‹ 25 small cities with big food › No. 22
Small city, big food · No. 22 of 25
Kanazawa, Japan
Photo: NevinThompson, CC BY-SA 4.0,Kyoto without the crowds, on the Sea of Japan. A 300-year-old fish market, Kaga cuisine, gold leaf on everything and sushi counters that Tokyo chefs travel to.
Nodoguro and snow crab sushi
Where to eat in Kanazawa
1A photo like it
Omicho Market
Get: A kaisendon at a counter before 10 a.m.
Kanazawa's kitchen since 1721, with about 170 to 180 stalls. Some counters open at 7:00. (magical-trip.com)
2A photo like it
Kataori
Get: The omakase, in winter with snow crab
Eight seats, two Michelin stars from the 2021 Hokuriku guide, Tabelog Gold 2021 to 2026 and Opinionated About Dining's No. 1 in Japan for 2025. (joinpearl.co)
3A photo like it
Otome Sushi
Get: Flame-seared nodoguro and gasu-ebi
Sushi since 1995, two Michelin stars in the 2021 Hokuriku guide. Closed Wednesdays, Sundays and holidays. (magical-trip.com)
4A photo like it
Zeniya
Get: The butter-grilled abalone steak (ask when you book)
Counter kaiseki with Wajima lacquerware, two Michelin stars from 2021 and a Green Star listed for 2025. (magical-trip.com)
Plan the trip
- When to go
- November to March for snow crab and winter fish; spring for blossoms at Kenroku-en.
- Getting there
- 2.5 hours from Tokyo on the Hokuriku Shinkansen.
More for Kanazawa
Why it's on the list
Nat Geo Best of the World 2025; Japan's seafood coast.
Next small city
Places checked November 14, 2026; hours and menus change. "A photo like it" is the same kind of food, not from that place. Nobody pays to be on our lists.
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