Kanazawa Experience
Access from Kanazawa to Kaga: How to Reach Japan’s Refined Hot Spring Region
© 2024 Kanazawa Experience. Affiliate Links
Kanazawa Experience
Just an hour south of Kanazawa lies the peaceful world of Kaga — a land of onsen, artistry, and slow living.
Leaving behind the bustle of Kanazawa’s castle town, travelers find themselves surrounded by mountains, rivers, and hot-spring steam rising from traditional inns.
Kaga is home to Japan’s famous Three Hot Spring Towns — Yamashiro, Yamanaka, and Katayamazu — each with its own personality and charm.
Whether you’re seeking relaxation, culture, or a scenic drive through rural Japan, Kaga offers the perfect getaway within easy reach.
This guide explains how to get from Kanazawa to Kaga comfortably — by train, bus, or car — so you can enjoy your journey with ease and confidence.
Kaga lies about 50–60 kilometers (30–37 miles) southwest of Kanazawa, in southern Ishikawa Prefecture.
Travel time depends on your mode of transport:
| Transportation | Average Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 🚄 JR Train | 45–50 min | Fastest and most convenient |
| 🚌 Highway Bus | 60–90 min | Budget-friendly and direct |
| 🚗 Car | 60–80 min | Scenic and flexible route through countryside |
The main travel hub for the area is Kagaonsen Station, which connects to all three onsen towns:
Yamashiro Onsen – 10 minutes by bus or taxi
Yamanaka Onsen – 25 minutes by bus through forest roads
Katayamazu Onsen – 10 minutes by bus or car near Lake Shibayama
From the moment you leave Kanazawa Station, the journey begins to shift — urban scenes fade into rice fields, then into forested hills, where the air grows cleaner and the rhythm slower.
Taking the train from Kanazawa to Kaga is the easiest and fastest way to reach the hot spring towns.
Take a JR Limited Express Thunderbird or a local Hokuriku Line train from Kanazawa Station to Kagaonsen Station.
Travel Time: 45–50 minutes (Thunderbird)
Fare: Around ¥1,300–¥2,500 (depending on train type and seat class)
Both reserved and non-reserved seats are available. The Thunderbird provides comfortable seating, large windows, and luggage space — perfect for travelers with suitcases.
Once you arrive at Kagaonsen Station, local buses, taxis, and ryokan shuttles connect directly to the three hot spring towns.
To Yamashiro: ~10 minutes
To Yamanaka: ~25 minutes
To Katayamazu: ~10 minutes
💡 Tip: Many ryokans offer complimentary pick-up service from Kagaonsen Station — just inform them of your arrival time when booking.
For travelers who enjoy freedom and exploration, driving from Kanazawa to Kaga is an unforgettable experience.
The journey takes about one hour via expressway or local roads, passing through farmland, rivers, and views of Mount Hakusan in the distance.
Expressway Route (Fastest):
Take the Hokuriku Expressway from Kanazawa-nishi IC → Kaga IC.
Travel time: About 60 minutes.
Tolls: Around ¥1,300.
Ideal for direct access to Yamashiro or Katayamazu Onsen.
Local Road Route (Scenic):
Drive along Route 8 or Route 305, passing through countryside towns and coastal areas.
Slightly longer (~80 minutes) but with beautiful views of rural Ishikawa.
Perfect for travelers who want to stop at roadside stations or local cafés.
Most ryokans and attractions offer free parking.
Roads are well maintained year-round, but in winter (Dec–Feb), snow tires or chains are recommended.
Gas stations and convenience stores are available along the route.
Driving allows you to combine your trip with scenic detours — such as Daishoji Temple, Natadera Temple, or a quick stop at Shibayama Lake before soaking in an onsen.
For budget-conscious travelers or those who prefer a direct route without train transfers,
the highway bus from Kanazawa to Kaga is a comfortable and scenic alternative.
Operator: Hokuriku Railroad (Hokutetsu Bus)
Departure: Kanazawa Station East Exit, Bus Terminal No. 2
Arrival: Kagaonsen Station or directly to Yamashiro / Yamanaka Onsen (depending on the line)
Travel Time: About 70–90 minutes
Fare: Around ¥1,300–¥1,800 one way
Seats are comfortable, and luggage can be stored underneath.
Tickets can be purchased at Kanazawa Station or online in advance.
Once you arrive at Kagaonsen Station, local buses connect easily to each onsen town:
| Destination | Time | Fare (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Yamashiro Onsen | 10–12 min | ¥250 |
| Yamanaka Onsen | 25–30 min | ¥450 |
| Katayamazu Onsen | 10 min | ¥250 |
Local buses run hourly, and the ride itself is part of the experience — passing rice paddies, rivers, and small craft workshops that reveal the slower rhythm of Kaga life.
Kaga’s charm lies in its compact geography — everything is close, peaceful, and easy to explore.
Here are a few tips for moving comfortably once you arrive:
🚖 Use Ryokan Shuttle Services:
Many inns offer free or low-cost shuttle buses from Kagaonsen Station. Reserve in advance when booking.
🚲 Rent an E-bike:
In Yamanaka and Yamashiro Onsen, electric bicycles are available for short rides around town — perfect for exploring narrow lanes and local cafés.
🧭 Combine Nearby Towns:
Taxis or local buses make it easy to hop between the three onsen towns in half a day.
Yamashiro → Yamanaka → Katayamazu is a beautiful loop route for sightseeing and bathing.
🗣 Language Tip:
While English is understood at many ryokans, locals appreciate a friendly “Konnichiwa” or “Arigatou.”
Small kindnesses go a long way in Kaga’s warm hospitality.
Each season changes the journey from Kanazawa to Kaga — the landscapes, the light, even the air.
🌸 Spring (March–May)
Gentle temperatures and cherry blossoms along the rivers and temple paths.
Ideal for scenic drives and outdoor baths (rotenburo).
☀ Summer (June–August)
Lush greenery surrounds the hot spring towns.
Afternoon rain showers are common — bring a light umbrella.
Perfect time to enjoy cool river breezes in Yamanaka Onsen.
🍁 Autumn (September–November)
Brilliant foliage paints the mountains around Kaga in red and gold.
A wonderful season for photographers and onsen hopping.
❄ Winter (December–February)
Snow blankets the ryokans and trees, turning the towns into quiet dreamscapes.
Roads are cleared regularly, but use winter tires if driving.
Indoor hot springs and seasonal crab dishes make winter the most atmospheric time to visit.
No matter the season, Kaga offers comfort, calm, and deep connection with nature — all within a short distance from Kanazawa.
Morning:
Take the 9:00 AM Thunderbird train from Kanazawa → Arrive at Kagaonsen Station by 10:00 AM.
Visit Yamashiro Onsen for a relaxing soak or stroll through the Yukemuri-dori shopping street.
Afternoon:
Transfer to Yamanaka Onsen, walk the Kakusenkei Gorge, and enjoy local soba or Hoba miso lunch.
Return to Kanazawa around 6:00 PM by train or bus.
Day 1:
Depart Kanazawa in the morning, visit Natadera Temple and Kutani pottery workshops, then check into a ryokan in Yamanaka or Yamashiro.
Enjoy onsen, kaiseki dinner, and a peaceful night surrounded by cedar forests.
Day 2:
After breakfast, explore Katayamazu Onsen, visit Lake Shibayama, and return to Kanazawa in the afternoon — refreshed and re-centered.
Whether you visit for a day or stay overnight, traveling from Kanazawa to Kaga feels like stepping into another rhythm —
a slower, gentler Japan where time is measured not by the clock, but by the sound of flowing water and the warmth of the bath.
© 2024 Kanazawa Experience. Affiliate Links