjoy the natural beauty of all four seasons depending on the time of year. Light-up illuminations are held every Saturday night, so you can enjoy a completely different, fantastical atmosphere.
Ishikawa Gate and Other Important Cultural Properties of Kanazawa Castle Are Must-Sees!
The history of Kanazawa Castle Park is ancient, having existed on this site since the founding of Kanazawa Castle in 1546. Due to overlapping disasters including lightning strikes in 1602 and fires in 1620, the main tower was destroyed by fire, but spots where you can feel history are scattered throughout the park grounds.
Among these, the "Ishikawa-mon gate," designated as an important cultural property and built in 1788, shows the same majestic appearance that has remained unchanged since that time. Also check out the turret called "Sanjikken Nagaya" built in 1858 and the warehouse called "Dozou" completed in 1848, which are also registered as important cultural properties.
12:00 PM: Enjoy Exquisite Kanazawa Cuisine Around Kanazawa Castle Park
After enjoying a stroll through the expansive grounds of Kanazawa Castle Park and working up an appetite, let's head to lunch! This segment perfectly fits into any Kanazawa 2-days itinerary, offering tourists an authentic taste of local culture.
Around Kanazawa Castle Park, there are plenty of establishments ranging from sweets you can enjoy with one hand to restaurants where you can taste authentic Japanese cuisine. Here, I'll introduce two recommended shops for lunch.
Tsutsumi-tei
Source:Official website
"Tsutsumi-tei" is a restaurant where you can casually enjoy classic Japanese dishes. With a wide variety of menu items including udon, soba, and curry, and reasonable prices, this is a recommended shop for those who want to quickly enjoy lunch.
Among the many menu items, my recommendation is the local Kanazawa dish "Jibu-ni Udon." "Jibu-ni" is a dish where chicken dusted with flour is simmered in broth, characterized by its thick consistency. The local specialty "Sudare-fu," a thin wheat gluten, is simmered together with it, and the Sudare-fu that has absorbed the broth provides an elegant taste characteristic of Kanazawa.
In hot summer, cold udon and soba that you can eat quickly are also recommended.
Basic Information
- Address: Ishikawa prefecture Kanazawa city Kenroku-machi 1-15
- Business Hours: 9:00～16:30
- Closed: Irregular holidays
- Phone Number: 076-221-2387
- Official Website: https://www.tsutsumitei.jp/
Kenjotei Tea House
Source:Official website
"Kenjotei" is a restaurant where you can taste traditional Japanese cuisine. They are committed to using seasonal ingredients sourced locally, allowing you to enjoy the seasonal charms of Kanazawa throughout the year.
Among their offerings, "Kanazawa Housekibako" is a menu item I recommend with confidence. This is a menu where you can feel attention to detail not only in the ingredients but also in the serving dishes, with the bento box containing the food made using "Urushi," a traditional Japanese dyeing technique. You can enjoy a rich variety of dishes including the traditional dish Jibu-ni and sashimi caught in nearby waters.
The café on the first floor also offers sweets made with gold leaf, which is a specialty product of Kanazawa, so I recommend stopping by for dessert after your meal.
Basic Information
- Address: Ishikawa prefecture Kanazawa city Kenroku-machi 1-19
- Business Hours:
- 1st Floor Café: 10:00～16:30
- 2nd Floor Restaurant Lunch: 11:00～15:00
- Closed: Wednesdays (irregular closures possible・check website)
- Phone Number: 076-222-1600
- Official Website: https://kenrokuen.jp/en/
1:00PM: Enjoy a Relaxing Time at the Traditional Japanese Garden "Kenroku-En"
A must-check tourist spot in Kanazawa for your Kanazawa 2-days Itinerary is "Kenroku-en." Located adjacent to Kanazawa Castle Park, and since the two restaurants introduced earlier are also located within Kenroku-en, you can enjoy exploring Kenroku-en after finishing lunch.
Kenroku-en is a Japanese garden selected as one of Japan's three most famous gardens. This garden has existed on this land since 1676, over 400 years ago, and the waterways that remain unchanged from that time and the traditional houses are spots where you can feel the history of good old Japan.
In the nature-rich garden grounds, you can fully enjoy the seasonal charms of spring cherry blossoms and winter snow. Please enjoy strolling through this park that provides peaceful time that doesn't feel like you're in the middle of the city.
2:30PM: Enjoy Traditional Streetscapes and Tea Houses at Higashi Chaya District
Kanazawa has three "Chaya districts." These are areas lined with traditional old houses similar to Kyoto's Gion, which began to flourish around 1820. This is an area where you can enjoy meals while appreciating the songs and dances of women called "Geiko" dressed in traditional costumes, and even today you can still see Geiko just as in those times.
If you cross the Asano River from Higashi Chaya District, "Kazue-machi Chaya District" spreads out. Around "Nakanobashi Bridge" that connects the two Chaya districts, a atmospheric space unfolds that feels like you've time-slipped back to those days.
Geisha House Shima
Source:Official website
"Geisha House Shima" was built in 1820 when the Chaya district began to flourish. It is the oldest structure in Kanazawa's Chaya district, where you can see the appearance of chaya from the Edo era that remains unchanged.
Geisha lived together in communal life at the Chaya. From the well and storage rooms in the kitchen that remain as they were in those days, you can envision the lives of the Geisha who lived there at that time. While the world of Geiko may appear glamorous at first glance, here you can feel the hardships and real life of the communal living of Geiko from those times.
This is an important spot for learning about Chaya history, so be sure to stop by during your stroll.
Basic Information
Address: Ishikawa Prefecture, Kanazawa City, Higashiyama 1-13-21
Business Hours: 9:30-17:30 / December-February 9:30-17:00
Regular Holiday: Open daily
Phone Number: 076-252-5675
Admission Fee: 500 yen
Official Website: http://www.ochaya-shima.com/shima/shima_f.html
Kaikaro
Source:Official website
"Kaikaro" is the largest building in the Chaya district. This building boasts over 200 years of history, with gorgeous spaces including vermillion-lacquered stairs and a golden tea room.
Normally, calling Geiko to dine at a Chaya requires going through an acquaintance. In other words, without an introduction, it is difficult for tourists to enjoy this experience.
Therefore, tourists rarely get to dine at Chaya, but Kaikaro is open to everyone, and anyone can enjoy dining with Geiko at the chaya by making a reservation.
The first floor "Salon de the Kaikaro" also offers menu items such as parfaits and shaved ice using local specialty gold leaf and matcha essential for Japanese sweets. Please use it for cafe time during your stroll.
Basic Information
Address: Ishikawa Prefecture, Kanazawa City, Higashiyama 1-14-8
Business Hours: 10:00-17:00
Regular Holidays: Tuesdays and Wednesdays (open on holidays - check website)
Phone Number: 076-253-0591
Official Website: https://www.kaikaro.jp/en/
4:30PM: Enjoy a Workshop at Kinpakuya Sakuda Gold Leaf Shop
Source:Official website
When touring Kanazawa city as part of your Kanazawa 2-days Itinerary, you'll notice gold leaf everywhere you go. Kanazawa's gold leaf manufacturing history is ancient, said to have begun around 1593. Kanazawa's climate and natural environment are perfectly suited for gold leaf production, and today Kanazawa accounts for 100% of Japan's gold leaf manufacturing.
At "Kinpakuya Sakuda," a souvenir shop dealing in crafts and cosmetics using gold leaf, they offer workshops where you can apply gold leaf to mirrors and compacts.
While applying gold leaf may look simple at first glance, there are many steps involved, and you can experience firsthand the depth of this traditional craft. Your one-of-a-kind personal item will become a treasured memory. Workshops require reservations, so once your travel dates are set, be sure to make a reservation.
Basic Information
Address: Ishikawa prefecture Kanazawa city Higashiyama 1-3-27
Business Hours: 9:00～17:00
Regular Holiday: None
Phone Number: 076-251-6777
Official Website: https://goldleaf-sakuda.jp/en/
To Enjoy Kanazawa's Traditional Streets More Deeply, Having Locals Guide You Around the City is Also Recommended
For those who want to efficiently enjoy Kanazawa tourism during their Kanazawa 2-days Itinerary, participating in a tour to explore Kanazawa with local guides hosted by Magical Trip is also recommended.
This tour visits the "Ohmicho market," "Kenrokuen," "Kanazawa castle," and "Higashi Chaya" that are also introduced in this article. Since you'll be exploring with local guides who know the area well, you can experience deeper charms of Kanazawa.
For lunch, you'll head to a restaurant where you can taste the local dish "Jibu ni" that was also featured in this article. Since lunch and café time sweets fees are all included, this is a tour I confidently recommend for casual and efficient sightseeing.
・Meeting point: Family Mart + Drugstore Komeya Kanazawa Musashi Store
・Tour area: Kanazawa city
・Start time: 10:00
6:00PM: Visit Kanazawa Station and the City Symbol "Tsuzumi Gate"
The "Tsuzumi gate" located at the east exit of JR Kanazawa station is a symbol representing Kanazawa and an essential stop on any Kanazawa 2-days Itinerary.
This beautiful gate made entirely of wood shows different faces during the day and night. During the day, the wooden gate evokes the solemn Japanese tradition, while at night it's illuminated, creating a warm and magnificent world. This gate truly embodies traditional yet gorgeous Kanazawa.
Additionally, Kanazawa station has been selected as one of the world's most beautiful stations by the American magazine "Travel & Leisure."
Traditional Kanazawa craft works are embedded throughout the station interior—in pillars, stairs, and everywhere else—allowing you to enjoy a museum-like experience. While stations are often just passed through, please be sure to set aside time to enjoy exploring.
6:30PM: Savor Kanazawa's Exquisite Cuisine Around the Station
The area around the station, which serves as Kanazawa's gateway, has many restaurants, so you might be confused about which to choose. Here I'll introduce two restaurants around Kanazawa station that I confidently recommend. Both are popular establishments, so making reservations is recommended!
Cho-hachi Kanazawa Station Branch
Source:Official website
"Cho-hachi" is a restaurant where you can taste Kanazawa specialties in an all-around manner, from locally caught seafood to the brand beef "Noto beef." In the modern interior with a Japanese atmosphere, you can enjoy meals in a relaxed setting. From private rooms for personal enjoyment to counter seats where you can enjoy the live atmosphere, a variety of seating options are available.
The menu variety is also abundant—coming here, you can conquer all of Kanazawa's local cuisine. The course meal "Seisen" using carefully selected ingredients is a recommended menu item (reservation required by the previous day), allowing you to luxuriously enjoy seasonal Kanazawa flavors.
Basic Information
Address: Ishikawa prefecture Kanazawa city Konohana-machi 5-5 1F
Business Hours: 11:30～23:00
Regular Holiday: None
Phone Number: 076-256-1843
Official Website: https://www.cho-hachi.jp/english/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cho__hachi/
Kagaya Kanazawa
Source:Tabelog
"Kagaya" is a traditional restaurant where you can enjoy Kanazawa's local cuisine using carefully selected local ingredients. Since it's directly connected to Kanazawa station, convenience is outstanding. The chic and calm interior evokes the elegant Kanazawa character. The restaurant also has counter seats, so if you want to enjoy dining while experiencing the live atmosphere, make reservations early.
At Kagaya, you can reasonably enjoy course meals using high-quality local ingredients starting from 3,500 yen. Kagaya's Jibu ni has a reputation for being delicious even among locals, making it a must-try dish. A wide variety of local sake is also available. Kanazawa cuisine pairs excellently with sake, so please enjoy the pairings.
Basic Information
Address: Ishikawa prefecture Kanazawa city Kinoshinbo-machi 1-1 Kanazawa Hyakubangai Anto
Business Hours: Lunch 11:00～15:00 / Dinner 16:00～21:00
Regular Holiday: None
Phone Number: 076-263-2221
Official Website: https://www.kagaya.co.jp/shoku/shop/kanazawa.php
Kanazawa 2-days Itinerary: Savoring Kanazawa's Traditions, Culture, and Cuisine (Day 2)
The second day's schedule is also packed with spots where you can enjoy Kanazawa's traditions and cuisine. One of Kanazawa's characteristics is that you can enjoy a variety of sightseeing including shrines, art museums, and markets. This is the start of a day where you can discover different charms from yesterday.
9:30AM: Sightseeing Shrines and Temples in Central Kanazawa
As a historic city, Kanazawa has many shrines and temples that were built in ancient times. Here, we will introduce three shrines where you can enjoy unique charms. Why not enjoy visiting shrines and temples while feeling the pleasant morning air?
Myouryuji (Ninja Temple)
Source:Wikipedia
"Myouryuji" is a temple established in 1643, boasting nearly 400 years of history. It is also known by the nickname "Ninja Temple" and you can see numerous ingenious mechanisms. Surprising mechanisms are hidden throughout, such as stairs that were used as trap doors and stairs that appear when you open the money box storage.
The well is said to be connected all the way to Kanazawa Castle as a hidden passage. While this is a romantic story, even as a Japanese person, I have never seen another building with so many mechanisms. There really is a passage that continues to the castle, and when you visit, you will surely find your imagination expanding as you wonder if it was built to protect the castle.
A reservation is required to tour Myouryuji, so be sure to make a reservation before visiting!
⟨Basic Information⟩
Address: Ishikawa Prefecture, Kanazawa City, Nomachi 1-2-12
Business Hours: 9:00-16:00 (Reservation required by phone)
Closed: January 1st and 2nd
Phone Number: 076-241-0888
Official Website: http://www.myouryuji.or.jp/en.html
Oyama Shrine
Source:Official website
"Oyama Shrine" was built in 1875. This shrine enshrines "Maeda Toshiie," who was the lord of Kanazawa Castle and developed Kanazawa. It is said to bring good luck in competitions and career advancement.
The highlight of Oyama Shrine is the Western-style architectural gate called "Shinmon." This shrine was apparently the first in Japan to incorporate Western elements into its gate, and the lightning rod on the gate is said to be the oldest in Japan. This gate was also used as a lighthouse at the time, and the stained glass at the top continues to shine beautifully today.
⟨Basic Information⟩
Address: Ishikawa Prefecture, Kanazawa City, Oyama-machi 11-1
Business Hours: 9:00-17:00
Closed: None
Phone Number: 076-231-7210
Official Website: http://www.oyama-jinja.or.jp/
Saigawa Shrine
Source:Google Maps
"Saigawa Shrine" is a shrine established in 1574, boasting over 400 years of history. Originally, it was built to protect the Saigawa River from floods and water damage, but now it is also beloved as a shrine that brings good luck for beauty and health.
The charm of Saigawa Shrine is the "Hanachouzu" held from the 1st to the 10th of every month. This involves floating seasonal flowers on the water's surface. The colorful hanachouzu of the four seasons is soothing just to look at.
Saigawa Shrine has many photogenic elements such as umbrella-shaped fortune slips and flower-motif goshuin (stamps as proof of visiting the shrine), attracting attention from women and young people.
⟨Basic Information⟩
Address: Ishikawa Prefecture, Chuodori-machi 16-1
Business Hours: Always open
Closed: None
Phone Number: 076-231-7295
Official Website: https://www.saigawajinja.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saigawa_jinja
12:00PM: Enjoying Fresh Ingredients at Omicho Market
After enjoying your stroll around the shrine, let's head to lunch. Omicho Market is also called Kanazawa's kitchen, where you can purchase fresh local ingredients. The dining establishments are also well-equipped, with many shops opening early in the morning, making it recommended for morning meals and brunch as well.
Kaisendon Yutaka Suisan
Source:Tabelog
When it comes to cuisine you must try during your Kanazawa trip, seafood dishes are essential. The Sea of Japan that faces Ishikawa Prefecture is famous for catches like blackthroat seaperch, firefly squid, and Snow crab, allowing you to taste fish unique to the Sea of Japan that differs from the Pacific Ocean.
The dish that lets you fully enjoy this fresh seafood is "Kaisen-don," where seafood is luxuriously placed on top of rice. At "Yutaka Suisan," you can taste Kaisen-don made with fresh seafood caught in nearby waters. The recommendation is "Yutaka Saikyo-don," which luxuriously features 15 varieties of seafood. The vivid appearance stimulates your appetite. It's a dish with gorgeous looks that's also perfect for photos.
Basic Information
Address: Ishikawa Prefecture Kanazawa City Jikken-machi 31
Business Hours: 7:00～15:00
Closed: Wednesdays
Phone Number: 090-3293-0032
Official Website: https://yutaka-oumicho.com/
Kaisendon Hirai
Source:Tabelog
When it comes to Omicho Market recommendations where you can taste fresh Kanazawa seafood, kaisen-don is definitely the choice. "Kaisendon Hirai" is a kaisen-don specialty shop with 20 different varieties available. All of Hirai's kaisen-don are topped with gold leaf, making it an exceptional shop in both appearance and taste.
Among them, my recommendation is the "Notohokuriku-don," topped with sweet shrimp and crab caught in nearby waters, giving you a true Kanazawa experience. Kanazawa's sweet shrimp is thick and packed with umami - it's one of my favorite dishes. It's definitely one of the seafood items you should try when visiting Kanazawa.
Basic Information
Address: Ishikawa Prefecture Kanazawa City Kamiomi-cho 29
Business Hours: Mon-Fri 11:00～15:00 / Sat, Sun, Holidays 10:30～15:00
Closed: Wednesdays, January 1st
Phone Number: 076-222-5887
Official Website: https://www.kaisen-hirai.com/index.html
Mori Mori Sushi Omicho
Source:Ohmicho Ichiba
Speaking of recommended ways to enjoy fresh seafood, sushi is also worth mentioning. "Morimori Sushi" is a conveyor belt sushi restaurant where you can taste sushi made with fresh, large seafood at reasonable prices. It's a nationally franchised shop with many fans, and it's one of my favorite places.
At the Omicho Market location, sushi using locally caught ingredients like blackthroat seaperch and other white fish, sweet shrimp, and snow crab are popular. In Kanazawa, you can enjoy all seafood fresh, so salmon roe, sea urchin, and tuna are also delicious. The charm of conveyor belt sushi is that you can enjoy whatever you like as much as you want, so please try challenging yourself with various types of sushi.
Basic Information
Address: Ishikawa Prefecture Kanazawa City Aokusa-machi 88
Business Hours: 8:00～16:30
Closed: None
Phone Number: 076-262-7477
Official Website: https://ohmicho-ichiba.com/gourmet/shop73401/
1:00PM: Experiencing Japanese Modern Art at "The 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art"
Source:Wikipedia
"The 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art" is a museum where you can enjoy contemporary art from both domestic and international artists. The stylish interior houses many art pieces with exciting mechanisms.
The museum's main attraction is the "Swimming Pool" created by "Leandro ERLICH." This mysterious pool shows people inside the water even though you cannot enter the water from above. The pool can be entered from underground, and if you make a reservation, you can actually go inside the pool. The beautiful world of waves illuminated by daylight can only be seen here, so be sure to make a reservation and visit.
Additionally, there are pavilions surrounded by colorful glass and pavilions you can enter and play in - it's a unique museum with plenty of hands-on pavilions that families can enjoy together.
Basic Information
Address: Ishikawa Prefecture Kanazawa City Hirosaka 1-2-1
Business Hours: 10:00～18:00 (Fri & Sat 10:00～20:00)
Closed: Mondays, Year-end and New Year holidays
Phone Number: 076-220-2800
Official Website: https://www.kanazawa21.jp/en/
4:00 PM: Enjoy Traditional Streetscapes in Nishi Chaya District
"Nishi Chaya District" is a chaya district located in the western part of Kanazawa Castle. Compared to the other two chaya districts, it has a calm atmosphere where relaxed time flows peacefully.
Starting with museums such as the "Ninja Museum" where ninja and samurai weapons and armor are displayed, and the "Doll's Museum" where various dolls from traditional Japanese dolls to Matryoshka dolls are exhibited, there are also plenty of shops that have renovated chaya in a modern style, including shops where you can enjoy traditional Japanese sweets. You can enjoy strolling according to your mood, making this a perfect addition to any Kanazawa 2-days itinerary.
Also, next to Nishi Chaya District, there spreads an area where temples line up. The Myouruji mentioned earlier is also in this area, so it's recommended to visit at this timing.
Kazue Machi Chaya District
6:00 PM: Enjoy Bar Hopping in Katamachi Area
"Katamachi" is an entertainment district located next to "Korinbo," Kanazawa's largest downtown area. Katamachi, where you can enjoy nightlife, is also famous as a highly competitive area for restaurants with renowned establishments. For the finale of your Kanazawa 2-days itinerary, enjoy bar hopping in Katamachi, the gourmet city, and fully savor the cuisine and drinks.
Kappou Tanaka
Source:Official website
"Kappou Tanaka," which has been established in Katamachi for over 30 years, is a renowned restaurant beloved by locals. Not only does the food taste excellent, but there's attention to visual presentation, with each dish beautifully decorated like a work of art.
My recommendation is the course meal "Yuki," where you can luxuriously taste seasonal fish. You can taste fish prepared using all cooking methods: from raw sashimi to grilled, simmered, and fried dishes. The restaurant also has a commitment to sake, and they can provide sake that pairs perfectly with the day's cuisine.
The technique of "Kazarigiri," art made from vegetables that they prepare for free when you make a reservation, is also a must-see. Please make a reservation and taste the numerous photogenic exquisite dishes.
<Basic Information>
Address: Ishikawa Prefecture, Kanazawa City, Katamachi 2-30-7
Business Hours: 17:30-22:00
Closed: Sundays and holidays
Phone Number: 050-5485-4852
Official Website: https://kappou-tanaka.gorp.jp/
Itaru Mainstore
Source:Tripadvisor
"Itaru" is a restaurant where you can taste exquisite dishes featuring Kanazawa's representative fish, "blackthroat seaperch" (nodoguro). While most white fish tend to have a light flavor, blackthroat seaperch is rich in fat and offers a plump texture that you can truly savor. At Itaru, you can enjoy blackthroat seaperch prepared in various ways, from sashimi to grilled and simmered dishes.
My personal recommendation is the grilled preparation, where the tender texture that melts in your mouth delivers such delicious flavor that you'll find yourself completely captivated.
This restaurant attracts fans from both domestic and international locations, making reservations quite challenging. If you want to experience Itaru's exceptional blackthroat seaperch cuisine during your Kanazawa 2-days itinerary, early booking is highly recommended.
Basic Information
- Address: Ishikawa Prefecture, Kanazawa City, Kakinokibatake 3-8
- Business Hours: 17:30～23:00
- Closed: Sundays
- Phone: 076-221-4194
- Official Website: https://nodoguro-itaru.com/
Appare
Source:Official website
"Appare" is an izakaya where you can enjoy a diverse range of creative dishes, including the traditional simmered dish "Oden." You can enjoy a variety of dishes such as seafood croquettes, salads, and fried foods. Among all the various dishes, my recommendation is Appare's signature dish, Oden. Oden is a dish that shows regional characteristics, and Kanazawa's Oden features a gentle flavor infused with seafood broth from crab and shellfish.
Course meals including Oden can be enjoyed reasonably from 6,000 yen, including all-you-can-drink alcohol. Let's luxuriously indulge in Kanazawa's cuisine and sake during your visit!
Basic Information
- Address: Ishikawa Prefecture, Kanazawa City, Katamachi 2-2-15 B1F
- Business Hours: Mon-Thu: 17:00～23:00 / Fri & Days before holidays: 17:00～24:00
Sat: 16:00～24:00 / Sun & Holidays: 16:00～23:00
- Closed: Irregular holidays
- Phone: 050-1865-4354
- Official Website: https://meatles-kanazawa.com/
Food Hopping Tour with Local Guides Who Know the Area Inside Out is Also Recommended
For the finale of your Kanazawa 2-days itinerary, participating in a bar hopping tour with local guides is also highly recommended. The Night Gourmet Tour hosted by Magical Trip allows you to visit three establishments together with local guides who have extensive knowledge of food and alcohol.
Kanazawa, being a city of fine cuisine, offers many attractive dishes, and you might find yourself wondering what to eat. By participating in the tour, guides will recommend dishes and suggest alcoholic beverages that pair well with the food, allowing you to enjoy your meals even more deliciously.
This tour visits three establishments: a restaurant where you can taste Kanazawa's local cuisine, a shop where you can enjoy sake tasting, and a place where you can enjoy sweets. All food and beverage costs at every establishment are included in the tour price, and there's no need to make restaurant reservations yourself, so you can enjoy it casually. Join the tour and fully enjoy the charm of Kanazawa's cuisine!
Tour Details
- Meeting Point: In front of Korinbo Ramoda Building
- Tour Area: Kanazawa City Korinbo
- Start Time: 18:00
