Tokyo and Kanazawa are directly connected with each other by the JR Hokuriku Shinkansen. The one way ride takes 2.5 to 3 hours, costs around 14,000 yen and is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass and Hokuriku Arch Pass. Note that the latter will almost pay off for a round trip between Tokyo and Kanazawa.
The one way trip between Tokyo and Kanazawa by highway bus takes about 7-8 hours and costs around 6000 to 8000 yen depending on the bus and date of travel. There are daytime and overnight buses. Discount bus operators, such as Willer Express, offer one way fares from around 4500 yen. If used effectively, the Japan Bus Pass can reduce the cost for the bus trip to around 3000 yen. Online reservations can be made through Willer and Japan Bus Online.
Kanazawa's airport is located in the city of Komatsu, a 40 minute bus ride (1300 yen) from central Kanazawa. JAL and ANA operate several flights per day between Tokyo's Haneda Airport and Komatsu Airport. Flight time is one hour. The regular one way fare from Tokyo to Kanazawa is about 25,000 yen, however, discount tickets for around 10,000 to 13,500 yen are usually available.
Above fees and schedules are subject to change. Be sure to check current yen exchange rates.
Getting around
Kanazawa's city center is defined by Kanazawa Castle Park. All of the city's main attractions are located within a two kilometer radius of the castle park, making it possible for good walkers to explore most of the city on foot. Buses and taxis are also readily available.
Kanazawa Station is not located centrally, about two kilometers or a ten minute bus ride northwest of the city center. A dense network of buses, operated by the local Hokutetsu train and bus company, connects the station with the city center and all of Kanazawa's main tourist attractions. Regular city buses cost 210 yen per ride in central Kanazawa.
A useful bus line for tourists is the Kanazawa Loop Bus, which connects Kanazawa Station with most sights of interests. Buses travel the loop every 15 minutes in both directions (on weekdays they temporarily operate only in the clockwise direction until further notice) and cost 210 yen per ride (cash is not accepted for payments on the loop buses; use IC cards and previously purchased day passes instead). A 1-day bus pass for 800 yen allows for unlimited use of the loop buses as well as most other local buses in central Kanazawa. In addition, the day pass also provides discounted admission to several designated local tourist attractions. It can be purchased at the Hokutetsu ticket offices on both sides of Kanazawa Station.
The Machi Bus is another bus line for tourists and shoppers, which connects Kanazawa Station via the city center with Kenrokuen every 20 minutes; however, it operates only on weekends and national holidays. The fare is 100 yen per ride, and it is not covered by the above-mentioned 1-day bus pass.
IC cards, including Suica, Pasmo and Icoca, can be used on the Kanazawa Loop Bus, JR buses and the Machi Bus, but they cannot be used on other city buses.
Located in Kanazawa, 2.7 km from Kenrokuen Garden, Guest House Pongyi provides recently renovated accommodation with free WiFi and a terrace. It is set 2.7 km from Kanazawa Castle and offers a shared kitchen. The property is close to popular attractions like Kozen-ji Temple, Gankei-ji Temple and Senko-ji Temple.
Each unit is fitted with air conditioning, a shared bathroom and a well-fitted kitchenette including a microwave, toaster, fridge and a stovetop. All units are equipped with a safety deposit box and selected rooms come with river views. The units include bed linen.
There is a coffee shop on-site.
A bicycle rental service is available at the guest house.
Popular points of interest near Guest House Pongyi include Kanazawa Station, Fukunen-ji Temple and Hosho-ji Temple. Komatsu Airport is 31 km away.
Set 2 km from Kanazawa Castle, Machi no Odoriba offers 3-star accommodation in Kanazawa and features a garden. There is an on-site restaurant, plus free private parking and free WiFi are available. Guests can use the hot spring bath, or enjoy garden views.
The units come with air conditioning, an oven, a microwave, a kettle, a bidet, slippers and a desk. At the ryokan, the units are fitted with a terrace, a private bathroom and a flat-screen TV.
Guests at the ryokan can enjoy an Asian breakfast. There is a coffee shop on-site.
Popular points of interest near Machi no Odoriba include Kanazawa Station, Saigen-ji Temple and Kokyo-ji Temple. Komatsu Airport is 32 km away.
Featuring 3-star accommodation, Yamanoo is situated in Kanazawa, 1.7 km from Kenrokuen Garden and 2.9 km from Kanazawa Station. This ryokan provides free private parking, a 24-hour front desk and free WiFi. The property offers allergy-free units and is located 1.8 km from Kanazawa Castle.
The ryokan will provide guests with air-conditioned units with a wardrobe, a kettle, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. The units are equipped with heating facilities.
Guests can also relax in the garden.
Popular points of interest near the ryokan include Utasu Shrine, Tokuda Shusei Kinenkan Museum and Kanazawa Yasue Gold-Leaf Museum. Komatsu Airport is 34 km away.
Set in Kanazawa and within 1.4 km of Kanazawa Castle, Hotel Kanazawa Zoushi has a shared lounge, allergy-free rooms, and free WiFi throughout the property. This 4-star hotel offers luggage storage space. The property is non-smoking and is situated 1.7 km from Kenrokuen Garden.
The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms with a desk, a kettle, a fridge, a minibar, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. At Hotel Kanazawa Zoushi all rooms have bed linen and towels.
Guests at the accommodation can enjoy an Asian breakfast.
Popular points of interest near Hotel Kanazawa Zoushi include Kanazawa Station, Saifuku-ji Temple and Gankei-ji Temple. The nearest airport is Komatsu Airport, 31 km from the hotel.
Offering free Wi-Fi and free-use bicycles and in-room Japanese meals, Sumiyoshiya is a traditional Japanese-style hotel. It features a garden, hot public baths and coin-operated laundry facilities. A free-use internet PC is available at the lobby.
Rooms feature paper sliding doors, Japanese futon bedding and a seating area. All come with an LCD TV, a tea/coffee maker and a sink, and some have a private bathroom.
Sumiyoshiya offers laundry services, luggage storage and free parking.
A Japanese and a Western breakfast are served in the hotelfs dining room, while Japanese dinners featuring local ingredients can be enjoyed in either the guest room or the dining room.
Sumiyoshiya is a 10-minute walk from Kenroku-en Garden, and a 15-minute walk from both JR Kanazawa Stationfs East exit and the historical Higashi Chaya-machi district. Omicho market is only a 1-minute walk.
Offering a shared lounge and garden view, Machiya Guest House Carta is set in Kanazawa, 1.7 km from Kanazawa Castle and 1.3 km from Kenrokuen Garden. Featuring a garden, the 2-star guest house has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a shared bathroom. Private parking can be arranged at an extra charge.
At the guest house, each unit is equipped with a tatami. At the guest house, the units include bed linen and towels.
Popular points of interest near the guest house include Myoryuji - Ninja Temple, D. T. Suzuki Museum and Shofukaku Garden. The nearest airport is Komatsu Airport, 32 km from Machiya Guest House Carta.
Boasting a hot tub, UTAIMACHI is set in Kanazawa. The 3-star ryokan has garden views and is 1.4 km from Kenrokuen Garden. Free WiFi is available throughout the property and Kanazawa Castle is 1.5 km away.
The ryokan will provide guests with air-conditioned units offering a desk, a coffee machine, a microwave, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a walk-in shower. There is also a dining area and a fully equipped kitchen equipped with a stovetop and kitchenware. At the ryokan, units are equipped with bed linen and towels.
Popular points of interest near the ryokan include Utasu Shrine, Tokuda Shusei Kinenkan Museum and Kanazawa Yasue Gold-Leaf Museum. Komatsu Airport is 34 km from the property.
INOVA Kanazawa Station Hotel Suite is located 600 metres from Kanazawa Station. Free WiFi is provided in all rooms. The property offers private parking.
Featuring a balcony, all rooms have a flat-screen TV, washing machine and a kitchen with an induction stove, a fridge and a microwave. Each room has a living room, toilet and private bathroom with a TV.
The nearest airport is Komatsu Airport, 29 km from INOVA Kanazawa Station Hotel Suite.
So, KANAZAWA is situated in Kanazawa, within 3.1 km of Myoryuji - Ninja Temple and 100 metres of Shirahige Shrine. The 3-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with a private bathroom and free WiFi. The property is non-smoking and is located 2.3 km from Kenrokuen Garden.
All units at the hotel are equipped with a flat-screen TV and a kitchen. At so, KANAZAWA each room includes bed linen and towels.
Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Kanazawa Castle, Kanazawa Station and Gankei-ji Temple. The nearest airport is Komatsu Airport, 31 km from so, KANAZAWA.
Located a 5-minute drive from JR Kanazawa Station, Ryokan Yamamuro offers Japanese-style guestrooms with free WiFi. Omicho Market and Kanazawa Castle Park can both be reached with a 5-minute walk.
Guests can stroll around the Higashi Chaya District, a historical entertainment district with various shops, located a 8-minute walk away from Yamamuro Ryokan. Kenrokuen Garden is 10-minutesf away on foot while the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art is a 15-minute walk away. Myoryuji - Ninja Temple is a 10-minute drive from the property.
With heating and air-conditioning facilities, rooms are fitted with tatami (woven-straw) flooring and feature Japanese futon bedding. One room comes with a private bathroom.
Free services offered at the property include luggage storage, newspaper and daily maid services.