10 Best Things to Do After Dinner in Kanazawa

Ishikawa Prefectural Noh Theater, located right next to the scenic Kenrokuen gardens, brings Kanazawa's traditional Noh culture into the present. Kanazawa's Noh play Kaga Hosho (designated as an Intangible Cultural Property) is performed on the Noh stage that was built in 1932 originally as the main stage of Kanazawa Noh Theater before being relocated here.

Kazuemachi along the Asano River is one of 3 teahouse districts in Kanazawa (the others are Higashi and Nishi). This area is very quiet during the day, but in the evening you’ll hear the sound of shamisen (a Japanese 3-stringed instrument) and drums played by geisha girls as the teahouses, small restaurants, and bars begin to light up.

The teahouses are not open to first-time visitors, but you can spend the evening at atmospheric bars such as Bar Nagaya and Kiku no Shizuku, which were made by renovating traditional terraced townhouses. Exploring the riverside Kyoka no Michi Street and the quaint backstreets and Kuragarizaka Slope is another great way to enjoy a night in Kazuemachi.

Oriental Brewing Kanazawa Station Pub is directly managed by Oriental Brewing, one of Kanazawa's microbreweries. Located upstairs at Kanazawa Hyakubangai Anto Nishi, a shopping mall in Kanazawa Station, this pub serves local craft beers made with local ingredients, such as Yuwaku Yuzu Ale (using citrus) and Kaga Boucha Stout (using roasted tea stems).

With the Beer Comparing Set, you can try 4 kinds of in-house beer. For some food to go with your drinks, try one of the pizzas made with local ingredients, such as a teriyaki chicken pizza grilled with Ohno soy sauce.

InFusion is an American-style shot bar just a 3-minute walk from Kanazawa Station. The bar has 17 seats and is crammed with knick-knacks the bar manager has brought back from America, creating a cosy atmosphere.

Having studied abroad, the manager is fluent in English. He’s a friendly chap who'll be happy to answer your questions about language or studying abroad. With an international clientele, this is a great place to enjoy some cultural exchange and experience the atmosphere of an American bar right in the middle of Kanazawa.

SUNTORY JIGGER BAR St. Louis is an authentic bar located in Katamachi, the heart of Kanazawa's nightlife. Award-winning bartenders will wow you with their shaking and stirring.

If you’re not into cocktails, check out the wide range of other drinks such as Maker's Mark (American bourbon whiskey), Midori SUI (Japanese gin), and freshly squeezed sake. SUNTORY JIGGER BAR St. Louis is right next to the Katamachi Scramble Crossing, and it even has a terrace where you can enjoy your drinks.

If you find an isolated house with brick-like walls on a backstreet in downtown Katamachi, that’ll be the Londonya’s Bar, established 1969. This bar has been visited by many writers and celebrities, including Hitomi Yamaguchi, who was a regular, and the whole place is like being back in Blighty, from the drinks and side dishes to the tableware and good old-fashioned British furnishings.

Scotch dominates the menu, with more than 150 types of whiskey and other drinks to choose from. If you fancy some food to soak up the alcohol, there are side dishes including pasta and steak. Take a trip to old London town without even leaving Kanazawa.

Located on Kikura-cho Shopping Street, the stylish Furansu Cocktail Bar serves authentic French cocktails. Run by 3 brothers born to a Japanese father and a French mother, this bar combines real French cocktails with a Japanese atmosphere, serving cocktails in tokkuri (sake decanters) with a straw or in masu (traditional wooden measuring containers) with a tatami coaster.

Popular French foods are also on the menu, such as cheese platters and tartines. Furansu Cocktail Bar is a perfect place for enjoying a night in Kanazawa with bottles from all over the world and paintings by artists displayed on the walls.

Orbital Bar is a club with a DJ booth, dance floor, darts, and a bar. What more could you ask for of an evening? Sometimes there are guest DJs to get the party started, but even when there’s nothing on, the bar is a great place to enjoy a leisurely chat with the multilingual owner.

Located on the 2nd floor of the AYA Building behind the Katamachi Kirara shopping mall, this club is popular with international tourists thanks to its owner who speaks 5 languages, including Japanese and English.

Located behind Katamachi Kirara, DEF is a music bar and nightclub. On weekdays, it serves as an event space that can be used for parties and banquets, and if there’s no event on, it becomes a music bar where you can enjoy a drink while listening to some top tunes.

On weekends, DEF becomes a nightclub that hosts various events such as the “Kokusai Onbansai at DEF” party featuring only Japanese music. The DJs who play here make the audience go wild. You’ll find DEF on the 1st floor of the AYA Building, a 1-minute walk from the Katamachi bus stop.