Best Shopping Districts in Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan

Kanazawa, Japan, Kanazawa, Shopping & Local Markets, Best Shopping Districts

Best Shopping Districts in Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan

1. Katamachi District

A vibrant district filled with traditional and modern shops, known for its charming atmosphere and well-preserved Edo-period architecture.
  • Traditional Shops: Offers a variety of traditional Kanazawa goods like gold leaf products, kutani-yaki pottery, and Kenjirō Inoguchi sake.
  • Modern Stores: Includes trendy fashion boutiques, cafes, and restaurants that cater to contemporary tastes.
  • Accessibility: Centrally located, making it easily accessible from popular attractions like Kanazawa Castle and Kenrokuen Garden.

2. Higashi Chaya District

A charming district filled with old-style tea houses and shops, offering an authentic taste of Kanazawa's history.
  • Historic Tea Houses: Visitors can enjoy traditional Japanese teas and sweets in beautifully restored tea houses.
  • Cultural Experience: Provides insight into the tea ceremony and Kanazawa's rich cultural history.
  • Photography Opportunities: Its picturesque streets make it an ideal location for taking memorable photos.

3. Nagamachi Buke Yashiki District

A historical district filled with samurai and merchant houses from the Edo period, offering a glimpse into Kanazawa's feudal past.
  • Historic Houses: Visitors can explore beautifully preserved samurai and merchant homes.
  • Craft Shops: Features craft shops specializing in traditional Kanazawa arts like lacquerware, wood carving, and metalwork.
  • Guided Tours: Offers guided tours that provide insights into the district's rich history and architecture.

4. Kanazawa Outlet Mall (KEON Hokutate)

A large outlet mall offering discounted goods from popular brands in a scenic setting.
  • Discounted Prices: Provides an opportunity to purchase designer items at reduced prices.
  • Scenic Setting: Located in a beautiful valley surrounded by mountains and a river, offering a peaceful shopping experience.
  • Food Court: Features a food court with a variety of restaurants serving local and international cuisine.

5. Katamachi Arcade

A covered shopping street lined with small stores selling everything from food to souvenirs.
  • Variety of Shops: Offers a wide range of shops, including traditional Kanazawa specialties and contemporary fashion.
  • Covered Shopping: Provides shelter from the elements, making shopping comfortable regardless of weather conditions.
  • Food Stalls: Features a variety of food stalls offering local delicacies like crab and gold leaf ice cream.

6. Omi-cho Market

A bustling market selling fresh seafood, local produce, and traditional crafts.
  • Fresh Seafood: Offers a variety of fresh seafood, including the famous Kanazawa crab.
  • Local Produce: Features fruits, vegetables, and other local produce straight from nearby farms.
  • Craft Shops: Includes shops selling traditional Kanazawa crafts like lacquerware and pottery.

7. Kagaya-ya Shoten

A long-established shop specializing in traditional gold leaf products.
  • Gold Leaf Products: Offers a wide variety of gold leaf products, including gold leaf ice cream and gold leaf sweets.
  • Historic Significance: Has been in operation since the Edo period, preserving traditional gold leaf crafting techniques.
  • Souvenir Shopping: Ideal for souvenir shopping, with unique and beautiful gold leaf products.

8. Kutaniyaki Kanjuro Yakimono Yashiki

A traditional pottery shop specializing in Kutani-yaki, a type of ceramicware unique to Kanazawa.
  • Kutani-yaki Pottery: Offers a wide variety of Kutani-yaki pottery, including tea sets, vases, and decorative items.
  • Workshop Demonstrations: Features workshops where visitors can observe traditional Kutani-yaki pottery making techniques.
  • Souvenir Shopping: Ideal for souvenir shopping, with unique and beautiful Kutani-yaki pottery pieces.

9. Nagaya Machi

A charming traditional street lined with old houses and shops selling local specialties.
  • Traditional Houses: Features beautifully preserved Edo-period houses, offering a glimpse into Kanazawa's past.
  • Local Specialties: Offers traditional Kanazawa goods like gold leaf products, Kutani-yaki pottery, and kikansetsu sweets.
  • Photography Opportunities: Its picturesque streets make it an ideal location for taking memorable photos.

10. Kikansetsu Kobo Yabuki

A long-established confectionery shop specializing in kikansetsu sweets, a traditional Kanazawa dessert.
  • Kikansetsu Sweets: Offers a variety of delicious and beautiful kikansetsu sweets.
  • Historic Significance: Has been in operation since the Edo period, preserving traditional confectionery techniques.
  • Souvenir Shopping: Ideal for souvenir shopping, with unique and beautiful kikansetsu sweets.

11. Hakuichi

A long-established shop specializing in traditional Kanazawa gold leaf products and crafts.
  • Gold Leaf Products: Offers a wide variety of gold leaf products, including gold leaf ice cream and gold leaf sweets.
  • Historic Significance: Has been in operation since the Edo period, preserving traditional gold leaf crafting techniques.
  • Souvenir Shopping: Ideal for souvenir shopping, with unique and beautiful gold leaf products.

12. Kutani-yaki Kichoan

A traditional pottery shop specializing in Kutani-yaki, a type of ceramicware unique to Kanazawa.
  • Kutani-yaki Pottery: Offers a wide variety of Kutani-yaki pottery, including tea sets, vases, and decorative items.
  • Workshop Demonstrations: Features workshops where visitors can observe traditional Kutani-yaki pottery making techniques.
  • Souvenir Shopping: Ideal for souvenir shopping, with unique and beautiful Kutani-yaki pottery pieces.

13. Kanazawa JR East Tower

A modern shopping mall located in the Kanazawa train station, offering a variety of shops and restaurants.
  • Variety of Shops: Offers a wide range of shops, including fashion stores, electronics stores, and bookstores.
  • Food Court: Features a food court with a variety of restaurants serving local and international cuisine.
  • Convenience: Located inside the Kanazawa train station, making it easily accessible for travelers.

14. Kanazawa Arcade

A long, covered shopping street lined with a variety of shops selling everything from food to souvenirs.
  • Variety of Shops: Offers a wide range of shops, including traditional Kanazawa specialties and contemporary fashion.
  • Covered Shopping: Provides shelter from the elements, making shopping comfortable regardless of weather conditions.
  • Food Stalls: Features a variety of food stalls offering local delicacies like crab and gold leaf ice cream.

15. Asanoumi Market

A bustling market selling fresh seafood, local produce, and traditional crafts.
  • Fresh Seafood: Offers a variety of fresh seafood, including the famous Kanazawa crab.
  • Local Produce: Features fruits, vegetables, and other local produce straight from nearby farms.
  • Craft Shops: Includes shops selling traditional Kanazawa crafts like lacquerware and pottery.