Three days in Ishikawa: where should you spend the second night?
For market lunch, a garden walk and both historic districts, stay two nights in Kanazawa. For an onsen break, spend one night each in Kanazawa and Yamanaka, moving after Kenrokuen on day two. Add Higashi Chaya on the return day only if the hotel shuttle, IR train and return sightseeing buses fit before your next departure. Airport travel and check-in time are separate.
Choose an itinerary for 3 days / 2 nights
Kanazawa city
See the market, garden and historic districts over three days without changing accommodation. Combine Kenrokuen and Nagamachi on day two, then walk Higashi Chaya on the final day.
Kanazawa city →3 days / 2 nights BOne night in Kanazawa, one in Yamanaka Onsen
On this three-day trip, have lunch at the market, explore the garden and spend a night at the hot springs. Visit Kenrokuen on day two before moving to Yamanaka. Add Higashi Chaya on your return day only if hotel transfers, trains and return buses fit your onward departure.
One night in Kanazawa, one in Yamanaka Onsen →Kanazawa city
See the market, garden and historic districts over three days without changing accommodation. Combine Kenrokuen and Nagamachi on day two, then walk Higashi Chaya on the final day.
Day 1 · Omicho Market and your Kanazawa accommodation
Choose a seafood lunch and browse fish, vegetable and fruit shops at Omicho Market on arrival. Afterwards, stay near Kanazawa Station.
- Kanazawa Station east plaza → Omicho Market, on foot or Left Loop bus
Walk about 12 minutes from Kanazawa Station's east plaza to Omicho Market. By bus, take the Left Loop from east-side stand 7 and get off at Musashigatsuji/Omicho Market outside Ichibakan. The adult single fare is JPY 220; add bus fares to the walking-based return cost below if you use them.
Omicho Market: official tourism guideHokutetsu loop-bus stops and faresHotel Kanazawa: access and luggage storage FAQ
- Omicho Market → Open restaurant and market shops
General market guidance is around 9 am–4 pm, but restaurants and shops have their own hours. Have lunch at an open business and browse in the afternoon. Meals and shopping cost extra. More shops tend to close on Wednesdays.
- Omicho Market, outside M'za Kuromonkoji → Kanazawa Station, then accommodation nearby
Retrace your walk to the east plaza, or take a station-bound Right Loop bus from Musashigatsuji/Omicho Market outside M'za Kuromonkoji. The Right Loop has several stops around the market; use the correct one rather than your outward Left Loop stop. Choose dinner at an open restaurant near the station.
Hotel Kanazawa: access and luggage storage FAQHokutetsu loop-bus stops and fares
Market businesses have different opening days and closing times. If arriving late, have dinner near the station. You can visit the market the following day, but must also rearrange Kenrokuen and your station departure. Today's market transport is JPY 0 if walking both ways, or JPY 440 for an adult using one Left Loop and one Right Loop bus. Meals and accommodation are excluded.
Day 2 · Kenrokuen and Nagamachi, then your accommodation
Walk among Kenrokuen's ponds and trees, then explore Nagamachi's earthen-walled lanes. See both the garden and historic district before returning to the same Kanazawa accommodation.
- Station east-side stand 7, Right Loop → Kenrokuen-shita RL6
Take the Kanazawa Loop Bus Right Loop from east-side stand 7 and get off at Kenrokuen-shita/Kanazawa Castle opposite Ishikawa Gate. Check that you are using the Right Loop stop.
Hokutetsu loop-bus stops and faresHotel Kanazawa: access and luggage storage FAQ
- Kenrokuen-shita RL6 → Katsurazaka entrance, then the garden
Walk about five minutes to Katsurazaka entrance and pay standard adult admission of JPY 320. After a morning visit and break, return to the same RL6 stop.
Access to Kenrokuen's entrancesOfficial Kenrokuen visiting guide
- After the garden, RL6 Right Loop → Korinbo outside the former Bank of Japan, then Nagamachi
Continue on the Right Loop and get off at Korinbo outside the former Bank of Japan. The tourism association gives about five minutes on foot to Nagamachi and suggests about 60 minutes for its lanes. Lunch and residence interiors are separate.
Hokutetsu loop-bus stops and faresOfficial tourism guide: Nagamachi Samurai District
- Korinbo outside the former Bank of Japan → Right Loop to Kanazawa Station
Return to the Right Loop stop outside the former Bank of Japan and travel via Minamicho and Omicho Market to Kanazawa Station. Three loop bus rides on day two cost JPY 660 for an adult, less than the JPY 800 adult day pass.
- Kanazawa Station bus stop → The same accommodation
Cross the station's east plaza back to Hotel Kanazawa.
Distinguish outdoor lane walks from paid residence visits. Add both time and money for interiors.
Day 3 · Higashi Chaya District walk
Explore Higashi Chaya's traditional teahouse district and businesses on your final day. Leave time between your return bus to Kanazawa Station and onward train.
- East-side stand 7, Right Loop → Hashibacho, outside Kinjoro
Take the Kanazawa Loop Bus Right Loop from stand 7 in Kanazawa Station's east plaza and get off at Hashibacho outside Kinjoro. The ride takes about 13 minutes, excluding the bus wait and walk from the stop to the district.
Hokutetsu loop-bus stops and faresOfficial tourism guide: Higashi Chaya District
- Hashibacho, outside Kinjoro → Higashi Chaya District
The official tourism guide gives about five minutes on foot from the stop to Higashi Chaya.
- Higashi Chaya District → Lane walk and selected businesses
Walk the outdoor streets in the afternoon. If you plan tea or a visit inside a historic residence, check the facility's hours and fees. Outdoor lane walks and visits inside teahouses or residences have different costs.
- Hashibacho outside Kinjoro, Right Loop → Kanazawa Station
Retrace your walk to Hashibacho outside Kinjoro and continue on the Right Loop via Kenrokuen, Korinbo and Omicho Market to Kanazawa Station. The return section is longer than the outward journey, so check your return service first.
Hokutetsu loop-bus stops and faresHotel Kanazawa: access and luggage storage FAQ
- Kanazawa Station → Ticket gates and platform for your onward train
Go to the gates and platform for your onward train. Leave time for station walking between your return transport and departure.
Hotel Kanazawa: access and luggage storage FAQHokutetsu loop-bus stops and fares
Distinguish outdoor street walks from tea and residence visits. The Right Loop return from Hashibacho to the station is longer than the outward section.
Included: Kenrokuen JPY 320 + city loop bus JPY 220 × 5. Day-one market travel assumes walking both ways.
Extras and conditions: Accommodation, meals, paid residences, long-distance trains and extra travel cost extra.
Hotel Kanazawa: access and luggage storage FAQOmicho Market: official tourism guideHokutetsu loop-bus stops and faresAccess to Kenrokuen's entrancesOfficial tourism guide: Nagamachi Samurai DistrictOfficial tourism guide: Higashi Chaya DistrictOfficial Kenrokuen visiting guide
One night in Kanazawa, one in Yamanaka Onsen
On this three-day trip, have lunch at the market, explore the garden and spend a night at the hot springs. Visit Kenrokuen on day two before moving to Yamanaka. Add Higashi Chaya on your return day only if hotel transfers, trains and return buses fit your onward departure.
Day 1 · Omicho Market and your Kanazawa accommodation
Choose a seafood lunch and browse fish, vegetable and fruit shops at Omicho Market on arrival. Afterwards, stay near Kanazawa Station.
- Kanazawa Station east plaza → Omicho Market
Walk about 12 minutes from the station's east plaza to Omicho Market. Plan lunch and browsing around individual businesses' hours.
Omicho Market: official tourism guideHotel Kanazawa: access and luggage storage FAQ
- Omicho Market → Kanazawa Station, then Hotel Kanazawa
After the market, retrace your walk to Kanazawa Station. Check in at the hotel from 3 pm.
Omicho Market: official tourism guideHotel Kanazawa: access and luggage storage FAQ
Market businesses have different opening days and closing times. If arriving after the market closes, have dinner near your accommodation.
Day 2 · Via Kagaonsen Station to your hot-spring accommodation
Move from Kanazawa to your hot-spring accommodation and rest today. Connect an ordinary IR train with your separately booked hotel transfer.
- Kanazawa Station east-side stand 7 → Kenrokuen-shita/Kanazawa Castle
Take the Kanazawa Loop Bus Right Loop from east-side stand 7 and get off at Kenrokuen-shita/Kanazawa Castle opposite Ishikawa Gate. Check that you are using the Right Loop stop.
Hotel Kanazawa: access and luggage storage FAQHokutetsu loop-bus stops and fares
- Kenrokuen-shita/Kanazawa Castle → Katsurazaka entrance, then garden visit
Walk about five minutes to Katsurazaka entrance and explore the garden. From 1 March to 15 October, the garden is open from 7 am to 6 pm, with last admission at 5:30 pm. From 16 October to the end of February, the garden is open from 8 am to 5 pm, with last admission at 4:30 pm.
Access to Kenrokuen's entrancesOfficial Kenrokuen visiting guide
- After Kenrokuen → RL6 Kenrokuen-shita/Kanazawa Castle stop
After the garden, return to the same Right Loop stop at Kenrokuen-shita/Kanazawa Castle opposite Ishikawa Gate.
Hokutetsu loop-bus stops and faresAccess to Kenrokuen's entrances
- RL6, Right Loop → Board the bus and get off at Kanazawa Station
Take the Right Loop via Korinbo and Omicho Market and get off at Kanazawa Station. The adult single fare is JPY 220. Allow time to leave the garden and wait for the bus before your next train.
- Kanazawa Station bus stop → IR Ishikawa Railway gates and platform
Go from the station bus stop to the IR Ishikawa Railway gates and platform. Adjust your garden visit so you can catch the train that connects with your booked hotel transfer.
Hokutetsu loop-bus stops and faresIR official current timetables and station checks
- Kanazawa Station, IR train towards Fukui → Kagaonsen Station
Take an ordinary IR Ishikawa Railway train and get off at Kagaonsen. The standard adult single fare is JPY 880; this is different from the Shinkansen. Choose a travel-day train to match your booked hotel transfer.
IR official current timetables and station checksIR official ordinary-train fare table
- Kagaonsen Station south exit → Booked hotel transfer to Ohanami Kyubei
Go from Kagaonsen Station's south ticket gates to the hotel transfer boarding area, rather than regular bus stand 2. Give your name to the driver with the pink flag bearing Ohanami Kyubei's name. Book the free transfer separately by the day before; it does not run without reservations.
- Hot-spring accommodation → Baths and rest at your accommodation
Spend the afternoon relaxing at your hot-spring accommodation. Use baths and meals according to your booked stay plan.
Book hotel transfers separately from the room. If changing properties, arrange travel around that property's access and transfer conditions.
Day 3 · Hot-spring accommodation to Kanazawa
Return to Kanazawa Station by booked hotel transfer and ordinary IR train. Add a Higashi Chaya walk only if there is enough time before your onward departure.
- Hot-spring accommodation → Booked transfer to Kagaonsen Station
Take your booked free return hotel transfer to Kagaonsen Station. The official hotel guide allows requests from check-in until breakfast the next morning. For two nights, confirm the actual check-out day's transfer and booking deadline when you check in. Regular buses are separate.
- Kagaonsen Station, ordinary IR train → Kanazawa Station
Take an ordinary IR train towards Kanazawa from Kagaonsen and get off at Kanazawa Station. The standard adult single fare is JPY 880. Choose your travel-day train with time after the hotel transfer for ticketing and reaching the platform.
JR journey search for your travel dateOperator's 18 October diversion noticeIR official current timetables and station checksIR official ordinary-train fare table
- Kanazawa Station east-side stand 7 → Get off at Hashibacho, then Higashi Chaya
Take the Right Loop from station east-side stand 7 to Hashibacho outside Kinjoro, then walk about five minutes to Higashi Chaya.
Station luggage storage guideHokutetsu loop-bus stops and faresOfficial tourism guide: Higashi Chaya District
- Higashi Chaya walk and lunch → Right Loop to Kanazawa Station
After your historic district walk and lunch, continue on the same Right Loop via the garden, Korinbo and Omicho Market to the station.
Official tourism guide: Higashi Chaya DistrictHokutetsu loop-bus stops and fares
- Kanazawa Station → Ticket gates and platform for your onward train
Go to the gates and platform for your onward train. Leave time for station walking between your return transport and departure.
Compare hotel transfers, return IR trains and both sightseeing bus rides with your onward departure. The Right Loop return via Kenrokuen, Korinbo and Omicho Market is longer than the outward section. If time is short, skip the historic district and go to your onward departure at the station.
Included: Kenrokuen JPY 320 + city bus JPY 220 × 4 + IR JPY 880 × 2. Assumes free hotel transfers for guests booked in advance.
Extras and conditions: Accommodation, meals, separate hotel luggage storage fees, long-distance trains, paid riverside facilities and regular buses cost extra.
For one adult: Kenrokuen JPY 320 + four city bus rides JPY 880 + return IR trains JPY 1,760 = JPY 2,960. Includes both buses for Higashi Chaya; skipping that visit removes JPY 440, giving JPY 2,520. Hotel transfers assume free use by guests booked in advance. Accommodation, meals, paid riverside facilities, long-distance trains to Kanazawa and any chosen luggage storage cost extra. Add regular bus fares if using those instead of hotel transfers.
JR journey search for your travel dateIR official ordinary-train fare tableHotel access and shuttle pick-up guideHotel stay and luggage storage FAQCurrent Kaga local bus guideFebruary 2026 fare revision noticeOperator's Kaga city bus timetable PDFStation luggage storage guideOfficial tourism guide: Higashi Chaya DistrictHokutetsu loop-bus stops and faresAccess to Kenrokuen's entrancesOfficial Kenrokuen visiting guide
Frequently asked questions
Does booking the hotel automatically book the Yamanaka Onsen shuttle?
At Ohanami Kyubei, request the shuttle separately from your room booking by the day before. It does not run at times without bookings. Board at the hotel shuttle pick-up area at Kagaonsen Station's south exit, rather than local-bus stand 2. For another hotel, check its own shuttle conditions.
Can I visit Higashi Chaya on the day I return from the onsen?
After returning to Kanazawa Station by hotel shuttle and IR ordinary train, add Higashi Chaya if there is time before your next departure. Take the Right Loop from east stand 7 to Hashibacho outside Kinjoro, then walk about five minutes. Returning on the same loop goes via Kenrokuen, Korinbo and Omicho Market, making it longer than the outward ride. Check the shuttle, train and return bus journey together. If time is short, skip the district and connect with your next departure at the station.
Hotel access and shuttle pick-up guideIR official current timetables and station checksHokutetsu loop-bus stops and faresOfficial tourism guide: Higashi Chaya District
Can a Hokuriku rail pass cover the IR ordinary train to Kagaonsen?
The onsen itineraries budget regular IR ordinary-train tickets between Kanazawa and Kagaonsen at JPY 880 one way or JPY 1,760 return. The Hokuriku Area Pass, Hokuriku Arch Pass and Kansai–Hokuriku Area Pass allow exceptional use of IR between Kanazawa and Tsubata only when passing through without getting off at other IR stations. This exception does not cover an itinerary alighting at Kagaonsen. If switching to the Shinkansen, recheck each pass's valid sections and seating conditions, trains for your travel date and the hotel shuttle connection. Check onsen bus fares and facility admission separately. Compare passes against your starting city and other journeys before choosing.
IR official ordinary-train fare tableJR West Hokuriku Area Pass coverageJR West Hokuriku Arch Pass coverageJR West Kansai–Hokuriku Area Pass coverage
Sources and dates checked
- Access to Kenrokuen's entrances ·
- Official Kenrokuen visiting guide ·
- Official tourism guide: Higashi Chaya District ·
- Official tourism guide: Nagamachi Samurai District ·
- IR official ordinary-train fare table ·
- Current Kaga local bus guide ·
- Operator's Kaga city bus timetable PDF ·
- Operator's 18 October diversion notice ·
- Hotel Kanazawa: access and luggage storage FAQ ·
- Omicho Market: official tourism guide ·
- Hokutetsu loop-bus stops and fares ·
- JR journey search for your travel date ·
- Hotel access and shuttle pick-up guide ·
- Hotel stay and luggage storage FAQ ·
- February 2026 fare revision notice ·
- Station luggage storage guide ·
- JR West Hokuriku Area Pass coverage ·
- JR West Hokuriku Arch Pass coverage ·
- JR West Kansai–Hokuriku Area Pass coverage ·
- IR official current timetables and station checks ·