Japan Travel Trends 2025: Why Kanazawa Should Be on Your Radar

Japan is set to welcome over 40 million international visitors in 2025, up nearly 9 percent on 2024’s record‑breaking numbers as global travelers rediscover the Land of the Rising Sun JTB CorporationJTB総合研究所. Against this backdrop, a handful of key trends are shaping how people plan and experience their trips—and Kanazawa is perfectly poised to capitalize on each of them.

Kanazawa Station

Key Travel Trends in Japan for 2025

• Sustainable & regional escapes: As travelers grow weary of overcrowded hotspots, they are seeking quieter, authentic experiences in Japan’s countryside—ryokans in Niigata, craft workshops in Yamanaka Onsen and farm‑to‑table stays in Kyushu have never been more popular Condé Nast Traveler.

• Luxury & wellness market growth: High‑end ryokans and boutique hotels are expanding, offering personalized Onsen therapies, private kaiseki dinners and exclusive cultural access—mirroring growth in premium spending expected to rise by over 6 percent this year Arigato Japan.

• Digital & contactless experiences: From QR‑based menus and app‑guided temple tours to robotic bartenders and “Goods Getaways” (unique local merchandise hunts), tech‑driven services are enhancing convenience and novelty News.com.au.

• Solo & experiential travel: Solo travelers and small‑group tours are on the rise, with hands‑on experiences—tea‑ceremony lessons, samurai sword practice and sake brewery visits—leading bookings across Japan Partners Expedia Group.

Why Kanazawa Shines in 2025

Kanazawa embodies all of these trends while retaining an off‑the‑beaten‑path charm:

• Sustainable culture: A UNESCO Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art, Kanazawa’s gold‑leaf workshops and 19th‑century samurai districts offer low‑impact cultural tourism.

• Luxury & well‑being: High‑end ryokans near Kenrokuen Garden provide serene Onsen pools and bespoke kaiseki menus that draw luxury travelers.

• Digital ease: The city’s new QR‑enabled walking routes guide visitors through Higashi Chaya and the Nagamachi samurai quarter, blending tradition with modern convenience.

• Intimate experiences: Small‑group tours of local sake breweries and private tea ceremonies at Gyokusen‑inmaru make Kanazawa ideal for solo and experiential travelers.

Top Experiences in Kanazawa

• Private tea‑ceremony workshop at Gyokusen‑inmaru.

• Gold‑leaf application class in the Higashi Chaya District.

• Guided night‑time stroll through the illuminated Kenrokuen Garden.

• Small‑batch sake tasting at a Noto‑region brewery.

• Hands‑on soy‑wax candle making in traditional Tera‑machiya houses.

Practical Tips

• Best season: Spring (late March–early April) for cherry blossoms and autumn (mid‑October–early November) for foliage.

• Getting there: 2.5 hours from Tokyo via Hokuriku Shinkansen; local loop buses and rental e‑bikes available.

• Stay connected: Free Wi‑Fi spots at Kanazawa Station and major tourist sites; download the “Kanazawa Smart” app.

• Sustainable choice: opt for local trains and buses; support family‑run guesthouses and eco‑certified ryokans.

With Japan’s inbound numbers soaring and travelers seeking richer, more responsible journeys, Kanazawa checks every box—from cultural authenticity and luxury wellness to seamless tech integration and intimate rural experiences. Make Kanazawa your next Japanese destination in 2025, and experience the future of travel today.