Getting There & Away: Kanazawa

Air Travel

Airports Serving Kanazawa

Most international visitors fly into Japan's larger airports, then connect to Kanazawa by train.

Domestic & International Access

Komatsu Airport (KMQ): Closest, 30-40 mins south. Mainly domestic flights (Haneda, Sapporo, Fukuoka).
Limited direct international flights from KMQ: Seoul, Shanghai, Taipei.
Major International Hubs: Narita (NRT), Haneda (HND) in Tokyo; Kansai (KIX) in Osaka; Chubu (NGO) in Nagoya.

Transfer Options from Airports

Efficient transfers connect airports to Kanazawa Station.

Getting to Kanazawa Station

From Komatsu Airport (KMQ): Airport Limousine Bus (¥1,150, ~40 mins). Taxi (~¥6,000-¥7,000).
From Tokyo (NRT/HND): Train (Narita Express/Keikyu Line) to Tokyo Station, then Hokuriku Shinkansen (Kagayaki ~2.5 hrs).
From Osaka/Kyoto (KIX): Haruka Limited Express to Shin-Osaka, then Limited Express Thunderbird to Kanazawa (~2.5-3 hrs).

Seasonal Availability

Domestic flights run year-round. Prices vary seasonally, with higher rates during peak tourist times.

Price Fluctuations

Cherry blossom season, autumn leaf season, Golden Week, Obon, and New Year typically show higher flight prices.

Airport Facilities

Komatsu Airport (KMQ) has restaurants, souvenir shops, car rental, currency exchange, ATMs, and free Wi-Fi.

Flight Planning Resources

Finding Deals

Consider services like Dollar Flight Club for price alerts.
Use flight comparison sites such as Skyscanner for broad searches.
Booking in advance generally results in better rates during peak periods.
For car rentals, check DiscoverCars.com.

Connecting from Major Hubs

No direct flights connect major global hubs (North America, Europe) directly to Komatsu Airport.
International travelers fly into Tokyo, Osaka, or Nagoya.
Then, use Japan's train network to reach Kanazawa.
Japan Rail Pass provides coverage for train travel.

Land Transportation

Train Connectivity

Hokuriku Shinkansen connects Tokyo to Kanazawa (~2.5-3 hrs). Limited Express Thunderbird links Osaka/Kyoto to Kanazawa (~2.5-3 hrs). The Japan Rail Pass covers both services.

Long-Distance Buses

Highway buses (JR Bus, Willer Express) connect Kanazawa to major cities. Generally cheaper than trains. Overnight buses save on accommodation. Travel times are longer.

Self-Driving

International Driving Permit (IDP) with domestic license is required. Driving is on the left. Toll roads can be expensive. Parking in Kanazawa city center can be difficult and costly. Not recommended for city exploration.

Sea/River Arrivals

Ferry Services & Cruise Ports

Kanazawa operates a port. It occasionally serves as a port of call for international cruise ships.

Cruise Ship Information

Passengers disembark for day excursions to city attractions.
Not a major hub for regular, scheduled passenger ferry services.
Immigration procedures for cruise passengers usually take place onboard or at the port terminal.

River Transportation & Connections

Kanazawa's rivers are mainly for scenic enjoyment. Land connections from the port are direct.

Local River Travel & Port Transfers

No significant river transportation options for general tourist travel within Kanazawa.
Cruise port arrivals are typically serviced by organized shuttle buses or taxis.
These services transfer passengers to Kanazawa Station or directly to city attractions.

Domestic Travel

Kanazawa is an internal Japanese destination; all travel involves movement within Japan's borders.

Road Conditions

Japan's roads are very well-maintained. Traffic can be heavy in urban centers during peak hours. Winter driving needs snow/ice experience.

Parking in Kanazawa

Parking is limited and can be expensive in central Kanazawa. Look for coin-operated parking lots. Public transportation is highly efficient.

Departure Information

Exit Fees & Procedures

No specific exit fees are levied directly on departing tourists at Japanese airports or train stations.

Departure Timing

Air Travel (Komatsu Airport KMQ): Domestic flights: arrive at least 1 hour prior. Limited international flights: arrive at least 2 hours prior.
Train Travel (Kanazawa Station): Arrive 15-30 minutes before departure. Find your platform, snacks, seat.
Charges for departure are usually included in air tickets or train fares upon purchase.

Airport & Station Facilities

Prepare for departure with convenient facilities at your exit points.

Services for Departing Travelers

Komatsu Airport (KMQ): Check-in counters, security, souvenir shops, restaurants, limited duty-free.
Kanazawa Station: Large, modern complex. Numerous shops, restaurants, convenience stores, baggage lockers.
Direct access to bus stops and taxi stands at Kanazawa Station.

Airline & Rail Partners

Domestic Airlines

All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Japan Airlines (JAL) offer frequent flights to Komatsu Airport from major Japanese cities.

Shinkansen Lines

Hokuriku Shinkansen connects Tokyo. Kagayaki is fastest, Hakutaka more frequent. Thunderbird connects Osaka/Kyoto.

Highway Bus Companies

JR Bus and Willer Express provide long-distance and overnight bus services from major cities.

Travel Flexibility

It can be a cost-effective choice covering both the Hokuriku Shinkansen and the Limited Express Thunderbird, depending on your itinerary.

Getting There & Away Kanazawa