How many nights should you spend in the city and at the hot springs on a four-day trip?
For the pond-filled garden and earthen-walled lanes followed by a hot spring night, stay two nights in Kanazawa and one in Yamanaka. For an extra hotel day and a nearby riverside walk, choose one Kanazawa night and two hot spring nights. The two-hot-spring-night option moves straight to Yamanaka after the market. Airport travel and procedures need separate time.
Choose a 3 nights, 4 days itinerary
Two city nights, one hot spring night
Spend four days with the garden, samurai district and one night at the hot springs. Stay two nights in Kanazawa for the market, Kenrokuen and Nagamachi, then move to Yamanaka.
Two city nights, one hot spring night →3 nights, 4 days BTwo hot spring nights
Spend four days with a market lunch and an extra day at your hot spring hotel. Stay one night in Kanazawa and two in Yamanaka. Add a nearby riverside walk during the two-night stay if you wish; this route gives more time to the hot springs instead of Kenrokuen.
Two hot spring nights →Two city nights, one hot spring night
Spend four days with the garden, samurai district and one night at the hot springs. Stay two nights in Kanazawa for the market, Kenrokuen and Nagamachi, then move to Yamanaka.
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: 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, IR local train → 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 → Hotel transfer boarding area → 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.
Hotel facilities and luggage storage FAQHotel access and transfer boarding guide
Request the hotel transfer separately from your room booking. If choosing another property, adjust travel to its access and transfer conditions.
Day 4: From the hot spring hotel to Kanazawa
Leave your hot spring hotel and return to Kanazawa by hotel transfer and IR local train.
- Reserved hotel transfer → Kagaonsen Station south exit
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.
Official current IR timetables and station checksOfficial IR ordinary fare table
- 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.
Choose the return transfer and onward train together. Any extra city visit needs both sightseeing bus journeys to fit before your onward departure.
Included: The subtotal includes Kenrokuen admission at JPY 320, three city bus rides at JPY 220 each and two IR journeys at JPY 880 each. Walk both ways to the market on day one. It assumes staying guests reserve a free hotel transfer in advance.
Extras and conditions: Accommodation, meals, separate hotel luggage storage, paid houses, riverside facilities, long-distance departure travel and additional buses cost extra.
For one general adult: Kenrokuen JPY 320 + three loop bus rides JPY 660 + Kanazawa–Kagaonsen IR return JPY 1,760 = JPY 2,740. Walk both ways to the market on day one; hotel transfers assume free use by staying guests who reserve in advance. Accommodation, meals, separate hotel luggage storage, paid houses, riverside facilities and long-distance departure travel cost extra. Add costs for scheduled buses to your hotel or additional facilities.
Official Kenrokuen visitor guideHokutetsu loop bus stops and faresOfficial IR ordinary fare tableHotel access and transfer boarding guide
Two hot spring nights
Spend four days with a market lunch and an extra day at your hot spring hotel. Stay one night in Kanazawa and two in Yamanaka. Add a nearby riverside walk during the two-night stay if you wish; this route gives more time to the hot springs instead of Kenrokuen.
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. For a market visit the next day, finish in time for your Kagaonsen-bound IR train and reserved hotel transfer. Market transport costs JPY 0 on foot both ways or JPY 440 for an adult taking one left loop and one right loop ride. Meals and accommodation are excluded.
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, IR local train → 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 → Hotel transfer boarding area → 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.
Hotel facilities and luggage storage FAQHotel access and transfer boarding guide
Request the hotel transfer separately from your room booking. If choosing another property, adjust travel to its access and transfer conditions.
Day 3: Stay at the hot springs and walk near Korogi Bridge
Rest at the same hot spring hotel today before your second night. For riverside scenery, walk near Korogi Bridge in daylight. Stay at the hotel if rain, snow or access restrictions prevent the walk.
- Ohanami Kyubei → Korogi Bridge → nearby riverside section
Ohanami Kyubei’s official local guide gives about seven minutes on foot to Korogi Bridge (こおろぎ橋). Ask reception about the current route and access before heading there in daylight. Follow path signs along a nearby section. The full Korogi → Ayatori → Kurotani bridge path is 1.3 kilometres. Today’s route uses only the section near your hotel before returning; choose a turnaround point suited to the stairs, path conditions and your group’s fitness.
Ohanami Kyubei local sights and Korogi Bridge accessOfficial Yamanaka Onsen attractions and walking paths
- Retrace your Kakusenkei walk → Korogi Bridge → Ohanami Kyubei
Retrace your walk from the chosen turnaround point to Korogi Bridge. Return to the same hotel for your booked meal and bath times. Allow the roughly seven-minute hotel-to-bridge walk plus the riverside walk and return when planning meals. Riverside tea seating, cafés and paid facilities cost extra.
Ohanami Kyubei local sights and Korogi Bridge accessOfficial Yamanaka Onsen attractions and walking paths
Ask your hotel whether the room and baths remain available during the day between nights and whether meals are included. Rest at the hotel instead of walking if the riverside path is restricted or winds and rain are strong. There are no bus or train side trips today.
Day 4: From the hot spring hotel to Kanazawa
Leave your hot spring hotel and return to Kanazawa by hotel transfer and IR local train.
- Reserved hotel transfer → Kagaonsen Station south exit
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.
Official current IR timetables and station checksOfficial IR ordinary fare table
- 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.
Choose the return transfer and onward train together. Any extra city visit needs both sightseeing bus journeys to fit before your onward departure.
Included: The subtotal covers two IR journeys at JPY 880 each. Walk to the market on day one and along the nearby riverside during your stay. It assumes staying guests reserve a free hotel transfer in advance.
Extras and conditions: Accommodation, meals, separate hotel luggage storage, paid houses, riverside facilities, long-distance departure travel and additional buses cost extra.
For one general adult, two JPY 880 Kanazawa–Kagaonsen IR journeys total JPY 1,760. Walk to the market on day one and the nearby riverside section during the two-night stay. This course excludes Kenrokuen and city loop buses. Hotel transfers assume free use by staying guests with advance reservations. Accommodation, meals, separate hotel luggage storage, paid riverside facilities and long-distance travel to and from Kanazawa cost extra.
Official Kenrokuen visitor guideHokutetsu loop bus stops and faresOfficial IR ordinary fare tableHotel access and transfer boarding guide
Frequently asked questions
Does the four-day course with two hot spring nights include Kenrokuen?
The market and two-night Yamanaka course excludes Kenrokuen and city loop buses. For the garden and Nagamachi too, compare two Kanazawa nights and one hot spring night. The JPY 1,760 subtotal for two hot spring nights covers only ordinary IR return tickets; accommodation and meals cost extra.
Official IR ordinary fare tableOfficial Kenrokuen visitor guideHokutetsu loop bus stops and fares
Do I need to walk all of Kakusenkei from my hot spring hotel?
No. Ohanami Kyubei’s roughly seven-minute reference walk to Korogi Bridge is one way, separate from the full 1.3-kilometre riverside path. Walk a nearby section and retrace it. Rest at the hotel instead if rain, snow or access restrictions prevent walking.
Ohanami Kyubei local sights and Korogi Bridge accessOfficial Yamanaka Onsen attractions and walking paths
Sources and confirmation dates
- Access by Kenrokuen entrance ·
- Official Kenrokuen visitor guide ·
- Official Nagamachi tourism guide ·
- Official IR ordinary fare table ·
- Hotel Kanazawa access and luggage storage FAQ ·
- Official Omicho Market tourism guide ·
- Hokutetsu loop bus stops and fares ·
- Hotel access and transfer boarding guide ·
- Hotel facilities and luggage storage FAQ ·
- Official Yamanaka Onsen attractions and walking paths ·
- Ohanami Kyubei local sights and Korogi Bridge access ·
- 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 ·