Tsubajin Kanazawa: Enjoy Kanazawa's Oldest Ryotei & 270-Year Historic Kaga Cuisine 2025
Kanazawa is a historic city that flourished as the castle town of the Kaga Domain about 400 years ago, and was also famous as one of Japan's leading cultural cities at that time. Present-day Kanazawa retains its traditional townscape and is known for having many particularly historical landmarks in Japan, such as Kanazawa Castle, Kenroku-en, and Higashi Chaya District.
Kanazawa is also popular for enjoying exquisite gourmet food made with fresh seafood caught in the Sea of Japan and traditional vegetables produced in Kanazawa. This time, we will introduce in detail the overview, attractions, and dishes you can enjoy at Tsubajin, a long-established restaurant where you can taste the local cuisine "Kaga Dish" made with seasonal ingredients from Kanazawa.
Table of Contents
-If you want to enjoy exquisite Kaga Dish in Kanazawa, Tsubajin, Kanazawa's oldest restaurant, is recommended!
-Four Attractions of Tsubajin, One of Kanazawa's Leading Kaga Dish Restaurants
-My Top 3 Traditional Kaga Dishes to Enjoy at Tsubajin That Moved Me
-3 Famous Kanazawa Restaurants Recommended for Authentic Foodies and Tsubajin
In Kanazawa, you can enjoy various exquisite gourmet foods, including the traditional "Kaga Dish" of Ishikawa Prefecture
Kanazawa is a gourmet city where you can taste diverse cuisine that makes use of fresh seafood and local ingredients, including "Kaga Dish," the traditional Japanese cuisine that Ishikawa Prefecture is proud of.
"Kaga Dish" is a general term for local cuisine using seasonal ingredients from Kanazawa, and it is also characterized by its beautiful and elegant appearance, served on traditional crafts such as Kutani-yaki and Wajima-nuri lacquerware. With "Kaga Dish," you can enjoy exquisite cuisine that harmonizes Kanazawa's food culture with authentic Japanese cuisine.
In Kanazawa, you can also taste a wide variety of local gourmet foods, such as sushi made with fresh seafood, oden (a Japanese hot pot dish where vegetables and boiled eggs are simmered in broth) made with local ingredients, and local curry rice.
If you want to enjoy exquisite Kaga Dish in Kanazawa, Tsubajin, Kanazawa's oldest restaurant, is recommended!
Source:Official website
If you want to taste authentic Kaga Dish in Kanazawa, Tsubajin, known as Kanazawa's oldest restaurant, is recommended.
Founded in 1752, Tsubajin has received high praise from locals and tourists as a restaurant where you can enjoy refined culinary skills cultivated over a long history and high-quality cuisine that is particular about local ingredients.
At Tsubajin, you can enjoy traditional Kaga Dish, including Jibuni, a local cuisine of Kanazawa, served on beautiful tableware such as Kutani-yaki and Wajima-nuri lacquerware. Also, one of my recommended points is that you can dine in various private rooms with different atmospheres, such as Japanese-style rooms and tea rooms of traditional architecture.
Tsubajin operates on a complete reservation system. Private rooms are especially popular and tend to fill up quickly, so once your itinerary is decided, make a reservation early through the official website or by phone. Please check the store's official website and phone number below.
Overview and Access to Tsubajin
Address: 5-1-8 Teramachi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Access: Approximately 5 minutes on foot from "Hirokoji" bus stop
Business Hours: Lunch 11:00-14:00 (Last entry 13:00) Dinner 17:00-21:00 (Last entry 19:00) Breakfast at 7:00- / 8:00- / 9:00- / 10:00-
Closed: Wednesday
Phone Number: 076-241-2181
Official Homepage: https://tsubajin.co.jp/
Four Attractions of Tsubajin, One of Kanazawa's Leading Kaga Dish Restaurants
Exquisite Kaga Dish Made with Carefully Selected Ingredients
Source:Tabelog
At Tsubajin, you can taste authentic Kaga Dish made with carefully selected seasonal ingredients from Ishikawa Prefecture using traditional cooking methods. Kanazawa is blessed with abundant fishing grounds in the Sea of Japan and fertile soil in the plains, allowing access to high-quality ingredients such as various seafood and vegetables each season.
At Tsubajin, they serve cuisine that is particular about local ingredients, such as fresh seafood that symbolizes Kanazawa like Blackthroat seaperch and sweet shrimp, and traditional vegetables like Kaga lotus root and Gorojima Kintoki (a traditional sweet potato of Kanazawa).
At Tsubajin, each of Kanazawa's local dishes, such as Jibuni and Hasumushi (a dish where grated Kaga lotus root is steamed), uses local ingredients. Since Tsubajin's cuisine has a modest seasoning that brings out the original taste of the ingredients, please enjoy the flavor of Kanazawa's seasonal ingredients themselves.
Numerous Dishes That Are Beautiful Even in Appearance
Source:Tabelog
Tsubajin's cuisine is popular not only for its high-level taste but also for its beautiful presentation that can be enjoyed visually. Being able to enjoy cuisine visually is one of the characteristics of Kaga Dish, expressing the changing of seasons with seasonal ingredients such as fresh salmon roe that sparkles like jewels and vivid green wild vegetables.
At Tsubajin, you can experience Japan's four seasons not only through taste but also visually, such as by shaping carrot into cherry blossom petals in spring and using cool-looking glass tableware in summer. When tasting Kaga Dish, please enjoy the beautiful presentation first before eating.
Carefully Selected "Tableware" as Works of Art on Which Dishes Are Served
Source:Kanazawa Tourism Official
At Tsubajin, they are thoroughly particular about the tableware on which dishes are served, selecting the most suitable tableware for each dish. In particular, Kutani-yaki and Wajima-nuri lacquerware, which are traditional crafts representing Ishikawa Prefecture, are works of art in themselves and further enhance the beautiful appearance of high-quality cuisine.
Kutani-yaki, characterized by vivid colors and bold painting, is used for appetizers such as sashimi and small dishes, while Wajima-nuri lacquerware, decorated with gold leaf on the deep luster of lacquer, is used for soups. I loved the vivid colors created by Kutani-yaki and sashimi and found myself staring at them, forgetting to eat.
At Tsubajin, please fully enjoy the unique Kanazawa food experience where Kanazawa's food culture and traditional crafts harmonize.
Sophisticated Dining Rooms, Each with a Different Atmosphere
At Tsubajin, another attractive point is that you can dine in about 10 private rooms, each with a different atmosphere. All private rooms are tatami-floored Japanese-style rooms rooted in the aesthetic sense of traditional Japanese architecture, providing a sophisticated space perfect for tasting authentic Kaga Dish.
Below, I will introduce three carefully selected popular private rooms that can be chosen according to your preferences and occasions. If you want to enjoy a meal for a special occasion or an unforgettable food experience in Kanazawa, please use this as a reference.
Room Moon
Source:Official website
Room Moon is a private room with a serene atmosphere that is said to have been used by literary masters who once represented Japan. As its name suggests, soft light like moonlight shines into the room, and it is recommended for those who want to thoroughly enjoy Kaga Dish in a calm space.
Room Ginpu
Source:Official website
Room Ginpu is a private room where you can enjoy meals while viewing the Japanese garden that changes with each season. This private room is the room where the haiku poet Matsuo Bashō, who traveled throughout Japan composing haiku (traditional Japanese poems), stayed, and is characterized by its historic atmosphere, having been relocated from Katamachi, Kanazawa's downtown area.
It is recommended for those who want to fully enjoy Kanazawa's traditional flavors while feeling the sophisticated Japanese atmosphere.
Tea Room Zean
Source:Official website
Tea Room Zean is a private room where you can enjoy Kaga Dish in traditional tea room architecture. This room is a relocated tea room built by Kameda Zean, a tea master representing Kanazawa.
Tea Room Zean retains features such as a hearth for boiling water over charcoal and Nijiriguchi, the narrow entrance characteristic of tea rooms. It is recommended for those who want to taste Kanazawa's local cuisine while experiencing traditional Japanese culture.
My Top 3 Traditional Kaga Dishes to Enjoy at Tsubajin That Moved Me
Jibuni
Source:Tabelog
Jibuni is a beloved local stewed dish representing Kanazawa. It's made by simmering duck meat dusted with wheat flour and Kanazawa's traditional vegetables in broth, characterized by its thick, mellow taste.
My favorite point about Tsubajin's Jibuni is that you can taste duck meat with thick fat and rich flavor. The more you chew the duck meat, the more umami dissolves, and it pairs excellently with the broth enhanced by the sweetness of vegetables. Furthermore, you can fully enjoy Kanazawa's seasonal ingredients such as Kinjiso, a traditional leafy vegetable of Kanazawa.
Jibuni is characterized by its mellow sweetness from the umami that has dissolved from the ingredients. When you dissolve the accompanying wasabi, it becomes a refreshing accent and you can enjoy a different taste. Please take your time to savor the traditional taste of Kanazawa, which is at the heart of Kaga Dish.
Tai no Karamushi
Source:Tabelog
Tai no Karamushi is a traditional local dish of Kanazawa. It's a dish where sea bream, split from the back, is stuffed with okara (the residue from squeezing soy milk) and steamed, and is eaten in Kanazawa on special occasions such as weddings.
By steaming the sea bream whole with its head and tail still attached, Tai no Karamushi allows you to fully savor the delicate umami inherent to sea bream. My recommended way to enjoy this dish is to taste not only the sea bream flesh but also the okara full of umami that has absorbed the sea bream broth.
Tai no Karamushi is made using the traditional cooking method of splitting the sea bream from the back, avoiding splitting from the belly which would remind one of "seppuku" (ritual suicide by cutting one's belly) performed by samurai defeated in battle. Please try this exquisite dish where you can feel the remnants of Kanazawa's samurai culture.
Hassun
Source:Tabelog
Hassun is an assortment of appetizers in authentic Japanese cuisine, a dish where seasonal ingredients are beautifully arranged little by little in one vessel. The attractive point of Hassun is that you can taste a rich variety of seasonal ingredients unique to that time, such as fava beans in spring and Kaga lotus root and chestnuts in autumn.
When Hassun was served to me, I was so moved by its vivid colors and beautifully arranged presentation like a work of art that I was captivated for a while. In spring, there's cucumber cut in the shape of a bush warbler, and in summer, there's mentaiko (spicy cod roe) appetizers designed to look like watermelon - you can enjoy the seasonality not just in taste but also in appearance.
Please experience the essence of Kaga Dish, which emphasizes not only exquisite taste but also visual beauty, through Hassun.
"Kagaya" Where You Can Casually Enjoy Top-Class Kaga Dish is Also My Recommendation!
Source:Official website
After savoring the finest Kaga cuisine at Tsubajin, please also visit "Kagaya" where you can enjoy authentic Kaga Dish in a more casual atmosphere.
"Kagaya" is a Japanese restaurant operated by a long-established inn in Wakura Onsen, and is popular for being able to casually enjoy exquisite Kaga Dish using fresh seafood from the Sea of Japan and Kanazawa's traditional vegetables. You can savor authentic Kaga Dish such as Jibuni and tempura of traditional vegetables at relatively reasonable prices.
My recommended point about "Kagaya" is that you can enter without a reservation, so you can drop by according to your schedule that day. Why not casually taste authentic Kaga Dish during your Kanazawa sightseeing?
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Address: 1-1 Kinoshinbo-cho, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture (Kanazawa 100bangai Anto)
Business hours: Lunch 11:00-15:00/ Dinner 16:00-21:00 (L.O. 20:30)
Regular holiday: Irregular holidays
Phone number: 076-263-2221
Official website: https://www.kagaya.co.jp/shoku/shop/kanazawa.php
When You Come to Kanazawa, Enjoy Exquisite Cuisine at Restaurants Loved by Locals!
Kanazawa Night Foodie Tour is a guided tour that visits hidden izakayas (Japanese bars) and restaurants loved by locals. On this tour, you can fully savor exquisite local food such as fresh seafood sashimi caught near Kanazawa and Kanazawa's famous oden.
In Kanazawa, where traditional streetscapes still remain, attractive famous restaurants are scattered not only on the main streets but also in the back alleys. With this tour guided by a local guide, you can enjoy authentic local gourmet food at hidden famous restaurants known only to locals.
Since this tour also includes a walk through traditional samurai residences, please participate in clothing appropriate for the season, such as heat countermeasures in summer and cold protection in winter.
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Meeting point: In front of the Korinbo Ramoda bldg
Tour area: Korinbo to Katamachi
Start time: 18:00~
3 Famous Kanazawa Restaurants Recommended for Authentic Foodies and Tsubajin
Komatsu Yasuke
Source:Tabelog
Komatsu Yasuke is a renowned sushi restaurant located approximately 4 minutes on foot from Kanazawa Station. At this restaurant, you can savor exquisite sushi carefully crafted piece by piece by the owner, Kazuo Morita, known as an exceptional sushi chef, using carefully selected fresh ingredients. The sushi at this restaurant features rice that gently falls apart with air when it enters your mouth, creating an exquisite harmony with the high-quality seafood toppings.
Also, my favorite point about Komatsu Yasuke's sushi is that the toppings are so large they hide the rice. The elegant umami of the seafood spreads throughout your mouth, allowing you to experience a luxurious taste. For any Tsubajin seeking authentic culinary experiences, this is an unmissable destination.
Komatsu Yasuke operates on a reservation-only basis, so I recommend making reservations early when visiting.
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Address: 2-17-21 Honmachi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture, Kanazawa Chaya Annex 1F
Business Hours: 11:00- / 13:00- / 15:00-
Closed: Wednesday, Thursday
Phone Number: 076-231-1001
Official Website: None
Tempura Koizumi
Source:Official website
Tempura Koizumi is a renowned tempura restaurant that earned two Michelin stars in 2021. Located in a quiet back alley of Katamachi, Kanazawa's representative entertainment district, you can enjoy authentic tempura that showcases Kanazawa-produced ingredients and seasonal ingredients that change with each season.
The tempura at this restaurant is characterized by its light texture with thin batter, and my favorite aspect is that you can directly taste the umami of the seasonal ingredients themselves.
In addition to fresh seafood caught in the waters near Kanazawa, the tempura featuring colorful vegetables from each of the four seasons, such as spring mountain vegetables and summer corn, is also exquisite. This restaurant is perfect for the discerning Tsubajin who appreciates refined Japanese cuisine.
Tempura Koizumi also operates on a reservation-only basis. The official website includes an English reservation page for foreign travelers, allowing those who don't speak Japanese to make reservations with peace of mind.
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Address: 34 Ikedamachi 4-chome, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Business Hours: 12:00- / 18:00-
Closed: Sunday, Other irregular holidays
Phone Number: 076-223-0023
Official Website: https://tempura-koizumi.jp/
Kifune
Source:Hitosara
Kifune is a Japanese restaurant where you can enjoy dining in a charming interior renovated from an old private house. Located about a 5-minute walk from Higashi Chaya District and Kazuemachi Chaya District, where Kanazawa's traditional streetscapes remain, you can savor Kanazawa's traditional flavors in a calm atmosphere.
At Kifune, you can enjoy creative Japanese cuisine using seasonal ingredients for each season, such as bamboo shoots in spring, sweetfish in summer, matsutake mushrooms in autumn, and snow crab in winter.
My reason for recommending this restaurant is not only the ingredients, but also the beautiful presentation adorned with real nature, such as cherry blossoms in spring, green leaves in summer, and autumn-colored leaves in fall. This restaurant offers an experience that any Tsubajin would appreciate.
When visiting Kifune, reservations are required. The interior consists of private rooms for each group, allowing you to leisurely enjoy exquisite Japanese cuisine without worrying about your surroundings.
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Address: 1-9-69 Hikosanmachi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Business Hours: Lunch 11:30-15:00 (Last entry 13:30)/ Dinner 17:30-22:30 (Last entry 20:30) *Sunday only, also open for breakfast (7:00-9:00)
Closed: Wednesday
Phone Number: 076-220-6131
Official Website: None
If You Come to Kanazawa, a City Where Japanese Tradition and History Live, Enjoy Exploring the City
Kanazawa Half-day Historical Walking Tour is a guided tour that takes you around Kanazawa's main spots, including Kenroku-en, Kanazawa Castle, and Higashi Chaya District, in approximately 5 hours.
My recommendation point for this tour is that you can dine while experiencing Kanazawa's traditions, such as at Omicho Market with about 300 years of history and a restaurant where you can view Japan's oldest fountain. Since local guides who speak English will guide you, you can efficiently enjoy Kanazawa's popular spots in limited time. This tour is ideal for the Tsubajin traveler who wants to deeply understand local culture while experiencing culinary excellence.
During this tour, you will walk 4-4.5km around the city of Kanazawa, so I recommend participating in comfortable shoes.
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Meeting point: FamilyMart+Drug Komeya Kanazawa Musashi Store
Tour Area: Musashigatsuki ~ Kanazawa Castle and Kenroku-en Area ~ Higashiyama
Start Time: 10:00-