10 Best Places to Go Shopping in Kanazawa

Tatemachi Shopping District is a lively district to stop by when visiting the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa, an iconic symbol of Kanazawa as a city of arts. In addition to youth-oriented fashion, the area has recently become an epicentre of Kanazawa's arts and crafts.

If you want to get a feel for what's happening in Kanazawa, this should be your first place to visit. This is where you’ll find the latest trends in everything from clothing and accessories to sweets, drinks, and new local delicacies.

Kanazawa’s Omicho Market, with around 170 stalls, has a history of more than 300 years. It’s been popular ever since the feudal era as a place that satisfies the stomachs of the local people. The market stocks vast quantities of seafood, such as crab from the Hokuriku region, and attracts many tourists who come for the delicious seafood rice bowls and sushi.

It's a great place to shop for fresh local produce such as meat and vegetables, handmade delicacies and processed foods, as well as for souvenirs. There are also many stalls where you can eat on-site.

Korinbo is one of Kanazawa's most famous shopping districts. Some 400 years ago, a medicine merchant named his shop "Korinbo" after he adopted a Buddhist monk as his son-in-law, and as the shops prospered and the town became a lively place, this became the official name of the town in the Showa era.

As Kanazawa's fashion hub, It’s still a bustling place today, lined with malls and department stores similar to those in Tokyo’s famous Shibuya district. You’ll also find stylish cafés and luxury boutiques from both Japan and abroad, so why not shop here while taking a pleasant stroll?

Kanazawa Forus is one of Kanazawa’s leading shopping malls thanks to its convenient location just a minute’s walk from Kanazawa Station. It has a wide range of well-known brands from Japan and abroad, as well as stylish cafés and talked-about restaurants, so it’s a cool place to meet up with friends.

There are also plenty of tasty things to take away, such as sweets, drinks, sandwiches, and bento (traditional Japanese boxed lunches). You’ll easily be able to find souvenirs or something to eat on your journey by Shinkansen. As Kanazawa is famous for its seafood, you can also find excellent sushi and seafood rice bowls.

The East Exit of Kanazawa Station is truly the gateway to Kanazawa travel, starting at the East Square with its huge glass-covered Motenashi Dome and photogenic Tsuzumi-mon Gate. It's also called the Kenrokuen Exit because it leads to the famous park of the same name.

With a hotel district, large shopping mall, department store, restaurants and souvenir shops lining the street just outside the station, everything you could need is within reach.

Kanazawa Hyakubangai is a type of shopping mall that’s commonly known as an eki-naka (meaning “inside the station”). This is a handy place to pick up souvenirs and boxed lunches before catching a train. The mall is divided into 3 areas: Anto on the ticket gate side, Rinto on the other side, and Anto Nishi on the Kanazawa Port exit side.

Here you’ll find a great selection of sweets, from traditional Kanazawa pastries to western-style confectionery made from local ingredients, as well as seafood, takeaway sushi, dried foods, and other ready-to-eat dishes. There’s even an excellent range of Kanazawa's unique handicrafts.

Korinbo Tokyu Square is a landmark of Kanazawa's iconic Korinbo shopping district. Located right next to a hotel and cinema and with a wide selection of restaurants, it's a perfect base for exploring the city.

As well as shops selling the latest fashions, there’s also a bookshop and a food market. With plenty of options for enjoying yourself, this is a great place to take a break from sightseeing.

Musashigatsuji is a historic downtown area that’s developed in sync with Kanazawa’s famous Omicho Market. Centred on Hyakumangoku Avenue and Musashi Studio Street, the area is lined with many shops, restaurants and cafés, including the Kanazawa M’za department store.

You'll find many shops with an old-fashioned, folksy vibe where you're likely to discover something unique. This is Kanazawa's prime destination for experiencing the city's charms.

Katamachi started out as a shopping district built on reclaimed riverbanks in the early Edo era. In recent years, trendy boutiques have been popping up, attracting shoppers in search of fashion as well as Kanazawa's local handicrafts and seasonal sweets.

The area really comes alive at night, when the neon lights are switched on. On top of the typical izakaya (Japanese-style pubs) and bars, there are also many little-known restaurants where foodies meet for gastronomic adventures. It's a good idea to combine a trip to Katamachi with a visit to the neighbouring Korinbo area.