Day or night this place is amazing. Totally iconic as a perfect Japanese garden. A large variety of trees, shrubbery, water features and picture perfect structures. It's also right next to Kanazawa castle which in its own right is amazing. The only thing I would change is the spotlights were too bright/the color temp was too high but still awesome when viewed at night. The park is free on certain nights during November/December.

You have to buy a ticket (320 yens for an adult) at the machines by the entrance with touch screens (English available). The garden is beautiful, but I wouldn’t consider it spectacular. It’s nice and it should be visited if you’re at Kanazawa and near the castle. I believe it could be even prettier had it a running water course (everything looked very dry) and some flowers. Also, at some points, people gathered and queued to take photos, and you would think something amazing must be ahead of you, only to find that it’s a lake without anything particular to justify queuing for pictures 🤷🏻 Ironically, some parts of the garden, which offer more shade and lush greenery, are much emptier and are much more enjoyable, in my opinion. Saw various toilets but haven’t tried any, and there are some places where you can eat (namely around the lake), but I preferred the places outside the garden.

Probably one of the world’s great gardens! Certainly in the top 20… & Japans no1. This is my second visit to Kenroku-en, I saw it in April 2024, it was one of the pinch me moments of my life! I wanted to see it again in Autumn, it is beautiful, but as a florist maybe the blossoms do tip the balance. As a “Stroll garden” style, it is exquisite. It’s all about trees, texture, balance, borrow views of the mountains beyond, antiquity, space, positive & negatives… “ma”, the buildings in the garden.’ It does have a regal understated elegance. Best to come and see it as it opens, free of charge for the first 45mins.. at 7am in the winter, then you have it almost to yourself .. pay the crazy low price of 320¥ when it reopens at 8am .. stay until the tourists appear and leave! If you can see it I the morning & afternoon/evening, you will have a different sense of it. The upkeep by the gardening team is off the scale! This time I saw the pine trees having their winter ropes arranged .. quite beyond! I’m looking forward to the illumination evening!

Kenroku-en is one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan. It’s a must-visit in Kanazawa. It’s beautiful during the day, and equally amazing at night. There are different varieties of gardening techniques in the garden. It has many different trees, large ponds, hills, cottages, and a tea house. The Yukisuri method, where ropes are tied to the branches from a bamboo pole, adds an artistic touch to the already magnificent Japanese pine trees.

This is one of the largest gardens in whole of Japan. We visited in October 2nd week it look almost half a day to tour this place, but the views, plants, architecture and everything is absolutely beautiful 😍 book your tickets online instead of waiting in the queue. Hack: skip the main entrance ticket line, a little to the right of the entrance there is another entrance spot next to the eateries where you can purchase tickets with no crowd at all. Overall, the fishes, atmosphere everything was A1♥️

We are keen gardeners and absolutely love this garden and it's easy to see why it's rated highly in Japan and across the world. It has inspired our own garden in the UK and we like to think we have been influenced from here. We open our garden for the National Garden Scheme to raise money for nursing charities in the UK You can find us on instagram and Facebook just look for @groomscottagegarden We highly recommend a visit, we spent several hours wondering and admiring the simplicity but also the layout the pruning the planting the tea houses the lakes the pine tree trees, the list is endless. It's also right next door to Kanazawa Castle as well so you could do this in the morning and the castle in the afternoon, which also has a very beautiful garden. Top recommendation. Get there early, it opens at 7 am and the tourist buses start to arrive pretty early so it does get busy by late morning,

I went here on a rainy day. Since it was Culture Day, entrance was free. There were quite a few people who still braved the rain. It made for a different and unique experience, as Kenroku-en usually has a lot of visitors. Kenroku-en is a huge garden, so pace yourself and you'll get to see interesting scenes. I especially enjoyed examining the twisted black pines supported by bamboo frames. Walking amongst the trees while it was raining was calming. Seison-kaku and Kanazawa Shrine are within Kenroku-en, so you can visit them if you have the time. After wandering here, you can proceed to the museums which are close by.

I visited when the main and special exhibition - as a student this only cost ¥800 which is quite affordable for an art gallery! I found the exhibitions engaging and I appreciated the information on each artist featured. As it was raining, the swimming pool was unfortunately closed. One thing I must note is that the layout of the museum is quite confusing - there isn’t a set route and I found it difficult to figure out how to access some areas, even when using the map. I’m sure there are some sections I may have missed. But overall, I really enjoyed the art, especially those featuring local artists of Japan!

The 21st Century Museum is a great public space to enjoy, even without going into the paid exhibitions. There are plenty of free areas to explore and lots of good photo spots. My kids especially loved the green open space around the museum where they could run and play. Inside, there are art workshops for children, and the staff are very friendly and helpful with the handmade activities. It makes the place welcoming for families. The famous swimming pool artwork is currently closed until September 19, so plan accordingly if you want to see it. Still, the museum and its surroundings are worth visiting for both art and relaxation.

Awesome museum and exhibits. Very impressed with the amount and quality given it only covers the current century. Good mix of traditional mediums and modern a/v installations. Close to all the main attractions in Kanazawa, worth stopping in.

I made my way here from the D.T. Suzuki Museum. Just when I thought that the rains have eased, it started pouring when I reached this museum. I used the Bunka no Mori Odekake Pass to enter the museum. My first impression was that the museum is chaotic—the place was full, and I really didn't know where to go first. I eventually followed a group of people lining up for a room. I didn't really stay long in the room, the experience of which repeated throughout the other displays I visited in the museum. For sure, there were many interesting things to see, but it was all a bit too disconnected and random for me. This is to be expected I guess, since artists are bound to be different, but I'd like to feel some sense of connectedness between the exhibits, which I didn't find here. The museum is a huge circular structure, with many exhibits inside. I followed a circular route, expecting to find something that would make an impression, but unfortunately I didn't find anything. The crowds definitely affected my experience negatively. I guess most people came to see the Swimming Pool, but it was closed due to the rain, so that left people wandering aimlessly. The Maru sculpture and the surrounding open area outside was refreshing, in contrast to the crowded interior. All in all, I would say that if visiting Kanazawa, one should visit this place, but do not expect too much.

This is a good museum. It has some interesting spaces and I saw a very good collection of photographs. It was also very lively. It was an enjoyable way to spend some time in Kanazawa, and it is close enough to the nearby gardens that it is possible to combine it into a nice day with both outdoor and indoor activities.

It was a little confusing to buy tickets for. We ended up with tickets to a display the had on and not to the museum itself. The displays out side are good and loved the pool but if you want a dip[ go underneath] you have to reserve in advance.

I visited the museum at night. The experience where you can enter the pool was already fully booked, but the nighttime illumination was beautiful. The museum is open until 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Kenrokuen Garden and Korinbo are nearby, making the area lively and pleasant to walk around.

Pretty good. The castle internally itself isn’t something you want to be hyped about. But the outer grounds and some of the surrounding gardens was beautiful. I still found the internals of the castle to be better than Osaka castle, purely because it was less cramped with people. The grounds and the surrounding gardens is something to be in aw of.

What a lovely park, very clean and tidy. Good to have a wander round, even if you don't want to actually enter the castle itself. Lots of toilets, as is usual for Japan. It's absolutely lovely to see public toilets, open, clean and not vandalised. If you're in the area, have a wander through the park, it's very nice.

This is an interesting place to visit. Mixture of original and reconstructed buildings On a large site great to walk around and explore. Impressive rebuild of the castle buildings. The detailed craftsmanship is amazing. Other buildings are in process of being rebuild. A good 1-2 hours to get around the site. Not too busy either. Nice park and gardens. Other attractions close by too

This was a very nice and and peaceful place. The crowds were not too bad but it was a week day in autumn. The castle part was undergoing reconstruction efforts so I couldn’t explore a lot however there was still parts to explore and learn. The gardens though were immaculate, the trees were just beautiful. There’s tons of great places for cute photos here too. There’s pods and bridges just very serene and worth the time to visit on a casual stroll. I would say if you are less interested in nature you may not enjoy this place. It’s not full of flowers or other vibrant things. Instead the architecture around the walk ways and the shape of the trees along with the ponds makes it a wonderful and relaxing place.

The castle is being rebuilt and most of the surrounding structures are also recent. The big scaffolding isn’t pretty, so your photos won’t turn out great, but it’s understandable. However, if you have already visited other castles in Japan, like in Osaka, Kyoto or Himeji, you’ve already seen plenty. Here, the main attraction are the outdoors and the gardens. Today it was sunny and it was beautiful. Some parts can become crowded, but it’s not too hard to find a quiet place for yourself, to relax and enjoy the surroundings. If you follow Google Maps directions on foot, it can be misleading, I had to cross a wooden structure/bridge over the street to get to the castle from where I was coming from (the train station).

Very pretty castle and views. We went when the leaves were changing colors, which made it even better. If you walk to the very back, there is a view that overlooks some of the gardens. The have bathrooms, cafe, places to sit, etc.

Beautiful in Spring, no charge for entrance to park but the stream and bridge area is off limits

Historic tea house district with charming old streets and well-preserved buildings. Many tea houses here offer dessert and the popular gold leaf ice cream. The area is quite big and the streets are photogenic, perfect for a slow stroll. I visited on a Wednesday, and I am not sure if it is a bad day to visit Kanazawa, but some of the shops were not open. I should have spent more time here and explored the area across the river too. Feels like there is more to see if you take your time.

Its a good place to experience the golden era of Japan. Would recommend to visit this place post 4 pm for quiter and less crowded experience. Just stroll through the lanes, and you feel as though you have travelled back in time. If you have JR west pass, Kanazawa JR loop bus is included which makes it convenient to reach this place. Most of the restaurants here are on advance reservation basis only.

This place was so nice! It was cute and charming and it even smelled good (it smelled like old wood). It has many shops and restaurants, and you can actually go inside some of the buildings to see how the interior of a home in the area used to be and learn a bit about the local history. It is very popular with tourists, but even with the crowds, it is still very much worth it.

This is worth visit but it is really a spot for shopping. In early November it was crowded but manageable. On its own it was just ok. Drift of the main areas and you can find some spectacular places like the temple district. Good place to find some unique little Christmas gifts.

Good stroll for couple of hours. Frankly, there's so many places like this all over Japan and most of them have turned into tourist traps with, except for the architecture, most of the essence of old days being lost. Want to do a real old town? Then do Narai or other post towns on the Nakasendo Trail route. Of course, that takes a little more effort than this highly accessible location. So, gawk at the architecture, take lots of selfies, buy few snacks and souvenirs and move on to the nice park/garden nearby to complete your day.

Nicely preserved or well maintained old town. Worth a wander around. Plenty of little shrines and old wooden buildings plus shops and cafes tucked away inside the buildings aimed at tourists.

We got there a bit late. Though I managed to find some gifts for my wifes birthday. Prices were reasonable for a tourist spot

A man of few words, chef Kibatani simply focuses on producing excellent food at his 8-seater, using mostly locally caught Kanazawa seafood. The firmness of the seafood highlights the freshness and in many cases, he recommends a dash of only salt, light wasabi and a drop of lime. Ate almost everything except the monkfish liver. 20 bite-sized morsels of sheer gastronomical pleasure including 9 sushi pieces, some of which are featured. Don't underestimate the special sauce concoctions, especially the sea cucumber sauce.

Had the most amazing omakase experience. This has to be the best omakase in kanazawa. The chef was very kind and accommodating. He even helped us get a cab for the way home. Highly recommend!!!

Dec 24 One of the best sushi place Very fresh ingredients Chef very friendly Dont know whatelse to say. It’s just the best. A must visit whenever in Kanazawa

Wonderful omakase experience in one of the best if not the best city for sushi in Japan. All the fishes are fresh even when you dine on the last slot, very delicious, generous cut size, great service, and atmosphere. The chef, Mitsuhiro Kibatani, have two expressions, he looked serious and attentive when preparing the sushi, and he looked cheerful when speaking to the customers! There's a total of 21 sushi. You'll be asked if you can't eat certain things/allergy. The sushi is on first floor behind the sliding door, the second floor is a bar.

28000 yen for the omakase course. Booked through my hotel with no issues. It's the sliding door right by the entrance, on the right is a staircase that goes to a bar not the restaurant. There's only 8 seats. Didn't have to say my name or confirm anything and was directed to my seat right away. The chef looks very serious while preparing, but has a great friendly smile when explaining the dish. The chef and the assistant chef explained the dishes well in English. Highlights were the oyster miso soup, dish with the pink sauce, and the shrimp nigiri. The miso soup was incredible. There was a small piece of shell left in the crab and rice dish, but I wasn't bothered too much by it. Total was 21 dishes (ate too fast and forgot to take pictures of 2 of them) and around 100 minutes. I think the seatings when the sun is still out they open the garden up to let the light and air in. Overall service was excellent all around.

Great Omakase in Kanazawa. Easy to book online and fairly priced. The service was attentive and courteous, we loved the starter plates, the sushi was was excellent and the crab was a nice surprise. We were served some excellent sake throughout the course and an crisp beer at the end ensured a memorable night.

Sushi Kibatani in Kanazawa offers a truly memorable dining experience that combines exquisite flavors with a cozy atmosphere. The freshness of their ingredients is undeniable; each piece of sushi melts in your mouth with a burst of oceanic flavors. The omakase menu is a culinary journey through the finest selections, showcasing the chef's creativity and expertise. However, it's essential to mention that this level of excellence comes at a price. Sushi Kibatani is undeniably pricey, making it more suitable for special occasions or those willing to splurge on top-notch sushi. The restaurant's ambiance adds to the overall experience, with a traditional yet modern feel. The intimate setting and attentive service create a comfortable space for enjoying the artistry of sushi preparation.

Respiracion being restaurant in the world?! You would agree if you care about: 👍Creativity in cuisine 💪Friendship between chefs, childhood friends and ownerships 🥒Local top notch fresh ingredient ❤️World class service (thank you Yoda San!) 🥂Amazing sommelier (Thank you Toshi San, and again, you are right that I should follow your recommendations to order 九頭龍 貴醸酒 to match our desert 😜) 😁Master in dining lighting (please see the videos!) 😘 Foods are so delicious that my first bites of every dish gave me goosebumps (and archive into my DNA) 😏 Low profile publicity (for true foodies who wants to enjoy food instead of showing off) 👌Reasonable pricing so people can actually enjoy! ☺️ Relaxing Japandi interior design so you can enjoy the cuisine while feel the quality Anyways, Respiracion is just simply the best! To all chefs, foodies and who are in Kanazawa, you must come to experience it yourself!

We had dinner at Respiración Kanazawa and it was honestly incredible. Every dish was a surprise, Japanese flavors with a Spanish twist, delicate and beautifully balanced, like little pieces of art on the plate. The dessert was unforgettable, a fig creation that completely blew us away – something we’ve truly never tasted before. But what made the evening even more special was the service. The staff were so warm, attentive, and genuinely kind that we couldn’t help but fall in love with them. It felt personal, human, and added so much to the experience. This place is a gem – creative food, amazing people, and an atmosphere that stays with you long after you leave.

If I could give more than 5 stars I would. The atmosphere is beautiful, natural, and cozy. I also loved the music, a mix of lofi/hip-hop. The food was perfect in my opinion. Flavorful, vibrant, balanced and the use of local ingredients makes it so special. Highly recommend the wine pairing. The best part of all was the service. My Japanese was limited but the staff was able to accommodate and provided excellent descriptions of the food for us in English. Everyone was so kind and friendly. The staff really went above and beyond to make our night special. I will never forget this meal and the people we met. Thank you for an unforgettable night! 🙏❤️

Great experience from the food to the service and the ambiance. The host was very informative and friendly with each course plus the inspiration for the dish. The most memorable dishes was the bear ragu and venison. Both these dishes really surprised me in terms of taste and flavours. I would strongly recommend trying this place in Kanazawa if you have the chance. Amazing place for a date or special occasion

Nothing less than a food/life changing experience. If you care about eating, ingredients, art on a plate, this is your place to go to. Flawless service, Japanese kindness with a Spanish twist. Incredible value for your money in comparison to other places in the world.

The food and atmosphere is incredible. By far the best venison we’ve ever had. My only gripe was ordering several glasses of wine for 1,800 yen and being charged over 4,000 each.

i’m no professional gourmet. but with my visits to some of the top restaurants across continents, some comments can be made the only comment for Respiracion is: infinitely close to be PERFECT and also a comment on ourselves: not prepared enough for such a marvelous journey. we should ate less in the morning, since the lunch menu is as too good as too rich~~

Best sushi I’ve ever eaten! Spectacular service from the amazing chefs to all waitresses. I highly recommend you coming here!

Amazing local sushi, for a very reasonable price, considering it is a Michelin star rated restaurant (around 15000 Yen for two people, including sake) The atmosphere was very cozy, fish was the freshest I’ve ever tasty, and the rice was perfect. It was truly mesmerising to see the sushi chef creating an almost art or dance with his hands, while preparing the sushi As I don’t speak Japanese, I simply asked for the omakase, but saw other tables getting some sort of set with grilled fish included which looked very tasty too!

Thank you for such a wonderful meal! This is one of the best omakase I've had! Fresh, and with its own character, every piece is a different tasting story. They were fully booked but managed to find a way to squeeze me in for lunch when I went in person to ask, I am so happy that it happened!

Just outstanding. But you need to be a regular to get a reservation…months in advance. Find a regular and invite them, you will not regret it. Take sake and you get to pick a bespoke glass.

Sushi here is of an amazing quality and at a fraction of a price compared to Tokyo. Service was really friendly and accommodating, and I was in my happy place. Probably the best sushi in Kanazawa, and definitely comparable to the sushi shokunin in Tokyo. Certainly can't beat the seafood in Ishikawa!

5 stars has never been enough to describe how much I love this restaurant. Probably you could not find such a gem, even in Tokyo

All right, here’s my story. I eat out all the time, and this restaurant really does stand out as a neighborhood gem. The services is fantastic. Every one of the servers will make sure you’re doing well, which is not the case and most restaurants. “ I’ll get your waiter or I’ll get your waitress” is the lame reply you often hear, The food is delicious. Great happy hour and lunch specials. I’m so glad this is a restaurant close to me. Thank you guys. You’re doing everything right. Cheers.

I went there for my birthday in a private room. I have been to many Michelin starred restaurants but this was by far the best dinner I ever had. The service was impeccable, the food was incredible. Very little processed to maximize the raw quality of each ingredients. The lady how served us was marvellous and guided us through the meal.

Beautiful dinner with wide selection of sake. Dishes were well explained and it was an enjoyable experience. Recommended if you are in town.

Zeniya in Kanazawa is a truly special kaiseki restaurant where every detail feels intentional and personal. Chef Shinichiro Takagi speaks with guests before the meal to tailor the experience — something I’ve never seen done this thoughtfully. The multi-course dinner showcased local seasonal ingredients, including ultra-fresh sashimi and beautifully grilled fish, all presented with elegance and care. The setting is serene, traditional, and peaceful, and the service was as polished as you’d expect from a two-Michelin-starred spot. It’s not just a meal — it’s a personal, handcrafted culinary journey through Ishikawa’s rich food culture. An unforgettable experience.

Best Japanese I’ve been to so far, we went right when crab season started so the course was crab themed and so good. The best part is the hospitality, the owner makes sure to give each guest personalized attention with the warmest welcome! Would definitely recommend.

This restaurant is the pinnacle of Japanese cuisine as far as I know. It offers dishes prepared right before your eyes, using carefully selected ingredients and exceptional skills. While incorporating new approaches, it maintains the essence of traditional Japanese cuisine, creating experiences that can only be enjoyed here. Furthermore, the heartfelt hospitality of the Nakai-san allows you to truly appreciate the beauty of Japan. This restaurant embodies the Kanazawa philosophy that "tradition is a continuum of innovation."

Again this would be a 4.5 but alas it can’t be done so more 4 than 5. Kaiseki cuisine is essentially what we know as a traditional Japanese multi course meal though in this instance at Zeniya, had adapted a modernness with its menu. I sometimes find kaiseki meals to be a little too bland for my liking but this was not the case here and every dish was well balanced and carefully put together to form a great meal! Here’s some of my favourites!

One of the best Japanese restaurants/experiences I’ve been too. Takagi san is incredibly welcoming and makes the experience the special treat. Was the first week of crab fishing season and had most gourmet dishes.