KANAZAWA, JAPAN (2026) | Top Things To Do In Kanazawa (For A One Day Visit)

What's up guys? We just finished a trip to Kanazawa and in this video we're going to show you the best things to do for a one-day visit there. So hope you enjoy it. Kanazawa is located on the central coast of Honshu along the Sea of Japan. Having escaped the destruction of World War II, it's one of Japan's best preserved cultural gems and retains much of its authenticity. A major perk is that the top attractions are within walking distance of one another, making it easy to navigate the city on foot. In this video, we'll highlight the best things to do that fit in a one-day visit. Now let's dive in. We are Zach and Ina. We make helpful videos about destinations around the world so you can easily plan your own adventures. The samurai district is located just west of the Kanazawa castle grounds. Historically, this area served as the residential quarter for middle to high-ranking samurai of the powerful Maeda clan. You can walk along cobblestone streets lined with iconic earthen walls and even take a look inside some of the samurai homes. The samurai district and the neighboring Korinbo and Katamachi districts are also home to a variety of cozy restaurants and hidden izakayas, making them the perfect place to end your day. Omicho market is just a 15-minute walk to the north of Kanazawa castle. This bustling indoor complex has many different stalls and it's been the city's main food market since the Edo period. The main draw is its fresh seafood from the Sea of Japan and it's particularly famous for its seafood rice bowls, but they also offer a variety of street snacks like grilled skewers and gold leaf ice cream. The market is open daily from 9 a.m to 5 p.m and it's a great spot to grab some lunch. Located just a short 15-minute walk east of the market, the Higashichaya district is the largest and most prestigious of the city's three historic entertainment neighborhoods. Established in 1820, this beautifully preserved area transports you back to the Edo period with its iconic wooden facades and narrow streets. You can admire the traditional tea houses where geisha still perform to this day or browse the boutiques selling exquisite pottery and gold leaf crafts. There's also lots of cozy cafes where you can enjoy some traditional sweets or matcha. Centrally located in the city, Kanazawa castle served for nearly three centuries as the seat of the Maita clan. At that time, it was one of Japan's wealthiest domains, though much of it was destroyed by recurring fires. Afterwards, it was used as a base for the Japanese army and then a campus for Kanazawa university before being designated a national historic site in 2008. Today, you can admire the massive wooden structures from the outside and inside. Access to the park grounds is free, though there is a small fee to enter the main interior buildings. And even though parts of the complex are still undergoing renovation, the site is a must visit in our opinion. We really loved the castle's serene setting with its expansive lawns. Adjacent to Kanazawa castle, Kenroku-en is celebrated as one of Japan's three most beautiful landscape gardens. You can stroll along winding paths to see the iconic two-legged stone lantern, which has become the symbol of the city. The grounds are also teeming with water features, bridges, tea houses, flowers, viewpoints, and hidden nooks. When we visited during mid-October, the garden was still pretty green, but from mid-November, it turns into spectacular fall colors. If you combine the gardens with the castle, it costs 500 yen for a combi ticket. We were surprised how popular these gardens were, so if you want to avoid crowds, we recommend coming as early as possible. If you're planning your day in Kanazawa, you might be interested to know which activities are easiest to combine. We put our exact itinerary on the screen here, so feel free to pause the video or take a screenshot. While our video showcased the city's easily accessible highlights for a day trip, Kanazawa offers much more for those with extra time, so we put some other things to do on the screen here as well. Thanks for watching, and we hope you enjoyed the video. You can find more videos on our channel about other Japanese destinations and essential travel tips for the country, so make sure to check those out. And if you're planning your own Japan trip, we recommend staying organized with our interactive travel planner. Find a discount code in the description below the video. We'll catch you on the next adventure.