Kanazawa Drinking Districts 2025: Explore Katamachi, Kiguramachi, and Hidden Izakaya Gems
Kanazawa is a historic city that flourished as a castle town during the Edo period (1603-1868), and today still retains a rich legacy of traditional crafts and historic streetscapes. Walking through the residences where Bushi (Japan's traditional warrior class) once lived and along the old-fashioned streets, you'll feel as if you've traveled back in time.
This remarkable city is home to numerous izakaya (Japanese taverns) where locals and travelers gather, offering a diverse and vibrant nightlife experience. In this comprehensive Kanazawa Drinking District 2025 guide, as someone who loves Kanazawa, I'll introduce you to the famous drinking spots you absolutely must visit. I'll also describe the characteristics of each area and what type of people they're best suited for, so you can definitely find your favorite spot.
3 Beloved Drinking Areas by Locals in Kanazawa's 2025 Scene
Katamachi
Katamachi is Kanazawa's most bustling night town, with thousands of dining and drinking establishments concentrated in one area. From izakaya and bars to high-end restaurants, there's a diverse array of venues where you can fully enjoy food and drinks.
The Katamachi area alone boasts 11 dining establishments that have earned Michelin stars, attracting many gourmets from both domestic and international destinations as a culinary city.
Katamachi's Back Streets Lined with Michelin-Listed Establishments
The back streets of Katamachi are a special area where you can truly feel the depth of Kanazawa's food culture. Famous establishments featured in the Michelin Guide, including sushi, kappo (traditional Japanese cuisine), and French restaurants, are scattered throughout, allowing you to enjoy high-quality cuisine in a quiet and relaxed atmosphere.
This area is beloved not only by tourists but also by locals, and is characterized by many establishments with solid trust and proven track records. Beyond the Michelin Guide-listed restaurants, you'll find hidden gem-like establishments tucked away in narrow alleys and long-established shops that have been operating for generations, so be sure to explore and discover your favorite spot.
The Sai River Area Known as a Nightclub District
The area along the Sai River is known as the district where Kanazawa's nightclubs and bars are concentrated, becoming even more lively when night falls.
From clubs and music bars popular with young people to small-scale Japanese Snack bars run by female proprietors called "Mama" - a uniquely Japanese establishment - various types of nightclubs are available.
At night, the Saigawa Ohashi Bridge and riverside are beautifully illuminated, and the enchanting atmosphere unique to the riverside location is another attractive feature.
Kiguramachi
Source:Official website
Kiguramachi is a dining area with a relatively calm atmosphere, located just a 2-3 minute walk from Katamachi. Along with izakaya where you can enjoy fresh seafood and local sake, there's a diverse array of dining establishments where you can taste cuisine from around the world, including French, Korean, and Chinese restaurants.
Many establishments are also open during lunchtime, so numerous locals and tourists stop by to enjoy meals throughout both day and night.
Additionally, the "Kiguramachi Wind Chime Festival" is held every year from late July to early August. About 1,500 wind chimes are hung throughout the district, allowing you to enjoy the cool, refreshing sounds and the fantastical scenery unique to Japanese summer.
If you're planning to visit Kanazawa during this period, definitely make sure to stop by.
Kanazawa Station Area
The Kanazawa Station area is not only convenient as a transportation hub but also an area where you can enjoy sightseeing, shopping, and gourmet experiences. Upon exiting the station, travelers are immediately greeted by the "Tsuzumi-mon Gate," the symbol of Kanazawa Station.
Shopping malls and restaurants line the station interior and adjacent areas, where you can taste various gourmet offerings. Particularly, the Kaitenzushi (Conveyor Belt Sushi) restaurants around the station are recommended Kanazawa gourmet experiences where you can enjoy high-quality sushi at reasonable prices.
Since the waiting time from ordering to serving is short, even those with limited time can enjoy a highly satisfying meal.
To Enjoy Exquisite Cuisine and Drinks in Kanazawa, Let a Local Guide Who Knows the Area Inside and Out Show You Around!
For those who want to fully enjoy the charm of Kanazawa, the Kanazawa Night Foodie Tour takes you around three renowned establishments in the Katamachi area with a local guide. The Kanazawa Drinking District 2025 scene offers an incredible variety of experiences that showcase the city's culinary heritage.
The tour allows you to enjoy Kanazawa's unique flavors bit by bit, including local sake, Kappo cuisine (Japanese cuisine that carefully prepares seasonal ingredients with attention to visual presentation), Oden (traditional Japanese hot pot dish) enjoyed at retro izakaya, and pairings of Japanese sake and traditional sweets.
Furthermore, you can stroll through areas where the residences and streetscapes where Samurai lived during the Edo period remain, allowing you to experience the daily life of people from that era. Since a guide well-versed in local history and culture will show you around, you can deeply experience the charm of Kanazawa's drinking district.
Tour Details:
- Meeting point: In front of the Korinbo Ramoda bldg.
- Tour area: Ishikawa
- Start time: 18:00
Characteristics of Each Area in Kanazawa and Recommended Visitors
Characteristics of Katamachi
Katamachi is Kanazawa's liveliest night area, bustling with people enjoying food and drinks until late at night. As the heart of the Kanazawa Drinking District 2025, this area represents the city's vibrant nightlife culture.
In addition to sushi restaurants and oden restaurants using fresh seafood caught in the Sea of Japan, and izakaya, there are also abundant bars and clubs, making diverse ways of spending time possible. While local restaurants often close early, many establishments in Katamachi operate until late at night, making it an attractive point that you can leisurely enjoy meals and drinks without worrying about time.
At the center of the area is the scramble crossing that serves as Katamachi's symbol. While not as large as Shibuya, it presents a lively scene where locals and tourists cross paths.
Katamachi is Recommended for These Types of People
Katamachi is recommended for people who want to actively enjoy Kanazawa's nights without worrying about time. With a wide range of options from izakaya to bars and clubs, it's perfect for people who want to go bar hopping.
Since it's also an area where many local young people and businesspeople gather, you can casually enjoy interactions and conversations with locals. Many establishments offer English support, so even first-time visitors can spend time with peace of mind.
If you want to experience Kanazawa's unique nightlife in a lively atmosphere, definitely visit Katamachi in the Kanazawa Drinking District 2025.
Characteristics of Kiguramachi
Source:Official website
Kiguramachi is an adult hideaway-like area where you can enjoy local flavors and interactions with people in a calm atmosphere. This quieter section of the Kanazawa Drinking District 2025 offers a more intimate dining experience.
Along narrow streets, privately-owned izakaya, bars, wine bars, and Koryori-ya (Japanese home-style dining restaurants) line up, welcoming guests with carefully prepared cuisine. One of the attractions is being able to feel the owner's ideas and dedication that you can't experience at chain stores.
Despite being in an excellent location just a 2-3 minute walk from Katamachi, there are relatively few tourists, and it bustles with locals who want to leisurely enjoy meals and drinks.
In Kiguramachi, please try experiencing Kanazawa's daily life from the same perspective as the locals.
Kiguramachi is Recommended for These Types of People
Kiguramachi is recommended for people who want to leisurely enjoy meals and drinks in a quiet atmosphere.
Since there are many small, privately-owned establishments, you'll be able to experience deeper aspects of Kanazawa through natural conversations and interactions with local regular customers. It's perfect for people seeking local experiences in calm areas rather than bustling tourist spots.
Additionally, Kiguramachi has many establishments where you can enjoy not only Japanese cuisine but also wine and creative dishes. For people who want to taste dishes that showcase the chef's sense and individuality in addition to famous local cuisine, Kiguramachi is the optimal area within the Kanazawa Drinking District 2025.
Characteristics of the Kanazawa Station Area
The Kanazawa Station area is an extremely convenient area as a base for tourism and business. The "Tsuzumi-mon Gate" in front of the station has become a symbol of Kanazawa Station with its design that fuses tradition and modernity. It was once selected as one of the "14 Most Beautiful Train Stations in the World" by the American travel magazine "Travel + Leisure," making it popular as a commemorative photo spot.
Inside the station, souvenir shops and restaurants are abundantly available, allowing you to casually enjoy local gourmet food immediately after arrival or before departure. The surrounding area has many accommodation facilities, and the reduced burden of transportation is also an attractive point.
At night, the atmosphere is relatively calm, with bars scattered around where you can spend time quietly. Since many establishments are accustomed to serving tourists, it's an area where even people visiting Kanazawa for the first time can enjoy with peace of mind.
The Kanazawa Station Area is Recommended for These Types of People
The Kanazawa Station area is recommended for people visiting Kanazawa for the first time or those who prioritize ease of movement.
It has good access to popular tourist destinations such as Kenroku Garden and Omicho Market, and with abundant accommodation facilities and restaurants, it's extremely convenient as a travel base. This area serves as an excellent entry point to explore the broader Kanazawa Drinking District 2025.
Inside the station, souvenir shops and establishments where you can enjoy local gourmet food are available, making it perfect for short-term visitors with limited time. If you want to efficiently enjoy tourism and gourmet food, please spend fulfilling time at Kanazawa Station as your gateway to the Kanazawa Drinking District 2025 experience.
3 Recommended Izakaya in Kanazawa Where You Can Simultaneously Enjoy Exquisite Seafood and Alcohol
Kanazawa is located near the Sea of Japan, where fresh and delicious seafood is abundantly caught, making it famous as an area known for excellent seafood. Additionally, with clean water, high-quality rice, and skilled craftsmanship coming together, you can also enjoy flavorful local sake.
The Kanazawa Drinking District 2025 continues to attract visitors from around the world with its exceptional combination of fresh seafood and premium local beverages.
Here, we introduce 3 recommended izakaya where you can taste Kanazawa's exquisite cuisine and local sake together.
Cho-hachi Kanazawa Station Store
Source:Official website
At Cho-hachi, you can enjoy a wide variety of Kanazawa gourmet foods including seafood, sushi, Wagyu, and local traditional dishes.
Among these, my particular recommendation is Jibuni, a local dish from Kanazawa. This is a dish where duck meat and Fu (wheat gluten cakes) are simmered in a thick, soy sauce-based broth, allowing you to enjoy the delicate flavors unique to Japan.
The episode behind the dish's name is also unique - it comes from the "Jibu-Jibu" sound heard while it's simmering, making it a story you'll want to share with someone.
They also have an abundant selection of Sake and Shochu (traditional Japanese distilled spirit), so you can enjoy the experience of selecting alcohol to pair with your meal.
Otome Zushi
Source:Tabelog
Otome Zushi is a famous sushi restaurant that opened in 1995 and has earned 2 Michelin stars. The restaurant receives such high praise both domestically and internationally that people make special trips to Kanazawa just for Otome Zushi's sushi.
All the sushi prepared by the master chef with 41 years of sushi-making experience is exquisite, but what I especially want everyone to try is the "Gasu ebi" (sweet shrimp) nigiri.
Gasu ebi loses its freshness quickly, making it a precious delicacy that can only be enjoyed in limited areas along the Sea of Japan coast. It features thick, tender flesh with a creamy texture and rich sweetness.
Please be sure to savor these treasures from the sea that can only be eaten in Kanazawa at Otome Zushi.
Kourin Sushi
Source:Tripadvisor
Kourin Sushi is a hidden gem located in central Kanazawa where you can enjoy fresh sushi at reasonable prices.
The sushi and seafood rice bowls made with fresh seafood caught in the Sea of Japan are not only delicious but also generous in portion size, offering excellent value for money. English menus are also available, so even those who don't understand Japanese can order with confidence.
Another appealing point is that it's within walking distance of Omicho Market and Kanazawa Castle, making it easy to drop by during your sightseeing.
When You Come to Kanazawa, a City Where Japanese Tradition and History Live On, Enjoy Exploring the City Along with Its Food
The Kanazawa Half Day Historical Walking Tour is a popular half-day tour where you can deeply experience Kanazawa's history and culture with knowledgeable guides.
While visiting major tourist spots such as Omicho Market, Kanazawa Castle, Kenrokuen Garden, and Higashi Chaya district, you can also enjoy local cuisine lunch and a tea time experience with traditional sweets and Matcha.
Rather than just visiting tourist sites, you can touch upon Kanazawa's deep attractions through local food, scenery, and historical sites. This is the perfect tour for those who want to create dense travel memories in a short time.
Tour Details:
- Meeting point: FamilyMart+Drug Komeya Kanazawa Musashi Store
- Tour area: Ishikawa
- Start time: 10:00
