Kanazawa City in Ishikawa Prefecture is a major tourist hub in the Hokuriku region. It is easily accessible from Tokyo via the Hokuriku Shinkansen and from Osaka and Kyoto in the Kansai region. Kanazawa Station, the gateway to the city, is renowned as a terminal with a unique blend of tradition and modern beauty.
The towering wooden Tsuzumi Gate and the glass-walled Motenashi Dome, which shelters people from rain and snow, stand as the station’s symbols. They are renowned for their modern architecture and encapsulate the spirit of hospitality, warmly welcoming visitors into Kanazawa.
Inside the station, you will find many souvenir shops selling traditional crafts nurtured by the history of the Kaga Hyakumangoku and restaurants where you can savor local delicacies. Kanazawa Station is the perfect base to start your journey to Kanazawa's traditional crafts, cuisine, and history.

Tourist information center and hands-free sightseeing support
The tourist information center located inside Kanazawa Station is a very reliable resource for travelers. You will find multilingual brochures, traditional craft displays, and a dedicated information counter for international visitors.
The same-day luggage delivery service is particularly convenient for visitors wishing to go sightseeing hands-free. Just leave your luggage at Kanazawa Station, and it will be delivered to your hotel or ryokan inn on the same day.

You can use the sightseeing buses departing from the bus terminal at the station's East Exit (Kenrokuen Exit) to visit Kanazawa's main tourist attractions, which are located slightly away from the station, efficiently.
Use the Kanazawa City ONE-DAY PASS (800 yen for adults, 400 yen for children) for unlimited bus rides for one day (both sightseeing buses and regular buses in central Kanazawa). This extremely convenient and cost-effective pass can be purchased at the tourist information center inside the station.

Omicho Market (approximately five minutes by bus): A bustling market known as “Kanazawa's Kitchen,” where you can enjoy fresh seafood from the Sea of Japan.
21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa (approximately ten minutes by bus): A museum of contemporary art especially renowned for the artwork, The Swimming Pool, which gives the illusion of being submerged in a pool.
Kenroku-en Garden (approximately 15 minutes by bus): One of Japan's Three Great Gardens, this traditional strolling garden offers beautiful scenery throughout the seasons. We recommend visiting it together with the Kanazawa Castle Park nearby.

Live videos show the crowd levels in real time at each facility, so you should check them before visiting.

One of Kanazawa's biggest events is the Kanazawa Hyakumangoku Festival, which celebrates the culture and history of the Kaga Hyakumangoku Domain. Held from the first Friday to Sunday every year in June, it envelops the entire city in a vibrant festive atmosphere.
The festival's highlight is the Hyakumangoku Parade held on Saturday, the second day of the event. A magnificent procession led by an actor dressed as Lord Maeda Toshiie, founder of the Kaga clan, marches through the city, captivating viewers. The city is the most crowded until Saturday evening, as it is packed with visitors watching the parade and savoring food and drinks from all the different stalls.

Cost-effective tickets are available for international visitors wishing for broader access to the city.

1. The Hokuriku Arch Pass: Ideal for people traveling to broader areas
The Hokuriku Arch Pass is a special JR ticket designed for international visitors to Japan.

This pass offers unlimited travel for seven days on the Hokuriku Shinkansen, limited express trains, and local trains across a wide area from Tokyo to Osaka and Kyoto via Kanazawa. You can travel at a fixed price on a route that is usually expensive, even just for a round trip between Narita Airport and Kanazawa Station, making it ideal for traveling across Japan's major cities and the Hokuriku region. You can book as many reserved seats in ordinary cars as you wish, but please note that this must be completed before boarding.

2. Digital passes for cost-effective sightseeing inside the city
Some cost-effective passes combine transportation and sightseeing within Kanazawa.

Kanazawa City ONE-DAY PASS: As mentioned earlier in the article, the 800 yen pass offers unlimited bus rides and is essential for exploring the city. This pass grants discounted admission to 27 tourist attractions within the city for the day.

Kanazawa Tabiwa Pass: This two-day digital ticket combines a free pass for Kanazawa City route buses with admission tickets to various tourist attractions, including Kenroku-en Garden, Kanazawa Castle Park, the Kaikaro teahouse, the Seisonkaku villa, and the Nomura Samurai Residence. It can be purchased and used via the Tabiwa app, allowing you to go sightseeing without worrying about physical tickets. Priced at 1,500 yen for adults, it is a very convenient option for tourists visiting multiple attractions. The app is available in English.

Kanazawa is a city where beautifully preserved traditions and history sit side by side with bold contemporary culture. With its well-designed Kanazawa Station, easy-to-use loop buses, and convenient transportation passes for international visitors, getting around is both comfortable and efficient. From the vibrant Hyakumangoku Festival and the seasonal beauty of Kenrokuen Garden to the lively atmosphere of Omicho Market, known as the “kitchen of Kanazawa,” the city offers experiences you cannot find anywhere else. Be sure to add Kanazawa to your itinerary and discover its unique charm for yourself.