
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 KenjirÅ 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.