Four days in Ishikawa: how many nights in the city and hot springs?
For a garden with ponds and earthen-walled lanes followed by a hot spring night, split two Kanazawa nights and one Yamanaka night. For an extra inn rest day and nearby riverside walk, split one city night and two hot spring nights. The two-inn-night option moves directly to Yamanaka after the market visit. Airport travel and procedures take extra time.
Choose a 4 days, 3 nights itinerary
Two city nights and one hot spring night
Spend four days and three nights seeing the garden and samurai district before a night at a hot spring inn. Stay two nights in Kanazawa for the market, Kenrokuen and Nagamachi, then move to Yamanaka.
Two city nights and one hot spring night →4 days, 3 nights BTwo hot spring nights
A four-day, three-night itinerary with market lunch and an extra day resting at a hot spring inn. Split one Kanazawa night and two Yamanaka nights. Add a nearby riverside walk during the second inn day if you like. This chooses more hot spring rest instead of Kenrokuen.
Two hot spring nights →Two city nights and one hot spring night
Spend four days and three nights seeing the garden and samurai district before a night at a hot spring inn. Stay two nights in Kanazawa for the market, Kenrokuen and Nagamachi, then move to Yamanaka.
Day 1 · Omicho Market and Kanazawa accommodation
On arrival day, choose a seafood lunch at Omicho Market and browse fish, vegetable and fruit stalls. Afterwards, stay near Kanazawa Station.
- Kanazawa Station east plaza → Omicho Market · walk or left loop bus
Walk about 12 minutes from Kanazawa Station's east plaza to Omicho Market. For the bus alternative, take the left loop from east exit bay 7 to Musashigatsuji/Omicho Market, outside Ichibakan. The adult one-way fare is JPY 220; add fares to the walking-based return costs below if taking the bus.
Omicho Market official tourism guideHokutetsu loop bus stops and faresHotel Kanazawa access and luggage storage FAQ
- Omicho Market → Open restaurants and market stalls
General market hours are roughly 09:00–16:00, but restaurants and shops vary. Have lunch at an open restaurant, then browse the market in the afternoon. Meals and purchases cost extra. Relatively many shops close on Wednesdays.
- Omicho Market · outside M'ZA Kuromon Koji → Kanazawa Station → accommodation nearby
Retrace your walk to the station's east plaza, or take a station-bound right loop bus from Musashigatsuji/Omicho Market outside M'ZA Kuromon Koji. The right loop has several stops around the market; distinguish this from the left loop stop where you arrived. Choose an open restaurant near the station for dinner.
Hotel Kanazawa access and luggage storage FAQHokutetsu loop bus stops and fares
Opening days and closing times vary by shop. If arriving late, eat near the station. You can visit the market the next day at lunchtime, but adjust Kenrokuen and your station departure. Market transport costs JPY 0 when walking both ways, or JPY 440 per adult for one left loop and one right loop ride. Meals and accommodation are excluded.
Day 2 · Kenrokuen, Nagamachi and return to accommodation
Walk among Kenrokuen's ponds and trees, then explore Nagamachi's earthen-walled lanes. See both garden and historic streets before returning to the same Kanazawa accommodation.
- Station east exit bay 7 · right loop → Kenrokuen-shita RL6
From Kanazawa Station east exit bay 7, take the Kanazawa Loop Bus right loop to Kenrokuen-shita/Kanazawa Castle, opposite Ishikawa Gate. Confirm it is the right loop stop.
Hokutetsu loop bus stops and faresHotel Kanazawa access and luggage storage FAQ
- Kenrokuen-shita RL6 → Katsurazaka entrance → garden
Walk about 5 minutes to Katsurazaka entrance and pay JPY 320 regular adult admission. After your morning visit and rest, return to the same RL6 stop.
Access to each Kenrokuen entranceKenrokuen official visiting guide
- After the garden · RL6 right loop → Korinbo outside the former Bank of Japan → Nagamachi
Continue on the same right loop to Korinbo outside the former Bank of Japan. Tourism association guidance gives about a 5-minute walk to Nagamachi and a reference 60 minutes exploring the lanes. Lunch and residence interiors are separate.
Hokutetsu loop bus stops and faresOfficial Nagamachi tourism guide
- Korinbo outside the former Bank of Japan → Right loop → Kanazawa Station
Return to the right loop stop outside the former Bank of Japan and continue via Minamicho and Omicho Market to Kanazawa Station. Day two has three loop bus rides, JPY 660 per adult at regular fares, less than the JPY 800 adult day pass.
- Get off the bus at Kanazawa Station → Same accommodation
Cross the station's east plaza to return to Hotel Kanazawa.
Distinguish outdoor lane walks from paid residence visits. Add both costs and time for interiors.
Day 3 · Via Kagaonsen Station to the hot spring inn
Move from Kanazawa to your hot spring accommodation to rest. Connect an IR local train with your accommodation's reserved shuttle.
- Kanazawa Station IR local train → Kagaonsen Station
Take an IR Ishikawa Railway local train to Kagaonsen Station. The regular adult one-way fare is JPY 880; distinguish this from the Shinkansen. Choose your travel date's train to fit the reserved shuttle time.
IR official current timetable and station checksIR official ordinary fare table
- Kagaonsen Station south exit → Accommodation shuttle boarding area → Ohanami Kyubei
From Kagaonsen Station's south ticket gates, go to the accommodation shuttle boarding area, separate from local bus bay 2. Give your name to the driver with the pink Ohanami Kyubei flag. Reserve the free shuttle separately by the previous day; it does not run without reservations.
- Hot spring accommodation → Hot springs and rest at the inn
Spend the afternoon resting at the hot spring inn. Use baths and meals according to your booked accommodation plan.
Accommodation and luggage storage FAQAccommodation access and shuttle boarding guide
Request the shuttle separately from your room booking. If changing accommodation, match travel to that property's access and shuttle conditions.
Day 4 · Hot spring inn to Kanazawa
Leave the hot spring inn and return to Kanazawa by accommodation shuttle and IR local train.
- Reserved accommodation shuttle → Kagaonsen Station south exit
Take your reserved free return shuttle to Kagaonsen Station. The accommodation's official request window runs from check-in to breakfast the following morning. For two nights, confirm your actual check-out day's shuttle and request deadline at check-in. Local buses are separate.
- Kagaonsen Station IR local train → Kanazawa Station
Take a Kanazawa-bound IR local train from Kagaonsen to Kanazawa Station. The regular adult one-way fare is JPY 880. Choose your date's service with time for ticket purchases and platform access after the shuttle arrives.
IR official current timetable and station checksIR official ordinary fare table
- Kanazawa Station → Onward train ticket gates and platform
Go to your onward train's ticket gates and platform at the station. Leave time for travel within the station between your return transport and departure.
Choose the return shuttle and connecting train together. For extra city sightseeing, compare return sightseeing bus time with your onward departure.
Included: Kenrokuen JPY 320 + three city bus rides at JPY 220 + two IR journeys at JPY 880. Walk both ways to the market on day one. Free accommodation shuttle requires a guest reservation.
Extra costs and conditions: Accommodation, meals, separate hotel luggage storage fees, paid residences, riverside facilities, long-distance onward travel and additional buses.
Per adult at regular fares: Kenrokuen JPY 320 + three city loop bus rides JPY 660 + IR Kanazawa–Kagaonsen return JPY 1,760 = JPY 2,740. Walk both ways to the market on day one. Assumes a free accommodation shuttle for guests who reserve in advance. Accommodation, meals, separate luggage storage fees, paid residences, riverside facilities and long-distance onward travel cost extra. Add fares for local buses to the inn or extra facility visits.
Kenrokuen official visiting guideHokutetsu loop bus stops and faresIR official ordinary fare tableAccommodation access and shuttle boarding guide
Two hot spring nights
A four-day, three-night itinerary with market lunch and an extra day resting at a hot spring inn. Split one Kanazawa night and two Yamanaka nights. Add a nearby riverside walk during the second inn day if you like. This chooses more hot spring rest instead of Kenrokuen.
Day 1 · Omicho Market and Kanazawa accommodation
On arrival day, choose a seafood lunch at Omicho Market and browse fish, vegetable and fruit stalls. Afterwards, stay near Kanazawa Station.
- Kanazawa Station east plaza → Omicho Market · walk or left loop bus
Walk about 12 minutes from Kanazawa Station's east plaza to Omicho Market. For the bus alternative, take the left loop from east exit bay 7 to Musashigatsuji/Omicho Market, outside Ichibakan. The adult one-way fare is JPY 220; add fares to the walking-based return costs below if taking the bus.
Omicho Market official tourism guideHokutetsu loop bus stops and faresHotel Kanazawa access and luggage storage FAQ
- Omicho Market → Open restaurants and market stalls
General market hours are roughly 09:00–16:00, but restaurants and shops vary. Have lunch at an open restaurant, then browse the market in the afternoon. Meals and purchases cost extra. Relatively many shops close on Wednesdays.
- Omicho Market · outside M'ZA Kuromon Koji → Kanazawa Station → accommodation nearby
Retrace your walk to the station's east plaza, or take a station-bound right loop bus from Musashigatsuji/Omicho Market outside M'ZA Kuromon Koji. The right loop has several stops around the market; distinguish this from the left loop stop where you arrived. Choose an open restaurant near the station for dinner.
Hotel Kanazawa access and luggage storage FAQHokutetsu loop bus stops and fares
Opening days and closing times vary by market shop. If arriving late, eat near the station. For a market visit the next day at lunchtime, finish in time for your Kagaonsen-bound IR train and reserved shuttle. Market transport costs JPY 0 when walking both ways, or JPY 440 per adult for one left loop and one right loop ride. Meals and accommodation are excluded.
Day 2 · Via Kagaonsen Station to a hot spring inn
Move from Kanazawa to your hot spring accommodation to rest. Connect an IR local train with your accommodation's reserved shuttle.
- Kanazawa Station IR local train → Kagaonsen Station
Take an IR Ishikawa Railway local train to Kagaonsen Station. The regular adult one-way fare is JPY 880; distinguish this from the Shinkansen. Choose your travel date's train to fit the reserved shuttle time.
IR official current timetable and station checksIR official ordinary fare table
- Kagaonsen Station south exit → Accommodation shuttle boarding area → Ohanami Kyubei
From Kagaonsen Station's south ticket gates, go to the accommodation shuttle boarding area, separate from local bus bay 2. Give your name to the driver with the pink Ohanami Kyubei flag. Reserve the free shuttle separately by the previous day; it does not run without reservations.
- Hot spring accommodation → Hot springs and rest at the inn
Spend the afternoon resting at the hot spring inn. Use baths and meals according to your booked accommodation plan.
Accommodation and luggage storage FAQAccommodation access and shuttle boarding guide
Request the shuttle separately from your room booking. If changing accommodation, match travel to that property's access and shuttle conditions.
Day 3 · Second hot spring night and Korogi Bridge area walk
Rest at the same hot spring inn and spend a second night. For riverside scenery, walk near Korogi Bridge, close to the inn, during daylight. Stay at the inn if rain, snow or access restrictions apply.
- Ohanami Kyubei → Korogi Bridge → nearby riverside section
Ohanami Kyubei's official nearby sightseeing guide gives about a 7-minute walk to Korogi Bridge (こおろぎ橋). During daylight, ask reception about the current route and access, then head to the bridge. Follow path signs for a short nearby section. The full Korogi Bridge → Ayatori Bridge → Kurotani Bridge path is 1.3 km. Today walks only the section near the inn and returns; choose your turnaround point for steps, path conditions and your group's stamina.
Ohanami Kyubei nearby sightseeing and Korogi Bridge accessYamanaka Onsen official attractions and path guide
- Return along the Kakusenkei path → Korogi Bridge → Ohanami Kyubei
Retrace your path from the chosen turnaround point to Korogi Bridge, then return to the same inn for booked meals and bathing times. Add riverside walking and the return to the inn to the roughly 7-minute outward bridge walk when fitting your meal time. Riverside tea, cafés and paid facilities cost extra.
Ohanami Kyubei nearby sightseeing and Korogi Bridge accessYamanaka Onsen official attractions and path guide
Ask the inn whether consecutive-night guests can use rooms and baths during the day and whether meals are included. Rest at the inn instead of walking if riverside access is restricted or wind and rain are strong. Today does not travel elsewhere by bus or train.
Day 4 · Hot spring inn to Kanazawa
Leave the hot spring inn and return to Kanazawa by accommodation shuttle and IR local train.
- Reserved accommodation shuttle → Kagaonsen Station south exit
Take your reserved free return shuttle to Kagaonsen Station. The accommodation's official request window runs from check-in to breakfast the following morning. For two nights, confirm your actual check-out day's shuttle and request deadline at check-in. Local buses are separate.
- Kagaonsen Station IR local train → Kanazawa Station
Take a Kanazawa-bound IR local train from Kagaonsen to Kanazawa Station. The regular adult one-way fare is JPY 880. Choose your date's service with time for ticket purchases and platform access after the shuttle arrives.
IR official current timetable and station checksIR official ordinary fare table
- Kanazawa Station → Onward train ticket gates and platform
Go to your onward train's ticket gates and platform at the station. Leave time for travel within the station between your return transport and departure.
Choose the return shuttle and connecting train together. For extra city sightseeing, compare return sightseeing bus time with your onward departure.
Included: Two IR journeys at JPY 880. Walk to the market on day one and the nearby riverside during your second inn day. Free accommodation shuttle requires a guest reservation.
Extra costs and conditions: Accommodation, meals, separate hotel luggage storage fees, paid residences, riverside facilities, long-distance onward travel and additional buses.
The regular adult subtotal is JPY 1,760 for two IR Kanazawa–Kagaonsen journeys at JPY 880 one way. Walk to the market on day one and the nearby riverside during your second inn day. This itinerary excludes Kenrokuen and city loop buses. Assumes a free accommodation shuttle for guests who reserve in advance. Accommodation, meals, separate luggage storage fees, paid riverside facilities and long-distance transport to and from Kanazawa cost extra.
Kenrokuen official visiting guideHokutetsu loop bus stops and faresIR official ordinary fare tableAccommodation access and shuttle boarding guide
Frequently asked questions
Can I add Kenrokuen to the four-day itinerary with two hot spring nights?
The itinerary walking the market on day one and resting two nights in Yamanaka excludes Kenrokuen and city loop buses. For the garden and Nagamachi too, compare two Kanazawa nights and one hot spring night. The two-hot-spring-night subtotal of JPY 1,760 covers only IR ordinary return tickets; accommodation and meals cost extra.
IR official ordinary fare tableKenrokuen official visiting guideHokutetsu loop bus stops and fares
Must I walk all of Kakusenkei from the inn?
No. Ohanami Kyubei's roughly 7-minute Korogi Bridge walk is a one-way reference, separate from the full 1.3 km riverside path. Walk a nearby section and retrace your route. Switch to resting at the inn if rain, snow or access restrictions apply.
Ohanami Kyubei nearby sightseeing and Korogi Bridge accessYamanaka Onsen official attractions and path guide
Sources and check dates
- Access to each Kenrokuen entrance ·
- Kenrokuen official visiting guide ·
- Official Nagamachi tourism guide ·
- IR official ordinary fare table ·
- Hotel Kanazawa access and luggage storage FAQ ·
- Omicho Market official tourism guide ·
- Hokutetsu loop bus stops and fares ·
- Accommodation access and shuttle boarding guide ·
- Accommodation and luggage storage FAQ ·
- Yamanaka Onsen official attractions and path guide ·
- Ohanami Kyubei nearby sightseeing and Korogi Bridge access ·
- JR West Hokuriku Area Pass coverage ·
- JR West Hokuriku Arch Pass coverage ·
- JR West Kansai–Hokuriku Area Pass coverage ·
- IR official current timetable and station checks ·