Kanazawa (Ishikawa)
Local Guide
Six modern traditional crafts you will encounter in Kanazawa. Sophisticated sundries and long-established masterpieces to take home as souvenirs.

Kanazawa has a unique culture that blends the atmosphere of the ancient capital with a modern sense of style. You can find many cute sundries that are modern interpretations of traditional crafts at stores in the city. Here are some of the most popular stores that offer a selection of wonderful traditional crafts perfect for souvenirs.

＜Kanazawa's traditional handicrafts that make great souvenirs.

Stylish lineup of sundries based on the theme of traditional Hokuriku crafts

Kaga Yubinuki
Kaga Yubinuki" is produced by two artists and costs between 5,500 and 11,000 yen per piece.

This is a select store run by "Hakuichi," a famous brand of Kanazawa foil (gold and silver leaf). Located on the outskirts of Higashi Chaya-gai, the shop offers a variety of products that can be easily incorporated into daily life under the theme of traditional Hokuriku crafts such as Kutani ware and Kaga yuzen. In particular, the shop offers a wide variety of sundries for women's tastes, such as hair clips and earrings made of mizuhiki and Kutani yaki porcelain with modern patterns. Many items are made by both up-and-coming and veteran artists, and about 10% of the items are originals that can only be found at this store.
It is said that Kaga Yuzen seamstresses started making "Kaga Yubinuki," which are elegant with the luster of silk threads. On the second floor, visitors can try their hand at gold leaf application.

Kanazawa Bikazari Asano
  • Address 1-8-3 Higashiyama, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture MAP
  • Bus Direction From the East Exit of JR Kanazawa Station, take the Hokutetsu Bus (clockwise route) around Kanazawa Castle Town. 10 minutes by bus, alight at Hashiba-cho (Higashi/Sukkeicho Chaya-gai) and walk about 3 minutes.
  • Business Hours 9:00-18:00, Experience of applying foil 10:00-16:00 (last admission at 15:00)
  • TEL 076-251-8911
  • Parking None

Luxurious cosmetics containing gold leaf to support beauty

CHAYA cosme's Cream for Body, Red Plum Fragrance 20g, 1,984 yen and up
CHAYA cosme's Cream for Body, Red Plum Fragrance 20g, 1,984 yen and up

Gold leaf is a traditional craft representing Kanazawa. When applied to the skin, it is said to make the skin supple and shiny. This store is a concept store of "beauty" by "Foilza," a long-established gold leaf manufacturer and seller. Located in the Higashi Chaya-gai tourist area, it is easy to stop by on your way to see the sights. It mainly sells its own brand of cosmetics containing gold leaf, and "CHAYA cosme" is a body care and makeup series recommended as souvenirs. The affordable price and cute packaging are attractive, and the plum-scented body cream is especially popular.
Also popular is the "Touch of GOLD" series of basic cosmetics using platinum gold leaf, an original gold leaf containing 99% gold. Visitors can experience the gold leaf cosmetics firsthand, and gift items suitable for special occasions are also available.

Chaya Bijin
  • Address 1-26-17 Higashiyama, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa MAP
  • Bus Direction From the East Exit of JR Kanazawa Station, take the Hokutetsu Bus (clockwise route) around Kanazawa Castle Town. 10 min. ride and get off at Hashiba-cho (Higashi/Sukkeicho Chaya-gai) stop. 4 min. walk from the stop.
  • Business Hours 9:30-17:30 (winter season - 17:00)
  • Closed No holidays
  • TEL 076-253-8883
  • Parking None

World-renowned Kanazawa ceramics brand

Sumi no Toki
Sumi no Toki" series

The "Nikko" brand of western tableware was born in Kanazawa in 1908. The pure white porcelain is said to be "the whitest in the world" and is favored by top chefs around the world for its effectiveness in making food look beautiful.
Located in the Higashi Chaya-gai district, this store is an antenna store for the brand, offering not only white porcelain dishes, but also modern dishes that incorporate Kanazawa's culture and Japanese essence. We recommend the "Sumi no Toki" (ink in a moment), designed by Hiroko Koshino with a motif of light black ink. This remarkable series won the international contest "Tableware International Awards of Excellence 2018.
At the attached café, you can enjoy "Kanazawa Latte" and other drinks with your choice of "Nikko" coffee cups.

Tableware shop & cafe White porcelain
  • Address 1-25-6 Higashiyama, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture MAP
  • Bus Direction From the East Exit of JR Kanazawa Station, take the Hokutetsu Bus (clockwise route) around Kanazawa Castle Town. 10 min. ride, 5 min. walk from Hashiba-cho (Higashi/Sukkeicho Tea House Street) stop.
  • Business Hours Weekdays 11:00-16:00 (Cafe L.O. 15:30), Sat/Sun/holidays 11:00-17:00 (Cafe L.O. 16:30)
  • Closed Closed on weekends and holidays
  • TEL 076-256-1089
  • Parking None

Meboso Hari, an official of the Kaga domain since 1575

Harinezumi Sewing Set (Needle Hill Pattern)
Harinezumi Sewing Set (Needle Hill Pattern)" with needle holder and mini scissors, 4,620 yen. The set includes two sets of five different types of needles.

Founded in 1575, this store specializes in needles. Its signature product, the "Meboso Needle," is a historic sewing needle named after a lord of the Kaga domain. The needle holes are long and narrow to make threading easier, the surface has fine scratches to reduce friction with the fabric, and the needle tips are sharper than those of ordinary needles, making them very comfortable to use. There are about 100 types of needles available in a wide variety of sizes and uses, including for embroidery and leather. Souvenirs include a sewing set with a hedgehog-shaped needle holder and other accessories, as well as a needle hook with "Kanazawa oden" ingredients and "Kaga vegetables" decorations on the head. They are popular because they are cute and make needlework fun.
Kaga wool hooks are also recommended for those who love fishing. They are handmade using the feathers of wild birds such as kingfishers and pheasants, and are designated as a traditional handicraft of the prefecture. Brooches and hair ornaments arranged with hairpins are also available, and their vivid colors and modern designs are appealing.

Meboso Hachirobei Shop
  • Address 11-35 Yasue-cho, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture MAP
  • Direction Approx. 8 min. walk from JR Kanazawa Station
  • Business hours 9:30-17:30
  • Closed Tuesdays (open if Tuesday is a national holiday)
  • TEL 076-231-6371
  • Parking Free of charge

Kaga Hachiman "Okiagari", a standard Kanazawa gift

Kaga Hachiman Okigari
Kaga Hachiman Okigari" No. 3, 990 yen and up; No. 4 shown in the photo, 1,320 yen. Painting experience is also available.

This Kaga doll store has been in business since 1862. The founder was a craftsman who specialized in making dancing masks for kyogen plays, and now uses his skills to handcraft papier-mâché dolls and local toys.
The "Kaga Hachiman Kigarashi" is a traditional Kanazawa doll known by the nickname "Hachiman-san" (meaning "Hachiman" in Kanazawa). It is a lucky doll depicting pine, bamboo, and plum blossoms, and is said to have originated when the Hachiman shrine's god, Emperor Ojin, wished for the growth and happiness of his child by copying the red maternity clothes of the emperor when he was born. It is customary to give it as a gift at the time of a girl's birth or first Doll's Festival, and it is also used as a wedding or wedding present, as it is believed that if it is stored in a chest of drawers, there will be no need to worry about clothes. It is also used as a gift to wish for prosperous business and recovery from illness.
In addition, "Kaga dolls" depicting the classical performing arts of Kaga and local toys inspired by karakuri dolls are also available.

Nakajima Menya
  • Address 88 Aokusa-cho, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan MAP
  • Bus Direction From JR Kanazawa Station East Exit, take a 5 min. ride on the Hokutetsu Bus "Left Turn Route" around Kanazawa Castle Town, and get off at "Musashigatsuji/Omi-machi Ichibakan (Ichibakan-mae)" stop.
  • Hours of Operation 9:00-17:30, Painting Experience 10:00-16:00 (last admission)
  • Closed Tuesdays (open if Tuesday is a national holiday)
  • Admission fee Painting Experience 1,100 yen
  • TEL 076-232-1818
  • Parking None
  • Memo For details on the Painting Experience, check the official website.

A variety of unique Hokuriku gifts from sundries to food

Various types of Kutaniyaki. Iroebai rice bowl
Various types of Kutaniyaki. Iroebai rice bowl" by a popular Kutani artist, 3,080 yen (left), etc.

Under the theme of "Made in Hokuriku," the lineup includes products associated with the three prefectures of Ishikawa, Fukui, and Toyama. A wide variety of goods are available, from modern crafts created by young local artists to traditional sweets, seasonings, and household goods. The common denominator is that the products are of high quality and made using traditional methods. The high quality of the designs is also a key point, and there is a wide selection of attractive items such as yuzen-dyed handkerchiefs with pop patterns and accessories made of Kaga mizuhiki craftsmanship.
Kutani ware is particularly popular, with a wide variety of types and patterns, including bean plates and chopstick rests. The works of local designers are also available.

[Gift Shop
  • Address Nakamura Building, 1-2-18 Hirosaka, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture MAP
  • Bus Direction From the East Exit of JR Kanazawa Station, take the Hokutetsu Bus (clockwise or counterclockwise route). 18-20 minutes from the Hirozaka/21st Century Museum stop, approx. 3 minutes walk from the bus stop.
  • Business hours 10:00-18:00
  • Regular holiday Mondays (open if Monday is a national holiday, closed the following weekday), Year-end and New Year holidays
  • TEL 076-222-2126
  • Parking None

MAP

＜Kanazawa's traditional handicrafts that make great souvenirs.
Hoshino Resorts facilities nearby
Return to article top
The information in this article is current as of the date of the update. Please check before visiting as they are subject to change.