# Kanazawa > Kanazawa has teahouse streets as intact as Kyoto’s and a fraction of the crowds, and Higashi Chaya before 09:00 is often empty enough to shoot a kimono portrait down the middle of the lane. This page as HTML: https://www.komorebis.cc/destinations/kanazawa - Coordinates: 36.5613, 136.6562 - Nearest airport: KMQ The city escaped bombing in the Second World War, so its Edo-period districts survive whole: Higashi Chaya’s two-storey teahouses with wooden kimusuko lattices, the earthen walls and canals of the Nagamachi samurai quarter, and the castle park with Kenrokuen garden beside it. Kenrokuen is one of Japan’s three great gardens, and from November to March its pines are fitted with yukitsuri — rope cones strung from a central pole that stop snow from breaking the branches — which makes it a winter subject even without snow. Kanazawa is also the most practical kimono city outside Kyoto. Rental shops line the streets around Higashi Chaya, Kaga-yuzen silk is made here, and the old districts are a short walk or bus ride apart. The 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art and the Omicho market add something modern and something everyday. The Hokuriku Shinkansen brings Kanazawa within about 2 h 30 min of Tokyo. The city centre is a densely inhabited district and Kenrokuen and the castle park prohibit drones, so aerial work is limited to private land outside the centre with MLIT approval. ## When to go Cherry blossom peaks in early April around the castle and Kenrokuen. The rainy season runs from June to mid-July. Maples in Kenrokuen turn from early to late November, the same weeks the yukitsuri go up. Winter on the Sea of Japan coast is grey and wet; snow settles in the city in spells from January to February, and a morning after fresh snow at Kenrokuen or Higashi Chaya is the shot to wait for. - **Cherry blossom**: Early April - **Autumn leaves**: Early to late November - **Snow**: January–February in spells; Kenrokuen yukitsuri November–March ## Getting there The Hokuriku Shinkansen runs from Tokyo to Kanazawa in about 2 h 30 min by Kagayaki. From Osaka or Kyoto, the Thunderbird limited express to Tsuruga connects with the Shinkansen for a total of about 2 h 10 min from Osaka since March 2024. From Komatsu Airport, the bus to Kanazawa Station takes about 40 minutes. ## Kimono Kanazawa has the best kimono rental outside Kyoto, with a dozen or more shops within walking distance of Higashi Chaya and around Kenrokuen; dressing takes about 30 minutes, and some offer Kaga-yuzen patterns. Shoot Higashi Chaya first while it is empty, then take a taxi or the loop bus to Kenrokuen. In winter, shops lend shawls and boots; we bring an umbrella in a matching colour. ## Rules on location Higashi Chaya’s teahouses are working businesses and homes: do not open sliding doors, sit on doorsteps or photograph through windows, and keep the lane clear. Kenrokuen asks visitors to stay on paths, not touch the yukitsuri ropes or pines, and apply in advance for commercial and wedding photography; tripods may be refused at busy times. Omicho stallholders prefer you buy before photographing their stalls. ## Drone Only on private land or at a venue, with an MLIT application filed ten or more business days ahead. ## Photo spots ### Higashi Chaya District - Coordinates: 36.5726, 136.6667 - Best time: 07:00–09:00 - Access and permits: Free on the street; Shima teahouse about ¥500 inside A street of 1820 teahouses with latticed fronts and stone paving, ending at the hills. Before the shops open it is quiet enough for kimono frames down the centre line; from 10:00 it fills with day visitors. Kazuemachi teahouses along the Asano River, five minutes away, are quieter still. - **January–February**: After snowfall the roofs turn white; the lane is cleared by mid-morning, so go at first light. - **May–September**: The street runs roughly north–south and gets direct sun by 08:00; overcast mornings give even light. ### Kenrokuen Garden - Coordinates: 36.5621, 136.6625 - Best time: Opening time; early-morning free entry through certain gates - Access and permits: About ¥320 per adult; commercial and wedding shoots need prior application A strolling garden with ponds, stone lanterns and old pines. The two-legged Kotoji lantern beside Kasumigaike pond is its emblem; in winter the yukitsuri rope cones over the Karasaki pine are the frame. Opens at 07:00 from March to mid-October and at 08:00 in winter. - **November–March**: Yukitsuri in place; with snow, the garden is at its most photographed — arrive at opening. - **Early April**: Cherry blossom over the pond; the garden opens free for a few days in the peak week. ### Kanazawa Castle Park - Coordinates: 36.565, 136.6593 - Best time: Morning or late afternoon - Access and permits: Grounds free; turret interiors a small fee White plastered turrets and lead-tiled roofs above wide lawns, reconstructed with traditional joinery. The Ishikawa-mon gate faces Kenrokuen across a bridge, so the two can be shot in one session on foot. ### Nagamachi Samurai District - Coordinates: 36.5626, 136.6503 - Best time: Early morning - Access and permits: Free on the lanes; Nomura house a fee Narrow lanes of earthen walls beside a small canal. From December to March the walls are wrapped in straw komo mats against the snow, a texture found in few other places. Residents still live here — quiet voices and no blocking gates. ### Omicho Market - Coordinates: 36.5716, 136.6566 - Best time: 09:00–11:00 - Access and permits: Free; ask or buy before photographing a stall; many stalls close on Wednesdays A covered market of around 170 stalls selling seafood, including snow crab from November. It suits creator content and travel films with real food; for portraits we use the edges rather than the busiest aisles. ### 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art - Coordinates: 36.5608, 136.6582 - Best time: Weekday mornings - Access and permits: Free zone open; exhibitions and the Swimming Pool underside need a timed ticket A round glass building five minutes from Kenrokuen, with outdoor works on its lawn. Leandro Erlich’s Swimming Pool lets you stand “under water” — viewing from above is in the free zone. It gives a modern counterpoint to the teahouse districts. ## Covered at no travel charge Higashi Chaya, Kazuemachi, Kenrokuen, Kanazawa Castle, Nagamachi, Omicho, Korinbo, Kanazawa Station ## Popular here - [Kimono photoshoot](https://www.komorebis.cc/services/kimono-photoshoot.md) — from $260; 15 edited photos within 3 days - [Family kimono photoshoot](https://www.komorebis.cc/services/family-kimono.md) — from $300; 15 edited photos within 3 days - [Couple photoshoot](https://www.komorebis.cc/services/couple-photoshoot.md) — from $220; 15 edited photos within 3 days - [Pre-wedding photoshoot](https://www.komorebis.cc/services/pre-wedding.md) — from $800; 15 edited photos within 7 days - [Snow photoshoot](https://www.komorebis.cc/services/snow-photoshoot.md) — from $330; 15 edited photos within 3 days - [Autumn leaves photoshoot](https://www.komorebis.cc/services/autumn-leaves-photoshoot.md) — from $260; 15 edited photos within 3 days - [Japan photoshoot](https://www.komorebis.cc/services/japan-photoshoot.md) — from $220; 15 edited photos within 3 days - [Solo travel photoshoot](https://www.komorebis.cc/services/solo-travel.md) — from $195; 15 edited photos within 3 days - [Content creator shoot](https://www.komorebis.cc/services/instagram-content.md) — from $260; 15 edited photos within 3 days - [Property & resort drone](https://www.komorebis.cc/services/property-drone.md) — from $730; 15 edited photos and 45 s aerial film within 10 days ## Frequently asked questions ### Is Kanazawa better than Kyoto for a kimono shoot? It is calmer. The streets are equally old, there are fewer people at 08:00, and there are no private-lane photography bans like Gion’s. Kyoto has more temples; Kanazawa has more space to work. ### Will there be snow in Kanazawa in January? Often, but not reliably every day — snow comes in spells and melts between them. The yukitsuri at Kenrokuen are up from November to March regardless, so the winter frame works without snow on the ground. ### Was Kanazawa affected by the 2024 Noto earthquake? The main damage was on the Noto Peninsula to the north; Kanazawa’s sights reopened soon after. Noto itself is still rebuilding, and we do not run shoots there. --- Komorebi · https://www.komorebis.cc