Year-End and New Year Kanazawa Travel Guide【2025-2026ver.】
For those who are planning a trip to Kanazawa from the end of the year to New Year's, we would like to inform you of the operating conditions of major tourist attractions in Kanazawa.
For detailed operating conditions of tourist facilities, please refer to the "Tourist facilities in Kanazawa City: Year-end and New Year Holiday Closure".
■Kanazawa City Major Tourist Facility Closure Information
Kenrokuen Gaden: open every day of the year
Open all night from Dec.31 to Jan.1 at 8:00 a.m. *No light-up
Kanazawa Castle Park: Open every day of the year
From Dec. 28 to Jan. 4, the site is illuminated from sunset to 9:00 PM.
On Dec. 31, it stays open all night, with illumination continuing until 9:00 PM on Jan 1.
Shigure-tei (Kenrokuen garden) and Gyokusen-an (Kanazawa Castle Park): Closed Dec. 29-Jan. 3
21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa: Closed Dec.29-Jan.1
Higashi Chaya District:
*It has been designated as a Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings, where rows of lattice-style teahouse buildings line the streets, making it enjoyable to simply stroll around the town.
*Sightseeing Spot :
Shima: open every day of the year
Kaikaro teahouse: Closed Dec.23-26
*Shops: Opening status is varied from store to store.
Omicho Market: Closed Jan.1-4
*Most shops close around midday on December 31.
*Some stores may open
Nagamachi Samurai District:
*The Nagamachi Samurai Residence Ruins are an open space, making a stroll through the area a delightful experience. At this time of year, you can also see the traditional straw coverings (komo-gake) that protect the earthen walls from snow and frost—a seasonal sight unique to this period.
*Sightseeing Spot :Nomura Samurai Family Residence: Closed Dec.26,27, Jan.1,2
*Shops: Opening status is varied from store to store.
Ishikawa Local Products Center: regular business
Myoryuji Temple (Ninjadera Temple): Closed Jan.1,2
National Crafts Museum: Closed Dec.28-Jan.1
Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Art: Closed Dec.29-Jan.3
*Café: open (hours changed from 10:00 to 16:00 from Dec. 26 to Jan. 3), Museum Shop: closed Dec. 29 to Jan. 3
Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of History: Closed Dec.29-Jan.3
Yukizuri (snow-support ropes) & Komogake (straw-mat wall protection)
Kanazawa has unique winter arrangements designed to protect its traditional townscape from the heavy, moisture-rich snow typical of the Japan Sea side. These include yukizuri, a technique that prevents tree branches in gardens from breaking under the weight of snow, and komogake, in which earthen walls are covered with woven straw mats (kōmo) made from rice straw.
Together, these practices add a gentle touch of beauty to the city’s otherwise monochrome winter scenery.
This film captures the seasonal cycle in the Nagamachi Samurai District—from early winter preparations to the arrival of spring. It features scenes of yukizuri being set up, the handcrafting of straw mats, and artisans applying and removing the komo.
We invite you to enjoy this beautifully crafted visual story.
■New Year Operating Hours for Major Commercial Facilities in Kanazawa City
Kanazawa Hyakubangai (Commercial facilities in Kanazawa Station): Jan.1 Closed*, Jan.2 First sale of all buildings
*Some convenience stores and souvenir shops remain open.
Kanazawa Forus (Shopping and dining hub near Kanazawa Station): Open daily
*hours subject to change
Korinbo Daiwa (Department store near downtown area): Jan.1 Closed, Jan.2 First sale
Kanazawa M'ZA (Department store near Omicho market): Jan.1 Closed*, Jan.2 First sale
*Starbucks Coffee on the first floor is open.
■Bus Service Information (Including to Shirakawa-go area)
【Kanazawa City】
Kanazawa Loop Bus: Both rightward and leftward routes operate from Dec.28 to Jan.5
Local buses: Sunday and national holiday timetable from Dec.29 to Jan.3
Kanazawa Flat Bus: Normal operation
【To Shirakawa-go, Takayama】
White ring (guided bus tour): Runs as usual *but may already be full
Hokuriku Railroad (express bus): Runs as usual *No stops in Gokayama during winter
