Making the most of Kanazawa
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
The Port of Kanazawa is centrally placed in an area surrounded by Japan's Alps, Noto Peninsula National Park and Hakusan National Park. The passenger terminal is on the city's outskirts, approximately 20 mins by bus from Kanazawa station. You will most likely dock at Tomizu Wharf, while larger ships use nearby Ohama Wharf.
Kanazawa, the capital of Japan's Ishikawa Prefecture, stands on the Sea of Japan between the Japan Alps, Hakusan National Park and Noto Peninsula National Park. The Sai and Asano rivers run on either side of the city.
The reconstructed classic castle town of Kanazawa has streets of samurai houses and two geisha quarters; only the gate from the original castle remains.
Kenrokuen Garden is Kanazawa's most famous feature. First created as the outer garden of Kanazawa castle, it opened publicly in 1875. Considered one of Japan's "three most beautiful gardens", it contains varied trees, ponds, waterfalls and flowers across 25 acres (100,000 m²).
Getting around
The compact central city is best explored on foot through its narrow side streets. At a leisurely pace, the trip from east (Higashiyama) to west (Teramachi) takes about an hour.
The station's Tourist Information Lobby has English speaking staff always present, free city maps and help with questions. Kanazawa's train station is also an attraction: a futuristic marvel combining a traditional wooden temple gate with glass and steel.
An all day bus loop system pass costs 600 yen and includes 2 loops travelling to different destinations.
Food and shopping
A City of Crafts and Folk Art, Kanazawa is a shopper's paradise for intricate kaga-nui embroidery, delicate kutani porcelain and other handicrafts.
Money
Japan's currency is the yen, issued as ¥10,000, ¥5,000 and ¥1,000 notes and as ¥500, ¥100, ¥50, ¥10, ¥5 and ¥1 coins.
ATMs in Japan are becoming more useful, and most allow withdrawals from overseas accounts; post offices also have ATMs. Major credit cards are accepted by most stores and restaurants in large urban areas, but carry sufficient cash if spending time in rural areas. Japan remains very much a cash society, and some stores, hotels and restaurants, wherever they are, refuse credit cards.
Do not tip: it is considered rude.