About Ishikawa
Ishikawa Prefecture is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region of Honshu island. Ishikawa Prefecture has a population of 1,096,721 and has a geographic area of 4,191 km2. Ishikawa Prefecture borders Toyama Prefecture to the east, Gifu Prefecture to the southeast, and Fukui Prefecture to the south.
Places to visit in Ishikawa
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Kenroku-en
Park · 1 mi from centreOne of Japan's three most celebrated landscape gardens, with ponds, teahouses and carefully shaped pines in central Kanazawa. Come early for quiet paths, or visit in winter to see the rope supports that protect the trees from snow.
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Kanazawa Castle
HistoricThe former seat of the powerful Maeda clan, with rebuilt turrets and gates in grounds now open as a park next to Kenroku-en. Combine the two in one visit, and look closely at the traditional wooden joinery.
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Higashi Chaya District
NeighborhoodKanazawa's best-preserved geisha district, with narrow lanes of wooden teahouses behind latticed fronts. Visit early or late in the day to avoid crowds, and browse the shops selling gold-leaf crafts, a local specialty.
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21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art
Museum · 1 mi from centreA round, glass-walled contemporary art museum in central Kanazawa with several areas open to everyone. Leandro Erlich's swimming pool installation is very popular, so reserve a time slot for it when that option is offered.
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Ōmichō Market
MarketKanazawa's main food market, with dozens of stalls selling fresh seafood from the Sea of Japan. Go at lunchtime for a seafood rice bowl, and arrive early on weekends, when lines form at the popular stalls.
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Myōryū-ji
Religious · 2 mi from centreA temple nicknamed the Ninja Temple for its hidden passages, trap doors and secret rooms, built with defense in mind. Entry is by guided tour only, so reserve ahead; tours are mostly in Japanese with English handouts.
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Nagamachi Samurai District
NeighborhoodA small former samurai quarter of earthen walls, canals and preserved residences near central Kanazawa. Visit the Nomura family house to see the interior of a samurai home and its compact, beautifully kept garden.
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Noto Peninsula
Nature · 45 mi from centreA rugged peninsula north of Kanazawa with rocky coastline, rice terraces and quiet fishing towns. A car makes it far easier to explore; check on road access and recovery first, since the 2024 earthquake caused heavy damage.
Things to do in Ishikawa by type
12 tours, tickets and experiences across 3 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.
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Day Trips & Excursions 6 experiences Adventures in Kanazawa: Sweet and Plate Making with Ninja Star Throwing - Full-Day Tour -
City tours 4 experiences Adventures in Kanazawa: Sweet and Plate Making with Ninja Star Throwing - Full-Day Tour -
Tour & activities 4 experiences Adventures in Kanazawa: Sweet and Plate Making with Ninja Star Throwing - Full-Day Tour
- Over 6 hours 6
- 3-6 hours 2
- 1-3 hours 1
Top experiences in Ishikawa
Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 12 available.
Discover Shirakawa-go, Gokayama and the Wood Carving Village of Inami - Full-Day Tour
From $167 per adult
Kanazawa Samurai and Geisha Culture Walk: Crafts and Traditional Beauty
From $87 per adult
Kanazawa Highlights, Curated: Garden Rituals, Samurai Craft & Geisha District
From $34 per adult
Kanazawa Night Foodie Tour
From $123 per adult
Adventures in Kanazawa: Sweet and Plate Making with Ninja Star Throwing - Full-Day Tour
From $146 per adult
Explore the Nagamachi Samurai District, Kenroku-en garden and a Geisha Tea House - Full-Day Tour
From $125 per adult
Where to stay in Ishikawa
Popular hotels in Ishikawa, out of 274 properties you can book.
Ana Crowne Plaza Kanazawa
From $152 per night
Mitsui Garden Hotel Kanazawa
From $148 per night
Intergate Kanazawa
From $148 per night
Nikko Kanazawa
From $248 per night
Hotel Forza Kanazawa
From $114 per night
Daiwa Roynet Hotel Kanazawa Miyabi
From $178 per night
Tokyu Stay Kanazawa
From $122 per night
Hotel Mystays Premier Kanazawa
From $95 per night
Hyatt Centric Kanazawa
From $228 per night
Hotel Vista Kanazawa
From $87 per night
KOKO HOTEL Kanazawa Station
From $119 per night
Kanazawa Tokyu Hotel
From $144 per night
Best time to visit Ishikawa
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Ishikawa is April to October, when average daytime highs are around 63–88°F and rain falls on about 14 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Ishikawa weather forecast
- Wed 21 Oct 78° 63° 100%
- Thu 22 Oct 67° 57° 100%
- Fri 23 Oct 69° 54° 7%
- Sat 24 Oct 64° 58° 89%
- Sun 25 Oct 74° 62° 55%
- Mon 26 Oct 67° 60° 86%
Know before you go
- Currency
- Japanese yen (JPY)1 US dollar ≈ ¥158
- Language
- Japanese
- Calling code
- +81
- Driving
- On the left
- Time zone
- Asia/TokyoUTC+9
- Capital
- Tokyo
Upcoming public holidays in Japan
- Culture Day文化の日
- Labour Thanksgiving Day勤労感謝の日
- New Year's Day元日
- Coming of Age Day成人の日
- Foundation Day建国記念の日
- The Emperor's Birthday天皇誕生日
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to Ishikawa
These are the airports closest to central Ishikawa. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- KMQ Komatsu Airport18 mi (30 km) from the city centre
- TOY Toyama Airport30 mi (49 km) from the city centre
- NTQ Noto Airport52 mi (84 km) from the city centre
Getting around Ishikawa
For most tourists, traveling around Ishikawa will not be a problem. Kanazawa, the single most important destination for tourists is near the Komatsu airport, and is easily reachable by bus or train.
By train
Travelling by train in Ishikawa is not a problem. There are local trains which go to a number of destinations in Ishikawa for a small cost. Once you're in Ishikawa, the easiest way to find out where to go is to head over to the Kanazawa Train Station where you can see the costs to go to a number of cities.
By bus
This is another option for traveling within Ishikawa. A large number of buses leave from the Kanazawa Station to go to various destinations in Ishikawa. This makes travel particularly convenient within Ishikawa. There are also inter-city bus systems, which allow you to travel from one town to another nearby town. You take a ticket when you get on and pay when you get off. Depending on the city, it may even have its own inner-city bus system or bus system aimed at tourists.
By car
Car rentals are available at a variety of locations. If you're coming into Ishikawa by other means, you can rent cars easily in downtown Kanazawa, by the train station. However, be aware that there are tolls on the roads in Japan, and parking can sometimes be a problem.
Ishikawa travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Ishikawa?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Ishikawa is April to October, when average daytime highs are around 63–88°F and rain falls on about 14 days a month.
What is the weather like in Ishikawa?
August is usually the warmest month in Ishikawa, with average highs of 88°F (31°C). February is the coolest, with average lows of 32°F (0°C). The wettest month is typically December, with about 277 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Ishikawa?
Komatsu Airport (KMQ) is the closest airport, about 18 miles (30 km) from the centre of Ishikawa. Other nearby airports include Toyama Airport (TOY, 30 mi) and Noto Airport (NTQ, 52 mi).
What currency is used in Ishikawa?
Ishikawa uses the Japanese yen (JPY). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ ¥158.
What time zone is Ishikawa in?
Ishikawa uses the Asia/Tokyo time zone (currently UTC+9). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around Ishikawa?
For most tourists, traveling around Ishikawa will not be a problem. Kanazawa, the single most important destination for tourists is near the Komatsu airport, and is easily reachable by bus or train.
What are the best places to visit in Ishikawa?
Top sights in Ishikawa include Kenroku-en, Kanazawa Castle, Higashi Chaya District and 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art. One of Japan's three most celebrated landscape gardens, with ponds, teahouses and carefully shaped pines in central Kanazawa. Come early for quiet paths, or visit in winter to see the rope supports that protect the trees from snow.
What are the top things to do in Ishikawa?
Popular experiences you can book in Ishikawa include Discover Shirakawa-go, Gokayama and the Wood Carving Village of Inami - Full-Day Tour, Kanazawa Samurai and Geisha Culture Walk: Crafts and Traditional Beauty and Kanazawa Highlights, Curated: Garden Rituals, Samurai Craft & Geisha District. Destina Holidays offers 12 tours and activities here.
What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Ishikawa?
The most popular types of experiences in Ishikawa are day trips & excursions (6), city tours (4), tour & activities (4) and bundle (1). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.
Where should I stay in Ishikawa?
Popular areas for hotels in Ishikawa include Kanazawa. Well-reviewed options include Ana Crowne Plaza Kanazawa and Mitsui Garden Hotel Kanazawa.
How many hotels can I book in Ishikawa?
Destina Holidays currently lists 274 properties in and around Ishikawa, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.
