Navigating the “City of Gold” is a breeze with our guide on how to travel between Kanazawa’s top attractions. While Kanazawa lacks a subway, its compact layout makes it incredibly tourist-friendly, with the highly efficient Kanazawa Loop Bus and the Kenrokuen Shuttle at its center. Whether you are hopping between the historic Higashi Chaya District and the lush Kenroku-en Garden, or taking a scenic stroll from the Nagamachi Samurai District to the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, the city’s transport network is designed for seamless exploration. In this guide, we will break down the best ways to use the Hokutetsu One-Day Pass, how to navigate the city’s unique “clockwise” and “counter-clockwise” loops, and why the Machi-nori bike-sharing system might be your new favorite way to see the sights.
How to Travel Between the Attractions in Kanazawa
Traveling by Bus in Kanazawa
There are several bus services you can use to reach various attractions in Kanazawa. In addition to the regular bus services operated by JR or Hokutetsu (北鉄), the following tourist bus services may better suit your schedule.
Kanazawa Loop Bus (城下まち金沢周遊バス)
- There are two types of loop buses, the Right Loop Bus and the Left Loop Bus. Both routes go through exactly the same stops but in different directions.
- Both routes depart from JR Kanazawa Station’s east exit bus stop no. 7 every 15 minutes.
- For the timetable of the services, please refer to Hokutetsu’s website HERE.
- If you plan to take the bus more than 3 times a day, consider purchasing the One-Day Pass, which offers unlimited bus rides for the day and discounts at participating facilities.
Tip: Get a Hokutetsu One-Day Pass to save on transport!
Kanazawa Light-up Bus (金沢ライトアップバス)
- The service runs every 15 minutes from 7 pm to 9:40 pm, departing from JR Kanazawa Station’s east exit bus stop no. 7 on Saturdays.
- The bus fare is slightly higher for this service
- 300 yen for adults
- 150 yen for elementary school students
- You can also purchase a Kanazawa Light-up Bus Pass for 500 yen (250 yen for elementary school students) from Hokutetsu Ekimae Center / Honkutetsu Bus ticket office (北鉄駅前センター) close to the station’s east exit’s bus stop no. 1.
- HERE is the Kanazawa Light-up Bus English brochure, which includes the service’s bus timetable.
Kanazawa Shopping Bus (金沢ショッピングバス)
- The service only operates on weekends and public holidays.
- Instead of paying with cash, you can also use rechargeable transportation cards such as Suica or tap your credit cards.
- This service departs from JR Kanazawa Station’s east exit bus stop no. 7.
- From 9:48 am to 7:48 pm, the service departs from JR Kanazawa Station at a 20-minute interval.
- If you can read Japanese, you can refer to their official website HERE.
Traveling by Kanazawa City’s Rental Bicycle
In Kanazawa, there are many rental bicycle stands around its popular tourist spots. Utilizing the bicycles at those ports is easy. You can either get a card key when you get to Kanazawa or purchase a passcode from the city’s Machinori website HERE, which is a bit cheaper!
Important: Please note that, as a One-Day Pass holder, you must return the rental bicycle by 23:59.
Discover the Fascinating Attractions in Kanazawa City
Step into a world where samurai legacy and modern artistry collide with our guide to Kanazawa (金沢), Japan’s “Little Kyoto.” Whether you are wandering the perfectly preserved wooden teahouses of the Higashi Chaya geisha district or admiring the circular architecture of the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa offers a deep dive into Edo-period culture without the overwhelming crowds of larger cities.
Refer to our Kanazawa article for information about our recommended spots in Kanazawa, including where to meet the Geishas and an amazing art museum!
