Where should you spend the second night of a three-day Ishikawa trip?
Stay two nights in Kanazawa for the market lunch, garden and both historic districts. For a hot spring night, stay one night each in Kanazawa and Yamanaka, moving after Kenrokuen on day two. Add Higashi Chaya on return day only if the hotel transfer, IR train and both sightseeing bus rides fit your onward departure. Airport travel and procedures need separate time.
Choose a 2 nights, 3 days itinerary
Kanazawa city
Spend three days exploring the market, garden and historic streets without changing hotels. Visit Kenrokuen and Nagamachi on day two, then Higashi Chaya on the final day.
Kanazawa city →2 nights, 3 days BOne night in Kanazawa, one in Yamanaka Onsen
Spend three days with a market lunch, a garden walk and a night at the hot springs. Visit Kenrokuen on day two before moving to Yamanaka. On return day, add Higashi Chaya only if the hotel transfer, trains and return bus fit your onward departure.
One night in Kanazawa, one in Yamanaka Onsen →Kanazawa city
Spend three days exploring the market, garden and historic streets without changing hotels. Visit Kenrokuen and Nagamachi on day two, then Higashi Chaya on the final day.
Day 1: Omicho Market and a Kanazawa stay
Choose a seafood lunch at Omicho Market on arrival, then browse fish, vegetable and fruit stalls. Afterwards, stay near Kanazawa Station.
- Kanazawa Station east plaza → Omicho Market on foot or by left loop bus
Walk about 12 minutes from Kanazawa Station’s east plaza to Omicho Market. Alternatively, take the left loop bus from east-side stand 7 to Musashigatsuji/Omicho Market, in front of Ichibakan. The adult one-way fare is JPY 220; add bus fares to the walking-return cost basis below if taking the bus.
Official Omicho Market tourism guideHokutetsu loop bus stops and faresHotel Kanazawa access and luggage storage FAQ
- Omicho Market → Open restaurants and market shops
The market’s general hours are around 09:00–16:00, but individual restaurants and shops differ. Have lunch at an open restaurant and browse in the afternoon. Meals and shopping cost extra. More shops tend to close on Wednesdays.
- Omicho Market, in front of M’za Kuromon Koji → Kanazawa Station → nearby hotel
Retrace your walk to the station’s east plaza, or take the station-bound right loop bus from Musashigatsuji/Omicho Market in front of 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
Market shops have different opening days and closing times. If arriving late, have dinner near the station. You can visit the market the next day, but then rearrange Kenrokuen and your station departure too. Market transport costs JPY 0 if walking both ways, or JPY 440 for an adult taking one left loop and one right loop ride. Meals and accommodation are excluded.
Day 2: Kenrokuen, Nagamachi and back to your hotel
Walk among Kenrokuen’s ponds and trees, then explore Nagamachi’s earthen-walled lanes. Return to the same Kanazawa hotel after both visits.
- Station east-side stand 7, right loop → Kenrokuen-shita RL6
Take the Kanazawa Loop Bus right loop from east-side stand 7 to 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 → garden
Walk about five minutes to Katsurazaka entrance and pay general adult admission of JPY 320. After your morning visit and break, return to the same RL6 stop.
Access by Kenrokuen entranceOfficial Kenrokuen visitor guide
- After the garden, RL6 right loop stop → Korinbo, former Bank of Japan stop → Nagamachi
Continue on the right loop to Korinbo in front of the former Bank of Japan. The tourism association gives about five minutes’ walking to Nagamachi and roughly 60 minutes for its lanes. Lunch and house interiors are extra.
Hokutetsu loop bus stops and faresOfficial Nagamachi tourism guide
- Korinbo in front of the former Bank of Japan → Right loop → Kanazawa Station
Return to the right loop stop in front of the former Bank of Japan and ride via Minamicho and Omicho Market to Kanazawa Station. Day two has three rides at JPY 660 for an adult, less than the JPY 800 day pass.
- Alight from the bus at Kanazawa Station → Same hotel
Cross the station’s east plaza back to Hotel Kanazawa.
Outdoor lane walks differ from paid house interiors. Add both time and fees for an interior visit.
Day 3: Higashi Chaya district walk
Explore Higashi Chaya’s traditional teahouse district and shops on the final day. Leave time between the return bus to Kanazawa Station and your onward train.
- East-side stand 7, right loop → Hashibacho, in front of Kinjohro
Take the Kanazawa Loop Bus right loop from east-plaza stand 7 to Hashibacho in front of Kinjohro. The ride takes about 13 minutes; waiting and walking from the stop to the district are extra.
Hokutetsu loop bus stops and faresOfficial Higashi Chaya tourism guide
- Hashibacho, in front of Kinjohro → 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 chosen shops
Walk the outdoor lanes in the afternoon. For tea or a historic-house interior, check that facility’s hours and fees. Outdoor walking and admission to teahouses or historic houses have different costs.
- Hashibacho in front of Kinjohro, right loop → Kanazawa Station
Retrace your walk to Hashibacho in front of Kinjohro and continue on the right loop via Kenrokuen, Korinbo and Omicho Market to Kanazawa Station. The return section is longer than the outward ride; check your return bus first.
Hokutetsu loop bus stops and faresHotel Kanazawa access and luggage storage FAQ
- Kanazawa Station → Onward train ticket gates and platform
Head to your onward train’s ticket gates and platform. Leave time to move through the station between arriving and departing.
Hotel Kanazawa access and luggage storage FAQHokutetsu loop bus stops and fares
Distinguish outdoor walking from tea and paid historic-house visits. The right loop from Hashibacho back to the station is longer than the outward ride.
Included: The subtotal includes Kenrokuen admission at JPY 320 and five loop bus rides at JPY 220 each. Walk both ways to the market on day one.
Extras and conditions: Accommodation, meals, paid historic houses, long-distance trains and additional travel cost extra.
Hotel Kanazawa access and luggage storage FAQOfficial Omicho Market tourism guideHokutetsu loop bus stops and faresAccess by Kenrokuen entranceOfficial Nagamachi tourism guideOfficial Higashi Chaya tourism guideOfficial Kenrokuen visitor guide
One night in Kanazawa, one in Yamanaka Onsen
Spend three days with a market lunch, a garden walk and a night at the hot springs. Visit Kenrokuen on day two before moving to Yamanaka. On return day, add Higashi Chaya only if the hotel transfer, trains and return bus fit your onward departure.
Day 1: Omicho Market and a Kanazawa stay
Choose a seafood lunch at Omicho Market on arrival, then browse fish, vegetable and fruit stalls. Afterwards, stay near Kanazawa Station.
- Kanazawa Station east plaza → Omicho Market
The walk from the station’s east plaza to Omicho Market is about 12 minutes. Check shop hours when planning lunch and browsing.
Official Omicho Market tourism guideHotel Kanazawa access and luggage storage FAQ
- Omicho Market → Kanazawa Station → Hotel Kanazawa
After the market, retrace your walk to Kanazawa Station. Hotel check-in is from 15:00.
Official Omicho Market tourism guideHotel Kanazawa access and luggage storage FAQ
Market shops have different opening days and closing times. If arriving after the market closes, have dinner near your hotel.
Day 2: Via Kagaonsen Station to your hot spring hotel
Move from Kanazawa to your hot spring hotel today. Connect an IR local train with a reserved hotel transfer.
- Kanazawa Station east-side stand 7 → Kenrokuen-shita/Kanazawa Castle
Take the Kanazawa Loop Bus right loop from east-side stand 7 to 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 → garden visit
Walk about five minutes to Katsurazaka entrance. Hours are 07:00–18:00, last admission 17:30, from 1 March to 15 October; 08:00–17:00, last admission 16:30, from 16 October to the end of February.
Access by Kenrokuen entranceOfficial Kenrokuen visitor guide
- After Kenrokuen → RL6 Kenrokuen-shita/Kanazawa Castle stop
After visiting, retrace your walk to the right loop stop at Kenrokuen-shita/Kanazawa Castle, opposite Ishikawa Gate.
Hokutetsu loop bus stops and faresAccess by Kenrokuen entrance
- RL6, right loop → Board the bus → alight at Kanazawa Station
Take the right loop via Korinbo and Omicho Market to Kanazawa Station. The adult single fare is JPY 220. Allow time to leave the garden and wait for the bus before your train.
- Alight from the bus at Kanazawa Station → IR Ishikawa Railway ticket gates and platform
From the station bus stop, head to the IR Ishikawa Railway ticket gates and platform. Adjust your garden visit to catch a train that connects with your reserved hotel transfer.
Hokutetsu loop bus stops and faresOfficial current IR timetables and station checks
- Kanazawa Station, Fukui-bound IR service → Kagaonsen Station
Take an IR Ishikawa Railway local train to Kagaonsen Station. The general adult one-way fare is JPY 880; this is separate from the Shinkansen. Choose a travel-date train that fits your reserved hotel transfer.
Official current IR timetables and station checksOfficial IR ordinary fare table
- Kagaonsen Station south exit → Reserved hotel transfer → Ohanami Kyubei
From the south ticket gates, head to the hotel transfer boarding area, separate from scheduled bus stand 2. Give your name to the driver with a pink flag bearing Ohanami Kyubei’s name. Reserve the free transfer separately by the previous day; it does not run without reservations.
- Hot spring hotel → Hot springs and a rest at your hotel
Rest at your hot spring hotel in the afternoon. Use the baths and meals according to your booked accommodation plan.
Request the hotel transfer separately from your room booking. If choosing another property, adjust travel to its access and transfer conditions.
Day 3: From the hot spring hotel to Kanazawa
Return to Kanazawa Station by reserved hotel transfer and IR local train. Add a Higashi Chaya walk only if time remains before your onward departure.
- Hot spring hotel → Reserved transfer → Kagaonsen Station
Take your reserved free return transfer to Kagaonsen Station. The hotel’s official request window runs from check-in until breakfast the next morning. For two nights, ask at check-in about the transfer on your actual check-out date and its booking deadline. Scheduled buses are separate.
- Kagaonsen Station, IR local train → Kanazawa Station
Take a Kanazawa-bound IR local train from Kagaonsen to Kanazawa Station. The general adult one-way fare is JPY 880. Choose a travel-date service allowing time to buy tickets and reach the platform after the hotel transfer arrives.
JR travel-date journey searchOperator’s 18 October diversion noticeOfficial current IR timetables and station checksOfficial IR ordinary fare table
- Kanazawa Station east-side stand 7 → Alight at Hashibacho → Higashi Chaya
Take the right loop from station east-side stand 7 to Hashibacho in front of Kinjohro, then walk about five minutes to Higashi Chaya.
Station luggage storage guideHokutetsu loop bus stops and faresOfficial Higashi Chaya tourism guide
- Higashi Chaya walk and lunch → Right loop → Kanazawa Station
After the district walk and lunch, continue on the same right loop via the garden, Korinbo and Omicho Market to the station.
Official Higashi Chaya tourism guideHokutetsu loop bus stops and fares
- Kanazawa Station → Onward train ticket gates and platform
Head to your onward train’s ticket gates and platform. Leave time to move through the station between arriving and departing.
Compare the hotel transfer, IR return and both sightseeing bus journeys with your onward departure. The right loop return via Kenrokuen, Korinbo and Omicho Market is longer than the outward section. If time is short, omit the district and head to your onward departure at the station.
Included: The subtotal includes Kenrokuen admission at JPY 320, four city bus rides at JPY 220 each and two IR journeys at JPY 880 each. It assumes staying guests reserve a free hotel transfer in advance.
Extras and conditions: Accommodation, meals, separate hotel luggage storage, long-distance trains, paid riverside facilities and scheduled buses cost extra.
For one adult: Kenrokuen JPY 320 + four city bus rides JPY 880 + IR return JPY 1,760 = JPY 2,960. This includes two Higashi Chaya bus rides; omitting that visit removes JPY 440, giving JPY 2,520. Assumes a free hotel transfer reserved in advance by staying guests. Accommodation, meals, paid riverside facilities, long-distance trains to Kanazawa and chosen luggage storage cost extra. Add scheduled bus fares if using them instead of the hotel transfer.
JR travel-date journey searchOfficial IR ordinary fare tableHotel access and transfer boarding guideHotel facilities and luggage storage FAQCurrent Kaga scheduled bus guideFebruary 2026 fare revision noticeOperator’s Kaga city timetable PDFStation luggage storage guideOfficial Higashi Chaya tourism guideHokutetsu loop bus stops and faresAccess by Kenrokuen entranceOfficial Kenrokuen visitor guide
Frequently asked questions
Does booking a room automatically reserve a Yamanaka Onsen transfer?
At Ohanami Kyubei, request the transfer separately from your room reservation by the previous day. It does not run at times without reservations. Board at the hotel transfer area outside Kagaonsen Station’s south exit, separate from scheduled bus stand 2. Check the property’s conditions if staying elsewhere.
Can I visit Higashi Chaya when returning from the hot springs?
After the hotel transfer and IR local train to Kanazawa Station, add Higashi Chaya if time remains before your onward departure. Take the right loop from east-side stand 7 to Hashibacho in front of Kinjohro, then walk about five minutes. The same loop returns via Kenrokuen, Korinbo and Omicho Market, making it longer than the outward section. Compare the hotel transfer, trains and both bus rides together; if time is short, omit the district and head to your onward departure at the station.
Hotel access and transfer boarding guideOfficial current IR timetables and station checksHokutetsu loop bus stops and faresOfficial Higashi Chaya tourism guide
Can a Hokuriku rail pass cover the Kagaonsen-bound IR local train?
Hot spring course railway subtotals use ordinary Kanazawa–Kagaonsen IR tickets at JPY 880 one way or JPY 1,760 return. The Hokuriku, Hokuriku Arch and Kansai–Hokuriku passes allow exceptional IR use only between Kanazawa and Tsubata when passing through without alighting at other IR stations. That exception does not apply to this course, which alights at Kagaonsen. If switching to Shinkansen, recheck each pass’s covered sections and seat conditions, travel-date trains and hotel transfer connections. Hot spring buses and facility admissions need separate checks too. Choose a pass after comparing your starting city and other journeys together.
Official IR ordinary fare tableJR-West Hokuriku Area Pass coverageJR-West Hokuriku Arch Pass coverageJR-West Kansai–Hokuriku Area Pass coverage
Sources and confirmation dates
- Access by Kenrokuen entrance ·
- Official Kenrokuen visitor guide ·
- Official Higashi Chaya tourism guide ·
- Official Nagamachi tourism guide ·
- Official IR ordinary fare table ·
- Current Kaga scheduled bus guide ·
- Operator’s Kaga city timetable PDF ·
- Operator’s 18 October diversion notice ·
- Hotel Kanazawa access and luggage storage FAQ ·
- Official Omicho Market tourism guide ·
- Hokutetsu loop bus stops and fares ·
- JR travel-date journey search ·
- Hotel access and transfer boarding guide ·
- Hotel facilities 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 ·
- Official current IR timetables and station checks ·