[Travelogue] More Than Kanazawa Castle and Kenrokuen! A One-Day Kanazawa Trip to Experience Past and Present

Nagamachi in Kanazawa was a residential area for samurai during the Edo period (1603–1868), and its earthen walls and nagayamon gates still preserve the atmosphere of that time. Walking through Nagamachi feels like stepping back 400 years to the Edo period.

Walk east from the Nomura Samurai House for Approx. 5 minutes, and you’ll arrive in the Korinbo and Katamachi area, where you can experience Kanazawa’s present-day side.
The Korinbo and Katamachi area is Kanazawa’s largest shopping district, with many department stores and restaurants. I walked around and took photos of the beautiful streetscape along the way.

A stylish, trendy domed arcade shopping street.

From Korinbo, continue walking east for under Approx. 5 minutes to the Ishikawa Shiko Memorial Cultural Exchange Center.
This building was used for Approx. 60 years from 1893 as a school building under the former secondary school system. Inside, you’ll find exhibits such as school uniforms and textbooks used at the time, along with materials on literary figures who contributed to the development of Ishikawa Prefecture or had ties to the area.

*By the way, the building is illuminated every night. The museum also displays many materials introducing the culture around Kenrokuen Garden.

Across the street from the Ishikawa Shiko Memorial Cultural Exchange Center is the Ishikawa Prefectural Memorial Shiinoki Guest House, which was renovated from the former Ishikawa Prefectural Government Office. Inside are facilities such as a tourist information center and restaurants, making it a convenient place for visitors to take a break.

For a short rest, we recommend visiting Kanmi-dokoro Urushi no Mi, located near Shiinoki Guest House. This Japanese sweets café is run by a shop that makes and sells lacquerware called Nosaku, and the tableware used inside is beautifully crafted.
I ordered the matcha cream shiruko set, and the authentic matcha dessert was very satisfying.

Right next to Kanmi-dokoro Urushi no Mi is the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa.
The museum has a free public zone and a paid exhibition zone, where you can enjoy colorful, stylish works of contemporary art.

Head south from the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa and walk for Approx. 10 minutes to the D.T. Suzuki Museum.
The museum introduces the life and philosophy of Daisetz Suzuki, a Buddhist philosopher from Kanazawa. At the D.T. Suzuki Museum, you can experience the “beauty of stillness,” and its unique space naturally invites quiet reflection.

At the end of the one-day itinerary, head to Sarashina Fujii in the dining area of Korinbo for dinner.
The restaurant has a relaxing atmosphere, and you can enjoy traditional Japanese soba here. I ordered zaru soba for 850 yen.
By the way, the restaurant also has many fine aged sake selections, so it’s highly recommended for fans of Japanese sake as well.

After a full day of sightseeing, I felt a little tired but very satisfied.
In addition to famous attractions such as Kenrokuen Garden, Kanazawa Castle, and the chaya districts, Kanazawa offers historic streets like the Nagamachi Samurai District, lively shopping areas such as Korinbo, and modern attractions like the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa. It’s a truly enjoyable destination, and I highly recommend it!