Kanazawa in Winter: Art, Food & Slow Travel in Japan

Visit Kenroku-en Garden: One of Japan’s most famous gardens, especially beautiful in winter with its snow-protection rope structures (yukitsuri). It’s peaceful, well-laid out, and offers expansive views across the city.

Explore Higashi Chaya District: A historic geisha district with traditional teahouses, gold leaf shops and small cafes. It’s especially atmospheric in the evening, even if most shops are closed.

Check out Kanazawa Station and Tsuzumi-mon Gate: The station is worth a stop on its own. Grab local snacks, browse travel brochures and see the dramatic wooden gate outside, inspired by traditional drums. It looks even better lit up at night.

21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art: A clean, thoughtfully designed space with standout installations like Leandro Erlich’s swimming pool and work by global artists like Olafur Eliasson and Adrián Villar Rojas.

Take a Trip to Takayama by Train: The train ride alone is worth it — snowy mountain views and a quiet, local vibe. Most guides suggest the bus via Shirakawa-go, but the train route (via Toyama) is much more scenic in winter.

Kanazawa Castle and Museum: The grounds offer great open views, and inside the museum, you can learn about traditional Japanese construction techniques in a very hands-on way.

Sake Tasting at Fukumitsuya Brewery or The BAR: Try high-quality sake in a sleek modern setting or visit a historic brewery dating back to 1625. You can also buy sake-based skincare products here.

Shop for Crafts and Gold Leaf: Pop into Hakuza for gold-leaf souvenirs, Koizumiya for handmade crafts and other small shops for gifts that are actually worth bringing home.

Eat at Omicho Market: This is the city’s main food market — great for sushi, grilled crab and fresh produce. Morimori Sushi is a good, fast, high-quality option inside the market. Be prepared for long waiting times.

Visit Oyama Jinja Shrine: A small but unique shrine with an unusual mix of Japanese and Western architectural styles, including stained glass in the gate.

Morimori Sushi (Omicho Market): Popular conveyor-belt sushi spot with very fresh fish and fast service. Great for a quick lunch while exploring the market.

Mizuho: A relaxed spot to try a traditional Kanazawa-style set meal. The presentation is beautiful and the dishes are very local.

Marichou K (Owaricho): A tiny, cozy Chinese-Japanese fusion restaurant run by a solo female chef who only speaks Mandarin. The food is thoughtful and vegetarian-friendly, and the experience feels very personal.

Togei Kissa Tozan: Lovely teahouse near Kanazawa Castle, known for its fresh matcha, seasonal wagashi and peaceful setting. Great place to take a quiet break.

Family Mart (Yes, really!): If visiting during Christmas, try the famous fried chicken from Family Mart. A fun, quirky local tradition in Japan. Surprisingly good and very on-brand for a casual winter night.

Itaru Honten: Casual izakaya with a buzzing atmosphere, good sake and seasonal grilled dishes. A nice place to end the day.

Curio Espresso & Vintage Design Café: Western-style café run by expats with excellent coffee and sandwiches. Good for brunch or a quiet work break.

Kanazawa Brewery Taproom: Small local brewery where you can try craft beers brewed in the region. Chill vibe and a good contrast to all the tea and sake.