VISIT KANAZAWA, JAPAN - Official Travel Guide

Kanazawa is a compact city where major tourist attractions are concentrated within a 2-kilometer radius of Kanazawa Castle. By combining walking, buses, and taxis according to the weather and your physical condition, you can enjoy your time efficiently and comfortably.

●Taxi Stands at Kanazawa Station

Kenrokuen Exit (East Exit) Taxi Stand

This stand offers convenient access to major sightseeing spots such as Kenrokuen Garden, Kanazawa Castle Park, Omicho Market, and the Higashi Chaya District.

After exiting the Shinkansen ticket gate, head to the right and go out the East Exit. The taxi stand is located slightly to the right in front of you. It is covered, so you can use it without worrying about getting wet on rainy days.

Kanazawa Port Exit (West Exit) Taxi Stand

This stand is convenient for reaching destinations such as the Ishikawa Prefectural Government Office, Kanazawa Port Cruise Terminal, Ikiiki Fish Market, and the Ono and Kanaiwa districts.

After exiting either the Shinkansen or conventional train ticket gates, head to the left and go out the West Exit. The taxi stand is located in the spacious rotary area to the front-right.

●Estimated Travel Time and Taxi Fare Guide in Kanazawa

Here are some approximate travel times and fares by taxi from Kanazawa Station to popular destinations within the city:

※Late-night and early-morning taxi rides are subject to an additional surcharge.

※The fares listed are for standard-sized taxis.　Larger or specially designated vehicles may incur additional charges.

※The estimated times and fares are for reference only.　Due to one-way streets and traffic conditions, actual fares may vary depending on the route taken.

From Kanazawa Station

  To Omicho Market   approx.5min.  700yen -  

       Kenrokuen Garden    approx. 13min.  1,400yen -

　    Higashi Chaya District    approx. 10min.   1,300yen -

       21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art    approx. 12min.   1,400yen -

       Nagamachi Samurai District    approx. 8min.   1,000yen -

       Nishi chaya District approx. 12min.  1,400yen -

●"Uber" and  "GoTaxi"  are available in Kanazawa 

Ride-hailing services or app-based taxi services, " Uber" and "Go Taxi" are available throughout Kanazawa.

・Convenient and quick ride requests via smartphone apps

・Ability to track your driver’s location in real time

・Cashless payment through the app

・Often easier to find a ride late at night or in busy areas

Kanazawa is a compact city where most major attractions are located within a 2-kilometer radius, making it easy to explore on foot. For added comfort, consider combining walking with short bus rides. Enjoy discovering the castle town of Kanazawa at your own pace, taking into account the weather and your energy level.

●Kanazawa Station ⇄ Omicho Market　　Approx. 15 minutes

●Omicho Market ⇄ Kanazawa Castle（Otemon Gate)　Approx. 9 minutes

●Kenrokuen Garden（Mayumizaka Gate)  ⇄ 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art   Approx. 3 minutes

●Kenrokuen Garden（Katsurazaka Gate） ⇄ Higashi Chaya District　　Approx. 20 minutes

●Kenrokuen Garden（Mayumizaka Gate)   ⇄  Nishi Chaya District　　Approx. 20 minutes

●Kenrokuen Garden（Mayumizaka Gate)　 ⇄ Nagamachi Samurai District　　Approx. 15 minutes

Most visitors to Kanazawa will use the Kanazawa Loop Bus, which, as the name implies, travels in a loop from Kanazawa Station to popular stops around the city. The service travels in both clockwise and counter-clockwise directions, so pick up a map from the Tourist Center to figure out which direction is best for your destination. The buses traveling in both directions leave from Bus Stop #7 of Kanazawa Station and cost a flat rate of 210 yen for adults and 100 yen for children.

There are other bus routes that do not run in a loop and the fares for these buses is calculated by distance you ride on them. While it is sometimes more direct to use buses other than the Kanazawa Loop Bus to reach your destination, the bus system in Kanazawa is quite complex, so don't be afraid to ask for assistance at the Tourist Center if you are unsure which bus you should take to your destination.

◆Right Loop Bus : Operates approximately every 15 minutes from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

　Kanazawa Station East Gate  → Omicho Market → Higashi Chaya District → Kenrokuen Garden/Kanazawa Castle → 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa → Nagamachi Samurai District → Oyama Jinja Shrine → Omicho Market → Kanazawa Station East Gate

◆Left Loop Bus : runs approx. every 20 minutes from 8:38 a.m. to 5:58 p.m.

　Kanazawa Station East Gate → Omicho Market → Oyama Jinja Shrine → Nagamachi Samurai District → Katamachi → Nishi Chaya District → 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa → Kenrokuen Garden/Kanazawa Castle → Higashi Chaya District → Omicho Market → Kanazawa Station East Gate

【Departure at Kanazawa Station】 East Gate  No. 7

【Fare】: Adult : 210 yen 

　 "Kanazawa Castle Tour Bus" can be used with a common nationwide transportation IC card.

　The "One Day Pass" (800 yen for adults), which allows unlimited rides for one day, is recommended!

【Accepted Payment Methods】: Cash, Nationwide Transportation IC Cards, credit cards by touch, and One Day Pass.

For details, please check the Hokuriku Railroad website.

If you're planning to explore Kanazawa by bus, the One-Day Free Ride Pass is highly recommended.
In addition to selected buses, it also covers designated areas of the Hokuriku Railroad Asanogawa Line and Ishikawa Line.
What’s more, you’ll get discounted admission to 27 popular tourist attractions, including the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa!
The timetable and route map you receive upon purchase is especially handy, showing both bus stop locations and nearby sightseeing spots clearly.

[Fare]　Valid only on the day of use.

・Adults: 800 yen

・Children: 400 yen　

[Where to Buy]

・Kanazawa Station Tourist Information Center

・Hokutetsu Group Information & Service Centers

・Major hotels in the city

・Hokutetsu Ekimae Center (Kanazawa Station West Exit Bus Terminal)

★Note: Tickets are not sold on board the buses, so be sure to purchase in advance.

[How to Purchase & Use the Web Ticket]

1. Register your information (place of residence, age, etc.) on the official site [Norimasshi Kanazawa].

2. Purchase via credit card.

3. When getting off the bus, simply show the ticket screen to the driver.

[Covered Transportaion]

・Kanazawa Loop Bus

・Local route buses within the designated downtown area (operated by Hokuriku Railroad Group and West Japan JR Bus)

・Kanazawa Shopping Bus

・Kanazawa Flat Bus

・Designated sections of the Hokuriku Railroad Asanogawa Line and Ishikawa Line

Here are a few tips to make using the buses in Kanazawa a smoother and more pleasant experience.

All buses are entered from the rear door and exited at the front after paying the fare. 

【Use CASH】

 1. Enter the bus from the REAR door. Pay the fare when you get off.

 2. Take a numbered ticket from the machine when getting on the bus.

 3. After your stop is annouced press the Request Stop Button.

 4. Confirm the fare shown on the display at the front of the bus. Put both the exact fare and your numbered ticket in the fare box by the driver.

   ※You can change 1,000 yen bill. 5,000 yen bill and 10,000 yen bill cannot be changed on the bus.

【Tap to Ride】  

1. Enter the bus from the REAR door. 

2. Tap on the reader by the rear door.

3. After your stop is annouced press the Request Stop Button.

4. Tap off at the reader by the front foor.

●Buses Accepting Tap to Ride : 

   　・Kanazawa Loop Bus, 

　　・Hokutetsu Local-Line Bus, 

　　・Kanazawa Shopping Bus（runs on weekends & holidays only）　

●Credit Cards Accepted (contactless credit or debit card)

      ・Visa ・Mastercard・JCB ・AMERICAN EXPRESS ・Diners Club ・DISCOVER ・Union Pay      

For those who prefer cycling, Kanazawa has a public bike-sharing service called Machi-nori, with over 70 locations to pick up and drop off bicycles around the city. Moreover, all the bikes are electric, making riding through the scenic streets of Kanazawa a breeze.

Here is how the service works: rent a bicycle at one of the Docking stations (“Cycle Ports”) around Kanazawa that accept a credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB, or Diner's Club). Check in your bike within 30 minutes at a docking station (almost any docking station should be reachable within 30 minutes), and you will be charged 165 yen for the ride. If you do not check the bicycle in within 30 minutes, you'll be charged an additional 110 yen per 30 minutes, up to a maximum of 2,200 yen per day.

If you already know you'll be using a bicycle all day, you can purchase a one-day rental card from the Machi-nori main office or other places for 1,650 yen. You will receive an IC card that can be used to unlock your bicycle at any time during the day. The Machi-nori main office is located about a 4-minute walk from Kanazawa Station at this address:

Live 1 Building (1F)

3-2 Konohana-machi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa