3-Day Ishikawa and Gifu Itinerary - Highlights of Culture, Nature, and History

How to Get to Ishikawa Prefecture

Ishikawa Prefecture lies in Japan’s Hokuriku region and boasts a well-developed transportation network, making it an ideal hub for exploring the area. Its capital, Kanazawa City, is conveniently located on the Hokuriku Shinkansen line, offering easy access from both Tokyo and the Kansai region. With a wide range of accommodation and dining options, Kanazawa serves as an excellent base for sightseeing within Ishikawa and beyond.

Getting to Ishikawa From Tokyo

You can reach Kanazawa Station directly from Tokyo Station via the Hokuriku Shinkansen without needing to transfer trains. The fastest option is the Kagayaki, which takes around 2.5 hours, while the slower Hakutaka takes approximately 3 hours.

For a more budget-friendly alternative, consider taking a highway bus. Buses from the Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal take about 8 to 9 hours, with most services running overnight due to the longer travel time.

Getting to Ishikawa From Kyoto or Osaka

There are a few different ways to travel from Osaka or Kyoto to Kanazawa.

One convenient option is to take the limited express Thunderbird from JR Osaka or JR Kyoto Station to Tsuruga Station in Fukui Prefecture. The ride takes about 1.5 hours from Osaka and 1 hour from Kyoto. At Tsuruga, transfer to the Hokuriku Shinkansen - either the Kagayaki or Hakutaka - for a roughly 40-minute ride to Kanazawa Station. Altogether, the journey takes around 2.5 hours.

Alternatively, highway buses are available from both Osaka and Kyoto to Kanazawa, with travel times typically ranging from 5 to 6 hours.

Getting to Ishikawa From Nagoya

To get to Kanazawa from Nagoya, take the limited express Shirasagi to Tsuruga Station, which takes around 1 hour and 40 minutes. From Tsuruga, transfer to the Hokuriku Shinkansen, which will get you to Kanazawa Station in about 1 hour. Altogether, the trip takes just under 3 hours.

Alternatively, highway buses run between Nagoya Station and Kanazawa Station, with a travel time of roughly 4 hours.

Note: Though those arriving from Nagoya cannot use the JR Hokuriku Arch Pass, they can still use the JR Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass to save some money on transport. It also covers the Hokuriku Shinkansen and select JR lines. The advantage is that it only covers 5 days, so it's significantly cheaper. It also covers transport from Osaka and Kyoto.

Day 1: Touring Kanazawa’s Classic Landmarks

This itinerary starts with two days dedicated to exploring the best of Kanazawa City using the most convenient and budget-friendly option available - city buses.

We’re specifically talking about the Kanazawa Loop Bus, a favorite among tourists. Departing from the East Exit of Kanazawa Station, it runs two routes - the Right Loop and Left Loop - covering nearly all the major sights, including Kanazawa Castle, Kenrokuen Garden, the Higashi Chaya District, and Omicho Market.

To save both money and hassle, pick up a Kanazawa City Bus One Day Pass (800 yen for adults, 400 yen for children). It gives you unlimited rides on the Loop Bus and other eligible buses in the area for an entire day - no need to pay each time you board. You can get a paper ticket at the Hokutetsu Group Information Center at the East Exit Bus Terminal or opt for a digital version.

Ticket in hand? Let’s begin our deep dive into Kanazawa’s rich history and vibrant art scene!

AM: Start Your Kanazawa Adventure at Kanazawa Station

Access: Tsuzumi-mon Gate is just a short walk from the Kenrokuen Exit (East Exit) of JR Kanazawa Station.

Kanazawa Station is the starting point for most visitors and a well-known local landmark that frequently appears on social media. With its striking design, it became the first station in Ishikawa Prefecture to welcome the shinkansen (bullet train), serving as a key stop on the Hokuriku Shinkansen line. It was even named one of the world’s 14 most beautiful train stations by Travel + Leisure magazine in 2011!

Exit through the East Gate and you’ll be greeted by the impressive glass Motenashi Dome. Standing at its entrance is the iconic Tsuzumi-mon Gate, inspired by the traditional tsuzumi drum used in Noh theater, a classical Japanese performing art deeply rooted in Kanazawa. The blend of sleek modern design and traditional motifs creates a photogenic and unforgettable welcome to the city.

From Kanazawa Station, you’ll find easy access to local buses that connect you to major sightseeing spots like Kenrokuen Garden, Kanazawa Castle, and Omicho Market.

AM: Taste the Seasons at Omicho Market - Kanazawa’s Culinary Heart

Access: 15-minute walk from Kanazawa Station. Alternatively, you can take a bus from the station and get off at the Musashigatsuji/Omicho Market bus stop. It takes just 6 minutes and the market is only a minute’s walk away from the bus stop.

Omicho Market is a central hub of Kanazawa’s culinary scene and is often called the “kitchen of Kanazawa.” With a history stretching back over 300 years to the Edo period (1603 - 1868), it has long been the city’s premier seafood market.

Home to around 170 shops and stalls, the market comes alive early each morning with the aroma of fresh seafood in the air. Seasonal specialties such as crab, sweet shrimp, and Japanese amberjack are just a few of the local favorites on offer. Many of these can be enjoyed on the spot at the market’s various restaurants such as kaisen-don (seafood rice bowls), sushi, grilled skewers, and more. With a wide range of delicious options, many at reasonable prices, Omicho Market is a true paradise for food lovers.

AM: Take in Kanazawa's Rich History and Culture at the Higashi Chaya District

Access: 14-minute walk from Omicho Market.

“Chaya” refers to traditional teahouses where geisha would entertain wealthy merchants and nobles during the Edo period. While these establishments were once scattered throughout Kanazawa, they were consolidated into three main districts in 1820: Higashiyama (now known as the Higashi Chaya District), Nishiyama (Nishi Chaya District), and Kazuemachi (Kazue-machi Chaya District). Among them, the Higashi Chaya District is the largest, best preserved, and most renowned. It is one of Kanazawa’s most popular tourist destinations. 

The streets of Higashi Chaya retain the nostalgic charm of the Edo period, with many buildings still keeping their retro facades. The district’s unique heritage as a geisha quarter is palpable, with traditional townhouses featuring distinctive latticework that was characteristic of chaya architecture. While the exteriors preserve their historic appearance, many interiors have been transformed into cafes, restaurants, and craft shops, offering visitors a chance to shop, relax, enjoy local sweets, and take in the unique surroundings.

PM: Step Back Into the Edo Period at Kanazawa Castle Park

Access: 17-minute walk from the Higashi Chaya District. Alternatively, you can take a bus from the Hashibacho 3-4 bus stop until you get to the Kenrokuen Garden/Kanazawa Castle bus stop. The ride takes 5 minutes, and the park is a 7-minute walk away from the bus stop.

Adjacent to Kenrokuen - one of Japan’s top three gardens - Kanazawa Castle Park is a scenic and historically rich site that, together with the garden, offers a glimpse of the local landscape as it would have appeared during the Edo period, back when Ishikawa Prefecture was called the Kaga Domain.

Before the castle was built, the site was home to Kanazawa Mido, a religious school established in 1546 by the Jodo Shinshu sect of Buddhism. In 1583, Toshiie Maeda took over the site and transformed it into his residence as he began his rule over the Kaga Domain, laying the foundation for what would become Kanazawa Castle. Though the castle suffered repeated disasters over the centuries, key structures such as the Hishi Yagura and Gojikken Nagaya have been faithfully reconstructed using historical records and can still be seen today.

Kenrokuen is also ranked among Japan’s top 100 cherry blossom spots, and in spring, Kanazawa Castle Park becomes equally enchanting as its cherry trees burst into bloom. Don a traditional kimono, take a leisurely stroll through the grounds, and snap unforgettable photos. In the evening, the park is beautifully illuminated, offering a magical new perspective. This spring celebration draws visitors from near and far every year.

PM: Kenrokuen Garden - One of Japan’s Top Three Gardens

Access: 5-minute walk from Kanazawa Castle Park.

Recognized as one of Japan’s top three gardens, Kenrokuen takes its name from an ancient Chinese text, the Famous Gardens of Luoyang, which outlined six essential elements for an ideal landscape garden. Embodying these qualities, Kenrokuen is a masterpiece from the Edo period and represents the pinnacle of garden design in the former Kaga Domain.

One of the garden’s most iconic sights is the winter-only “yukitsuri.” Facing the Sea of Japan, Kanazawa experiences heavy snow and high humidity during winter. To protect the trees, gardeners begin installing conical rope supports each year from November 1. These distinctive yukitsuri structures remain in place until mid-March, creating a breathtaking winter scene that has become synonymous with Kenrokuen.

The garden’s beauty shifts with the seasons. In spring, around 400 cherry trees from 40 different varieties burst into bloom, transforming the landscape into a floral paradise. Autumn brings a vibrant display of red and gold foliage. During these seasons, as well as wintertime, the garden is also illuminated at night, offering a magical, entirely different view from the daytime.

PM: Explore the Geisha Quarter of the Kazue-machi Chaya District

Access: Get on the Kanazawa Loop Bus (right loop route) from the Kenrokuen Garden/Kanazawa Castle bus stop and get off at Hashibacho. This should take about 5 minutes, and the geisha quarter is just 2 minutes away on foot. Alternatively, you can walk - from the Katsurazaka Gate of Kenrokuen Garden, it takes around 15 minutes.

The Kazue-machi Chaya District is one of Kanazawa’s three historic geisha quarters, alongside the well-known Higashi Chaya and Nishi Chaya districts. What sets Kazue-machi apart is its picturesque riverside setting - the only one of the three built along the Asano River. Designated as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings, the area invites you to wander narrow alleys lined with traditional wooden townhouses featuring senbonkoshi, which are dense vertical latticework typical of old chaya architecture. The sound of the nearby river completes the feeling of stepping back in time.

Quieter than the other geisha districts, Kazue-machi still offers a charming mix of cafes, shops, restaurants, and teahouses. Many of its historic buildings house long-standing ryotei, making a meal here feel especially memorable.

In spring, the Asano River’s banks burst into cherry blossoms, adding a romantic touch to the retro townscape and creating picture-perfect views. As evening falls, enjoy a leisurely dinner at a local restaurant and soak in the distinctive atmosphere of Kazue-machi - a serene, enchanting side of Kanazawa that lingers in the heart.

Accommodation: Kurumiya - The Perfect Mix of Japanese and Western

Access: 4-minute walk from the Kazue-machi Chaya District.

Tucked away in the Owari district of Kanazawa City, Kurumiya is a boutique ryokan offering a taste of refined Japanese hospitality. With just five guest rooms - two deluxe and three superior - it provides an intimate, peaceful retreat where you can relax and recharge both body and mind.

Each room features a private hot spring bath, allowing you to enjoy a soothing soak at your leisure. In the morning, delight in a wholesome breakfast made with locally sourced vegetables and other top-quality ingredients. Both Japanese and Western-style food options are available, thoughtfully prepared to be as healthy as they are delicious.

Day 2: Diving Into Kanazawa’s Art and Heritage

AM: Kanazawa 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art - A Paradise for Modern Art Enthusiasts

Access: Walk 3 minutes to the Hashibacho bus stop, then take the Kanazawa Loop Bus (right loop route) to Hirosaka/21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art. The journey should take about 6 minutes, and the museum is just 2 minutes away.

Since opening in 2004, this museum has become a popular destination for visitors. Its striking exterior - featuring curved walls and a dome-like design - makes it a true architectural landmark, playful and bold in its innovation. Inside, extensive use of glass floods the space with natural light, adding a bright, modern touch to the atmosphere.

The museum is divided into two main areas: a Public Zone, which is free to explore, and an Exhibition Zone that requires paid admission. Both showcase impressive works well worth seeing. One of the highlights is The Swimming Pool by Leandro Erlich - a fascinating, immersive installation where visitors appear to be “swimming” beneath the water when viewed from above. This popular, permanent piece does require a fee to view and experience.

In addition to the exhibits, the museum also features a shop where you can pick up unique souvenirs, accessories, and gifts to commemorate your visit.

AM: Feel Kanazawa’s History at the Nagamachi Samurai District

Access: 11-minute walk from the museum.

During the Edo period, Kanazawa served as the economic and administrative center of the Kaga Domain and was one of Japan’s largest castle towns. This led to a large population of samurai settling in the area now known as the Nagamachi Samurai District. Today, as you walk through its narrow streets, you can still see water channels, preserved samurai residences, and other traces of its historical past.

One distinctive feature is the earthen walls of the homes, which were traditionally covered with straw mats in winter to protect them from cracking - just one example of the ingenuity and lifestyle of the people who once lived here. As you stroll along the stone-paved lanes, flanked by earthen-walled houses, you’ll feel as though you’ve stepped back into the Edo period.

PM: Savor Nodoguro Meshi at Itaru

Access: 4-minute walk from the Nagamachi Samurai District.

For lunch, stop by Itaru to savor one of Kanazawa’s local specialties: nodoguro meshi. Nodoguro, or blackthroat seaperch, is prized for its rich, buttery flavor and tender texture - so much so that it’s often referred to as the “tuna of whitefish.” It’s a beloved delicacy in the region.

At Itaru, you can enjoy this flavorful fish in three distinct ways. First, taste it as is to appreciate its natural flavor. Next, enhance it with a variety of condiments. Finally, pour over some warm dashi broth to enjoy it ochazuke-style. Fragrant, flaky, and melt-in-your-mouth tender, the nodoguro here offers a culinary experience you won’t soon forget.

PM: Discover All the Hidden Traps at Myoryuji Temple (Ninja Temple)

Access: 13-minute walk from Itaru.

Myoruji Temple isn’t your typical quiet, solemn temple - in fact, it’s full of hidden surprises. Secret rooms and passageways, trapdoors in the floor, and winding, maze-like staircases are just some of the cleverly designed features found throughout the building. While it was never actually used to train ninja or shinobi, its intricate design earned it the nickname “Ninja Temple.”

Constructed in 1643, Myoruji was secretly fortified by the Maeda clan as a defensive outpost to protect against potential attacks from the Tokugawa shogunate. Some even believe the old well on the grounds once connected to a secret tunnel leading to Kanazawa Castle!

The temple’s elaborate traps and mechanisms are a delight for the curious and adventurous. However, visits are only available through guided tours, so be sure to make a reservation by phone in advance.

Accommodation: Shiroyamakan - Right in the Heart of Shirakawa-go

Access: Head back to Kanazawa Station. From the bus terminal, take the Kanazawa to Shirakawa-go highway bus (advance reservation required online or over the phone, 2,800 yen/person). You should reach the Shirakawa-go Bus Terminal (Ogimachi) stop in about 1 hour 15 minutes.

After exploring the Ninja Temple, it’s time to make your way to Gifu Prefecture to visit the ever-popular Shirakawa-go. Known for its distinctive gassho-style thatched-roof houses, this charming village draws visitors from across Japan and beyond.

By the time you arrive, night will have fallen, making it the perfect time to check in at Shiroyamakan, a refined inn that exudes understated elegance. Surrounded by the natural beauty of Shirakawa-go, you’ll enjoy a peaceful stay that engages all five senses.

Dinner and breakfast feature carefully curated local ingredients, prepared with artistry and care. Each dish is a celebration of the region’s flavors, offering a memorable culinary experience that deepens your connection to this serene mountain village.

Day 3: Admire the World Heritage Shirakawa-go

PM: Experience the Timeless Beauty of Gassho-Style Architecture at Shirakawa-go

Access: 5-10 minute walk from the hotel to the center of the village.

For the final day of the itinerary, end on a high note with a visit to the iconic village of Shirakawa-go.

Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995 and recognized as a Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings, Shirakawa-go is home to over 100 traditional houses built in the distinctive gassho-zukuri style. These steep thatched-roof homes are constructed without nails, using thick wooden beams bound with straw ropes and “neso” saplings. The design not only creates spacious interiors, but also allows the roofs to withstand the region’s heavy snowfall.

Several historic buildings in the village are open to visitors, offering a glimpse into life in earlier times. Highlights include the Wada House, Kanda House, Shirakawa-go no Yu bathhouse, Former Toyama House Museum, Myozenji Temple Museum, and the Gasshozukuri Minkaen outdoor museum.

For a panoramic view of the village, head to the Tenshukaku Observatory or the Ogi-machi Castle Ruin Observation Area. Shirakawa-go is stunning year-round, but it becomes especially magical in winter. On select evenings in January and February, the village is illuminated, transforming it into a snow-covered fairytale scene straight out of a storybook.

PM: Feast on Hida Beef in a Historical Gassho-Style Setting at Irori

Access: 10-minute walk from the Tenshukaku Observatory.

For lunch, why not sample some local specialties at Irori? This is a rare chance to dine inside a historic gassho-style building, making the experience even more memorable. Recommended dishes include the Hida Beef Broiled with Miso Set Menu and the Tofu Grilled on an Iron Plate Set Menu, which features a remarkably firm tofu unique to the region. Irori also serves breakfast, so you’re not limited to just lunch or dinner - stop by whenever.

Optional: Wander the Streets of Gifu’s Little Kyoto in Takayama

Access: 1 hour by bus from Shirakawa-go to the Old Town part of Takayama. You can book a ticket in advance online via Klook.

Takayama’s “Old Town” refers to the heart of the former castle town, centered around three main streets, with Sanmachi being the most well-known. This area is lined with rows of wooden buildings from the Edo period, including traditional homes, shops, and historic sake breweries. As you stroll through the preserved streetscape, you’ll feel as though you’ve stepped back in time.

Takayama is also famed for its high-quality sake, with numerous breweries dotted throughout Old Town. Many offer tastings, giving you the chance to sample local brews on the spot. Some breweries even have their own restaurants or specialty shops, making it easy to find the perfect food pairing or pick up a bottle to take home. And while you're here, be sure to try Hida beef at one of the many eateries nearby - it’s a local specialty you won’t want to miss.

Go Beyond the Highlights of Ishikawa and Gifu

Though we’ve covered some of the highlights of Ishikawa and Gifu prefectures, this itinerary only provides a glimpse of what these regions have to offer. Feel free to tweak it to suit your interests or extend your trip to uncover even more hidden gems in Kanazawa, Shirakawa-go, Takayama, or beyond. There’s no wrong way to explore and so much more to see!

If you feel like exploring more of Gifu, we also have another 3-day Gifu itinerary that you can browse through.