Katamachi, Kiguramachi and Korinbo: Where Kanazawa Goes Out at Night

Kanazawa’s nightlife is not spread across the whole city. Most of it sits in one compact part of downtown, a few kilometers south of Kanazawa Station, and you can walk between the main districts in minutes.

That surprises a lot of visitors who stay near the station. The station area has hotels and some restaurants, but if you want a proper night out, you will probably head downtown. This guide is a simple map of where to go and what to expect in each area.

The short version

• Katamachi is the biggest nightlife district in Kanazawa: bars, izakaya, late-night food, bright signs.
• Kiguramachi is a narrow street of small restaurants and bars right next to Katamachi. Quieter and more intimate.
• Korinbo is the downtown shopping area next to Katamachi, and the main bus stop for getting there.
• Kakinokibatake is a small neighborhood of cafés and restaurants just off Korinbo.

All four are close together. Think of them as one area with different moods, rather than separate destinations.

Getting there from Kanazawa Station

By bus. From the bus terminal at the East Exit of Kanazawa Station, many local buses run through Musashigatsuji (the stop for Omicho Market) and on to Korinbo. Get off at Korinbo. From there, Katamachi is about a five-minute walk.

Bus routes and fares change, so I won’t list them here. A map app with transit directions, or the information desk at the station, will give you the current details.

By taxi. A taxi from the station to Katamachi takes about ten minutes, depending on traffic. There is a taxi stand at the station.

On foot. It is walkable if you like walking. Use a map app, and allow more time than the distance suggests if you stop along the way.

Katamachi (片町)

Katamachi is the one everyone means when they talk about going out in Kanazawa. It is the busiest nightlife district in the city, a grid of streets packed with bars, izakaya, ramen shops and karaoke, many of them stacked several floors high in narrow buildings.

What to know before you go:

• Look up. A lot of bars are not at street level. Each floor of a building may hold a different place, and the signs are listed on a board by the entrance or the elevator.
• It’s busiest on Friday and Saturday nights. Weeknights are calmer and often easier for walking into a small place without a reservation.
• Not every bar is set up for visitors. Some small bars are regulars-only in practice, or charge a seat fee. That is normal in Japan and not aimed at foreigners. If you’re unsure, a polite question at the door is fine: Daijoubu desu ka? (“Is it OK?”).

Katamachi is also where you will find late-night food after the bars, which is part of the fun.

Kiguramachi (木倉町)

Kiguramachi sits right next to Katamachi, but it feels completely different. It is a narrow street lined with small restaurants, izakaya and bars, many of them with just a counter and a few tables.

If Katamachi is where you go to see the city’s nightlife, Kiguramachi is where you go to sit down and eat well. It’s a good choice for a slower evening: a few small plates, a glass of sake, a conversation with whoever is behind the counter.

Because the places are small, they fill up quickly. Arriving earlier in the evening helps.

Korinbo (香林坊)

Korinbo is downtown Kanazawa’s shopping and business center, with department stores and hotels on the main road. At night it’s quieter than Katamachi, but it matters for one big reason: it’s the transport hub.

The Korinbo bus stop is where most visitors arrive and leave, and it’s a useful meeting point. If you’re staying downtown, you may be in a hotel here, a short walk from everything in this guide.

Kakinokibatake (柿木畠)

Kakinokibatake is a small neighborhood just off Korinbo, known for its cafés and restaurants. It’s a good place to start an evening, or to spend an afternoon before heading to Katamachi.

I’ve written about one place here already: a record café on the fifth floor that turns into a music bar at night. That article is coming soon as part of a series on local cafés.

A simple plan for a first night

If this is your first evening out in Kanazawa, here is an easy way to do it:

1. Take a bus from Kanazawa Station to Korinbo.
2. Walk into Kiguramachi for dinner at a small izakaya. Arrive on the early side.
3. Move to Katamachi for a drink or two.
4. Finish with late-night ramen, or a taxi back to your hotel.

Everything on that list is within walking distance of everything else.

Getting back

• Taxis are the easiest option late at night. You can often find them along the main roads in Katamachi and Korinbo.
• Buses stop running at night. If you plan to take one back to the station, check the time of the last bus before you start drinking.
• Write down or screenshot your hotel’s name and address in Japanese. Showing it to a taxi driver is the simplest way to get home.

Before you head out

If ordering in Japanese worries you, read my guide to ordering at an izakaya first. It covers the ten phrases that matter and what the small “otoshi” dish on your bill is.

For specific bars and izakaya I’ve visited myself, with notes on English menus and prices, see the Kanazawa Nightlife Guide. New places are added as I visit them.