Questioning the place to remain in Kanazawa in your subsequent journey to Japan? Discover out the very best areas and lodging choices under.
Kanazawa is slowly getting extra consideration, particularly with the New Golden Route and the Hokuriku Shinkansen now connecting Kanazawa and Tokyo. And rightfully so! With well-preserved geisha districts, samurai homes, conventional crafts and considered one of Japan’s most stunning landscaped gardens, Kanazawa is a superb addition to any Japan itinerary.
With a lot to see and do, you’ll need to allocate a minimum of just a few days in Kanazawa. However the place do you have to keep? After having visited Kanazawa a number of occasions through the years, I’ve discovered some nice locations to remain (and the very best areas to guide a resort!).
When you’re not sure of the place to remain in Kanazawa, then this information has you coated. I’ve damaged down the very best areas, together with what every district has to supply, lodging suggestions, and close by points of interest.
In a Rush? Finest Locations to Keep in Kanazawa Overview
When you’ve not received time to learn the total information, here’s a fast overview of my high ryokans and motels in Kanazawa:
When you’re staying in Kanazawa for just a few days, staying in Downtown Kanazawa is your only option. There are some nice trendy motels right here, a lot of eating places and bars close by, and it’s inside strolling distance of nearly all of predominant sights within the metropolis. I’ve stayed right here a number of occasions and by no means regretted it.
One other nice space is Higashi Chaya Geisha District, which is the right alternative for those who’re in search of one thing a bit extra conventional. As that is considered one of Kanazawa’s three Geisha Districts, you’ll be capable to discover some ryokans (Japanese inns) right here.
When you’re solely planning to remain in Kanazawa for one night time or are planning to journey to different areas close to Kanazawa throughout your keep, reserving a resort within the Station Space can be a great choice. As Kanazawa doesn’t have a metro, it may be a bit annoying attending to Kanazawa Station, particularly with baggage.
As Kanazawa doesn’t have a metro, you’ll have to get a bus or taxi to get to your resort from the station (except you’re staying close to the station). Go Taxi is a helpful app to get taxis in Japan, however you can even head to the taxi rank simply outdoors the station. Kanazawa additionally has a bus line that loops across the metropolis, which additionally stops at Kanazawa Station.
1. Downtown Kanazawa
Finest for first-time guests and comfort
Why Keep in Downtown Kanazawa?
Downtown Kanazawa is arguably the very best place to remain in Kanazawa for first-time guests. I’ve stayed right here a number of occasions, and it’s all the time been an awesome alternative.
The Korinbo and Katamachi areas are Kanazawa’s predominant eating, procuring, and leisure district. There’s no scarcity of eating places to select from, so that you’ll have loads of eating choices, particularly if you wish to pattern the native delicacies.
Basing your self on this space will put you inside strolling distance from Omicho Market, twenty first Century Museum of Modern Artwork, Oyama Shrine, and Gyokusenin Maru Backyard, which lead into the Kanazawa Citadel Space and Kenroku-en. You’ll even be very near Nagamachi, Kanazawa’s Samurai District.
Draw back: The Korinbo and Katamachi areas can really feel extra crowded and touristy, particularly at night time. I’ve added lodging north of the hotspots, that are situated in a quieter space.
The place to Keep in Downtown Kanazawa?
Listed below are my high picks for locations to remain in Downtown Kanazawa:
Minn Kanazawa
- How removed from the closest bus cease?: 2-minute stroll
- Onsen/public tub?: No
- Laundry?: Sure, freed from cost within the widespread laundry room. Some rooms even have a washer obtainable contained in the room.
- On-site restaurant?: No
- Baggage storage?: Sure.
Minn Kanazawa is situated on one of many predominant roads, inside strolling distance of a number of the predominant sights. Yow will discover a bus cease simply outdoors the resort, making it straightforward to get across the metropolis. Kanazawa may be very walkable, so for those who plan your days accordingly, you received’t even really want to make use of the bus a lot.
We stayed within the Double Room, which was a lot larger than anticipated. The mattress was raised on a platform and was extremely snug, plus we had greater than sufficient room to open each our suitcases comfortably. The rooms are trendy with some small conventional Japanese touches. Among the rooms even include a small tatami space.
It’s additionally an awesome choice for households or teams, because the resort presents rooms that may sleep as much as 6 folks. In addition they supply the choice of connecting rooms for teams that need extra privateness.
One of many greatest benefits of this resort is the free laundry room. Whereas most motels cost you just a few hundred yen for laundry and drying, Minn Kanazawa permits you to do it without spending a dime. Among the rooms even include a built-in washer, so that you don’t even have to depart your room.
Onyado Nono Kanazawa
- How removed from the closest bus cease?: 1-minute stroll
- Onsen/public tub?: Sure
- Laundry?: Sure (extra cost for drying)
- On-site restaurant?: Sure
- Baggage storage?: Sure.
Throughout my second go to to Kanazawa, I stayed in Onyado Nono Kanazawa. The most important promoting level for this pretty resort is the normal touches (tatami flooring within the rooms) and the on-site onsen. Company can use all baths without spending a dime, together with an indoor sizzling spring tub with metropolis views, an open-air tub, a dry sauna and an ice tub.
The resort presents a lot of freebies, together with free ramen and ice cream at night time and free Yakult within the morning. Close to the doorway of the onsen, you can even discover a manga library. You’re free to borrow books and convey them again to your room throughout your keep.
There are numerous rooms to select from, most of which sleep two to 4 folks. Onyado Nono Kanazawa additionally presents a Japanese and Western breakfast buffet the place you may strive native specialities and different freshly-made egg dishes.
Mitsui Backyard Lodge Kanazawa
- How removed from the closest bus cease?: 1-minute stroll
- Onsen/public tub?: Sure
- Laundry?: Sure (extra cost)
- On-site restaurant?: Sure
- Baggage storage?: Sure.
Mitsui Backyard Lodge Kanazawa sits on the identical road because the beforehand talked about motels, giving you quick access to many of the sights within the metropolis. With spacious rooms, laundry services, and a 24-hour entrance desk, this resort is a superb choice for staying within the Downtown space.
Company staying at Mitsui Backyard Lodge Kanazawa also can reap the benefits of the resort’s public tub. Positioned on the highest flooring, you’ll get panoramic metropolis views as you chill out. You may as well bask in native Japanese specialities on the on-site restaurant.
UAN Kanazawa
- How removed from the closest bus cease?: 5-minute stroll
- Onsen/public tub?: No
- Laundry?: Sure (extra cost)
- On-site restaurant?: No
- Baggage storage?: Sure.
UAN Kanazawa is ready in a phenomenal constructing and presents trendy rooms, a few of which characteristic a terrace. Each visitor room can be geared up with a tub so you may chill out after an extended day of exploring.
Japanese tea is out there 24/7, and you may bask in free soba noodles between 9 PM and 11 PM. UAN Kanazawa additionally presents sake tasting classes and workshops. There’s even a captivating studying house, the place you’ll discover varied artwork books and novels.
2. Higashi Chaya Geisha District
Finest for a standard environment and staying in a ryokan
Why Keep within the Higashi Chaya Geisha District?
When you’re seeking to immerse your self within the metropolis’s tradition and historical past, the Higashi Chaya Geisha District is the very best place to remain in Kanazawa. Kanazawa is residence to a few well-preserved Geisha districts, however Higashi Chaya is the most important and presents the very best lodging.
When wandering round this space within the night, chances are you’ll hear geishas singing or enjoying the shamisen. As there are such a lot of conventional homes on this space, it’s the right place for staying in a standard Japanese inn, or ryokan.
The bus route that loops round Kanazawa additionally stops in Higashi Chaya District, and you will get to Downtown Kanazawa on foot in round half-hour. Within the space itself, the Tokuda Shusei Kinenkan Museum and Utasu Shrine are a must-visit for these seeking to be taught extra concerning the native tradition.
Utatsuyama Park is only a brief stroll away if you wish to spend time in nature, or you may jump over the river to discover the Kazuemachi Chaya District (which additionally has its fair proportion of cultural points of interest).
Draw back: This space of Kanazawa could be dearer because it’s a well-liked place to remain. Lodging typically must be booked prematurely, and there could also be fewer choices to select from throughout peak season.
The place to Keep in Higashi Chaya Geisha District?
Listed below are the very best locations to remain in Kanazawa’s Higashi Chaya Geisha District:
Maki No Oto Kanazawa
- How removed from the closest bus cease?: 2-minute stroll
- Onsen/public tub?: No
- Laundry?: No
- On-site restaurant?: Sure
- Baggage storage?: Sure.
Maki No Oto Kanazawa presents an adults-only expertise the place visitors can expertise conventional Japanese delicacies and chill out in spacious Western and Japanese-style rooms. You may take pleasure in snug Western beds alongside extra Japanese options like tatami flooring.
The situation is unbeatable, as this gorgeous ryokan sits within the center of the geisha district. Whereas there isn’t a onsen at this property, each room does have an everyday tub.
Whereas staying in Maki No Oto Kanazawa, you’ll get pyjamas, a bathrobe, towels, and hair merchandise all included in your keep. This property additionally presents prolonged check-out (for a further cost), permitting you to take advantage of your time in Kanazawa.
Yamanoo
- How removed from the closest bus cease?: 7-minute stroll
- Onsen/public tub?: Sure (personal onsen in suites)
- Laundry?: No
- On-site restaurant?: Sure (kaiseki dinner and breakfast are included within the keep)
- Baggage storage?: Sure.
Positioned on a small hill looking over the remainder of the Geisha district, Yamanoo is among the greatest ryokans in Kanazawa. The constructing is extremely effectively preserved and has gorgeous views over the outdated city.
The gorgeous conventional tatami flooring rooms include futon beds and yukata clothes to put on. It’s the last word ryokan keep, with a personal onsen in every room and a conventional kaiseki dinner made with native and seasonal substances.
Kototoki
- How removed from the closest bus cease?: 3-minute stroll
- Onsen/public tub?: No
- Laundry?: Sure
- On-site restaurant?: No
- Baggage storage?: Sure.
Kototoki is one other nice choice within the Higashi Chaya Geisha District. You’ll be staying in a 160-year-old teahouse, making it among the best genuine and conventional stays on this space. With tatami flooring, futon beds and sliding doorways, this ryokan is the actual deal. Higher but, the homeowners will introduce you to the native people artwork, tradition, and outlets.
Though there isn’t a kitchen house, there are many facilities at Kototoki. This contains an electrical kettle, free WiFi, heating, air con, and a fridge. You’ll even be supplied eco-friendly toiletries, so that you’ll have every thing you would want.
Lodge Rashiku Kanazawa
- How removed from the closest bus cease?: 2-minute stroll
- Onsen/public tub?: No
- Laundry?: No
- On-site restaurant?: No
- Baggage storage?: Sure.
When you would reasonably keep in a resort as an alternative of a ryokan however nonetheless need to profit from this location, there’s Lodge Rashiku Kanazawa. This resort presents a number of rooms that sleep two folks, making it a great choice for {couples}. There are many facilities too, together with a fridge, TV, WiFi, and air con. An Asian breakfast can be obtainable.
Though there’s no restaurant on website, there are many conventional eating choices close by, the place you may bask in contemporary Japanese delicacies (particularly seafood). Utasu Shrine and the Tokuda Shusei Kinenkan Museum are additionally only a brief stroll away.
3. Kanazawa Station Space
Finest for public transport & getting round Kanazawa
Why Keep within the Kanazawa Station Space?
When you’re seeking to journey round Kanazawa and the encompassing space, then the Station Space is a superb place to remain. Because the identify suggests, that is the place Kanazawa Station is situated, which is probably going the way you’ll arrive within the metropolis (except you’re planning to rent a automobile).
Likewise, Kanazawa Station presents loads of day journey alternatives for those who plan to make use of this historic metropolis as a base. Tokyo is just a 2.5-hour practice experience away, whereas Osaka and Kyoto could be reached in two hours or much less. There are a number of bus routes serving close by locations as effectively.
You’ll be capable to discover numerous eating places close to the station. Plus, Kanazawa Forus and Kanazawa Hyakubangai supply infinite procuring alternatives, and there’s a vacationer data centre contained in the station the place you may be taught concerning the metropolis and what there may be to do right here.
Draw back: The Station Space could be very busy, with folks always arriving and departing from Kanazawa. You may additionally discover that this a part of town doesn’t really feel as genuine, and there aren’t many main vacationer points of interest within the neighborhood.
The place to Keep within the Kanazawa Station Space?
Listed below are the very best stays within the Kanazawa Station Space:
Dormy Inn Kanazawa Pure Scorching Spring
- How removed from Kanazawa Station: 4-minute stroll
- Onsen/public tub?: Sure
- Laundry?: Sure (extra cost)
- On-site restaurant?: Sure (solely serves breakfast)
- Baggage storage?: Sure.
Dormy Inn Kanazawa Pure Scorching Spring is among the greatest motels within the Station Space. Because the identify suggests, this place presents indoor sizzling springs and a sauna, making it good for a calming getaway. You may even go for a therapeutic massage!
There’s additionally an on-site restaurant on the resort, which solely serves breakfast, however free ramen noodles can be found after 9:30 PM. Extra services embody a water dispenser, merchandising machines, a 24-hour entrance desk, and laundry providers.
Tremendous Lodge Premier Kanazawaeki Higashiguchi
- How removed from Kanazawa Station?: 2-minute stroll
- Onsen/public tub?: Sure
- Laundry?: Sure (extra cost)
- On-site restaurant?: No
- Baggage storage?: No.
Only a 7-minute stroll from Kanazawa Station, you’ll discover Tremendous Lodge Premier Kanazawaeki Higashiguchi. Providing a buffet breakfast, coin laundry services, and cosy rooms, it’s extraordinarily reasonably priced contemplating the variety of obtainable facilities.
The spotlight of staying at this resort needs to be its sizzling springs baths – there’s even a ladies-only room! Tremendous Lodge Premier Kanazawaeki Higashiguchi additionally presents a dinner-collaboration plan with a well-liked native restaurant, which serves native sake, seafood, and noto beef.
4. Kanazawa Citadel & Kenrokuen Space
Finest for sightseeing and museums
Why Keep within the Kanazawa Citadel Space?
Lastly, staying close to the Kanazawa Citadel space is one other nice alternative. Positioned near the Downtown space, this a part of town is residence to considered one of Kanazawa’s key historic points of interest: Kanazawa Citadel Park.
Kanazawa was an essential fortress city relationship again to the late 1500s, so there’s loads of historical past on this space. The samurai lived within the surrounding neighbourhoods to defend the fortress, and plenty of of those neighbourhoods are nonetheless intact right this moment.
In addition to Kanazawa Citadel Park itself, there’s Kenroku-en Backyard, which is considered one of Japan’s three most stunning gardens. This a part of town can be residence to the Museum District, the place you’ll discover the Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Historical past, Kanazawa twenty first Century Museum of Modern Artwork, and the D.T. Suzuki Museum, amongst others.
As there’s a lot to see and do, the Kanazawa Citadel space is ideal for sightseeing. It’s additionally situated between Downtown and the Higashi Chaya Geisha District, with each being inside strolling distance. Resulting from Kanazawa Citadel Park’s central location, there are many bus hyperlinks within the surrounding space too, making it straightforward for folks to journey across the metropolis.
Downsides: There are typically fewer lodging choices on this a part of Kanazawa. Among the motels are additionally fairly dear, so simply be conscious of that.
The place to Keep within the Kanazawa Citadel Space?
Listed below are the very best motels within the Kanazawa Citadel Space:
HOTEL AO Kanazawa
- How removed from the closest bus cease?: 2-minute stroll
- Onsen/public tub?: No
- Laundry?: No
- On-site restaurant?: Sure
- Baggage storage?: Sure.
HOTEL AO Kanazawa has some superbly trendy rooms, some even supply a personal tub/sauna. From the Japanese-style room with tatami flooring to the extra trendy rooms, you’ll have an awesome keep right here. You may as well reap the benefits of the free mini bar, which shares craft beer, fruit juice, and extra.
Not solely are the rooms trendy and spacious, however HOTEL AO Kanazawa boasts an on-site restaurant. Right here, you may take pleasure in conventional dishes and sake. There’s additionally a sushi restaurant at this resort, so that you’ll be spoilt for alternative.
Kanazawa Hakuchoro Lodge Sanraku
- How removed from the closest bus cease?: 1-minute stroll
- Onsen/public tub?: Sure
- Laundry?: Sure (extra cost)
- On-site restaurant?: Sure
- Baggage storage?: Sure.
Kanazawa Hakuchoro Lodge Sanraku is situated proper subsequent to Kanazawa Citadel Park. It’s additionally only a brief stroll from Kenroku-en Backyard, making it an awesome base for exploring town.
Whereas staying at Kanazawa Hakuchoro Lodge Sanraku, you may chill out within the resort’s pure sizzling springs. There’s a males’s tub and a girls’s tub in addition to a sauna and a chilly tub. Afterwards, you may take pleasure in a post-bath ice cream and a drink!
UAN Kanazawa
- How removed from the closest bus cease?: 4-minute stroll
- Onsen/public tub?: No
- Laundry?: Sure (extra cost)
- On-site restaurant?: No
- Baggage storage?: Sure.
When you don’t thoughts not having an onsen, UAN Kanazawa is a superb spot. Free soba noodles are served each night time from 9 PM to 11 PM, and Japanese sweets can be found at any time. This resort additionally presents Japanese tea and a number of Kanazawa sake for those who actually need to embrace the tradition.
One other spotlight of staying right here is that UAN Kanazawa presents conventional craft workshops. Bicycle leases are additionally obtainable for individuals who need to discover town on two wheels.
Conclusion – Finest Inns in Kanazawa
As you may see, the historic metropolis of Kanazawa is a must-visit for these exploring Japan. You may immerse your self within the native tradition, admire the structure, or just benefit from the metropolis’s improbable meals and nightlife scene.
Deciding on the very best place to remain in Kanazawa will all depend upon what you need out of your go to. Fortunately, there are some improbable districts on supply in addition to infinite lodging choices, starting from reasonably priced hostels and conventional ryokans to extra luxurious motels.
Hopefully, this information has given you an thought of the place to remain in Kanazawa. Now, you can begin planning your journey to this historic metropolis (and its environment) as there’s a lot to do!