Tourist Information in around Kanazawa

Tourist Information
in around Kanazawa

Three prefectures of Hokuriku - Ishikawa, Toyama and Fukui - are located in the center of the coastline facing the Sea of Japan. This region is rich in tourism resources and blessed with abundant foodstuffs from the sea and mountains. Build your travel plan with the tourist destinations not only in Kanazawa but in the surrounding areas to savor the land full of charms.

Wajima (Ishikawa Prefecture)

1 hour and 45 minutes by car from Kanazawa

“Senmaida Rice Fields”, a part of GIAHS “Noto’s Satoyama and Satoumi” presents the seasonal beauty. Don’t miss the traditional craft of “Wajimanuri Lacquerware” and the “Morning Market in Wajima” with over 1000 years of history.

Hakui (Ishikawa Prefecture)

40 minutes by car from Kanazawa

“Senrihama Nagisa Driveway” at the mouth of Noto Peninsula is the only beach in Japan you can drive in regular vehicle. Tourists from in/outside of the prefecture visit this beach for sea bathing in summer.

Himi (Toyama Prefecture)

1 hour by car from Kanazawa

Facing the Toyama Bay, Himi has the fishing port with the largest haul of fish in the prefecture and you can see a large variety of fresh fish arriving every morning. Known nationwide for Kanburi yellowtail. At Himi Ban’yagai, you can shop for local delicacies such as fresh seafood and local sake.

Takaoka (Toyama Prefecture)

1 hour by car from Kanazawa

Prospered as the castle town of Takaoka Castle, built by the head of Kaga clan Lord Maeda Toshinaga, the town is now known for cast metal production. Takaokasan Zuiryuji Temple, a National Treasure, is a beautiful building complex of the typical architectural style of early Edo era.

Tojinbo (Fukui Prefecture)

1 hour and 15 minutes by car from Kanazawa

Very famous for the steep rocky shoreline eroded by the waves and currents dashing against the cliff. The 25m-high cliffs stretch over 1km and present the stunning view of the ocean.

Shirakawa-go (Gifu Prefecture)

1 hour and 15 minutes by car from Kanazawa

A World Heritage site of Shirakawa-go is popular as the settlement with houses of the traditional style called gassho-zukuri. From Ishikawa Prefecture, take the “Hakusan Shirakawa-go White Road” which is blessed with beautifully colored foliage in fall.

Access to Kanazawa

You can visit Kanazawa from Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya in 2 hours and 30 minutes at the quickest (by Shinkansen and express trains). The roads in Kanazawa are very crowded during the peak travel periods, and we suggest you to take trains or use the “Holiday Park & Ride” program if you are arriving by car.

By Train

From Tokyo

Hokuriku Shinkansen Kagayaki: 2 hours and 30 minutes from Tokyo to Kanazawa

From Osaka

Express Train Thunderbird: 2 hours and 30 minutes from Osaka to Kanazawa

From Nagoya

Tokaido Shinkansen Hikari: 30 minutes from Nagoya to Maibara
Express Train Shirasagi: 2 hours from Maibara to Kanazawa

By Car

From Tokyo

Kan-etsu Expressway => Hokuriku Expressway: 6 hours, 3-minute drive from Kanazawa Nishi Exit

From Osaka

Meishin Express Way => Hokuriku Expressway: 3 hours and 30 minutes, 3-minute drive from Kanazawa Nishi Exit

From Nagoya

Meishin Express Way => Hokuriku Expressway: 3 hours, 3-minute drive from Kanazawa Nishi Exit

By Air

From Tokyo

1 hours and 15 minutes from Haneda Airport to Komatsu Airport, 30-minute drive to Kanazawa
1 hours and 5 minutes from Haneda Airport to Noto Airport, 1-hour-and-30-minute drive to Kanazawa