Japanese garden with a stone lantern, arched bridge and colorful autumn trees reflected in a calm pond. Caption: Kanazawa, Japan

Kanazawa, Japan

Cruises to Kanazawa

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Things to do in Kanazawa

Kanazawa is the kind of city where exploration pays off. Follow a moss-lined path and you might find a teahouse where modern Geisha pay homage to storied traditions, then turn a corner near the castle and maybe discover a cutting-edge art installation. This is a place where time folds in interesting ways, and every neighborhood has its own story tucked behind a noren curtain.

Explore things to do in Kanazawa
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  • Person in a kimono kneeling on tatami mat next to tea utensils, including a whisk, bowl and iron kettle.

    Enjoy a cup of tea in a centuries-old teahouse or browse handmade goods in craft markets full of Kutani porcelain and gold leaf décor.

  • Empty stone-paved street lined with traditional wooden houses and red lanterns in Kanazawa’s historic samurai district.

    Watch history unfold in preserved samurai quarters or down narrow lanes where geishas once performed behind ornate wooden doors.

  • Twilight view of Kenrokuen Garden with a pond, stone lantern, bare trees and buildings softly lit among mossy greenery.

    Capture the perfect photo in Kenroku-en, a garden in which every stone, bridge and blossom is placed with calculated intention.

  • Vendor in apron and cap standing behind trays of grilled meat skewers inside a small kitchen at Omicho Market.

    Indulge your palate with seafood at the buzzing Omicho Market, dubbed Kanazawa’s kitchen.

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Shore excursions to explore Kanazawa

Whether you want hands-on art or hands-off serenity, Princess excursions give you insider access to this coastal jewel’s best-kept secrets.

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  • Two women in colorful kimonos walking down a narrow stone street lined with wooden buildings in Kanazawa’s geisha district.

    Best of Kanazawa

    Make every moment count on a full-day adventure through Kanazawa’s highlights: geisha quarters, market halls, landscaped gardens and a museum that is a work of art all by itself. This outing layers Kanazawa’s history, creativity and cuisine into one unforgettable package.

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  • Traditional gassho-zukuri houses with steep thatched roofs in a valley surrounded by forested mountains and autumn colors.

    Shirakawago Village & Gokayama Village

    Leave the city behind and swap paved roads for timeless mountain charm. These historic hamlets are all steep roofs, peaceful lanes and the soft clatter of daily life. Shirakawago invites you to slow down and see what centuries of tradition feel like under your feet, then Gokayama gets your hands involved with some traditional paper-making.

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  • Stone steps leading to Eiheiji Temple, surrounded by towering cedar trees and lush green moss in a forest setting.

    Eiheiji Buddhist Temple & Tojinbo

    Trade city sounds for temple bells on this contemplative journey to Eiheiji, a sacred Zen sanctuary deep in the woods. Afterward, head seaside to Tojinbo to see volcanic cliffs and wave-carved rock pillars come together to create one of Japan’s most dramatic natural cathedrals.

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  • Colorful Japanese wagashi sweets shaped like flowers on white plates with chopsticks and a bamboo mat.

    Gold Leaf Art & Japanese Sweet Making

    In this hands-on workshop, you’ll create shimmering gold leaf art, then balance the bling by learning how to make ‘wagashi’ (seasonal treats that often accompany tea ceremonies). This is one feast for the senses that you can really chew on.

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  • Empty stone-paved street lined with traditional wooden houses and red lanterns in Kanazawa’s historic samurai district.

    Kenrokuen Gardens, Samurai & Geisha Districts

    Take a daytrip through Kanazawa’s greatest hits. Begin your journey in Kenroku-en Garden (a living masterclass in landscape design), then trace the footsteps of samurai in Nagamachi’s historic district. Finally, visit the softly lit lanes of Higashi Chayamachi.

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  • Thatched-roof houses in Shirakawago with harvested rice fields in front, surrounded by forested hills under a blue sky.

    Shirakawago On Your Own

    Prefer to march to the beat of your own taiko drum? This self-guided outing to Shirakawago lets you explore at your own pace. Take in scenic vistas, roam among gassho-style farmhouses and craft your own perfect day.

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Experience the Kanazawa port on your next cruise

Cruises to Japan reveal a country that is both ancient and evolving — and Kanazawa proves it. Step ashore into a city where tradition is preserved not just in buildings, but in the way people live, eat and create. With easy access to top cultural sites and markets just a stone’s throw from the port, cruises to Kanazawa make deep discovery feel as smooth as a garden stroll.

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11-Day Circle Japan Spring Flowers

Roundtrip from Tokyo (Yokohama), Japan

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14-Day Grand Japan with Fall Foliage

Roundtrip from Tokyo (Yokohama), Japan

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13-Day Circle Japan Fall Foliage

Roundtrip from Tokyo (Yokohama), Japan

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Let Princess help you find your golden moment in Kanazawa

In Kanazawa, art is everywhere, lining canals, covering sweets and even drifting musically through the air like falling petals. A Kanazawa cruise with Princess immerses you in this spirit of refinement with curated shore excursions and cultural connections built into every detail. Enjoy the city, then return to a ship that knows how to keep wow-factor going.

Cruises to Kanazawa
Traditional wooden teahouse on stilts over a quiet pond, surrounded by pine trees and manicured greenery.

Escape to a peaceful teahouse in Kenrokuen, nestled by still waters and whispering pines.

Two women wearing traditional Japanese kimono with elaborate hair ornaments walk away from the camera down a stone-paved street in Kanazawa's historic district, one in a teal kimono with red and gold obi, the other in pink with a blue and gold obi, with traditional Japanese buildings visible in the background.

Two women in traditional dress stroll through Kanazawa's historic Higashi Chaya district.

Ships sailing to Kanazawa

Our cruises to Kanazawa bring you into the artful core of the region — all while keeping life at sea smooth and satisfying.

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Diamond Princess

Diamond Princess®

With regional touches and Japanese-inspired adventures throughout, Diamond Princess complements every stop ashore. From fresh sushi to cultural performances, this ship lets you enjoy a taste of Japan even after the sun sets on your day in port.

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Sapphire Princess

Sapphire Princess®

With world-class dining and dazzling entertainment, Sapphire Princess® is a destination in itself. From sumptuous cuisine and lively performances to the tranquil Lotus Spa®, this gem of a ship indulges your every whim — making it a perfect match for voyages to Japan and beyond.

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Let Princess get you there with travel, airfare & hotels

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  • Princess EZair

    Princess EZAir® Flights

    Remove the hassle from air travel and give yourself the gift of flexibility, time, and a thicker wallet with Princess EZair® flights. We negotiate lower rates with the airline, allow you to book early and pay later with no penalty, and protect you if your flight is late or canceled. Princess EZair flight quotes are available on our cruise search result details pages. Please note: Princess EZair® is only available in certain markets.

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    Airplane to Ship Transfer

    Let Princess pick you up from the airport and take you directly to your ship or hotel when you arrive, even if you didn't book your airfare through us. A uniformed Princess representative meets you at the airport after you've retrieved your luggage and transports you directly to your ship or hotel without you having to worry about the logistics of navigating a new city.

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  • Cruise Plus hotel packages

    Cruise Plus Hotel Packages

    Extend your cruise vacation and simplify your travel plans with a hotel stay at the beginning or end of your cruise. With a Cruise Plus Hotel Package, a Princess representative meets you at the airport and pier, transporting you to and from your hotel. The package includes the cost of your hotel stay, transportation, luggage handling and the representative’s services.

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Cruise deals and promotions

Find our top sales, deals, partnerships and promotions for our destinations all in one place. We run promotions throughout the year and sometimes run sweepstakes where you can win prizes.

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