1
Ishikawa Prefectural Library

A buzzworthy library where new encounters with books abound

Located in a lush, green area just a short distance from downtown Kanazawa, this museum is a cultural property that has garnered national attention. It’s just one direct ride on the Hokuriku Railway Line bus from Kanazawa Station, and with a bus stop nearby, it’s easy to get there. Upon entering the building, you’ll find a spacious, circular reading area with an atrium extending all the way up to the fourth floor. Surrounding it are 12 themes—such as “Expanding Your Lifestyle” and “Thinking About Work”— 12 relatable and familiar themes —such as “Enriching Daily Life” and “Reflecting on Work”—and one of its charms is that you can pick up books wherever your interest leads you. As you browse the sections that catch your eye, you might just stumble upon an unexpected book. If you wander through the library following your own interests, you’ll lose track of time.

A cozy, charming space that redefines the concept of a library

It’s not just about finding books—the space itself, with its warm wooden ambiance, is a major draw. Many people take commemorative photos against the backdrop of this distinctive circular space. The museum houses the “Ishikawa Collection,” , as well as as well as interactive exhibits showcasing Ishikawa Prefecture’s traditional culture—including allowing you to deepen your understanding in ways unique to travel. The facility also features a café and a communal space, so you can spend a relaxing time reading or exploring the museum. This is a library where you can enjoy not only discovering books but also the space itself.

Ishikawa Prefectural Library

• 2-43-1 Kodatsuno, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture MAP
• 20 minutes drive from JR Kanazawa Station
• Take a bus from JR Kanazawa Station; get off at “Ishikawa Prefectural Library” (right there), or get off at “Sakiura/Prefectural Library Exit” and walk about 3 minutes
• Reading Area: 9:00 AM–7:00 PM (until 6:00 PM on weekends and holidays); Cultural Exchange Area: 9:00 AM–9:00 PM (until 6:00 PM on weekends and holidays)
• Closed on Mondays (or the following weekday if Monday is a holiday), year-end and New Year holidays, and during special maintenance periods
• 076-223-9565
• Available (Free for the first 30 minutes after entry; 100 yen for every 30 minutes thereafter. Library users can receive 3 hours of free parking by processing their ticket at the discount machine inside the library)

2
Muroo Saisei Memorial Museum

A memorial museum in the birthplace of Saisei Muroo, one of Kanazawa's three great writers.

Located on the site of Muroo Saisei’s birthplace, the memorial hall is right next to the “Shirakikucho” stop on the Kanazawa Furatto Bus line, or about a 5-minute walk from the “Katamachi” stop on the regular bus route.Saisei’s literary works—spanning diverse genres such as poetry, haiku, novels, and essays—overflow with his feelings toward the nature of his hometown, Kanazawa, and his compassion for all living things, no matter how small.
Upon entering the memorial hall, you’ll find a small garden designed to evoke the flow of the Sai River, which Saisei loved. It features a stone pagoda and a tsukubai (water basin) that were actually used in his lifetime, and the sight of small birds playing in the water is truly soothing. On the walls of the atrium, the covers of the first editions of all his works are displayed in chronological order. You’ll find yourself captivated by the retro artwork.

Full of exhibits to learn more about Saisei, the cat-loving writer.

The exhibition room on the first floor introduces visitors to his manuscripts, letters, and drawings he made on postcards addressed to his children. In addition to cats, which appear in many of his works, Saisei also kept dogs, small birds, and insects, and the " Saisei's Dog and Cat Chronology," produced by the museum, shows his love for these small creatures.
On the second floor, limited time-only exhibitions such as "Food and Saisei" and "Traveling Saisei" are held. In addition, there are school songs written by Saisei, a corner where visitors can listen to Saisei's voice, and a handwriting corner where visitors can Experience the use of letters and brush strokes, allowing them to immerse themselves in the world of Saisei Muroo.

Muroo Saisei Memorial Hall

• 3-22 Sennichimachi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture MAP
• About a 15-minute drive from JR Kanazawa Station
• From JR Kanazawa Station, take a bus (leftward route). 6 min. walk from Katamachi Bus Stop.
• 9:30-17:00
• Closed on Tuesdays (or the following day if Tuesday is a national holiday), year-end and New Year's holidays *Closed during exhibition changes three times a year
• 310 yen *210 yen for those aged 65 and over, free for high school students and younger
• 076-245-1108
• Free

3
Jiyūkajin

Enchanted by modern items made of mizuhiki, a traditional Kanazawa craft

Located about a 5-minute walk from the “Sakurabashi” bus stop on the Kanazawa Castle Town Sightseeing Bus route, this shop and workshop specializes in mizuhiki. Mizuhiki refers to the decorative knots tied onto gift envelopes and other items. In Kanazawa, it has been a familiar traditional craft since the Edo period, known for its three-dimensional and beautiful engagement gift decorations.Created under the concept of “Enjoying Mizuhiki in Everyday Life,” the collection features interior items, bags, and accessories that showcase a distinctly feminine sensibility. While based on the traditional “Awaji knot,” the shop offers a range of modern items that break free from the constraints of conventional mizuhiki craftsmanship.
There is also a "Mizuhiki Museum" next to the store, where lampshades made from original Mizuhiki are a fantastic and photogenic place to visit.

Dainty mizuhiki accessories as souvenirs

Popular gifts for friends include earrings, earrings, and pendants made of mizuhiki beads. They are colorful, lovely, and easy to wear. Flower baskets with glass cups make picture-perfect interior decorations by simply placing a vase of wild flowers in it.
For those who would like to make their own baskets, workshops are also available. The workshop takes about 30 minutes to 2 hours and costs from 2,750 yen. It is also recommended to purchase original mizuhiki materials and kits in more than 200 colors to make your own at home.

Jiyuukajin

• 7-9 Kiyokawa-cho, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture MAP
• About a 15-minute drive from JR Kanazawa Station
• Take a bus from JR Kanazawa Station, get off at Sakurabashi bus stop, and walk 5 minutes.
• 10:00-16:00
• 3rd Friday of the month, year-end and New Year's holidays
• Admission to the Mizuhiki Museum: Adults (18 years and older): 500 yen, Elementary to high school students: 200 yen
  Mizuhiki Experience Class: 2,750 yen and up (minimum of 1 person; please call to make a reservation)
• 076-244-6441
• Free

4
Kaga Temari Mariya

Discover the colorful and beautiful traditional crafts of Kaga

Located near Oyama Shrine along Hyakumangoku Street, this store specializes in “Kaga Temari” and “Kaga Yubinuki.” It is “Minamimachi/Oyama Shrine” bus stop. A Kaga Temari is an auspicious craft item consisting of a ball with a bell inside, its core embroidered with patterns using silk thread; it is said that the louder it rings, the better one’s fortune will be.Even today, there is a custom of giving them to daughters as they marry, wishing them happiness. Featuring lustrous chrysanthemum patterns and more, this shop offers a wide selection of colorful temari, each handmade from the core up.
The shop also offers a wide selection of “Kaga Yubinuki”—thimbles traditionally made by Kaga Yuzen seamstresses using leftover silk thread and raw silk. Their colorful, beautiful patterns, created by layering individual strands of silk thread one by one, are truly striking.

Experience making temari and yubinuki (traditional Japanese ornaments) as a memorable part of your trip to Kanazawa.

Inside the store, you will find an array of works by artists active in Ishikawa Prefecture. Practical items such as needle piles made from small temaris and accessories using yubinuki are ideal as souvenirs. Experience classes in Kaga temari and Kaga yubinuki are also available.
Kaga temari is a delicate "two chrysanthemum pattern" challenge. Kaga yubinuki, made from a base of rolled cardboard and cloth, can be made in "two-color scales" or "yatara stripes" patterns. Since the yubinuki can be made in any color, even the same pattern can be made into a unique piece with original colors. Both are recommended for beginners as the artist will teach you how to make them in detail.

Kaga Temari Mariya

• 5-7 Minami-cho, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture MAP
• About a 10-minute drive from JR Kanazawa Station
• Take a bus from JR Kanazawa Station, get off at "Minamimachi, Oyama Shrine" and walk about 1 minute.
• 9:30-18:00
• Tuesdays and Wednesdays
• Experience: Temari 6,500 yen, Yubinuki 2,900 yen and up
• 076-231-7660
• None

5
Le Musee de Ashe KANAZAWA

Take a break at the art museum’s patisserie café, surrounded by greenery

The direction to the patisserie café located within the “Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Art” is as follows: Take the bus from Kanazawa Station. It’s the perfect spot to take a break after viewing art. Upon entering, the view through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the lush greenery of Honda no Mori soothes the soul.

The display case features about 20 varieties of fresh Japanese sweets. Produced by Hiroaki Tsujiguchi—a leading Japanese pastry chef originally from Ishikawa Prefecture—you can enjoy visually stunning desserts made with delicious local ingredients such as milk, eggs, adzuki beans, fruit, salt, and sake.

Unique sweets and tea to savor while reflecting on your art experience

“C’est la vie,” which means “That’s life” in French, is one of Chef Tsujiguchi’s signature petit gâteaux. It is characterized by its beautiful hexagonal shape and a rich texture created by the layering of different ingredients.The drink menu is also well-stocked, featuring original teas—such as “Liberté,” a blend of Kaga bocha and lemongrass—as well as café lattes made with Noto milk. The café occasionally introduces collaborative desserts tied to the art museum’s special exhibitions, allowing you to savor the flavors while still immersed in the afterglow of the artworks.

Le Musee de Ashe KANAZAWA

• Inside the “Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Art,” 2-1 Dewa-cho, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture MAP
• About a 10-minute drive from JR Kanazawa Station
• Take a bus from JR Kanazawa Station, get off at "Hirosaka/21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art" and walk about 6 minutes.
• 10:00-18:00 (L.O. 17:00)
• Closed on weekends and holidays
• 076-204-6100
• Free

6
Aoki

9 obanzai dishes. Beautiful Japanese lunch

This Japanese restaurant is located in a residential area near the Saigawa River, just a short walk from the “Muroo Saisei Memorial Museum.” The nearest bus stop is “Katamachi” on the Kanazawa Castle Town Sightseeing Bus route. The interior, renovated from a 90-year-old private home, features a simple, modern atmosphere that preserves the large exposed beams, with about 10 seats spaced out comfortably. The owner, who was born and raised in Kanazawa and trained in Kyoto for 10 years, showcases his skills by preparing delicious seasonal “obanzai” (home-style dishes) using local ingredients.A popular choice is the “Lunch Set,” which features nine dishes arranged on a checkered plate; it’s a great value, as it also includes small side dishes and chawanmushi.

Relax after dinner with homemade desserts.

The ingredients are purchased by the owner at the Omimachi Market. Most of the obanzai dishes are made with seasonal Kaga vegetables and local fish. The chawanmushi (steamed egg custard) that accompanies every lunch is served cold in summer, showing the owner's thoughtfulness in wanting customers to enjoy the seasons.
The after-meal desserts are also well received. In addition to the standard desserts of shiratama (white rice balls), lotus root rice cakes, and yokan (sweet bean jelly), there are also homemade desserts such as pumpkin and sweet potato pudding in the fall. The chewy shiratama, made with azuki beans simmered according to the owner's grandmother's recipe, can be served either hot (oshiruko style) or cold with ice cream on top.

Aoki

• 5-2 Sennichimachi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture MAP
• About a 15-minute drive from JR Kanazawa Station
• Take a bus from JR Kanazawa Station, get off at "Katamachi" and walk 5 min.
• 11:30-13:30 (last entry), 18:00-20:30 (L.O.) *Reservations are required for lunch.
• Wednesday, Thursday
• 076-287-3126
• None

7
Sake Shop Yasaburo

Enjoy original Japanese cuisine that makes the most of the local season with a glass of wine

The direction to the restaurant is about 1 km from Kenroku-en Garden and the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa. It is housed in a renovated, approximately 100-year-old traditional house. The “Hondamachi” bus stop on the Kanazawa Castle Town Sightseeing Bus route is the direction.The restaurant uses ingredients sourced from local farmers and fishermen in the Kanazawa area, serving dishes that highlight the natural flavors of the ingredients without excessive processing.

The owner, a native of Kanazawa, personally forages for wild vegetables in the mountains and even travels to Toyama Prefecture to catch firefly squid. The menu also features seasonal delicacies, such as wild boar meat—sourced from hunters in Hakui City and prepared into meat cutlets—that is free of any gamey odor.Enjoy these dishes alongside local sake and natural wines, primarily from France.

Enjoy food and conversation in an atmospheric old private house

On the first floor, there are tables where you can take off your shoes, as well as counter seats in the open kitchen. No background music is played because the chefs want visitors to enjoy the sounds of conversation and cooking. Up the stairs to the second floor is a modern tatami room. The restaurant is full of taste, with Kutani ware and other tableware from the Meiji and early Showa eras.

Yasaburo Sake Shop

• 3-10-27, Honda-machi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa MAP
• About a 10-minute drive from JR Kanazawa Station
• Take a bus from JR Kanazawa Station, get off at "Honda-machi" and walk for 3 minutes.
• 17:30 - 24:00 (L.O. 23:00)
• Sundays
• 076-282-9116
• None