VISIT KANAZAWA, JAPAN - Official Travel Guide

Kanazawa Bimi is a prepaid gourmet ticket that can be exchanged for designated menus at participating restaurants in Kanazawa City. Each menu is available with a specific ticket value. Some menus are offered at a lower price than usual, while others are exclusive set meals or courses available only through Kanazawa Bimi.

There are eight categories: sushi, Japanese cuisine, izakaya pubs, Kanazawa oden, Western and international cuisine, cafés, ramen and soba noodles, and Japanese sake, other alcoholic beverages, and bars.

Special ryotei plans are also available. A ryotei is a traditional Japanese restaurant known for refined cuisine and hospitality, often served in an elegant Japanese-style setting. Takeout menus are available as well.

Kanazawa Bimi tickets are available in five values, ranging from ¥1,000 to ¥10,000, including tax.

• Red: 1,000yen

• Yellow: 2,000yen

• Green: 3,000yen

• Blue: 5,000yen

• Purple: 10,000yen

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The menus you can use depend on the ticket value.

Before choosing a ticket, check the official website to find a menu that suits your tastes and budget.

Some menus cost less than their regular price, while others are special set meals or courses available exclusively through Kanazawa Bimi. There are also special plans for dining at traditional ryotei restaurants, making the ticket suitable for everything from casual meals to special dining experiences.

Please note:

• -These tickets are not cash and cannot be exchanged for money.

• -For regular menus, multiple tickets cannot be combined to pay for a single menu. The exception is the special ryotei plan, for which multiple tickets may be combined. Please check the official website for full terms and conditions.

Where Can You Buy Kanazawa Bimi Tickets?

Kanazawa Bimi tickets are available at tourist information centers and participating hotels in Kanazawa City.

• Kanazawa Station Tourist Information Center: 8:30 a.m.–8:00 p.m., inside Kanazawa Station

• Kanazawa Central Tourist Information Center: 10:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m., in front of Oyama Shrine

• Participating hotels: Available at the front desks of designated hotels

If you would like to purchase a ticket at your hotel, check the official website for the list of participating properties.

Opening hours and availability may change, so please check the latest information before visiting.

STEP 1: Choose a restaurant and menu on the official website

Visit the official Kanazawa Bimi website and search for restaurants and menus based on the dishes you would like to try, your budget, and the area you plan to visit.

STEP 2: Check whether a reservation is required

If a menu is marked “Reservation Required,” contact the restaurant and make a reservation in advance. Be sure to tell the restaurant that you intend to use a Kanazawa Bimi ticket.

Even when a reservation is not required, it is a good idea to check in advance, as restaurants may be busy, items may sell out, or temporary closures may occur.

STEP 3: Purchase your ticket

Tickets can be purchased at the Kanazawa Station Tourist Information Center, the Kanazawa Central Tourist Information Center, and the front desks of participating hotels. Please check the official website for details of sales locations.

STEP 4: Tell the restaurant you will use a ticket

When you arrive, tell the staff, “I would like to use a Kanazawa Bimi ticket.” Hand over your ticket when paying the bill.

Any additional orders or charges not covered by the designated menu must be paid for separately.

Sushi and Seafood

Located near the Sea of Japan, Kanazawa is known for its sushi and seafood made with fresh fish and other seafood from the region.

Enjoy nigiri sushi—hand-pressed sushi consisting of a slice of fish or other topping placed on a small mound of vinegared rice—as well as seafood dishes that highlight seasonal ingredients.

Sushi is also a showcase for the skills of the chef, from selecting and preparing the fish to shaping the rice by hand. When visiting Kanazawa, be sure to try the fresh seafood that makes the region special.

Japanese Cuisine

Seasonal ingredients and carefully prepared traditional Japanese dishes are among the culinary highlights of Kanazawa.

Look beyond the food itself to appreciate the serving dishes, presentation, and seasonal decorations that contribute to the dining experience. You can enjoy Kaga cuisine, a local culinary tradition associated with the former Kaga domain, as well as other dishes that reflect Kanazawa’s food culture and tradition of hospitality.

Izakaya Pubs

For a casual taste of Kanazawa’s local cuisine and seasonal ingredients from Ishikawa Prefecture, try a local izakaya—a Japanese-style pub serving a variety of small dishes alongside alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

Many izakaya serve seafood and other dishes made with local ingredients that pair well with drinks. Enjoy the flavors loved by local residents and experience Kanazawa’s lively evening atmosphere.

Kanazawa Oden

Kanazawa oden is one of the city’s signature local dishes. Oden is a Japanese hot pot dish in which ingredients are simmered in a savory broth. Some restaurants in Kanazawa offer regional ingredients such as kuruma-fu (wheat-gluten cakes with a distinctive wheel-like shape), akamaki (a pink-and-white rolled fish cake), and baigai (sea snails).

The broth and ingredients vary from restaurant to restaurant. Seasonal specialties include kanimen, a winter delicacy made with a female snow crab shell filled with crab meat, crab innards, and other parts of the crab.

Learn more about Kanazawa oden, its distinctive ingredients, and where to try it in these articles:

-Featured Article: The Complete Guide to Kanazawa Oden: Characteristics, Classic Ingredients, and Seasonal Kanimen

-Featured Article: Where to Eat Kanazawa Oden: Restaurants by Area

Western and International Cuisine

Kanazawa offers much more than Japanese food. You can also enjoy Western and international cuisine, including dishes featuring ingredients from the Hokuriku region and creative specialties prepared by individual chefs.

The setting can be part of the experience, too—from restaurants in historic machiya townhouses to establishments with a relaxed, elegant atmosphere. These options are ideal when you feel like trying something other than Japanese cuisine.

Cafés and Sweets

Kanazawa is a wonderful place to enjoy a wide variety of sweets, from traditional Japanese confections to Western-style desserts.

The city has a long connection with chanoyu, the Japanese tea ceremony, and a well-established culture of enjoying traditional sweets with matcha (powdered green tea). Other options include desserts made with Kaga bocha, a local roasted-stem green tea, as well as cakes, chocolate, and soft-serve ice cream.

Some cafés are housed in renovated machiya, traditional Japanese townhouses, offering a distinctive local atmosphere. Take a break from sightseeing or exploring the city on foot and enjoy a sweet treat.

Ramen and Soba Noodles

Ramen and soba are convenient and satisfying options during your trip.

Ramen is a Japanese noodle soup, while soba noodles are made primarily from buckwheat flour and are often served hot in broth or cold with a dipping sauce. Kanazawa has restaurants known for local favorites as well as establishments that focus on carefully prepared broths and ingredients.

These dishes are great choices for lunch between sightseeing stops or when you want a quick, casual meal.

Japanese Sake, Other Alcoholic Drinks, and Bars

Kanazawa’s nightlife offers more than just dinner. It is also a great place to enjoy drinks in distinctive surroundings.

Options include bars serving local sake from Ishikawa Prefecture, intimate bars where you can chat with the bartender, bars in traditional townhouses in the historic teahouse districts, and places offering craft beer.

Whether you are looking for one more drink after dinner or a quiet place to unwind, enjoy an evening immersed in Kanazawa’s unique atmosphere.

Q. What is Kanazawa Bimi?

A. Kanazawa Bimi is a gourmet ticket sold by the Kanazawa City Tourism Association. It can be used for designated menus at participating restaurants in Kanazawa City, allowing you to enjoy selected dishes at special prices.

Q. How much do Kanazawa Bimi tickets cost?

A. There are five ticket values: ¥1,000, ¥2,000, ¥3,000, ¥5,000, and ¥10,000. Each ticket value can be used for specific menus.

Q. Where can I buy Kanazawa Bimi tickets?

A. Tickets are available at the Kanazawa Station Tourist Information Center (8:30 a.m.–8:00 p.m.), the Kanazawa Central Tourist Information Center (10:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m.), and the front desks of 12 hotels in the city (as of October 2026).

Q. Do I need to make a reservation?

A. A reservation is required for menus marked “Reservation Required.” When booking, be sure to tell the restaurant that you will use a Kanazawa Bimi ticket.

Q. Can I combine multiple tickets?

A. Multiple tickets generally cannot be combined for regular menus. The exception is the special ryotei plan, for which multiple tickets may be combined.

Q. How long are the tickets valid?

A. Tickets are valid for six months from the date of issue. Please check the ticket’s issue date and consult the validity-date reference chart for the exact expiration date.

Q. Can I get a refund?

A. No. Tickets are non-refundable after purchase. Lost tickets cannot be reissued or refunded.

Q. Are takeout menus available?

A. Yes. Some menus are available for takeout. Please see the list of takeout options on the official website.

Q. Can I use Kanazawa Bimi as a gift for family living in Kanazawa or for a company gathering?

A. Yes. For information about delivery options and use for corporate gatherings, please see the official information on gifts and corporate use.