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Explore Nagamachi Samurai District: Best Local Food, Sweets & Activities

The Nagamachi Samurai District is known for its earthen walls and stone-paved paths—classic features of Kanazawa’s old castle town. Just steps from the busy Korinbo area, this quiet neighborhood feels like a trip back to the Edo period (1603–1868). Enjoy traditional sweets with garden views, discover crafts like Kutani ware and Kaga Yuzen, and try unique hands-on experiences. It’s the perfect place to enjoy local food and create lasting memories of your trip to Kanazawa.

What Is the Nagamachi Samurai District?

The Nagamachi Samurai District is home to traditional earthen walls and stone-paved alleys, with impressive samurai residences still standing today. This area is designated as a traditional environment preservation zone, and its historic landscape is carefully maintained. In winter, visitors can see the local custom of "komo-kake", where straw coverings are placed on the walls to protect them from snow and freezing temperatures. This seasonal sight attracts many tourists. The district is also home to a variety of restaurants, local eateries, and cafes along the Kuratsuki Waterway, making it a bustling area with plenty of places to enjoy food and drink.

Nagamachi Samurai District
Nagamachi Samurai District
A stunningly preserved samurai district in the center of Kanazawa
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Sweets and cafe around Nagamachi Samurai District

Kanazawa is one of the three major Japanese confectionery destinations in Japan. In this neighborhood, there are many stores where you can enjoy Kanazawa's typical Japanese sweets while admiring the historical landscape and well-kept gardens.


♦Cafe MURAKAMI nagaya-mon store

The Japanese sweets cafe produced by "Wagashi Murakami", as known as Fukusa Mochi (wrapped rice cake), Wari gori (confectionery sugar and agar). At this cafe, where the old row-house gate still remains, you can eat Buke Yashiki Plate and Kinpaku (gold leaf) Dango.

Site / 2-3-33 Nagamachi, Kanazawa City

TEL / +81 76-264-4223

Open / 10:30 AM - 5:30 PM

Close / Irregular holiday

Official website (Japanese only)

Instagram


♦Kanazawa Nagamachi Kayuan

The owner is well known for his additive-free fresh confections and matcha green tea, which he makes by hand every day from early in the morning. There are five to six varieties of fresh confections, and they are sometimes sold out late in the day.

Site / 2-2-38 Nagamachi, Kanazawa City

TEL / +81 76-221-2925

Open / 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Close / Monday, Thursday, Friday

Official website

Instagram


♦Sakakobo Tarou onigawa store

Including the most popular Cacao Chocolate Yokan (sweet bean jelly), there is a wide variety of unique confections that bring a new style to Japanese confectionery. Here, you can enjoy Japanese sweets while admiring the beautiful garden!

Site / 1-3-32 Nagamachi, Kanazawa city

TEL / +81 76-223-2838

Open / 8:45 AM - 5:30 PM

Close / Jan.1,2 Irregular holiday

Official website (Japanese only)

Instagram

Gourmet Spots in the Nagamachi Samurai District

Here are some of the gourmet restaurants you can enjoy at Nagamachi Samurai District.


♦Oishi Ippuku Kaburagi

The shop is housed in a traditional Japanese building that reflects the charm of the Nagamachi Samurai District. Inside, you'll find a variety of spaces where you can enjoy Kutani ware from different perspectives—a sales area, a gallery room, and dining counters with views of a tea room and garden.

Relax to gentle music as you take your time and immerse yourself in the beauty of Kutani ware.

Site / 1-3-16 Nagamachi, Kanazawa City

TEL / +81 76-221-6666

Open / 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM *Open evenings by appointment only

Close / Irregular holidays

Official website (Japanese only)

Instagram


SHUSAI AO 

A restaurant where you can savour Kanazawa's seasonal ingredients and local sake

Featuring an extensive menu of dishes using locally sourced ingredients throughout the seasons, alongside a superb selection of wines and local Japanese sake – an irresistible lineup for drink enthusiasts.

Site:1-1-17 Nagamachi, Kanazawa City 

TEL:076-231-2501  

Open:Mon, Tue, Thu–Sun, Public Holidays, Eve of Public Holidays: 11:00–14:00 (Food L.O. 14:00, Drinks L.O. 14:00),17:00–21:30 (Food L.O. 21:00, Drinks L.O. 21:00)

Close: Wednesday

Instagram


◆Ajidokoro TAKASAKI

This is a Japanese kappo restaurant near Nagamachi, offering seasonal dishes made from fresh local ingredients. With a cozy atmosphere, you can enjoy Kanazawa's flavors, including regional sake, in counter seating or private rooms.

Site / 1-2-22 Nagamachi, Kanazawa City

TEL / +81 76-231-0116  

Open / 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Close / Sunday

Official website (Japanese only)

Instagram

Kaburaki Shokudo Samurai District ten (Oishii Ippuku Kaburaki)
Kaburaki Shokudo Samurai District ten (Oishii Ippuku Kaburaki)
Enjoy the taste and hospitality of Kanazawa, served in Kutani ware.
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Experience spots in the Nagamachi Samurai District

The Nagamachi District is full of places where you can experience Kanazawa's unique atmosphere and stores where you can buy souvenirs, all while maintaining the atmosphere of the old town. We will pick up a few of them and introduce them here. Why not experience Kanazawa's traditional culture along with a stroll around the city?


♦Aoki Cooking School

A cooking studio is offered alongside the Shiki no Table, where you can prepare and enjoy Kanazawa’s local dishes such as jibuni stew, pressed sushi, and lotus root dumplings.

Site / 1-1-17 Nagamachi, Kanazawa City

TEL / +81 76-231-2501  

Open / 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Close / Sundays, National holidays, Year-end and New Year holidays


Kaburaki Store Kanazawa Kutani Museum

Inside the tasteful Japanese-style building, Kutani ware and other items are sold, and the Kaburaki Collection is on display. The adjoining restaurant, "Oishi Ippuku Kaburaki," offers food and drink while enjoying a view of the garden.

Site / 1-3-16 Nagamachi, Kanazawa City

TEL / +81 76-221-6666

Open / 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Close / Irregular holidays

Admission fee / Free


atelier&gallery creava

Visitors can experience "Rokuro" (potter's wheel), "Kutani gosai" (five-colored porcelain), and "Akae kinsai" (red glaze with gold leef) at the pottery studio, which was renovated from a warehouse built in the Meiji period. It also has a gallery, store, and café.

Site / 2-6-51 Nagamachi, Kanazawa City

TEL / +81 76-254-1668(For reservation of ceramic art experience)

Open

・Ceramics Studio / Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays (See web page below for hours and other details) ※Reservations required

・Shop, Gallery, Cafe / 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Closed on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Obon holidays, year-end and New Year holidays)

Official website

Instagram


♦Aroma Studio TAKUYA

Our certified “incense masters” are well versed in the history and ingredients of incense, and our “aromatherapists” are able to explain the benefits of aroma from essential oils. There are also many Kanazawa souvenirs that are ideal as gifts for Kanazawa sightseeing. It is a recommended sightseeing and souvenir spot for fragrance lovers. 

Site / 1-2-23 Nagamachi, Kanazawa City

TEL / +81 76-255-6337

Open / 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Close / Tuesday

Official website

Instagram

Kaburaki Shokudo Samurai District ten (Oishii Ippuku Kaburaki)
Kaburaki Shokudo Samurai District ten (Oishii Ippuku Kaburaki)
Enjoy the taste and hospitality of Kanazawa, served in Kutani ware.
more
Further experience Kanazawa’s Samurai culture through its gastronomical heritage!
Further experience Kanazawa’s Samurai culture  through its gastronomical heritage!
Learn how to prepare “Kaga Jibuni”, one of the most cherished local dishes, in just an hour or so!
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  • Nagamachi Samurai District
  • Kaburaki Shokudo Samurai District ten (Oishii Ippuku Kaburaki)
  • Kaburaki Shokudo Samurai District ten (Oishii Ippuku Kaburaki)
  • Further experience Kanazawa’s Samurai culture through its gastronomical heritage!

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