VISIT KANAZAWA, JAPAN - Official Travel Guide

In early September, while some days are still hot, it's cool in the shade, and mornings and evenings can feel a bit chilly.

Autumn is also the rainy season, so it’s handy to keep a foldable umbrella that works for both sun and rain in your bag.

From October through November, the weather stabilizes, and the crisp, clear air makes the lush, green city of Kanazawa look even more beautiful. Some people worry that Kanazawa is cold, but when comparing the average temperatures in October and November to those in Tokyo, the difference is only about 1 degree Celsius for both months. That said, by November, the low temperatures are mostly in the single digits, so you’ll want a winter coat or down jacket. By the latter half of November, there are days with thunder and sleet, and the season quickly shifts toward winter.

<Clothing>

Early September: Short-sleeved shirts, light jackets

Late September to early October: Long-sleeved shirts + cardigans, etc.

Late October to early November: Jackets or sweaters + coats

Late November: Winter coats, down jackets, boots, etc.      

 <Recommended Items>

・Folding umbrella (preferably for both sun and rain)

・Outerwear and inner layers for temperature regulation, scarves, disposable hand warmers, etc.                    

The best time to view the autumn foliage varies depending on the tree species, location, and the time of year, but generally, the peak season runs from mid-October to late November. The autumn foliage in Kanazawa peaks surprisingly late; for example, it reaches its peak later than in areas like Okutama and Hakone, closer to the Tokyo metropolitan area.             

Every year, the avenue of American maples in front of Kanazawa City Hall is the first to reach its peak and becomes a hot spot for photographers.

Later, in early November, the ginkgo and zelkova trees in downtown Kanazawa peak.                                                              

Kenrokuen Garden features a wide variety of trees, allowing visitors to enjoy the autumn foliage for an extended period, from early to late November.      

◎Avenue of American Maples

American maples line both sides of this 250-meter-long road, which runs straight from in front of Kanazawa City Hall to the Gyokusen-in-maru Garden at Kanazawa Castle Park, creating a crimson tunnel of autumn foliage. The best time to view them is from late October to early November.

◎Mt. Iou

Located on the border with Toyama Prefecture, this mountain is part of a prefectural natural park. From the Mt. Iou Visitor Center, you can enjoy hiking and viewing the autumn foliage on trails leading to Oike Pond and Sanjagataki Falls. The best time to visit is from late October to early November.

◎Kenrokuen Garden

The autumn foliage is spectacular, featuring Japanese maples, spindle trees, cherry blossoms, Japanese andromedas, and ginkgo trees. The view of the autumn colors from “Yamazaki-yama” near the Kodatsuno Gate is particularly breathtaking. The best time to visit is from early to late November.

◎Kanazawa Castle Park

The cherry blossoms and autumn foliage of the maple trees stand out beautifully against the backdrop of the stone walls. The area around the Honmaru Garden is densely forested with a variety of trees, and visitors can enjoy the rare sight of beech trees turning yellow—a sight seldom seen in flatland areas. The best time to visit is from early to mid-November.

◎Nishida Family Garden

Located next to Kenrokuen Garden, this two-tiered stroll-style garden with a pond features a 400 year history of landscaping. In autumn, the maple trees and Japanese andromeda bushes turn vibrant colors, creating a striking contrast with Kanazawa’s oldest tea house, the “Saisetsutei Roji.” The best time to visit is late November.

◎Samurai Residence: The Home of Kurando Terashima

The former residence of Terashima Kurando, a mid-ranking samurai of the Edo period, is open to the public. It features a stroll-style garden with a pond surrounded by over 200 trees, and the sight of the Japanese andromeda—some of which are over 300 years old—turning red in the autumn is truly spectacular. The best time to visit is typically mid-November.                               

◎Mt.Utatsu and Oku-Utatsuyama Kenmin Park

It is said that the park earned its name because it lies in the direction of Utatsu from Kanazawa Castle. Together with the adjacent Oku-Utatsuyama Kenmin Park, it is a popular destination known for its abundant nature and easy access from the city center. Visitors can enjoy both views of the cityscape and the autumn foliage. The best time to visit is typically from mid to late November.

Autumn in Kanazawa—a city renowned for its cuisine—arrives with a wealth of culinary highlights with the start of the bottom-trawl fishing season on September 1 every year and the simultaneous release of “Hiyaoroshi” sake throughout the prefecture (September 5 in 2025).

Starting November 1, the “snow-stake installation” begins at Kenrokuen Garden (through mid-December), and on the first weekend of December, the “straw-thatching of the earthen walls” takes place at the Nagamachi Samurai Residences, marking the completion of preparations for winter.

Additionally, the “Kanazawa Castle and Kenrokuen Illumination [Autumn Edition]” (in 2025: October 18 (Sat), 25 (Sat), November 1 (Sat), 2 (Sun), 8 (Sat), 15 (Sat), 22 (Sat), 23 (Sun), and 29 (Sat)) and the “Central Shopping District Illuminations” (starting in November) are also the talk of the town when winter arrives.

November 6th marks the long-awaited opening of the snow crab fishing season. The very next day, the first catch of the season appears in the windows of fishmongers throughout the city, starting with the Omicho Market. Male snow crabs caught in Ishikawa Prefecture are known as “Kanou-gani” and are tagged with a light blue label bearing the name of the port where they were landed. Female snow crabs, on the other hand, are called “Kobako-gani,” and their roe—referred to as “uchi-ko” (internal roe) and “soto-ko” (external roe)—is highly prized.

To protect crab stocks, the fishing season is strictly regulated: Kanou-gani is available from November 6 to March 20, while Kobako-gani has an even shorter season, running from November 6 to December 29, making it a limited-time delicacy.

The “Omicho Market Crab Festival” will be held on November 8 to coincide with the start of the crab season.

Events featuring food, art, crafts, and music are held every weekend during the autumn. There’s no shortage of popular annual events such as the “Kanazawa Castle and Kenrokuen Garden Illumination,” “Sake Marche,” and “Kanazawa Jazz Street.” Be sure to check them out when you visit Kanazawa!