November is one of the best months to visit Kanazawa. The city is famous for its gardens and they hit their full force for autumn colours. It is much cooler compared to just a few weeks ago and we definitively reach "sweater weather."
This guide brings together everything you need to know about Kanazawa in November — the Kanazawa Food Festival is held in the first weekend, while cosplayers from across the country flock to the city for its Cosplay Festival later in the month; Kenrokuen Gardens show why they are so beloved with the autumn leaves; and in mountain areas like Shirakawa-go, snow begins to fall. Joining a guided tour is one of the easiest ways to experience the area without the stress of queues or missed connections, letting you focus on the views, the food, and the charm of the Kanazawa's rich history and cultural traditions. Join us as we explore all the region has to offer!
Weather in November
In November, temperatures fall quite quickly to the low teens and single digits as winter begins to arrive. Average daytime highs hover around 17°C, while evening temperatures often dip to around 7°C, so it’s wise to bring a warm jacket if you plan to stay after sunset. Early in the month feels mild, but by mid November the air turns noticeably colder.
In the early month, the autumn colours are at their best during this time, with clear skies making the nearby mountains and the famous Hakusan Shirakawa-go White Road especially photogenic. Rain is occasional but usually light, and the cool air makes walking around the city much more comfortable. Snow does not usually fall until late November at the earliest, though the mountain peaks in the distance may start to show a dusting through the month.
Festivals & Events in November
Ishikawa Food Festival (first full weekend of November)
This festival is a perfect time to visit the city for all the foodies out there! Ishikawa Shikou Memorial Park fills with stalls and tents showcasing all of the wonderful food sold across the prefecture. From local delicacies to the region's best restaurants, you can eat your fill here!
Kanazawa Cosplay Festival (23rd November)
This grassroots anime and manga convention is only in its fourth year, but has made leaps in growth for each of its previous outings. While it may not be a reason to specifically visit the city yet, it would be a great way to spend a cool afternoon in the park by Shiinoki Guest House!
Seasonal Highlights in November
Autumn Colours in Kenrokuen Garden
People will say that the famous Kenrokuen Garden is beautiful all year round. It is, but autumn is when it is at its best. Everywhere you look are different shades of reds, oranges and yellows as the hundreds of trees in the garden move through the season. Early November is when the garden is in full force and some of its best views can be seen.
Fall Flavours
November is a sweet spot for fall flavours: the harvest has been collected, bringing massive daikon radishes, cabbage and other root vegetables from the more mountainous areas. Meanwhile, the fishing season is ramping up and seafood like flounder and crab are beginning to be abundant. Sweet potatoes are a local delicacy at this time with the regional gorojima kintoki being famous for its sweetness. Round yams called maruimo are also in season. Maruimo are seen as a local superfood due to their high nutritional value, distinctive yam taste and crunchiness that adds a lot of texture to meals! All of these can be found in the city's famous Omicho Market.
Featured Tours in November
1-Day Tour from Kanazawa: Samurai, Matcha, Gardens and Geisha
The fall foliage is in full force through November, making it a perfect time to experience Kanazawa. Get your walking shoes on and get your camera ready, as this walking tour of the city takes visitors to all of its most famous attractions in a single day!
Highlights:
- Walk through the streets of samurai bordered by the autumn leaves.
- Drink freshly-prepared, high-quality matcha while looking out at a beautiful garden.
- Try a host of fresh, local produce at the Omicho Market.
- Walk through the amazing Kenrokuen Garden.
1-Day Tour from Kanazawa: Shirakawa-go, Gokayama and Wood Carving Village
One of the highlights of many visitors to the area is Shirakawa-go, the UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its gassho-zukkuri style farmhouses. Unfortunately for many, getting to the scenic village can be extremely difficult, especially in the peak season. With our Shirakawa-go, Gokayama and Wood Carving Village tour, we take care of it all so you can sit back and relax in comfort as we take you to the best sights in the area.
Highlights:
- Visit both Shirakawa-go and Gokayama World Heritage villages.
- Explore Inami, home to Japan’s renowned wood-carving artisans.
- Travel comfortably from Kanazawa with all transport included.
Best Selling
1 Day Tour from Kanazawa: Shirakawa-go, Gokayama and Wood Carving Village
- Spots:
- KanazawaShirakawago
- Pick-up:
- Kanazawa
- Drop-off:
- TakayamaKanazawa
Day Tour in Kanazawa: Glamor of the Geisha, a Daimyo's Villa and a World-Class Garden
If you're looking to dive a bit deeper into two of Kanazawa's most famous areas, this is the tour for you! Our Glamor of the Geisha tour takes you on an extended walk through the Higashi Chaya District, one of the largest in Japan. You'll step into a preserved teahouse and learn about the culture and practices of the geisha. For the afternoon, we'll head to Kenrokuen Garden where we'll learn the history and see the nature in full force. We'll also go inside the opulent Seisonkaku Villa, an often-overlooked stop that really highlights the wealth the lords of the region wielded.
Highlights:
- Step into a preserved geisha house to learn the history and ways of the mysterious entertainers.
- A guided walk through Kenrokuen, one of Japan's "Three Great Gardens."
- Entry into Seisonkaku Villa, a mansion built for the mother of the last lord of Kanazawa.
1-Day Tour from Kanazawa: Beautiful Amaharashi, A Big Buddha and the Shogawa Valley River Cruise
This day tour from Kanazawa takes you to the coast to see the famous view of Amaharashi: a rock formation against the backdrop of the snow-capped mountains. In November, the mountains begin to have some snow and will be covered by the end of the month.
In the afternoon, we'll ride the Shogawa Valley River Cruise. This boat ride is a magical journey through the valley to see all the radiant colours of autumn. The river is deep turquoise, perfectly contrasting the warm reds and oranges of the leaves. If you're a nature lover, this tour is guaranteed to be a highlight of your time in Japan!
Highlights:
- See the view of the Amaharashi rock formation, picturesque against the Tateyama mountain range.
- See the handsome "Big Buddha" at Takaoka.
- Ride the Shogawa Valley River cruise, a feast for the eyes, in its best season.
1-Day Tour from Kanazawa: Tedori Gorge, Hakusan White Road, and Shirakawa-go Village
Swapping boats for buses, this day tour from Kanazawa takes you to a place few visitors to Japan ever get to experience: the Hakusan Shirakawa-go White Road. This 33km driving route through Hakusan National Park is considered one of the absolute best fall foliage spots in Japan and, although its peak season is October, it is still a breath taking view.
On this tour, we'll drive through the White Road, stopping at points of interest and having a picnic on the mountainside, before finally arriving at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Shirakawa-go, where you'll be guided through the town and taken inside one of the famous farmhouses to learn more about this unique area and its people.
**Note: The mountain road usually closes around the 10th of November as heavy rain and snowfall begin to move through the mountains and does not open again until the following June. As such, we cannot take any bookings beyond that date.
Highlights:
- Travel the famous Hakusan White Road with ease and in comfort, allowing you to best experience this phenomenal national park.
- See the Tedori Gorge with its beautiful waterfall.
- Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site Shirakawa-go and step inside one of the houses there.
1 Day Tour from Kanazawa: Tedori Gorge, Hakusan White Road and Shirakawago Village
- Spots:
- KanazawaShirakawago
- Pick-up:
- Kanazawa
- Drop-off:
- Kanazawa
More Ways to Visit
Alongside our guided tours, we also offer charters and other travel options to Kenrokuen. These are perfect for travellers who prefer private transport, customised itineraries, or more flexibility in planning their day. Whether you’re travelling as a family, a couple, or a group, charters provide comfort and convenience while still letting you experience the best of the village and surrounding region.
If you're looking for help planning your itinerary around Central Japan in November, be sure to check out our "Best Fall Spots and Tours Near Kanazawa" page for more information.
Tips for Visiting & Travel in November
- Busy Season for Transport - Early November is one of the busiest months for Kanazawa. If you're looking to visit areas like Shirakawa-go, buses from Kanazawa Station often sell out early in the day, and queues can be long during festival periods and weekends. By joining one of our tours, your transport is reserved in advance, ensuring you won’t miss out on seats or connections.
- What to Wear – November days in Kanazawa are starting to get colder, with average highs around 17°C and evenings that begin to approach 7°C. It can spike in temperature, though, so bring layered clothing and a warm jacket for the evenings.
- Photography – November offers some of the best scenery of the year. The mountains in particular are a sight to behold - early in the month with autumn leaves and later in the month with snow.
- Timing Your Visit – Weekends and festival days are very busy. If you prefer a quieter experience, consider visiting on weekdays or earlier in the month.
Where to Stay in November
Visiting Kanazawa in November can be quite different from the start to the end of the month. Early on, it's pleasantly cool and usually quite dry in the city. The autumn leaves are beginning to fall. Later in the month, it gets much colder and wetter, especially towards the mountains, where snow has begun to get heavy.
Kanazawa is also a great hub to use in order to reach more off-the-beaten path areas like Shirakawa-go, Eihei-ji Temple and the Noto Peninsula. If you're looking for places to stay in Kanazawa, there are three main areas that you should consider:
- Kanazawa Station Area – The most accessible area is, naturally, near to the station. From here, you can easily hop on a bus to travel around the city and have a host of restaurants at your doorstep.
- Higashi Chaya Area – The Higashi Chaya District area is home to many traditional ryokans and inns where you can stay in style. Higashi Chaya is much more quiet in the evenings than it would have been during its heyday, but the streets at dusk after usually very quiet which is a great opportunity to get pictures.
- Omicho Market Area – This area is a great middle ground, with convenient access to Kanazawa Station, a short walk into the Nagamachi Samurai District one way and the Katamachi bar area towards the river for a taste of Kanazawa's nightlife. This area is also packed with restaurants, so you'll never be too far from some good food in the cool evenings.
Wherever you choose to stay, autumn is one of the busiest times of year, so it’s best to make arrangements well in advance. For more guidance, see our Best Places to Stay in Kanazawa guide.
Plan Your November Visit
November is one of the best times of the year to visit Kanazawa and experience all it and the surrounding region have to offer. The city has many areas where the fall foliage can really be appreciated; plenty of local produce, such as sweet potato and flounder, comes into season; and the city's easy access to the mountains offer a chance to get some crisp mountain air.
With large crowds expected and transport often selling out, planning ahead is essential. If you're planning to visit any of the locations on this list, consider joining one of our guided tours to make your journey as easy as possible. Even if you don't, though, visiting Kanazawa in November is a great opportunity to get the best the region has to offer with rich history, cultural heritage and natural beauty in abundance.
