Local Guide
Enjoy winter crabs in Kanazawa. Five famous crab restaurants from the royal Kano-gani to luxurious morning rice porridge.

The most popular winter delicacy from the Sea of Japan is snow crab. There are many brand-name crabs in various regions, and "Kanou crab" from Ishikawa Prefecture is one of them. Because the crabs are caught mainly in coastal waters on a daily basis, they are exceptionally fresh. The crab dishes prepared by chefs in Kanazawa, a city of gourmet food, are different and delicious. Here are some of the best restaurants in the Katamachi area, Kanazawa's most bustling shopping district, where you can enjoy crab to your heart's content.

Kano crab
Kano crab" is a brand of crab with a blue tag. The name comes from "Kaga" (Kaga) and "Noto" (Noto).

Kano-gani" and "Kabako crab" are representative crabs of Ishikawa Prefecture. Of the snow crabs landed in Ishikawa Prefecture, males with a carapace of 9 cm or more and a good body are called "Kano-gani. The blue tag attached to the leg is a proof of the brand, and the name of the port where the crab was landed is also on the tag.

On the other hand, the female crab is called "Kabako crab" and is a precious winter delicacy with a short fishing season. The "crab mask," which is beautifully decorated with crab meat and miso, is very popular as a main dish in Kanazawa oden.

There are also two top brands of Kano-gani (Kanokani) and Kabako kani (Kabako crab): "Kagayaki" and "Teruhime". In addition, from 2025, a third brand, "Ichiban Hoshii," which is given to the most popular crab of each fishing boat, will be created.

The fishing season is from November 6 to March 20 for males and until December 29 for females. The area is famous for its chefs who know everything about crabs, from connoisseurship to boiling. Please visit the area and taste its deliciousness.

The "Kano-gani" selected by trusted connoisseurs is a winter luxury filled with flavor.

A whole boiled crab,
A whole boiled crab, "Honzuwai Crab," 15,000 yen (at the time of the interview)

The owner, who trained at Kanazawa's popular Izakaya "Dane" for 15 years, opened the restaurant in 2021. Kanokani" and "Kabako Gani," which are Kanazawa's winter specialties, are purchased only from reliable brokers who are connoisseurs.

The owner recommends boiled crab. The owner recommends boiling the crab, which is a tried-and-true method that locks in the crab's delicious flavor. The restaurant also boasts other specialties such as crab miso gratin and crab miso shell roast.

A place like a "minato" where people gather. Enjoy a relaxing moment with the owner's carefully selected local sake.

The owner's favorite Jamaican music plays in the restaurant. There is a counter and table seating.
The owner's favorite Jamaican music plays in the restaurant. There is a counter and table seating.

The name of the restaurant, "Minato," is derived from the desire to create a place where people can gather, just like at Minato, and the atmosphere makes it easy to come in even by yourself. The owner, who loves traveling and music, has a playful spirit scattered throughout the restaurant, including the menu.

The owner of the restaurant, who also has the word "sake" in his name, is particularly particular about Japanese sake. The owner personally visited the brewery and selected local sake from Ishikawa and Toyama, which he shared the philosophy of the brewery. The owner personally visits the breweries and offers a lineup of local sake from Ishikawa and Toyama, a region that shares the owner's philosophy.

Local Guide Comment
Ask the waiter, "What kind of sake goes best with boiled crab? They will recommend several sake to suit your tastes, so even sake beginners can place their orders with ease.
Sake and Shokuyujin Minato
  • Address 2-8 Kakinokibatake, Kanazawa, Ishikawa MAP
  • Direction 10 minutes drive from JR Kanazawa Station
  • Bus DirectionTake a bus from JR Kanazawa Station, get off at Korinbo and walk about 7 minutes.
  • Hours of Operation 17:30-23:00 (L.O. 22:30)
  • Regular holidays Sundays (with occasional closing)
  • TEL 076-208-3305
  • Memo Reservations required at least one day in advance for crab dishes.

The taste of Western cuisine loved at Kappo Restaurant. The famous "Crab Cream Croquette

The
The "Crab Cream Croquette" (793 yen) is ranked number one on the restaurant's annual popularity list.

Founded in 1971 as a Western-style restaurant, it is now a popular kappo restaurant. The specialty since its establishment has been "crab cream croquettes. In fact, it is a menu item so familiar in Kanazawa that it has been served at Japanese restaurants for a long time.

The restaurant's croquettes are filled with red snow crab meat, and the rich, smooth cream is a delicious aftertaste. The croquettes have kept the same old taste and have many fans from the days when the restaurant was a Western-style restaurant. It can be ordered year-round, so be sure to try it when you visit Kanazawa.

Select live crabs on the spot and enjoy them cooked the way you like.

Plank seating and private rooms are available, but counter seating is recommended where you can listen to the chef talk about seasonal dishes.
Plank seating and private rooms are available, but counter seating is recommended where you can listen to the chef talk about seasonal dishes.

Near the entrance of the restaurant is a large tank filled with many crabs. Crabs are carefully managed in the tank because their meat becomes thin when they are fried from the water. Prices are determined by market prices, which vary greatly depending on the conditions of the catch and other factors.

At this restaurant, you can compare three sizes of live crabs (large, medium, and small) in front of you and choose the one that fits your budget and quantity on the spot. The crab you choose can be ordered cooked in the way you prefer, such as sashimi, grilled, or boiled. If you want sashimi, go for the slightly larger size; if you want to taste many other things, such as cold yellowtail, nodoguro, and Kaga vegetables, the smaller size is recommended.

Local Guide Comment
The same crab cream croquettes are also available at the second restaurant, Lunch Place Takasaki, located in the nearby Property "Kraso Place Korinbo. It is recommended to compare the crab cream croquettes with those of other restaurants.
Ajidokoro Takasaki
  • Address 1-2-22 Kanazawa-Chayomachi, Ishikawa MAP
  • Direction 15 minutes drive from JR Kanazawa Station
  • Bus Direction Take a bus from JR Kanazawa Station, get off at Korinbo bus stop and walk about 5 minutes.
  • Business Hours 17:00-22:00 (L.O. 21:30)
  • Regular holiday Sundays (or last day of consecutive holidays)
  • TEL 076-231-0116
  • Memo Reservations required during crab season (early November to late March)

A course full of exquisite crab dishes at a famous restaurant along the Saigawa River.

Crab sashimi, grilled crab, and
Crab sashimi, grilled crab, and "Kabako crab" are included in KAI Local Flavors. Premium KAI Local Flavors" from 26,400 yen, "KAI Local Flavors" from 20,900 yen

This restaurant specializes in crab along the Saigawa River. During the season, they serve only crab-full course meals. While many restaurants charge market price for crabs, they are able to offer them at a fixed price during the season by purchasing large quantities from fresh fish stores with which they have an annual contract.

There are three types of courses: "crab sashimi and grilled crab," "crab shabu nabe," or "premium," which allows you to enjoy both. In addition, "boiled crab" can be added as an option. We are able to offer such a full range of dishes because of our well-equipped kitchen with many Staff/staff members who are accustomed to handling crabs.

The blooming crab sticks and the owner's smile will make you feel relaxed.

The proprietor wears his trademark yellow kappogi (Japanese apron). Note the custom-made yellow cassette stove.
The proprietor wears his trademark yellow kappogi (Japanese apron). Note the custom-made yellow cassette stove.

Various elaborate touches are made to please customers. The crab sticks are cooked just before the reservation time and bloom beautifully like a flower. The attentive and attentive service is also an attraction, as the owner himself greets all customers and takes care of the grilled crabs, which are difficult to grill to the right degree. The restaurant is always full of smiles.

If you are looking for a place in Kanazawa where you can enjoy the most impressive crab to your heart's content, why not pay a visit? Outside of the crab season, you can also enjoy a wide range of dishes such as the "Nodoguro-no-Makaseki-Kai Local Flavors".

Local Guide Comment
The owner, who is a master of his craft, says, "My greatest pleasure is to see the smiles on my customers' faces," and his humorous stories are another way to enjoy the service that exceeds expectations.
Kappo Takeshi
  • Address 2-32-4 Katamachi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture MAP
  • Direction 10 minutes drive from JR Kanazawa Station
  • Direction Take a bus from JR Kanazawa Station, get off at "Katamachi" and walk about 5 minutes.
  • Business Hours 17:30-22:00 *17:00-23:00 on Fridays, Saturdays, holidays and the day before national holidays.
  • Regular holiday Sunday (Open on consecutive holidays)
  • TEL 076-234-2121
  • Parking Free (4 cars)
  • Memo Reservations recommended. (The above hours and holidays are during crab season.

Enjoy live crabs all year round! Luxurious taste with your choice of cooking method!

A bowl of
A bowl of "Kanou crab" costs from 18,150 to 26,400 yen (at the time of the interview), depending on the weight of the crab, including the cooking fee. The upper right is "Crab Miso Kala Yaki" for 1,738 yen.

You can enjoy authentic dishes using live snow crab all year round. A huge water tank at the entrance welcomes you with many crabs. In summer, live crabs from the Sea of Okhotsk are flown in, so you can enjoy sashimi and crab miso in its original deliciousness.

Of course, "Kabako Crab" and "Kanou Crab" are also available in winter. You can choose to cook a whole fresh live crab in one of three ways: sashimi, charcoal-grilled, or steamed. If the legs are grilled or sashimi, the shell is grilled, and if the legs are steamed, the shell is also steamed. Because they are cooked all year round, the craftsmanship of the chefs shines through.

Kanazawa oden and local cuisine. A famous restaurant in Katamachi where you can casually enjoy your meal without a reservation!

In addition to the counter seating, which is easy to enter by yourself, there is also a semi-private room perfect for group travel.
In addition to the counter seating, which is easy to enter by yourself, there is also a semi-private room perfect for group travel.

The restaurant reopened after renovation in 2025. Facing the Katamachi intersection, the restaurant is modern and relaxed. The restaurant is operated by Hachiban, which is also responsible for Hokuriku's soul food, "8-ban Ramen. As a company that values food culture, Hachiban also focuses on local cuisine such as "jibe-ni" and "hasu-mushi" (steamed lotus root).

Another nice point is that the Katamachi branch serves "Kanazawa Oden" all year round. While many restaurants require reservations during crab season, this is a convenient place to stop by and enjoy a variety of crabs and local delicacies.

Local Guide Comment
Whenever you want to eat authentic crab dishes, any time of the year, you will be glad you did. In addition to crab, the restaurant also offers a wide variety of seasonal dishes such as "today's recommendation.
Seafood Market Cuisine Ichinokura, Katamachi Branch
  • Address 2F APA Katamachi Daisan Bldg. 1-6-13 Katamachi, Kanazawa MAP
  • Direction 15 minutes drive from JR Kanazawa Station
  • Direction Take a bus from JR Kanazawa Station, get off at "Katamachi" and walk about 1 minute.
  • Business Hours 17:00-23:00 (L.O.22:30), Saturday, Sunday and national holidays 16:00-23:00 (L.O.22:30)
  • Regular holiday Open daily *Special holidays may occur.
  • TEL 076-263-9898
  • Memo Reservations recommended on weekends.

Luxurious "crab porridge" served first thing in the morning at a long-established ryotei (Japanese-style restaurant)

Crab porridge
Crab porridge" is 5,280 yen. As one would expect, the porridge changes in flavor between the first and second bowls.

The oldest ryotei in Kanazawa boasts a history of about 350 years and conveys the essence of Kaga cuisine. What you can enjoy at this restaurant is a slightly luxurious breakfast. After taking a seat by the window overlooking the city, including the Saigawa River and Kenrokuen Garden, you will be served "Ichi-no-zen," which includes dashimaki tamago (rolled egg) wrapped gently in the aroma of aosa seaweed, and melt-in-your-mouth kuzushi tofu.

After listening to the history of the restaurant and the thoughts behind the dishes, you will be served the main dish, "crab porridge. The gem of the meal is the crab porridge, which is made from kelp broth made from grilled crab shells and rich crab meat. One bite and the rich flavor of the crab will spread softly.

Enjoy seasonal crabs and a spectacular view. A blissful experience for all five senses.

Dine at a table overlooking the city of Kanazawa while listening to an introduction to the cuisine.
Dine at a table overlooking the city of Kanazawa while listening to an introduction to the cuisine.

The crab used for crab porridge changes with the seasons, with "Kabako crab" used from November to December, "Kanou crab" and red snow crab from January to March, and red snow crab and other local crabs used during the rest of the year. Two bowls of crab porridge are served with different tastes. The second bowl of Kabako crab, for example, is served with a condensed soup stock and a saucer (roe). The smoothness of the porridge combined with the texture of the sotoko (roe) gives the dish a profound flavor. You can add aosa or homemade salted malt to taste for a change in flavor.

The restaurant is a space where aesthetics are reflected in everything, from the tableware and hospitality to the view from the window. Why not start your day with a blissful breakfast while enjoying the view of Kanazawa's cityscape in each of the four seasons?

Local Guide Comment
In addition to breakfast, KAI Local Flavors offers KAI Local Flavors for lunch and dinner. Once you have experienced the charm of Kaga's meticulous cuisine through the crab porridge, be sure to try the lunch and evening KAI Local Flavors next time you are in town.
Tsubajin
  • Address 5-1-8 Teramachi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture MAP
  • Direction 20 minutes drive from JR Kanazawa Station
  • Bus Direction Take a bus from JR Kanazawa Station, get off at Hirokoji bus stop, and walk about 3 minutes.
  • Business Hours 7:00-21:00
    Morning porridge (crab porridge) 7:00/8:00/9:00/10:00 *7:00 will open in order.
    Lunch 11:00-15:00 (L.O.13:00) / Dinner 17:00-21:00 (L.O.19:00)
  • Closed Closed on weekends and holidays
  • TEL 076-241-2181
  • Memo Reservations required via web
Crab steamed in a shimenawa rope, available only in winter at KAI Local Flavors.
Crab steamed in a shimenawa rope, available only in winter at KAI Local Flavors.

Hoshino Resorts KAI Kaga is a hot spring hotel in Yamashiro Onsen, where you can immerse yourself in Kaga culture.
A specialty that can only be enjoyed here is "steamed crab with a rope. This dynamic dish, in which a rope soaked in salt water is wrapped around a crab and steamed, has an exceptional visual impact. The crab is heated slowly through the rope, which concentrates the flavor of the crab and makes it surprisingly plump and tender.

How about a luxurious winter trip to Kanazawa, a city of gourmet food, to enjoy the taste of crab along with a historic hot spring?

MAP

Hoshino Resorts facilities nearby
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The information in this article is current as of the date of the update. Please check before visiting as they are subject to change.