Kanazawa Things to Do

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Kenrokuen Garden is one of Japan's official top three gardens (along with Korakuen in Okayama and Kairakuen in Mito). It was built by the ruling Maeda to accompany Kanazawa Castle. The garden's construction began in 1774 after a previous garden burned down. Much of the garden was constructed in 1822 by lord Narinaga, although some of the garden's features were added even later.

It's an excellent example of a typical Japanese strolling garden and the grounds are quite large! The most famous view is of the Kotojitoro Lantern overlooking Kasumigaike Pond and the famous pines which were grown from seeds planted here by one of the Maeda lords. The garden's fountain may look like it's being pumped up, but it's actually completely natural and the oldest fountain in Japan.The garden features a plum grove, cherry tree grove, streams, monuments, teahouses, and many other plants. There is also a traditional crafts museum and the Seisonkaku Villa (the villa requires an additional fee).

From November 1 through the winter, ropes are attached to the pine branches in order to help keep their shape and prevent the heavy snow from damaging them. The view of the roped pines is another iconic feature of the garden, so it's definitely worth a winter visit (particularly when there is snow). There are many areas to explore in the garden so use the map and don't miss any! It can take 2 hours to see it all and even more if you take time to browse the museum and enter the villa.

Kenrokuen is such a beautiful garden, it has definitely earned its title as one of the top three in the nation. It may be out of the way for many travelers to Japan but it's well worth the visit!

Entrance is 300 yen. The Traditional Products and Crafts Museum within the garden grounds is free, but those who want to enter the Seisonkaku Villa need to pay an additional 700 yen.

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More popularly known as Ninja-dera (Ninja Temple), Myoryuji is a fascinating temple full of hidden doors and traps. The temple was moved here to be near Kanazawa Castle by the Maeda Lord (Toshitsune) in 1643. During that time, the shogunate had tried to decrease the power of local lords and also dictated that no building could be higher than 3 stories tall. The Maeda, who ruled over the Kaga Domain, did not want their powers diminished so they created such secret places in order to more easily find and eliminate any Tokugawa spies and quell any attempted invasions of Kanazawa Castle.

The temple has rooms for hiding samurai, hidden staircases can be found throughout, the money-offering box doubles as defense (if you step on it, it will collapse under you and likely break your leg), hidden passageways, and hidden rooms. From the outside the temple seems to be a two-story building but in actuality it was a violation of the 3-story limit, because there is a hidden fourth story! All of these traps and passageways were created to allow those working here in secret to escape any attempted raids if they were discovered.

The well is rumored to contain an underground passageway that leads all the way to Kanazawa Castle, although no one has verified that claim.

The nickname "Ninja-dera" is strictly a nickname given because ninja homes are known for having these sorts of secret passageways, traps, etc. but this was never a ninja home. Actually, many people get so focused on all the secrets of the place they forget Myoryuji is a legitimate temple. In spite of its secret functions, it is still and always was a temple! I think that makes it an even more fascinating place!

Entrance is 800 yen and you can only enter as part of a temple tour. You can call ahead to book a tour or try to merge into a tour upon arrival (which is usually not a problem). A booklet of English translations is provided for you to use as you tour if you don't know Japanese so you can follow along. Those traveling with babies or small, potentially disruptive children are not permitted on the tours.

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The 21st Century Museum is a museum featuring very modern art by very modern artists (21st century as the name states). There are some exhibits that you can visit without paying. All of the outside exhibits, including the tri-colored Colour Activity House, which appears to change colors depending on where you view it from. Inside, "The Swimming Pool" by Leandro Erlich is probably the museum's most famous work. If it's not raining or snowing heavily, you can look into the pool to see the people down below. It's a really interesting feeling and looks like a real pool!

Visitors who pay to see the exhibits can enter the pool from the bottom and look up. This is also a really intersting feeling although no one was at the top when I went due to the snow. Many of the exhibits are interactive and able to be touched, which makes it fun, although not all of them are so if you're not sure ask one of the employees at the exhibit. (Keep in mind exhibits change, so I can't guarantee they will always be interactive, but the museum has an interest in modern art that you can "experience".)

Any fan of modern art and interactive art should make an effort to make this a part of your Kanazawa visit! The set-up of the museum can be a bit difficult to navigate, so make sure you don't miss anything.

Entrance varies by exhibit but should be around 1000-1500 yen.

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Kanazawa Castle is the former home of the Maeda family who ruled over the Kaga Domain (modern Ishikawa and Toyama Prefectures). From the Meiji Period to the end of World War II the grounds were used as a military base, and they were then made a part of Kanazawa University. In 1995 it became a public space for the first time in its history.

Today, the Ishikawamon Gate (1788) and Sanjikken Nagaya Storehouse (1858) are the only structures that remain from the old castle. The gate is one of the more scenic parts of the castle, though and does have a turret. The structures within the castle grounds are 21st century reconstructions so they lack historic value but are still nice to look at. You can enter and because it's so new it is handicap accessible. There are only a few artifacts currently inside. Even if you don't enter though, it's still worth a walk around the area.

The castle grounds are free. Entrance to the inner turrets (Hishi Yagura) is 300 yen. You purchase your ticket in the building outside the entrance not inside.

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Oyama Shrine is part of the former Maeda villa, built in 1599, and moved here in 1873. The shrine is most famous for its gate, built in 1875 by a Dutch architect. You can easily see the Chinese and European influences in the shape and stained-glass windows. It's definitely unique among Japanese shrines.

Within the shrine grounds is also a nice little garden which was also moved here from the Maeda villa was constructed in the Edo Period. It has a pond with an island lantern. You can walk to it on the wooden planks or admire the view from around the edge.

The shrine is free and near Kanazawa Castle, so it makes a nice stop when traveling to or from the castle area.

The Saigawa Ohashi Bridge was built in 1924, a year after the Great Kanto Earthquake. Although the bridge is not very long (62.3 meters) but it is an iron bridge and bridges of this type were not common at that time. It was registered as a National Tangible Property in 2000.

Unless you are a fan of bridges, it wouldn't be worth it to come just to see this however, if you are going to the Teramachi area (where Myoryuji the "ninja temple" is located), you will probably cross this bridge so it's interesting to note that it is actually a historic site.

The bridge is part of Hyakumangoku-dori Street, the main shopping street in Kanazawa.

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Omi-cho Market is Kanazawa's fish market. There are many fresh fish however, the main attraction here are the crabs, which are a famous Kanazawa delicacy. The market has been here since the Edo Period, although today it is enclosed in a more modern shopping space. There are other shops here, as well, but it's not a place to shop for souvenirs (unless you want to buy the seafood). There are a few restaurants here where you can get food made with the local seafood.

It's not far from the station and you can enter from the main shopping street (Hyakumangoku-dori). It's not a must-visit place but if you're walking by the area then it's worth a brief detour.

It was so much fun for my family, and the most unique thing about it is that it have a lot of animals in relativly small space, which is really important so you wont get tired out of walking by the end of the day, specially kids. Better go from the early morrning to avoid the nap time of the animals around 11.30, most of animals where not moving and may be due to hot weather. i saw the seal, sea lion, some mammals, 4 types of monkeys, Eagle, lion, tiger, leopard, puma, gangaroo, petting zoo for kids, falmingo, picock, other birds, giraffe, zebra, elphante, chimpanzee, hippoptamus, and other few animals i dont remember their names.
there is a restaurant, that have japanese food and other few snakes like fried potatos.
from9- 5 pm and closed in tuesdays,
810 yen for adults and 400 for 3 years old and above kids