Looking for a new experience for your trip to Japan? Try the exciting city of Kanazawa on for size! The area is also known for its rich culture and history, presenting tourists with an array of historic attractions. From preserved Edo-period structures to major folk festivals, you’ve got plenty to see here.
Kanazawa is also a food lover’s paradise, thanks to its access to the finest seafood in the region. The original local dishes put a twist on Japanese favourites such as sushi or donburi.
Before you get to planning the perfect itinerary, though, you’ll need to decide where to stay in Kanazawa. Even with the city’s relatively compact nature compared to other Japanese destinations, there’s a massive selection of accommodations straddling nearly every price point.
Not sure where to look? Find the right hotel with this guide to the best places to stay in Kanazawa…
Looking for more ideas for your trip? Check out our other hotel & accommodations guides and our Japan Travel Guide for recommendations on when to visit, where to go & what to do!
Recommended places to stay in Kanazawa, Japan
Kanazawa Sainoniwa Hotel
Surrounded by four large gardens, Kanazawa Sainoniwa Hotel offers a tranquil setting several blocks from the centre of the city. It’s near the top attractions and provides comfortable and clean accommodations. The rooms are relatively spacious and affordable for a four-star hotel, with some rooms containing a seating area with a desk and sofa.
One of the best features of the Kanazawa Sainoniwa Hotel is the view. Throughout the year, the surrounding plant life changes colour, giving the hotel a different landscape with each season. There are amazing views of the mountains or sea, depending on which way your room faces. You can also spend your time exploring the gardens during your visit.
Before hitting all the stops on your Kanazawa itinerary, fill up on breakfast at the on-site restaurant, offering both Western and Japanese menus. The hotel only uses fresh local vegetables and seafood, giving you a chance to experience the joy of Kanazawa cuisine.
The Square Hotel Kanazawa
The Square Hotel Kanazawa not only has an interesting name, it offers interesting accommodations. The modern rooms feature eclectic décor and loft-style layouts. The hotel is brand new and built right next to Omicho Market. The large public market includes over 180 shops and restaurants and is one of the best places to visit in Kanazawa for fresh seafood.
If you don’t feel like dealing with the crowded market, the Square Hotel Kanazawa has its own restaurant. You can unwind at the end of the day in one of the public baths or saunas. The hotel even has a gym on the top floor. These features give you plenty of reason to stay indoors, but you’re also a short distance from the market and other Kanazawa attractions.
One of the more interesting features of the hotel is the free smartphone. Guests receive a smartphone when they arrive for the duration of their trip. It comes loaded with apps to help you navigate the city and find the most popular attractions.
Mitsui Garden Hotel Kanazawa
Less than two kilometres from the Ninja Temple and Kanazawa Castle, Mitsui Garden Hotel Kanazawa is one of the best hotels in Kanazawa for exploring the historic sites. You can quickly walk from the hotel to almost any of the main highlights of the city, including Ozaki Shrine and Omicho Market. If you need to hop on the bus, the hotel is right on the main bus line.
Along with a great location, the Mitsui Garden Hotel Kanazawa provides luggage storage space and a 24-hour front desk. They even have English-language newspapers in the lobby. The staff strives to deliver exceptional customer service, helping this hotel stand out compared to other four-star hotels in the downtown area.
The rooms feature plenty of space, private baths, and a free toiletry kit packed with toothbrushes, razors, and other bathroom essentials. Thanks to the outstanding customer service and convenient location, this place is always in demand and fills quickly, so book early.
Hotel Nikko Kanazawa
The towering Hotel Nikko Kanazawa stands tall in the city’s skyline. Due to the height of the building, some of the rooms provide panoramic views of Kanazawa. All rooms are located above the 17th floor, ensuring that you can see parts of the city from your window. If you forget to bring anything, the hotel beauty shop and 24-hour concierge services have you covered.
Just a 10-minute bus ride from the castle, Hotel Nikko Kanazawa provides a decent location for exploring more of the city. It’s also near some of the top restaurants and boutique shops, so you won’t need to travel far to find fantastic fine dining and shopping.
Most guests enjoy the rooms. The spacious accommodations come with free toiletries and a yukata robe, helping you feel right at home the moment that you set foot inside. You also have a wide selection of rooms, from affordable double rooms to executive suites.
The Share Hotels Kumu Kanazawa
If you want the best combination of traditional décor and modern design, stay at the Share Hotels Kumu Kanazawa. The ultra-stylish building features open layouts and creative elements that help it shine. The exterior of the building isn’t impressive and it’s rather bland, creating even more of a contrast with the interior design.
As a three-star hotel, the Share Hotels Kumu Kanazawa provides reasonable rates for double rooms and single beds. The rooms are spacious, especially compared to some of the other accommodations in Kanazawa. You don’t get great views of the city or a private sauna, but you should enjoy the comfortable, modest suites.
Perhaps the best feature of the hotel is its location. Oyama Shrine, Ozaki Shrine, and Omicho Market are just a few minutes away on foot. With this hotel as your base, you can easily spend several days in Kanazawa and never have to take a bus or taxi.
Inova Kanazawa Station Hotel Suite
As the name suggests, Inova Kanazawa Station Hotel Suite provides close access to Kanazawa Station. It’s just a kilometre away. You can also stroll over to the centre of the city and the historic attractions within minutes. If you don’t feel like walking, the staff are standing by to help point out which bus route to take. In some cases, the staff may even drive you to your next destination themselves.
Most guests tend to point out the size of the rooms at the Inova Kanazawa Station Hotel Suite. You have more than enough room to feel at home, but you’ll likely want to spend more time exploring the city instead of shutting yourself up inside the hotel all day.
Additional highlights include complimentary drinks, snacks, and breakfast. The snacks and drinks are provided all day, whenever you start feeling a little peckish.
Daiwa Roynet Hotel Kanazawa
The modern chic stylings of Daiwa Roynet Hotel Kanazawa are the opposite of the styles found throughout the surrounding neighbourhood. The nearby buildings are older, while the hotel features bold designs and sleek furnishings. This hotel is also just a few minutes away from the station and some of the older attractions.
When you get hungry, step into the onsite restaurant on the first floor of Daiwa Roynet Hotel Kanazawa. The restaurant staff serves a Japanese and Western breakfast buffet with fresh local vegetables. Dinners are also available after a long day of sightseeing.
This is a three-star hotel with several different types of rooms to accommodate any traveller. If you choose one of the superior rooms, you get almost everything needed to spend all your time inside. The rooms are equipped with fridges, electric kettles, hairdryers, slippers, and even a trouser press for ensuring you tour the city free of wrinkles.
UAN Kanazawa
With an onsite restaurant, great prices, and friendly staff, UAN Kanazawa helps you feel welcome and gives you a taste of the local cuisine. When you get up in the morning, enjoy a Western style or Japanese breakfast with local specialties. You can also get a free soba noodle in the evening before turning in for the day.
During your stay, UAN Kanazawa also offers free drinks at the onsite bar. The staff truly care about your overall satisfaction, making you feel as if you’re staying at a five-star hotel instead of a modest three-star location.
Along with free drinks and food, the hotel staff helps you find everything on your itinerary. Receive help with directions or allow the staff to arrange a taxi to take you to your next stop. Of course, many of the top attractions are within walking distance.
Unizo Inn Kanazawa Hyakumangoku Dori
While it’s not the closest to the downtown area, Unizo Inn Kanazawa Hyakumangoku Dori keeps you happy with its Italian restaurant and variety of onsite amenities. Keep your clothes clean with the coin-operated launderette or get the knots worked out of your shoulders with the hotel’s massage services.
Some of the best restaurants in the city are just a few minutes from Unizo Inn Kanazawa Hyakumangoku Dori. You’ll never find yourself with a shortage of dining options. If you get tired of the nearby establishments, Omicho Market is only a five-minute walk.
At the end of the day, you should have no problem relaxing. The rooms are clean, comfortable, and quiet. You don’t hear the commotion outside or the sound of the guests next door.
