Enjoy sightseeing in Kanazawa with your kids! Recommended itineraries and hotels for family trips.

Planning a trip to Kanazawa with children? What are the key points?

Here are some tips for enjoying a trip to Kanazawa with children:
Devise a way to get around Weather conditions Take into consideration children's interests.Let's go into detail about each point.

Devise a way to get around

Major tourist attractions such as Kanazawa Castle Park, Kenrokuen Garden, and Higashi Chaya District are concentrated in the city center and can be visited on foot. However, walking all day may tire children, so it's a good idea to use taxis or buses as needed.

When sightseeing in the central area of Kanazawa, I recommend:"Kanazawa Flat Bus" and "Kanazawa Castle Town Loop Bus"It makes stops at places like the "21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa" and "Omicho Market," making it useful for sightseeing.

Weather conditions

Kanazawa is known for its frequent rain, so much so that there's a saying, "Even if you forget your lunch, don't forget your umbrella." Be sure to bring rain gear such as an umbrella or raincoat so you're prepared for rain at any time.

At major tourist facilities in Kanazawa City"Free umbrella rental service"They also offer this service. It's a good idea to check which facilities have an umbrella rental service in case you forget yours.

When choosing tourist spots, be sure to check out places that can be enjoyed regardless of the weather, such as art museums and indoor facilities, so you can fully enjoy your trip to Kanazawa even if it rains.

Take into consideration children's interests.

Kanazawa boasts many tourist spots where you can experience the atmosphere of an ancient capital, but children tend to get bored if you only visit historical buildings. In the middle of sightseeing,Take a break in the park, or incorporate activities that your child enjoys.By choosing a sightseeing course that matches your child's interests, you can ensure they have a fun and engaging experience from start to finish.

[Model Course - Day 1] See, touch, and enjoy! Experience spots around Kanazawa Station

From here, we'll introduce some model itineraries that offer enjoyable experiences with minimal travel burden. Please use these as a reference for enjoying a family trip to Kanazawa.

Commemorative photo and lunch at Kanazawa Station's "Tsuzumi Gate"

Once you arrive at Kanazawa Station by Shinkansen, first of all...Take a commemorative photo at the "Tsuzumi Gate" in front of the station.How about this? The Tsuzumi Gate is a monument inspired by the drums used in Noh theater, fitting for Kanazawa, a city with a long history of Noh theater. It stands 13.7 meters tall, and its two thick pillars are quite striking.

Choosing a lunch spot near Kanazawa Station will reduce the burden of travel.Kanazawa Hyakubangai, located inside Kanazawa Station.The area boasts a variety of restaurants where you can enjoy Kanazawa's unique cuisine, including sushi, seafood bowls, and oden.Kanazawa Forus is a commercial complex located near Kanazawa Station.The area boasts a wide variety of restaurants, including conveyor belt sushi restaurants, making it perfect for family outings.

Try your hand at "gold leaf application" in Higashi Chaya District

Higashi Chaya District, with its rows of traditional teahouses, is one of Kanazawa's most representative tourist spots. While the area boasts beautiful streetscapes, children might get bored if they only look at the scenery. When visiting Higashi Chaya District on a family trip,I recommend trying your hand at applying gold leaf.You can take home items such as plates, trinket boxes, chopsticks, and hand mirrors that you have decorated with gold leaf yourself as souvenirs of your trip.

Higashi Chaya District is known for its "gold leaf soft serve ice cream" and more.There are also plenty of shops selling sweets that children will love.It's a great idea to enjoy the atmosphere of the town, find your favorite shop, and savor your snack time. However, eating while walking is prohibited in areas designated as preservation districts, and you are generally expected to eat within the shop's premises. For details, please check with the shop where you purchased your items.

Check into the hotel and relax.

On the first day, check into the hotel early to conserve your child's energy. The accommodation has a large public bath.Hotels close to Kanazawa Station, such as "HOTEL MYSTAYS Kanazawa Castle," are convenient.If you leave your luggage at your hotel as soon as you arrive at Kanazawa Station, you can enjoy sightseeing without being burdened by your belongings.

Even hotels a little distance from Kanazawa Station,Luggage delivery service like "HOTEL MYSTAYS Kanazawa Katamachi"Having these options can reduce your burden. Check out the services offered by the hotel and try to take advantage of them.

For dinner, it's recommended to choose a restaurant near the hotel or train station that suits your child's mood, to minimize the burden of travel.

Related article: Enjoy the charm of Kanazawa on foot! A model 2-day/1-night girls' trip itinerary

[Model Course - Day 2] Enjoy art and play freely in the park! A walking tour of the city center.

On the second day of our Kanazawa trip, let's visit some spots where the kids can burn off their energy while the adults can enjoy sightseeing. Here's a detailed introduction to our recommended itinerary.

Experience contemporary art at the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa.

"Leandro Erlich, 'Swimming Pool,' 2004"
(Collection of the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa. Photo by Osamu Watanabe. Photo courtesy of the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa.)

The 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa, houses and exhibits contemporary art from both Japan and abroad. While contemporary art can sometimes seem difficult to understand, the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art offers a wealth of works that can be seen, touched, and experienced. Its charm lies in the fact that both children and adults can enjoy themselves, feeling as if they are in a park.

Recommended for families: It gives you the feeling of being underwater."Swimming pool (additional charge applies)"Oh, the glass walls in the three primary colors are beautiful."Color Activity House"These are just some of the visually appealing works on display. If you also take advantage of the free-to-enter zones, such as the "Kids Studio" which is open during Kids Studio Programs, you'll be able to enjoy the museum to the fullest without getting bored.

Enjoy a historical stroll and picnic at Kenrokuen Garden and Kanazawa Castle Park.

After enjoying the artwork,Kenrokuen Garden and Kanazawa Castle Park are within walking distance of the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art.Let's go there. Kenrokuen Garden boasts vast grounds and is attractive for its seasonal scenery: cherry blossoms in spring, irises in early summer, autumn leaves in fall, and snow-covered trees in winter. Kanazawa Castle Park has spaces where children can run around freely, including the grassy "San-no-maru Plaza."

The key to enjoying this as a family is to avoid getting bogged down in dry historical explanations. If you take a trip back in time and imagine yourself as a ninja or a feudal lord as you visit historical sites, children will be excited and enjoy the sightseeing to the fullest.

Experience throwing shuriken at the Ninja Weapons Museum

The "Ninja Weapons Museum" is a perfect spot to visit with children. It displays ninja-related weapons such as shuriken, chain weapons, and armor, which will pique children's curiosity.

Among the activities, I highly recommend the shuriken throwing experience.Trying out shuriken throwing (using carts or sticks) will make you feel like a ninja!You can enjoy that experience. Be sure to also check out the souvenir shop, which sells original museum goods and replica swords.

Making miso balls at Koji Park

Yamato Koji Park is a place where you can see, make, and taste the charm of fermented food culture and koji. A popular activity for families with children is the "Miso Ball Making Experience," where you can make your own original miso ball using your favorite ingredients.

Since you can freely customize it, it would be fun to create it together as a family, brainstorming ideas like, "How should we make it?"The finished "miso balls" can be wrapped and taken home..

Within the park, you'll find "Kometo Hana," a specialty shop for Kanazawa cheesecakes where you can enjoy exquisite cheesecakes, and "Hishiho Kura," a product room selling soy sauce, miso, and amazake, making it perfect for a snack or souvenir shopping.

Three recommended hotels in Kanazawa for families traveling with children!

Here, we introduce hotels recommended for family trips. Choose the perfect hotel to use as your base for your Kanazawa trip and enjoy quality time with your family.

HOTEL MYSTAYS Kanazawa Castle

"HOTEL MYSTAYS Kanazawa Castle" isApproximately 5 minutes on foot from Kanazawa StationThis hotel boasts a convenient location. You can Access tourist attractions such as Higashi Chaya District and Kenrokuen Garden in about 18 minutes by bus.

Guest rooms offer a variety of room types ideal for family trips, including the spacious "Deluxe Triple" with separate bathroom and toilet. Two types of pillows are provided: memory foam and down, and rooms are equipped with humidifying air purifiers and free Wi-Fi.

Another attractive feature is the large public bath within the hotel where you can relax and unwind after a long day of travel. There is also a drum-type Laundry space with drying facilities, so you can quickly wash your children's clothes if they get dirty.

Breakfast is served buffet-style with over 40 different dishes.In addition to local dishes such as Kanazawa oden, nodoguro (blackthroat seaperch), and jibuni (a local stew), they also offer daily specials.There are also plenty of options, so you can fully enjoy the flavors of Kanazawa from the morning.

HOTEL MYSTAYS Kanazawa Katamachi

HOTEL MYSTAYS Kanazawa Katamachi is located in the heart of Katamachi, one of the leading entertainment districts in the Hokuriku region, about a 15-minute bus ride from Kanazawa Station. With plenty of tourist attractions such as the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa, just an 11-minute walk from the hotel, it's the perfect base for exploring Kanazawa.Since there is a baggage delivery service, you can travel light.That's another great point.

Guest rooms include a "Family Room" that can accommodate up to four people, as well as other room types suitable for family trips. Some rooms are equipped with "ReFa" hair dryers and showerheads, and smart TVs, so families can relax comfortably.

Members of the loyalty program "GoTo Pass" can use the free lounge "Yurari Katamachi." In addition to enjoying drinks and snacks, they can play card games and board games.

The breakfast buffet offers over 40 different dishes, including plenty of Kanazawa's local cuisine.Kanazawa curry, Hanton rice, Kanazawa odenYou can enjoy things like these.

HOTEL MYSTAYS PREMIER Kanazawa

"HOTEL MYSTAYS PREMIER Kanazawa" isApproximately 5 minutes on foot from Kanazawa StationThis hotel is located in [location]. You can Access tourist attractions such as Higashi Chaya District and Kenrokuen Garden in about 20-25 minutes by bus.

All Guest rooms are 32 square meters or larger, providing a spacious and comfortable environment.That's what makes it so appealing. The "Grand Deluxe Four" room, which can accommodate up to four people, is equipped with a "ReFa" hairdryer and showerhead, as well as a 50-inch smart TV. It has all the amenities you need to relax with your family.

The hotel has Laundry space with four washer-dryers, so you don't have to worry about laundry. There is also a 24-hour free fitness gym and a library room.

The hotel's Restaurant, "Nami no Hana," offers a Japanese and Western-style buffet breakfast. It is also open for dinner, where you can enjoy Kanazawa-style oden and sashimi.

Summary

Kanazawa offers not only spots where you can experience old-world charm, but also plenty of places that children can enjoy. The key to enjoying sightseeing with family is to minimize the burden of travel and ensure that children don't get tired. Since it rains frequently in Kanazawa, it's a good idea to be prepared for rainy weather.

When planning your trip, it's a good idea to include experiences that children might find interesting. For family trips, activities that children can easily participate in, such as gold leaf application or shuriken throwing, are popular. You can also enjoy art at the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa, or let your children run around and play freely in Kanazawa Castle Park.

Choosing the right hotel to serve as your base for a family trip is also important. Select a conveniently located hotel close to Kanazawa Station and tourist attractions to fully enjoy Kanazawa.

Related article: [Winter sightseeing in Kanazawa] Snowscapes and gourmet food will make your heart flutter! A recommended trip for girls