Just 2-3 hours away from Tokyo lies Kanazawa (not to be confused with Kanagawa Prefecture), a historical, coastal city that oozes charm. And if you’re planning a visit, we’ve got a three-day itinerary for first-time visitors so you can be sure to experience the golden city to the fullest.
But you might be surprised to learn that this old-fashioned city has a bustling nightlife, ranging from karaoke bars to dinner in the geisha district. So if you’re interested in adding a few evening activities to your itinerary, keep reading!
10 ways to experience Kanazawa’s nightlife
- Kanazawa geisha districts tour with dinner
- Overnight in Ishikawa: traditional ryokan and kaiseki dinner
- Traditional ryokan, kaiseki and tea ceremony in Ishikawa
- Explore the charming backstreets of Kazue-machi
- Experience Kanazawa’s craft beer culture
- Dance the night away at a club in Katamachi
- Join a karaoke band at Music Bar Minshia
- See the beauty of Kenrokuen Garden lit up at night
- Soak up the sights of Kanazawa Castle Park
- Get your craft on… at night!
1. Kanazawa geisha districts tour with dinner
If you’re tired of the crowds in the Gion district of Kyoto, Kanazawa’s geisha district offers a serene alternative. On this tour of the picturesque Higashi Chaya and Kazue Machi, you’ll venture through the neighborhoods before having a full-course Japanese meal and drinks, all while learning about what makes Kanazawa so special.
At the end of the meal, you can get recommendations for additional nightlife spots from our trusty guides upon request, continuing the festivities.
2. Overnight in Ishikawa: traditional ryokan and kaiseki dinner
For a truly immersive experience, look no further than this overnight stay in Ishikawa's oldest Japanese ryokan, complete with a kaiseki multicourse dinner and breakfast, free access to Awazu Onsen, a tour of the beautiful grounds of Hoshi Ryokan, and a class on the art of shakyo, a meditative script-writing practice.
You also have the option of adding a sake tasting (at an additional cost) to perfectly cap off the night — who could resist?
3. Traditional ryokan, kaiseki and tea ceremony in Ishikawa
If you’re looking to unwind, you’ll want to book the overnight stay at Matsusaki Ryokan.
Stroll through the stunning ryokan grounds, enjoy private access to Tatsunokuchi Onsen, savor a seasonal kaiseki dinner and breakfast in your room, and participate in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony.
As with the previous experience, you have the option of adding a sake tasting for an additional price.
4. Explore the charming backstreets of Kazue-machi
For a self-guided evening, have a walk through the lesser-known tea house district of Kazue-machi along the Asano River.
We definitely recommend bar-hopping in the number of traditional bars that Kazue-machi has to offer if you and your party like drinking.
5. Experience Kanazawa’s craft beer culture
Tokyo isn’t the only place where craft beer is trendy! Craft enthusiasts can enjoy aromatic pale ales and dark stouts along with complementary dishes in the Higashi Chaya District and beyond.
We recommend Oriental Brewing, Craft Beer Dive Futa’s, both in Higashi Chaya, and Korinbo Jibiruba in the Katamachi area for the ultimate craft beer tour of Kanazawa.
6. Dance the night away at a club in Katamachi
If you’re looking for a modern escape from the quaint tea house districts, head down to the Katamachi district for a host of bars, clubs and Japanese pubs that are waiting to fulfill all your nightlife needs.
Orbital Bar offers a cozy atmosphere for socializing, while BASE hosts larger events with techno beats blaring in the background. [Editor’s note: Orbital Bar is temporarily closed.]
There’s definitely something for everyone to have a great night out in Katamachi.
7. Join a karaoke band at Music Bar Minshia
Popular among foreigners and locals alike, Music Bar Minshia is the perfect place to live out your karaoke dreams (with the help of a little liquid courage, of course).
Try your hand at playing a variety of musical instruments without the pressure to get it perfect or waste your money. Simply pay a karaoke usage fee of ¥1,000 and ¥500 for a drink of your choice, with the option to get more if you like.
If you’re looking to sing your heart to a lively crowd on a budget, Music Bar Minshia is the optimal Kanazawa nightlife destination for you.
8. See the beauty of Kenrokuen Garden lit up at night
One of Japan’s three most famous gardens, Kenrokuen is gorgeous during the day and night. Observe Kenrokuen in a different light when it’s lit up at night and keep your phone charged — you’re going to want to snap a few pictures, for sure.
For special illumination events, refer to the official Kenrokuen website. If you can’t read Japanese, you can simply toggle it to your native language for ease.
9. Soak up the sights of Kanazawa Castle Park
Another popular nighttime spot is Kanazawa Castle Park, which is conveniently located right next to Kenrokuen Garden. Admission is free at night, so we recommend coming to see it illuminated, even if you’ve already visited during the day.
Please note that Kanazawa Castle Park is only open at night on Saturdays and specific holidays like Golden Week. You can check if it will be open at night during your visit by going to the official website. Again, you can toggle it to your respective language.
The cherry blossoms are also illuminated at night, making the sakura cherry blossom season an ideal time to visit.
10. Get your craft on… at night!
Kanazawa is known for its crafts, including gold leaf designs, Kutaniyaki pottery and Wajima lacquerware. At CRAFEAT, you can indulge your artistic side and foodie side at the same time.
The first floor offers izakaya-style local dishes, while the second floor offers a multicourse Japanese meal. There, you can wander around the art museum and galleries before, during and after your meal, making for a unique dining experience you can only have in Kanazawa.
Looking for more ideas of what to do in Kanazawa? Check out our 3-day Kanazawa itinerary, explore the best restaurants, eat your way through Omicho Market or experience nightlife in Osaka instead!
Kanazawa nightlife FAQs
Where is the best place to party in Japan?
As the capital of Japan, many people would be quick to recommend Shinjuku, Shinjuku, Roppongi or Ginza for a vibrant mix of izakaya, bars, clubs and upscale drinking establishments in Tokyo.
Even so, Kanazawa is giving Tokyo a run for its money with the energetic evenings of Katamachi.
Do Japanese people go clubbing?
Of course! Japan has a thriving club scene, with many clubs opening late and staying open until the first trains and 5-6 am. Join the crowds and get dancing!
Why is Kanazawa so popular?
Kanazawa is filled with history, views and exquisite seafood, thanks to its location on the west coast of Japan. You’re sure to make memories that will last a lifetime.
