Is Kanazawa the Next Kyoto? Alternative Cities to Kyoto That’ll Take You Back in Time

Japan is currently facing a surge in tourism, causing significant strain. Kyoto, in particular, is the most popular tourist destination, and famous sites like Kiyomizu Temple and Arashiyama are overflowing with people. Buses, which used to be a convenient way to get around, are now so crowded that they are often unusable, illustrating the issue of overtourism.

So, is there a place where you can feel the history and culture of an ancient city without going to Kyoto?

How about Kanazawa?

Kanazawa, the capitol of Ishikawa Prefecture, has also been gaining attention from foreign tourists in recent years, but it still seems less crowded than Kyoto. Walking through places like Kenrokuen Garden, Kanazawa Castle Park, and the Higashi Chaya District, you can feel the culture and history of a city that flourished during the Edo period.

Also, on the west side of Kanazawa Castle, there is a district lined with samurai residences from the Edo period, which is another great spot to learn Edo culture.

Kenrokuen Garden

One of the Three Great Gardens of Japan. “Kenrokuen” means "Garden of the Six Sublimities." It has six qualities: spaciousness, seclusion, artificiality, antiquity, abundant water, and broad views.

Higashi Chaya District

A historic geisha district with shops and Chaya (teahouses, where geisha entertain customers).

One of the best things about Kanazawa is…

that the city itself is compact, with most tourist attractions within walking distance. If you stay at a hotel near Kanazawa Castle or Omicho Market, you can easily walk to Kenrokuen Garden, Kazue-machi Chaya District, and the Higashi Chaya District. It's also possible to walk to Oyama Shrine and the Nagamachi Samurai District.

Kanazawa also has a tourist loop bus, but even if it's crowded and you can't board, most destinations are still accessible on foot.

Kazuemachi Chaya District

Another geisha district near Higashi Chaya. This view somewhat resembles the Kamo River in Kyoto.

I visited Kanazawa in February 2024 and was surprised at how empty the town was, possibly due to the impact of the Noto Peninsula earthquake in January. By the way, there was little to no earthquake damage visible in Kanazawa City.

Some people might avoid Kanazawa because it is known for its frequent rain and gloomy weather. However, hotel prices are significantly cheaper compared to Kyoto, and the food is delicious and reasonably priced. An omakase sushi course that would cost around 20,000 yen per person in Tokyo is typically about 30% cheaper in Kanazawa.

Sashimi Platter we ordered at Izakaya

Kanazawa is known for fresh seafood. It’s a must-try!

Omakase sushi dinner

We had a great omakase experience in Kanazawa. The sushi chef was friendly and the food was amazing!

Sake tasting at one of the Japanese sake shops in Higashi Chaya District.

Kanazawa might also become as crowded as Kyoto one day, but it is a place you should definitely visit at least once. Now, when prices are low and it's not as crowded as Kyoto, might be the perfect chance!

In addition to Kanazawa, there are many other towns with historical scenery.

For example, in the Kanto region, you can visit Kawagoe in Saitama Prefecture or Sawara in Chiba Prefecture. In the Kansai region, there's Izushi in Hyogo Prefecture. These towns, often referred to as "Little Edo" or "Little Kyoto," retain historical townscapes. While they may not be on the same scale as Kyoto or Kanazawa, they are excellent choices for day trips!