Kanazawa Hiking & Nature Guide 2025: Mt. Utatsu, Mt. Iozen & Best Picnic Spots for All Levels
Kanazawa is a city where rich history and culture thrive, attracting visitors from both domestic and international destinations as a tourist spot where you can fully enjoy tradition and art.
At the same time, it is a nature-rich city surrounded by mountains and sea, and if you venture out a little, you can encounter parks where you can feel nature through the four seasons, and mountains with observation decks offering panoramic views of the cityscape.
Whether you want to casually enjoy hiking between sightseeing activities from the city center, or challenge yourself to a full-day authentic mountain climbing experience, Kanazawa is a recommended spot for Kanazawa Hiking 2025.
This time, we will introduce spots where you can enjoy the natural charm of Kanazawa, focusing on Mt. Utatsu and Mt. Iozen, which are easily accessible from Kanazawa.
Mount Utatsu is Recommended for Casual Hiking
Mt. Utatsu is a mountain located in the southern part of Kanazawa city. From the traditional townscape of Higashi Chaya District, it takes only about an hour on foot to reach the observation deck at the summit, making it an easily climbable low mountain.
The appeal lies in its accessibility, allowing you to drop by between sightseeing activities, and it's characterized by the ability to feel nature as an extension of city walking. Why not extend your journey a little and view the Kanazawa cityscape from the mountaintop?
*Since there are steep sections on the mountain paths, please head there wearing comfortable sneakers.
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Address: Suehiro-machi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Access: Utatsuyama line (Hokutetsu bus) get off at "Bokodai", 1 minute walk (weekdays only)
Zaimoku Root (Kanazawa Furatto Bus) get off at "Namiki-machi", approximately 20 minutes walk
Operating hours: Always open
Closed: None
Phone number: 076-220-2356 (Kanazawa city hall, Green and Flower Division)
Official website: None
The Beautiful Kanazawa Cityscape Visible from the Observation Deck
Mt. Utatsu has several observation decks. Among them, the view from Bokodai (observation deck) at an elevation of 141 meters is breathtaking, offering a panoramic view of Kanazawa's beautiful cityscape. On clear days, you can see all the way to the Sea of Japan, making you truly realize that Kanazawa is a city harmonized with nature, surrounded by mountains and sea.
At night, it is also popular as a spot where you can view romantic night scenery. It has often been chosen as a proposal venue, and many heartwarming stories have been born at this location.
After viewing the night scenery, enjoying dinner in Higashi Chaya District is also a recommended way to spend your time.
Four Seasons of Nature with Completely Different Scenery Depending on the Season
Mt. Utatsu shows you nature through the four seasons depending on when you visit, and in spring, it is also famous as a Cherry Blossom viewing spot. In spring, about 250 Cherry Blossom trees color the roadside leading to the parking lot, creating a scenery like driving through a tunnel of flowers.
There are also about 500 cherry trees of various varieties within the park, and during full bloom season, you can see people enjoying picnics while viewing the flowers.
In autumn, it is also known as a spot for fall foliage, and you can view the cityscape turning autumn colors from the observation deck while strolling through forests colored in red and yellow. It is a spot where you can experience the charm of each season depending on when you visit.
Beautiful Natural Spots to Enjoy Including Kaboku-en, Hanashobu-en, and the 400 Years Forest
The charm of Mt. Utatsu is not limited to Cherry Blossoms and fall foliage. Within the park, there are plenty of spots where you can feel the charm of nature firsthand, including the garden Kaboku-en where 8,000 Azaleas bloom in tiers, and the 400 Years Forest where beautiful Cherry Blossoms quietly bloom in spring.
Among them, Hanashobu-en, where 2,900 stocks of Hydrangea and 200,000 stocks of Sweet Flag bloom, is my favorite spot where you can encounter refreshing waterside plants in early summer.
Mt. Utatsu, where you can taste the natural blessings of Kanazawa throughout the year, is also loved as a place of relaxation for citizens. Please visit and experience its abundant nature as part of your Kanazawa Hiking 2025 adventure.
If You Can Spare a Day, Hiking at Mt. Iozen is Recommended for Kanazawa Hiking 2025
Mt. Iozen is a 939-meter mountain located in the southeastern part of Kanazawa. Stretching 9km from north to south and 5km from east to west, it is cherished as a natural park in Ishikawa prefecture.
This mountain allows you to experience the beauty of Japan's mountain ecosystem, and it's accessible by bus from Kanazawa station in about an hour and a half, making it an ideal mountain for those who want to try mountain climbing in Japan.
*Note: In recent years, there have been bear sightings around Mt. Iozen. When hiking, please carry items that make noise, such as bells or radios, and climb with caution.
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Address: Around Okushinbomachi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Access: Get off at "Iozan Sports Center Mae" on the Iozen line (Hokutetsu bus)
Operating hours: Always open
Closed: None
Phone number: 076-225-1476 (Ishikawa Prefecture Natural Environment Division)
Official website: https://www.pref.ishikawa.lg.jp/sizen/sizenkouen/iouzen_jouhou.html
Enjoy Powerful Nature Including Sanjaga-Taki Falls and Tonbi-Iwa Rock
Source:Google Maps
At Mt. Iozen, you can encounter dynamic scenery created by nature that you won't find in everyday life.
Standing before powerful natural formations such as Sanjaga-Taki, a waterfall with a 20-meter drop, and Tonbi-Iwa, a rock jutting out like a bird's beak, will naturally awaken your spirit of adventure.
Tonbi-Iwa is approximately a 100-meter rock face, but ropes are installed and you can actually climb it. Please climb carefully to avoid missing your footing. When you reach the top of the rock, a sense of accomplishment and spectacular view await you.
Furthermore, O-ike, a pond of approximately 26.4 acres located directly below Tonbi-iwa, is also known as a habitat for salamanders. Mt. Iozen is a treasure trove of rich nature and ecosystems.
Experience Japan's Beautiful Four Seasons Through Autumn Foliage and Snow Scenes
Mt. Iozen has been known since ancient times as a natural habitat for medicinal herbs, and even today, it's a nature-rich mountain where you can encounter approximately 85 types of rare mountain plants.
In mid-October, the trees turn red and yellow, and many climbers visit as a beautiful spot for autumn foliage. The area around the Visitor Center in particular offers spectacular scenery, where you can view the powerful autumn foliage that you can only encounter in the mountains.
In winter, the mountain is covered with snow and a ski resort opens. It's beloved by locals as a ski resort that families can enjoy from beginners to advanced skiers.
From spring to early summer, wild plants bloom; in autumn, there's foliage; and in winter, there's snow and skiing. Please enjoy the seasonal charm of Mt. Iozen, which can be enjoyed throughout the year, making it perfect for Kanazawa Hiking 2025 experiences.
Freely Adjust the Difficulty Level According to Your Chosen Course
Mt. Iozen has many routes, and you can freely adjust the climbing difficulty depending on the course. Please choose a course according to your condition, from courses of about 1 hour that families can enjoy to full-scale courses that take half a day.
*Note: There have been cases of people getting lost. Be sure to confirm your route, and carry maps and compasses when climbing to enjoy safely.
Yugiri Pass - Okuiouzan Round Trip Course
This route allows you to access Yugiri pass (Yugiri Touge) by car and enjoy about 1 hour of hiking to the 939-meter summit of Mt. Iozen, making it a recommended route for beginners as well.
Since you'll be walking in a high-altitude area, you can enjoy hiking while experiencing the clear air. Although there's no large observation deck near the 939-meter summit, you can hear the mountain's breathing, including bird songs and the sound of the wind.
The Shirahagedaira mountain hut toward the end is one of the highlights, where you can view scenery resembling Japan's original landscape with rice paddies spreading out. This course is recommended for those who want to experience the air of deep mountains even if long climbs are difficult.
*Note: From early November to around spring, the road is closed and you cannot access Yugiri Pass by car. Climbing from early summer to around October is recommended.
- Elevation change: 135m
- Distance: 1.4km
- Required time: Approximately 1 hour
- Difficulty level: For beginners ★☆☆☆☆
Maeyama - Mt. Shirahage - Mt. Jabio - Yugiri Pass - Okuiouzan Circuit Course
This course involves parking your car at Nishiodaira parking area and heading for the summit of Mt. Iozen. In addition to the Shirahagedaira mountain hut and the summit air mentioned earlier, you'll climb mountain paths covered with vegetation, so you can enjoy mountain climbing while experiencing the charm of Japanese mountain flora.
The wooded area surrounded by vegetation up to Mt. Shirahage at the beginning of the course heightens your sense of adventure. From the summit of Mt. Shirahage, you can also view Kanazawa's city area and the Sea of Japan.
This is a well-balanced route where you can enjoy full-scale mountain climbing in addition to spectacular views, ideal for Kanazawa Hiking 2025 adventures.
- Elevation change: 532m
- Distance: 7.0km
- Required time: Approximately 3 hours 30 minutes
- Difficulty level: Moderate ★★★☆☆
Miage Pass - Maeyama - Mt. Shirahage - Mt. Jabio - Yugiri Pass - Okuiouzan - Ohara Trail Entrance Circuit Course
This route begins climbing from Miage pass (Miage touge), the entrance to Mt. Iozen.
Since you start climbing from a lower position than the route starting from Maeyama (Nishio parking area) introduced earlier, you can enjoy climbing with greater elevation differences.
In addition to the spectacular views near the summit, please enjoy the world of mountain plants that change according to elevation, including mushrooms and wild plants.
The trail entrance is also close to the bus stop at Iozan Sports Center Mae, so this route is recommended for those accessing by bus or those who want to enjoy full-scale mountain climbing.
- Elevation change: 899m
- Distance: 11.6km
- Required time: Approximately 5 hours 30 minutes
- Difficulty level: Somewhat difficult ★★★★☆
Entrust Your Kanazawa City Sightseeing to Local Guides Who Know the Tourist Spots and Culture Inside Out!
When you come to Kanazawa, be sure to enjoy city sightseeing as well! Magical Trip offers tours where you can explore Kanazawa's main tourist attractions in half a day together with local guides.
The tour takes you to essential Kanazawa sightseeing spots such as Omicho Market, Kanazawa Castle, and Kenroku-en, where you can experience Kanazawa's history and culture. The tour also includes lunch featuring local traditional cuisine and a cafe time to enjoy matcha sweets, allowing you to experience Kanazawa's food culture at the same time.
This is a recommended tour for those who want to efficiently enjoy everything Kanazawa has to offer. Whether you're planning Kanazawa Hiking 2025 adventures or exploring the city's cultural heritage, combining guided tours with outdoor activities makes for an unforgettable experience.
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Meeting point: Family Mart + Drugstore Komeya Kanazawa Musashi Store
Tour area: Kanazawa city
Start time: 10:00
Three Recommended Natural Spots for Those Who Want to Enjoy a Casual Picnic
For visitors planning Kanazawa Hiking 2025 excursions or looking for peaceful outdoor spaces, these parks offer the perfect blend of nature and accessibility.
Daijoji Kyuryo Park
"Daijoji Kyuryo Park" is a park located on a hill in the southern part of Kanazawa city. You can overlook Kanazawa city, and on clear days, you can see all the way to the Sea of Japan.
This park allows you to enjoy seasonal flowers such as Cherry blossoms and Hydrangeas, but the 13,000 Azaleas that can be enjoyed from late April to early May are especially breathtakingly beautiful.
The park features open lawn areas where time spent in the sunshine with family and loved ones makes travel memories even warmer. Although it's a bit away from the city center, you can access it by bus in about 1 hour from central areas like Korinbo.
This is a recommended spot for those visiting Kanazawa from spring to early summer when flowers are at their peak, or for those who want to spend time surrounded by nature. It's an ideal location for those interested in Kanazawa Hiking 2025 activities combined with flower viewing.
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Address: 135 Wo, Nagasaka-machi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture area
Access: Get off at Hokutetsu bus "Enkoji" stop, about 15 minutes on foot
Operating hours: April to September 8:00-19:00 / October to March 8:00-18:00
Closed: December 29 to January 3
Phone number: 076-220-2356 (Kanazawa city hall, Parks and Flowers Division)
Official website: https://www4.city.kanazawa.lg.jp/soshikikarasagasu/midoritohananoka/gyomuannai/5/1/8469.html
Kanazawa Castle Park
"Kanazawa Castle Park" is a park in the city center that is loved by locals and tourists as a place of relaxation.
Located on the former site of Kanazawa Castle, walking through the park allows you to experience historically rich Japanese spots such as gates, stone walls, and castle ruins.
In spring, it's also known as a famous cherry blossom spot where you can enjoy the elegant Japanese scenery created by the cherry blossoms and Hishi yagura, which is a symbol of Kanazawa Castle.
If you're interested in Japanese history and architecture, be sure to visit the paid areas such as the turrets and long houses, as well as the adjacent "Kenroku-en," one of Japan's three great gardens. This park is also recommended for those who want to relax on a bench during city sightseeing. It's a perfect starting point for Kanazawa Hiking 2025 adventures in the surrounding areas.
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Address: 1-1 Marunouchi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Access: About 15 minutes on foot from "Korinbo bus stop"
Operating hours: 7:00-18:00 (March 1 to October 15) / 8:00-17:00 (October 16 to end of February)
Closed: Open year-round
Phone Number: 076-234-3800
Admission Fee: ¥320 (Free Admission to Castle Park Grounds)
Official Website: https://www.pref.ishikawa.jp/siro-niwa/kanazawajou/e/
Kuratsuki Central Park
Source:Ishikawa Prefecture
"Kuratsuki Central Park" is a community-based park with a large lawn area. It's open and spacious, with many locals jogging and walking their dogs, showing the breathing life of the people.
On weekends, you can see boys playing baseball on the field. The cheerful voices of children can be heard from the playground equipment such as swings and slides, making you feel the peaceful daily life of Kanazawa.
There are supermarkets in the surrounding area, so it's also recommended to buy lunch boxes or bread, spread a sheet on the lawn, and enjoy lunch. This park is perfect for families with small children who want to enjoy a leisurely picnic. After a morning of Kanazawa Hiking 2025 activities, this is an ideal spot to rest and recharge.
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Address: 37-9 To, Naoe-machi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture area
Access: Get off at Hokutetsu bus "Chikaoka" stop, about 5 minutes on foot
Operating hours: Always open
Closed: None
Phone number: 076-220-2356 (Kanazawa city hall, Parks and Flowers Division)
Official website: None
When You Come to Kanazawa, Enjoy Exquisite Cuisine at Restaurants Loved by Locals!
After a day of moving your body in the mountains and parks, why not enjoy a different side of Kanazawa from the daytime by joining a tour of Kanazawa restaurants at night?
Magical Trip holds the "Kanazawa Night Foodie Tour" where you can visit shops loved by local people together with local guides.
The tour starts at a restaurant where you can enjoy seafood dishes that represent Kanazawa's taste, then moves to a quiet area lined with traditional stone pavements where you can savor simmered dishes and Japanese sake.
At the end of the tour, you'll stop by a shop where you can compare different Japanese sakes and enjoy sweets with matcha. This is a recommended tour where you can feel the charm of Kanazawa's food culture while enjoying a stroll through Kanazawa's nighttime streets. It's the perfect way to end a day of Kanazawa Hiking 2025 adventures.
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Meeting point: In front of the Korinbo Ramoda bldg.
Tour area: Kanazawa city Korinbo
Start time: 18:00
