What this area is like
Kenrokuen is one of Japan’s three great gardens, beside Kanazawa Castle Park. Higashi Chaya district has wooden teahouses, the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art is nearby, and Omicho Market sells seafood.
Loop buses from Kanazawa Station reach the main sights; Kenrokuen opens early in the morning.
Choose your next step
Places to see in this area
Kenroku-en Garden
One of Japan’s three great gardens, famous for its snow-supporting ropes on the pines in winter.
- Access
- From JR Kanazawa Station, take a bus to Kenrokuen-shita / Kanazawa Castle.
- Hours
- 1 March–15 October 7:00–18:00; 16 October–end of February 8:00–17:00.
- Fee
- Adults ¥320; ages 6–17 ¥100.
- Address
- 1 Kenroku-machi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa
Allow about 1.5 hours. Kanazawa Castle Park is right across the road.
21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art
A round glass museum of contemporary art, known for Leandro Erlich’s “Swimming Pool”.
- Access
- Kanazawa Loop Bus from JR Kanazawa Station to Hirosaka / 21st Century Museum, then 1 minute on foot.
- Hours
- Exhibition zone 10:00–18:00. Closed Mondays and over New Year.
- Fee
- Free public zone. Exhibition tickets vary by show.
- Address
- 1-2-1 Hirosaka, Kanazawa, Ishikawa
Seeing the inside of the Swimming Pool needs an exhibition ticket and timed entry; book ahead on busy days.
Higashi Chaya District
A street of wooden teahouses with fine lattices, now home to cafés and gold-leaf shops.
- Access
- Bus from JR Kanazawa Station to Hashiba-cho, then about 6 minutes on foot.
- Hours
- The street can be walked at any time; shops keep their own hours.
- Fee
- Free to walk. The Ochaya Shima teahouse charges admission.
- Address
- Higashiyama, Kanazawa, Ishikawa
Most teahouses still admit guests only by introduction. Visit Shima to see an Edo-period teahouse inside, and try a gold-leaf soft-serve.
How to plan your time here
- Morning at Kenroku-en, lunch near Omicho Market or Korinbo, the 21st Century Museum in the afternoon, and Higashi Chaya at dusk when the lanterns come on.
- Kanazawa is about 2.5–3 hours from Tokyo on the Hokuriku Shinkansen.
Information checked 26 October 2026. Plans are JapaLens editorial suggestions, not on-site reviews. Hours and fees can change; check the official page before you go.