Kanazawa is compact enough that nearly any central hotel works, but two areas make sense, and the choice mostly comes down to whether you value the trains or the walk to the sights. The station area suits most first-time visitors, and the Korinbo district suits travellers on foot with limited budgets. Here is how the choices fit our five hotels.
Kanazawa Station area: the default choice
Staying near the station means a short walk from the shinkansen, easy access to the loop bus, early departures for day trips like Shirakawa-go and Omicho Market within fifteen minutes on foot. The station area is also where you find the largest hotels and the widest choice of restaurants and shops. The trade-off is that Kenroku-en, the castle and the museums are a bus ride or a long walk away, so you will use the bus pass.
Hotel Nikko Kanazawa: the high-rise with the view
Our pick for a special stay is Hotel Nikko Kanazawa, a thirty-floor tower about three minutes from the station. It has five restaurants, including a sky lounge and a teppanyaki counter, a spa with gold leaf treatments and some of the best views in the city. It is the most polished option here and the most expensive.
ANA Crowne Plaza Kanazawa: the covered walk
If you want a major hotel with the easiest possible arrival, ANA Crowne Plaza Kanazawa is about a minute from the station by covered walkway, which is wonderful in rain and snow. It has four restaurants and a sky bar, rooms with sea or dome views and a signature breakfast. It suits couples, families and business travellers.
Hyatt Centric Kanazawa: the modern choice
Hyatt Centric Kanazawa has a contemporary style, a roof terrace bar, a grill and lounge, a gym and free cribs, and it is two minutes from the station. It is a good mid-range pick for couples and families who want a fresh design and easy access.
Dormy Inn Kanazawa: the hot spring value pick
For travellers who want comfort at a moderate price, Dormy Inn Kanazawa Natural Hot Spring is three minutes from the station and has indoor and outdoor hot spring baths and a sauna. A soak after a day of walking is hard to beat, and the breakfast buffet is popular. Rooms are compact.
Korinbo: the walking base
Korinbo is the city's central shopping and restaurant district, within about ten minutes on foot of Kenroku-en, Kanazawa Castle, the 21st Century Museum and Omicho Market, and close to the Nagamachi samurai quarter. It is lively in the evening and quieter at night. The disadvantage is that the station is a bus ride away, so it suits those who will not make early trains or day trips every morning.
Toyoko Inn Kanazawa Kenrokuen Korimbo: the budget base
Our budget choice is Toyoko Inn Kanazawa Kenrokuen Korimbo, with free breakfast, compact rooms and a position in the middle of Korinbo, about ten minutes on foot from Kenroku-en and the castle. The savings can pay for a workshop or a tea ceremony.
How to choose
For a first visit with day trips, stay near the station. For a slow, walkable visit focused on gardens and museums, choose Korinbo. For hot springs, pick Dormy Inn. For a view, pick Hotel Nikko. For a covered walk in winter, pick ANA Crowne Plaza. Weekends, cherry blossom weeks and autumn colour fill the city, so reserve early, and compare rates with and without breakfast, since several hotels charge extra for it.
