Local Guide
Spots for parents and children in the suburbs of Kanazawa that can be enjoyed by driving.

If you go to the suburbs of Kanazawa, you will find many unique Kanazawa spots, such as a Property where you can Experience gold leaf application and a driveway along the coast where you can drive. We also introduce popular spots frequented by local parents and children, such as an elaborate zoo. Let's take a trip out by car right away.

See, Experience, and Enjoy Learning about Gold Leaf

Priority is given to reservations for the Parent-Child Experience of applying gold leaf. Check the website for availability.
Priority is given to reservations for the Parent-Child Experience of applying gold leaf. Check the website for availability.

Kanazawa produces most of the gold leaf produced in Japan. The Kanazawa Museum of Gold Leaf is a rare spot where visitors can see, touch, and taste gold leaf up close and personal. First, visit the basement gallery, where you can learn how gold leaf is made through videos and demonstrations, and then take a tour of the "Gold Leaf Room," where 10,000 sheets of gold leaf are applied, a golden replica of the armor of Lord Toshiie Maeda sits, and a glittering projection mapping is also exciting. Parents and children can take pictures together in a virtual experience in which their own faces in gold armor are projected on a monitor.

The famous kinpaku (gold leaf) soft serve ice cream is a must-try!

Gold leaf Kagayaki soft serve ice cream is 891 yen each. The one on the left with chocolate cherry blossoms is available only in spring.
Gold leaf Kagayaki soft serve ice cream is 891 yen each. The one on the left with chocolate cherry blossoms is available only in spring.

At the "Foil Pasting Experience," visitors can enjoy a variety of experiences that even small children can enjoy, including the use of 1/10,000 mm gold leaf, which may seem a bit intimidating, but the actual experience is surprisingly simple. The postcards, which are made by placing gold leaf on a glued pattern, take about 10 minutes to make. The accessory case, in which you choose a design sticker with a Kanazawa-like pattern and apply gold leaf, takes about 40 minutes to complete. After enjoying the Experience and shopping, take a break at the cafe on the first floor. The soft-serve ice cream covered with a sheet of gold leaf looks gorgeous and tastes rich.

Haku-koukan, the main store of Foilichi
  • Address 2-1-1 Morito, Kanazawa, Ishikawa MAP
  • Direction 20 minutes drive from JR Kanazawa Station
  • Hours of Operation 9:00-18:00, Experience: ~17:00 (last admission at 16:00)
  • Regular holiday New Year's Day
  • Admission Fee Free of charge
  • TEL 076-240-8911
  • Parking Free of charge

Leave the hustle and bustle of a tourist town for a peaceful port town

There is also a small seating area for small children to relax.
There is also a small seating area for small children to relax.

This spot is located in Kanaishi, a port town on the outskirts of Kanazawa City. It was built with the concept of "a place for everyone" where people gather, eat, and play on a small grassy hill. On sunny days, it is pleasant to lie down on the slope of the hill. The wood-decked terrace offers a peaceful view of the fishing town, where you can relax with your children. If you get hungry, go to the miso soup restaurant "SORAMISO" inside the building. The restaurant is always crowded with parents and children, with round tables with picture books and small seating areas.

Enjoy flavorful cuisine full of local ingredients

Soramiso set meal with a choice of miso soup and omusubi, such as amaebi tsumire soup and tororo ume omusubi, 800 yen.
Soramiso set meal with a choice of miso soup and omusubi, such as amaebi tsumire soup and tororo ume omusubi, 800 yen.

At Sora Miso, you can enjoy miso soup and omusubi (rice balls) made with local ingredients such as Kanazawa's famous miso paste and fresh seafood. The "Sora Miso Set Meal" includes a choice of miso soup, two omusubi, and obanzai. A "Children's Set Meal" is also available, which comes with a port town metta soup, two small omusubi, apple juice, and hojicha jelly. At the store "Hane no Ne", also opened on the first floor in 2019, you can purchase rice, miso, tea, and delicious seasonings from Ishikawa Prefecture, which are used in "Sora Miso".

Kokkore kanaiwa
  • Address 1-2-15 Kaneishi Nishi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture MAP
  • Direction 15 minutes drive from JR Kanazawa Station
  • Hours of Operation 11:00-17:00 (L.O.16:30), Sunday 8:00-16:00 (L.O.15:30)
  • Closed Wednesday, Thursday
  • TEL 076-256-5207
  • Parking Free of charge

The only sandy beach in Japan where you can drive a car

Tourist buses, motorcycles, and bicycles sometimes drive by.
Tourist buses, motorcycles, and bicycles sometimes drive by.

The beach is one of the few beaches in the world where you can drive your car along the lapping waves. The sand at "Senrihama" becomes hard when it contains water, so even ordinary cars can drive on the beach without sinking their tires. From Kanazawa, take the free automobile-only road "Noriyama Kaido" and exit at the Imahama Interchange, which is the southern starting point. The driveway continues north from there for a total length of 8 km. Driving along the sandy beach will lift the spirits of both adults and children alike. Feel the sea breeze as you drive briskly along the lapping waves.

The exhilarating feeling of driving along the edge of the waves is exceptional!

Outside of the swimming season, the beach is less crowded, and you can enjoy a pleasant ride on the sandy beach.
Outside of the swimming season, the beach is less crowded, and you can enjoy a pleasant ride on the sandy beach.

As a natural driveway, there are no one-way regulations or center lines. Be sure to watch out for oncoming traffic and drive carefully. From the end of April to the end of November, a beach teahouse is open where you can taste grilled shellfish. During the bathing season, many beach teahouses line the beach. A large sand artwork appears near the Senrihama Rest House from May to November. It is popular as an excellent photo spot.

Chirihama Nagisa Driveway
  • Address Chisaki Senrihama-cho, Hakui, Ishikawa Prefecture - Imahama, Hakui Hodatsushimizu-cho, Hakui-gun, Ishikawa Prefecture
  • Direction Approximately 30 minutes by car from JR Kanazawa Station
  • Admission Fee Free of charge
  • TEL 0767-22-5333（Hakui Tourist Association)
  • Parking Free of charge

Let's play freely in a park with a great view!

Children's Plaza
Children's Plaza" where you can play on the fun playground equipment to your heart's content

This vast park was built on a former golf course in the hills in the eastern part of Kanazawa City. On a clear day, you can see the Kanazawa city area and the Sea of Japan in the distance. Children's Plaza is full of playground equipment, such as the "Little Slope" for sledding on the grass, the "Roller Slider," and the "Yurayura Bridge. There is also a Barefoot Plaza where you can run around barefoot and a Hammock Plaza where you can take a comfortable nap. Bringing a packed lunch and enjoying a picnic on the grass is also recommended.

Walking and barbecue in the greenery

Cherry blossoms in April and roses in May are at their best
Cherry blossoms in April and roses in May are at their best

Within the park is the Satoyama Conservation Park, where visitors can learn about nature through hands-on experiences, and where a dragonfly pond, a wetland garden, and terraced rice paddies are spread out. The lush green promenade is also a great place for families to enjoy walking together. There is also a park golf course for children to enjoy and a "day camp plaza" for barbecues. If you want to take a break indoors, head to the "Tombo Terrace" at the Oku Utatsuyama Nobi Nobi Koryukan, which is made of Noto Hiba (cypress) and other timber produced in Ishikawa Prefecture. There is a children's space with picture books, a store, changing rooms, and a nursing corner. Soft ice cream is also available at the store.

Okutatsuyama Kenmin Koen (Okutatsuyama Kenmin Park)
  • Address E85 Wakamatsu-cho, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture MAP
  • Direction 20 minutes drive from JR Kanazawa Station
  • Business Hours Free admission
  • Closed No holidays
  • Admission Fee Free (barbecue and park golf are charged)
  • TEL 076-264-0395
  • Parking Free of charge
The information in this article is current as of the date of the update. Please check before visiting as they are subject to change.