Kanazawa Guide: Kenroku-en, Kanazawa Castle Park and the 21st Century Museum
Kanazawa is one of Japan's best-preserved castle towns, famous for Kenroku-en, one of the country's most celebrated gardens. Entry fees and hours for Kenroku-en, the castle and the 21st Century Museum, with free-entry days.
Kanazawa, on the Sea of Japan coast, is a castle town with a garden, a castle park and a contemporary art museum all close together. The star is Kenroku-en, one of Japan's most celebrated landscape gardens. It is reached from Tokyo by the Hokuriku Shinkansen.
At a glance
- Kenroku-en: ¥320 adult, ¥100 child
- Kanazawa Castle Park (buildings): ¥320 adult
- Combo ticket (Kenroku-en + 1 castle facility): ¥500 adult
- 21st Century Museum: the Public Zone is free
Kenroku-en Garden
| Fee | |
|---|---|
| Adult (18+) | ¥320 |
| Child (6 to under 18) | ¥100 |
| Group of 30+ (adult / child) | ¥250 / ¥80 |
Hours:
| Dates | Hours | Last entry |
|---|---|---|
| March 1 – October 15 | 7:00–18:00 | 17:30 |
| October 16 – end of February | 8:00–17:00 | 16:30 |
Free-entry days at Kenroku-en include the cherry blossom season, the Hyakumangoku Festival, the Obon holidays, Culture Day (November 3), and New Year (December 31 to January 3).
Go early
Kenroku-en opens at 7:00 in the warm months (8:00 from mid-October), and the gardens are quietest in the first hour.
Kanazawa Castle Park
Kanazawa Castle Park sits right next to Kenroku-en. The grounds can be walked around freely, and there are paid buildings.
| Facility | Adult | Child |
|---|---|---|
| Hishi Yagura, Gojikken Nagaya and Hashizume-mon Tsuzuki Yagura (restored buildings) | ¥320 | ¥100 |
| Combo: Kenroku-en + one castle facility | ¥500 | |
| Kahoku-mon and Nezumi-ta-mon gates | Free |
The restored buildings are open 9:00–16:30 (last entry 16:00), and children under 6 are free. The combo ticket saves money if you visit both.
21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa
This contemporary art museum in the city center has a free area open to everyone and paid exhibition rooms.
| Hours | Fee | |
|---|---|---|
| Public Zone | 9:00–22:00 | Free |
| Exhibition Zone | 10:00–18:00 (until 20:00 on Fridays and Saturdays) | Depends on the exhibition |
For the current exhibition, "From Today to Tomorrow" (October 31, 2026 to April 18, 2027), tickets are ¥1,200 for adults, ¥800 for university students, ¥400 for students and ¥1,000 for visitors aged 65 and over. The Exhibition Zone is closed on Mondays (the next weekday if Monday is a national holiday), and ticket sales end 30 minutes before closing.
Some exhibitions at the museum are free. The museum's schedule lists temporary closures, so check before you go.
Getting there
From Tokyo, take the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Kanazawa Station. We could not confirm the current travel time and fare from an official source, so check JR East or your route app for your dates. Kenroku-en, the castle and the 21st Century Museum are all reachable by bus from the station's east exit (the Kanazawa Loop Bus and Hokutetsu buses serve the area).
Tips
- Combine the three sights in one day: start at Kenroku-en when it opens, then the castle, then walk to the 21st Century Museum.
- Check the date. Culture Day (November 3) and New Year have free entry to Kenroku-en, but they are also busy.
- Plan for the season. Winter closing hours are earlier, so start early.
Sources
Prices change
Prices, exchange rates and rules in this article were checked on the date shown above. They can change at any time, so please confirm on the official website before you book or buy.
