Things to do in Ishikawa
Ishikawa gives you a choice between staying close to Kanazawa and heading out to the onsen towns, the mountains or the peninsula. The useful questions are what fills a visit to the city, which sights need a booking made in advance, and which excursions fit in a day.
For the city itself, things to do in Kanazawa covers Kenroku-en, the chaya districts and Omicho Market with plans built on the Loop Bus. Some sights need planning ahead: the geiko performance guide compares the scheduled shows and how to book them, and the Myoryuji ninja temple guide explains why you must phone the temple yourself.
Beyond the city, Kaga Onsen compares Yamanaka, Yamashiro and the other bath towns, Natadera covers the temple's maples and the bus there, Shirakawa-go works as a reserved-bus day out, and the Noto Peninsula guide tracks what has reopened since the earthquake.
8 articles
Is Yamanaka Onsen Worth Visiting? 15-Min Gorge Walk (2026)
Yes for an easy half day from Kanazawa: a 1.3km gorge path, the Kiku no Yu bath and a ¥470 bus from Kaga Onsen Station. The last bus back leaves at 18:35.
Kaga Onsen Guide: Yamanaka, Yamashiro, a Day from Kanazawa
Kaga's four hot-spring towns compared: what each is like, the public baths, the CANBUS loop and how to visit as a day trip from Kanazawa by Shinkansen.
How to See a Geisha Performance in Kanazawa (and Book It)
Kanazawa's scheduled geiko shows compared: the Saturday Geiko Experience, Geigi no Mai, MEET the GEIKO, Kanazawa Odori; dates, prices, language, booking.
Myoryuji Ninja Temple Reservation (2026): Phone Only, ¥1,200
Book by phone only, from one month ahead, yourself, not via your hotel; the 40-minute tour is in Japanese and preschoolers cannot enter. Fees and times.
Natadera Autumn Leaves: When to Go and How to Get There
When Natadera's maples usually peak, the temple's hours and fee, and how to reach it from Kanazawa by Shinkansen and the CANBUS loop bus without a car.
Noto Peninsula Guide: What's Open Now and How to Visit
Can you visit Noto after the 2024 earthquake? Which sights, onsen and roads are open (dated), how long to spend, and how to reach them from Kanazawa.
Shirakawa-go Day Trip from Kanazawa (2026): 8:40 Bus Plan
Yes, it works as a day trip: the 8:40 bus from Kanazawa Station West Exit and the 13:50 back give 3 h 45 min in the village. Every seat must be booked.
Things to Do in Kanazawa (2026): Two-Day Plan, ¥220 Loop Bus
Kenroku-en (¥320), three chaya districts, the D.T. Suzuki and gold leaf museums and Omicho Market, with one- and two-day plans on the ¥220 Loop Bus.
