How to Ride Buses in Kanazawa — Travel Like a Local!
Bus boarding rules can vary by country and even city, so it’s completely normal to feel a bit confused at first.
In Kanazawa, there are three main types of buses that travelers use most often. Check out the guide below to get around the city smoothly—just like a local!
■Bus Types
1. Kanazawa Loop Bus / 城下まち金沢周遊バス
2. Hokutetsu bus / 北鉄バス
3. JR bus / JRバス
■Important！
●IC Card Notice: Please note that nationwide IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA, etc.) CANNOT be used on Hokutetsu Local Buses. Check the details below.
●When to pay: Pay when getting off the bus.
●Tap Twice: Using a credit card（touch-payment)? Tap your card when boarding AND when getting off. This records where your journey started!
1. Kanazawa Loop Bus / 城下まち金沢周遊バス
This convenient shuttle loops around the city's major tourist spots.
⚠️ Check the Route Before Boarding:
The Loop Bus operates on two different routes. Please check the route map and route code (RL or LL) before boarding.
●Right-Loop (RL) / 右回りルート
Bus Color: Usually Red
Operating Hours: approx. from 8:30AM to 6:00PM
Frequency: Every 15 minutes
●Left-Loop (LL) / 左回りルート
Bus Color: Usually Green
Operating Hours: approx. from 8:30AM to 6:00PM
Frequency: Every 20 minutes
●Accepted Payments:
・Cash
・Nationwide IC cards（Suica, PASMO, ICOCA, etc)
・Credit Card (Touch)
・One-Day Pass
Due to vehicle maintenance or operational reasons, buses of other colors may occasionally be used. Always check the route code (RL or LL) displayed on the front of the bus.
For more information, please check here
2. Hokutetsu bus / 北鉄バス
This is the most frequently running local bus network in the city, perfect for reaching deeper into Kanazawa.
●Accepted Payments:
・Cash
・Credit Card (Touch)
・One-Day Pass.
⚠️ Nationwide IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA, etc.) are NOT accepted
3. JR bus / JRバス
A convenient route bus operated by the JR network.
It's easily recognizable by its bright blue body.
●Accepted Payments:
・Nationwide IC cards (Suica, PASMO, etc. ARE accepted here)
・Cash
・JR PASS (JAPAN RAIL PASS, JR-WEST RAIL PASS, Kansai-Hokuriku Area Pass）
※The Hokuriku Arch Pass & Takayama-Hokuriku Area Pass CANNOT be used
⚠️ Credit Card (Touch-payment) is NOT accepted on JR Buses.
