Kanazawa to Kyoto Travel Guide: Access Information, Must-See Spots & Cultural Experiences 2025
Kanazawa and Kyoto are ideal cities to experience Japan's traditional culture. Kanazawa prospered as a castle town of Kanazawa Castle, and Kyoto has a history of developing as Japan's former capital. While each has its own unique history and culture, both cities preserve many historic sites and the atmosphere of old Japan.
Transportation from Kanazawa to Kyoto is very convenient, and this route is particularly popular among travel routes for experiencing Japanese tradition and history. This time, we will explain in detail about Kanazawa's traditional spots, the appeal of visiting both cities together, and access methods from Kanazawa to Kyoto.
Table of Contents
-Why Do Many People Travel from Kanazawa to Kyoto?
-Three Benefits of Visiting Kyoto After Sightseeing in Kanazawa
-3 Must-visit Spots to Enjoy in Kanazawa
-A Must-see for Those Who Want to Enjoy the Cultural Differences from Kanazawa to Kyoto! 4 Spots Where You Can Experience Kanazawa's Traditions
Why Do Many People Travel from Kanazawa to Kyoto?
Kanazawa prospered as a castle town about 400 years ago, and it is a city where samurai culture and traditional crafts remain strongly. Kyoto developed as Japan's capital for approximately 1,200 years from the 7th century, and many historic shrines and temples still remain today. Both cities are enveloped in traditional Japanese scenery full of charm, and are places where the essence of Japanese culture lives on.
By visiting Kanazawa and Kyoto, you can understand Japanese traditional culture from multiple perspectives, so for foreigners who want to deeply experience Japanese history and culture, traveling from Kanazawa to Kyoto is a popular route.
Additionally, the extension of the Hokuriku Shinkansen in March 2024 significantly improved the convenience of access from Kanazawa to Kyoto, which is one of the reasons this route is popular. Kyoto also offers convenient access to other cities in the Kansai region such as Osaka and Nara, making it ideal for extending your trip from Kanazawa to explore historic cities.
Access from Kanazawa to Kyoto
There are mainly three methods for traveling from Kanazawa to Kyoto: railway, highway bus, and rental car. Details of each access method are as follows (prices as of November 2025).
<Main Access Methods from Kanazawa to Kyoto>
1. Shinkansen + Limited Express Train
- From Kanazawa Station to Tsuruga Station (Hokuriku Shinkansen): approximately 45 minutes, adult reserved seat fare 5,480 yen
- From Tsuruga Station to Kyoto Station (Limited Express Train "Thunderbird"): approximately 55 minutes, adult reserved seat fare 3,420 yen
2. Highway Bus
- From Kanazawa Station to Kyoto Station: around 5 hours, adult fare approximately 3,000 to 8,000 yen
3. Rental Car
- From Kanazawa Nishi IC to Kyoto Higashi IC: approximately 3 hours, highway tolls approximately 6,000 yen
Among these, the most popular method of transportation that allows for the fastest and most convenient travel is the railway. Use the Shinkansen from Kanazawa Station to Tsuruga Station, then transfer to the Limited Express Train "Thunderbird" at Tsuruga Station.
If you use the railway, you can arrive from Kanazawa to Kyoto in as little as approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes, even including transfer time.
Additionally, for those who want to keep costs down, the highway bus that runs directly from Kanazawa Station to Kyoto Station is recommended, and for those who prioritize travel flexibility, using a rental car is recommended. Please choose the transportation method that suits you according to your travel budget and preferences.
Three Benefits of Visiting Kyoto After Sightseeing in Kanazawa
Access from Kanazawa to Kyoto is Overwhelmingly More Convenient Than to Other Cities
Travel from Kanazawa to Kyoto is particularly convenient among routes between popular tourist cities in Japan. With the extension of the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Kanazawa Station to Tsuruga Station in March 2024, travel time from Kanazawa to Kyoto has been further reduced.
For example, you can travel from Kanazawa to Kyoto in as little as approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes, but from Japan's capital Tokyo to Kyoto takes at least 2 hours or more even at the fastest. Since you can travel from Kanazawa to Kyoto in a shorter time compared to other major cities, you can effectively use that extra time for sightseeing.
Compare Each City's Culture and Traditions to Enjoy Both Cities More Deeply
My recommended point is that by visiting from Kanazawa to Kyoto consecutively, you can more deeply understand the charm of each city while comparing the differences in history and culture.
Kanazawa developed as a castle town where samurai culture and merchant culture merged. Traditional crafts such as Kutani ware and gold leaf crafts reflect the aesthetic sense of the samurai of that time, combining practicality with splendor.
Kyoto prospered as Japan's capital for approximately 1,200 years and is a city where court culture and the spirit of Zen remain strongly. It is characterized by historic shrines and temples, and elegant traditional crafts such as Nishijin weaving and Kyo-yuzen dyeing.
Please visit both Kanazawa and Kyoto together and compare the backgrounds of how the cities developed and their cultural differences.
Smoothly Connect to Tourism in the Kansai Area Such as Osaka and Nara
When you travel from Kanazawa to Kyoto, you can smoothly access popular tourist cities in the Kansai area such as Osaka, Japan's second largest city, and Nara, Japan's oldest capital. From Kyoto to Osaka or Nara, you can travel within 45 minutes even by conventional train lines, making Kyoto convenient as a base for Kansai area tourism.
In Kyoto, you can experience shrines, temples, and the elegant culture nurtured by nobles; in Osaka, the dazzling cityscape and unique food culture; and in Nara, historic temples and shrines and parks with deer - each city offers its own unique culture.
Please also enjoy the charms of the Kansai area, which are different from the traditions, culture, and gourmet food you experienced in Kanazawa.
3 Must-visit Spots to Enjoy in Kanazawa
When visiting Kanazawa, experiencing the history of the castle town, samurai culture, and exquisite gourmet food is essential. Here, I'll introduce three carefully selected popular tourist spots where you can experience Kanazawa's history and traditional culture.
Kenroku-en
Kenroku-en is a beautiful Japanese garden counted as one of Japan's three most famous gardens. This garden was once the daimyo garden of the Kaga Domain that ruled Kanazawa, and it's a popular tourist destination where you can enjoy the history of Kanazawa's development and nature through the four seasons.
You can take a break at the tea house in the garden while walking around the pond and appreciating the highlights.
At Kenroku-en, my favorite aspect is being able to experience Kanazawa's four seasons depending on the time of year, such as cherry blossoms in spring, deep greenery in summer, autumn foliage in fall, and "Yukitsuri" in winter.
In particular, "Yukitsuri," where ropes are stretched to protect trees from the weight of snow, is a winter tradition of Kanazawa, and you can enjoy the beautiful scenery unique to snowy Kanazawa.
Kenroku-en is regularly lit up at night, so I recommend it for those who want to enjoy the spectacular night view where traditional Japanese gardens and modern technology merge.
<Information>
Address: 1 Kenroku-cho, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Business Hours: March 1 - October 15 7:00-18:00 (Last entry 17:30)/ October 16 - End of February 8:00-17:00 (Last entry 16:30)
Closed: Open year-round
Phone Number: 076-234-3800
Official Website: https://www.pref.ishikawa.jp/siro-niwa/kenrokuen/
Kanazawa Castle
Kanazawa Castle is one of the popular tourist spots that symbolizes the history of Kanazawa's development. It was built over 400 years ago as the residence of the Maeda Family, the lords of the Kaga Domain who ruled Kanazawa.
Traditional castle architecture that still retains its appearance from that time is preserved, making it a valuable cultural property where you can learn about Kanazawa's history.
The main highlights of Kanazawa Castle are as follows:
<Main Highlights of Kanazawa Castle>
- Ishikawa-mon gate: The gate that represents Kanazawa Castle; the current gate was rebuilt in 1788 after being lost in a fire.
- Sanjukken Nagaya: A mud-walled warehouse built in 1858, a precious building that still exists as it was at that time.
- Unique stone walls: Kanazawa Castle is also called a "museum of stone walls," and you can enjoy comparing stone walls with different shapes and stacking methods depending on the era and location.
Kanazawa Castle is about a 5-minute walk from Kenroku-en, and I recommend visiting both together to fully experience Kanazawa's history.
<Information>
Address: 1-1 Marunouchi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Business Hours: March 1 - October 15 7:00-18:00/ October 16 - End of February 8:00-17:00
Closed: Open year-round
Phone Number: 076-234-3800
Official Website: https://www.pref.ishikawa.jp/siro-niwa/kanazawajou/
Omicho Market
Omicho Market is a lively market that boasts about 300 years of history as Kanazawa's "citizens' kitchen." This market is lined with approximately 170 stores selling fresh seafood caught in the Sea of Japan, local vegetables and fruits, and Kanazawa souvenirs.
At Omicho Market, I recommend seafood dishes using high-quality fish and shellfish such as Blackthroat seaperch, a specialty product of Kanazawa, and sweet shrimp.
In particular, seafood bowls where you can taste a wide variety of seafood at once are popular because you can enjoy the market's exceptionally fresh fish and shellfish at reasonable prices.
I recommend this for those who want to enjoy not only the exquisite seafood caught near Kanazawa, but also a wide range of local gourmet food such as Kanazawa oden (a hot pot dish with boiled eggs and vegetables simmered in broth) and Kanazawa curry.
<Information>
Address: 50 Kami-Omicho, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Business Hours: Varies by store (many stores open around 9:00-17:00)
Closed: Varies by store
Phone Number: 076-231-1462
Official Website: https://ohmicho-ichiba.com/
Having a Local Guide Show You Around the City Allows You to Enjoy Not Just Tourist Spots but Also History and Culture in Depth
For those who want to know Kanazawa's history and attractions more deeply, I recommend participating in the "Kanazawa Half-day Historical Walking Tour" accompanied by a local guide familiar with Kanazawa.
In addition to Kenroku-en, Kanazawa Castle, and Omicho Market, you can also enjoy a stroll through the traditional streetscape of Higashi Chaya District.
My recommended point about this tour is that you can sightsee while learning about Kanazawa's history and traditions with the guidance of a local guide. You can understand the historical background and attractions of each spot more deeply and experience the depth of Kanazawa's culture firsthand.
Since this tour moves between each tourist spot on foot, please participate in clothing appropriate for the season, such as measures against heat in summer and cold weather measures in winter.
<Information>
Meeting point: FamilyMart+Drug Komeya Kanazawa Musashi Store
Tour Area: Musashigatsuji - Kanazawa Castle and Kenrokuen Garden area - Higashiyama
Start Time: From 10:00
A Must-see for Those Who Want to Enjoy the Cultural Differences from Kanazawa to Kyoto! 4 Spots Where You Can Experience Kanazawa's Traditions
Higashi Chaya District
Higashi Chaya District is the largest tea house district in Kanazawa. Traditional wooden buildings line both sides of the stone-paved streets, and you can stroll through an atmospheric townscape as if you've time-slipped about 200 years into the past.
I recommend not only daytime but also after evening when the townscape is illuminated by gas lamps.
In Higashi Chaya District, you can actually tour the interior of tea house architecture that remains as it was at that time, and you can also enjoy activities such as tea ceremony experiences and gold leaf application experiences. Please experience Kanazawa's refined tea house culture and traditional crafts.
<Information>
Address: 1-chome Higashiyama, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Business Hours: Varies by store and season (many around 9:00-18:00)
Closed: Varies by store *Some stores are open year-round
Phone Number: Varies by store
Official Website: https://chayagai.goldleaf-sakuda.jp/
Nishi Chaya District
Nishi Chaya District is a tea house district with a calm atmosphere that was developed at the same time as Higashi Chaya District. Although it's small in scale, the townscape of beautiful traditional tea house architecture remains.
My favorite aspect is that there are fewer tourists, and you can stroll slowly without worrying about your surroundings.
At "Nishi Chaya Shiryokan Museum" in Nishi Chaya District, you can experience the atmosphere of a luxurious tea house. Also, there are charming cafes in the townscape that have renovated traditional architecture, and I recommend this for those who want to take a break and slowly experience Kanazawa's history and traditional tea house culture.
<Information>
Address: 2-25-18 Nomachi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Business Hours: Varies by store (many around 10:00-18:00)
Closed: Varies by store
Phone Number: Varies by store
Official Website: https://www.kanazawa-kankoukyoukai.or.jp/spot/detail_10199.html
Kazue Machi Chaya District
Kazue Machi Chaya District is one of Kanazawa's representative tea house districts, located within walking distance from Higashi Chaya District.
Traditional architecture lines the narrow alleys along the Asano River, where you can enjoy a beautiful landscape that harmonizes the atmospheric streetscape with nature throughout the four seasons, offering a uniquely different charm from other tea house districts.
This tea house district features many establishments where you can relax while experiencing Kanazawa's traditions, including cafes and bars where you can dine while viewing traditional streets and Japanese gardens, as well as cafes overlooking the Asano River.
It's recommended for those who want to immerse themselves in Kanazawa's traditions in a quiet atmosphere, away from the bustling crowds typical of popular tourist destinations.
<Information>
Address: 2-5 Kazuemachi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Business Hours: Varies by store (most are open from around 11:00 to 18:00)
Regular Holidays: Varies by store
Phone Number: Varies by store
Official Website: https://www.kanazawa-kankoukyoukai.or.jp/spot/detail_52358.html
Nagamachi Samurai District
Nagamachi Samurai District is an area where samurai of the Kaga domain once lived. Even today, traces of earthen-walled samurai residences remain along the stone-paved lanes, allowing visitors to experience the atmospheric streets from that era.
Among them, the Nomura-ke Samurai Residence, which opens the interior of a samurai house to the public, is a must-see. You can tour the luxurious architecture of a residence belonging to a middle-ranking samurai who was active during that period, as well as the beautiful Japanese garden.
Additionally, my favorite feature is that you can enjoy a quintessentially Kanazawa experience of tasting matcha green tea and Japanese sweets in the tea room inside the building.
Please stroll through the traditional streets unique to Kanazawa where samurai culture took root, and experience the history of samurai society firsthand.
<Information>
Address: Nagamachi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Business Hours: Free to explore (Nomura-ke Samurai Residence: April-September 8:30-17:30/ October-March 8:30-16:30)
Regular Holidays: None (Nomura-ke Samurai Residence: Closed on 12/26, 12/27, 1/1, 1/2)
Phone Number: 076-232-5555
Official Website: https://www.kanazawa-kankoukyoukai.or.jp/spot/detail_10195.html (Nomura-ke Samurai Residence: http://www.nomurake.com/)
When You Come to Kanazawa, Savor Exquisite Cuisine at Locally Loved Establishments!
When visiting Kanazawa, it's highly recommended to taste local gourmet specialties such as seafood caught in the Sea of Japan and regional dishes. The Kanazawa Night Foodie Tour, guided by a local expert, allows you to fully enjoy authentic Kanazawa cuisine at hidden gem restaurants beloved by locals.
This tour takes you through three izakayas (Japanese bars) in Katamachi, Kanazawa's representative entertainment district, where you can enjoy local gourmet food including fresh sashimi, Kanazawa oden, and sake.
Furthermore, the tour includes a stroll through the samurai residence district, allowing you to experience both Kanazawa's food culture and samurai culture at once.
Please note that Japanese law restricts alcohol consumption to those aged 20 and above, and participation in this tour is limited to people aged 20 and older.
<Information>
Meeting point: In front of the Korinbo Ramoda bldg
Tour Area: Korinbo to Katamachi
Start Time: 17:00/ 18:00
After Sightseeing in Kanazawa, If You're Visiting Kyoto, Explore Spots Where You Can Enjoy Kyoto's Traditions and Culture!
After savoring the samurai culture and tea house district atmosphere in Kanazawa, experience the aristocratic culture and Zen spirit in Kyoto, Japan's ancient capital.
Kyoto has many spots where you can feel Japan's traditions, including historical shrines and temples registered as World Heritage sites, and charming old streets where maiko in kimono walk.
Among them, the Gion area, Pontocho, and Miyakawacho are areas with historic streets that symbolize Kyoto's culture. While Kanazawa features refined tea house districts that flourished based on samurai culture, Kyoto showcases elegant and gorgeous streets that prospered against a background of aristocratic culture.
Both offer streetscapes where you can feel Japan's traditional atmosphere, but the backgrounds of their development and the ambiance they exude differ. When traveling from Kanazawa to Kyoto after your Kanazawa sightseeing, please enjoy exploring while comparing these differences.
If You Want to Deeply Enjoy Kyoto's Culture, Go Sightseeing with a Local Guide!
When visiting Kyoto, Japan's ancient capital, it's recommended to participate in guided tours where you can more deeply appreciate traditional culture.
In Kyoto, a diverse array of tours are available, including walking tours that visit historic shrines and temples registered as World Heritage sites, and tours where you can experience tea ceremony and zazen (Buddhist training of sitting meditation to unify the mind).
Tours accompanied by local guides who speak English allow even first-time visitors to Japanese culture to receive careful instruction, so you can enjoy with peace of mind beyond language barriers. Below, I've picked three tours where you can experience Kyoto's authentic traditional culture, so please check them out.
<Kyoto Gion Tea ceremony & Wabi-sabi Walking Tour>
Meeting point: In front of the Statue of Izumo-no-Okuni, right outside Exit 5 of Gion Shijo Station (Keihan Line)
Tour Area: Kyoto City (Gion Area)
Start Time: 13:30
<Kyoto Zen Meditation & Garden Tour at a Zen Temple with traditional Sho-jin lunch>
Meeting point: Family Mart Nakai Tofukuji Store
Tour Area: Kyoto City (Tofukuji Temple area)
Start Time: 10:30~
<Kyoto Tea Ceremony & Kiyomizu-dera Temple Walking Tour>
Meeting point: In front of the stone statue, right outside the Nishiromon Gate of Yasaka Shrine
Tour Area: Kyoto City (Kiyomizu-dera Temple area)
Start Time: 9:00
