Guide to Gay Friendly Hotels in Kanazawa Japan

Most importantly of all, Japan & Kanazawa is very gay friendly, especially for foreigners. There are plenty of Gay Friendly Hotels Kanazawa.

Homosexuality is legal in Japan. There are no explicit religious prohibitions against homosexuality in the traditional religion of Japan, Shintoism, or in the imported religions of Buddhism (see “Buddhism and sexual orientation”) or Confucianism.

Kanazawa is the capital of Ishikawa Prefecture, on Japan’s central Honshu Island. It’s known for well-preserved Edo-era districts, art museums and regional handicrafts. Kenrokuen Garden, begun in the 17th century, is celebrated for its classic landscape designs incorporating ponds and streams. Adjacent Kanazawa Castle was built in the 1580s, after the defeat of the Peasant’s Kingdom, Japan’s only Buddhist fiefdom.

Top attractions to visit in Kanazawa?

So is Kanazawa worth a visit? It depends. If you love Japanese gardens or have a particular interest in architecture, then definitely, yes. Even if you don’t, I enjoyed my day there, but felt like that one day was enough.

• Kenrokuen Garden
• Kanazawa Station
• D. T. Suzuki Museum
• Higashichaya Old Town
• Omicho Market

Best Day Trips in Kanazawa?

• Private Tour Kanazawa, Shirakawago, Hida Furukawa,Takayama
• [Day trip bus tour from Kanazawa Station] Shirakawa-go / Takayama tour platinum route tour
• Private Kanazawa Custom Day Tour by Chartered Vehicle
• Jigokudani Snow Monkey Tour

1. Mitsui Garden Hotel Kanazawa 4* – Gay Friendly Hotels Kanazawa

Mitsui Garden Hotel Kanazawa is set in Kanazawa, within 300 m of Ozaki Shrine and 300 m of Omicho Market. Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, a 24-hour front desk and luggage storage space, along with free WiFi. The property is close to popular attractions like Meitetsu M’za, Oyama Shrine and Nagamachi Bukeyashiki District.

At the hotel, the rooms are equipped with a wardrobe and a flat-screen TV. All guest rooms at Mitsui Garden Hotel Kanazawa feature air conditioning and a desk.

Guests at the accommodation can enjoy a buffet breakfast.

Popular points of interest near Mitsui Garden Hotel Kanazawa include Kanazawa Castle, Kenrokuen Garden and Myoryuji – Ninja Temple. The nearest airport is Komatsu Airport, 40 km from the hotel.

A very nice hotel. Rooms are a good size, with a nice bathroom and comfortable bed. The hotel is nicely furnished and the staff are helpful and attentive. The hotel is an easy 20 minute walk from Kanazawa station and also within walking distance of the local tourist sites. The hotel also has a traditional Japanese bathhouse. Breakfast was very good with Western and Japanese selections available.

The hotel is well placed for the castle and Kenrokuen gardens. It is also half way between the Geisha district and the samurai quarters. Both of which are walkable. Recommend a cab from the station as it’s a good 15 minute walk along some very busy roads.

Breakfast is nice, lots of choice for both eastern and western tastes. The breakfast room is very nice and well staffed. The only drawback is that it can get exceedingly busy as the hotel has large tour groups staying. Even when you get there before it opens there is a large queue.

Located not far from Kanazawa station, it is a good choice for covering some of the must see attractions by walk. Very tastefully decorated, the hotel offers clean, modern accommodations. The staff was very helpful and attentive. Good internet connection, too. You should try the large on-sen type bath on the 13th floor. With nice panoramic view of the city, nothing beats a quiet relaxing soak in warm water. Excellent home away from home in Kanazawa.

How much does a room costs at Mitsui Garden Hotel Kanazawa?

Prices start 133 $/night for Double Room with breakfast included. The Superior Double Room
is 152$/room per night with breakfast included – if coming on a honeymoon this is the perfect choice for gay couples.

This double room features air conditioning.

Where to book online – Mitsui Garden Hotel Kanazawa –  Gay Friendly Hotels Kanazawa – you can find the best hotels deals in Kanazawa during The Hyakumangoku Matsuri  which is celebrated with much enthusiasm in Kanazawa on Booking.com and  Trip.com and see more reviews on TripAdvisor.

2.  KUMU 金沢 by THE SHARE HOTELS 4* – Gay Friendly Hotels Kanazawa

A 20-minute walk or an 8-minute drive from Kanazawa Station, KUMU 金沢 by THE SHARE HOTELS features free WiFi throughout the entire property.

All rooms have a flat-screen TV. The rooms are fitted with a private bathroom fitted with a bath. For your comfort, you will find slippers and a hairdryer.

You will find a shared lounge on the 3rd and 5th floors at the property. There is a meeting room for a capacity of 8 people. Guests can enjoy views of Kanazawa Castle Park from the wooden deck rooftop. The on-site laundry room can be used for an additional cost.

A buffet including freshly baked breads, salads, egg dishes, ham/sausages, juices and coffee is provided for breakfast.

Opened in August 2017 after renovating the old office building of 44 years in the center of Kanazawa city. KUMU is a community-based hotel aiming for a “cultural salon” where acclaimed creators active in Kanazawa gather and connect the traditional culture of Kanazawa to the future. Incorporating details that make craftsmen handicraft feel, in a design that makes use of the expression of concrete after dismantling interior, the hotel is creating a tasteful space. You can enjoy the space that makes you feel Zen’s aesthetic such as “imperfections and simplicity”.

As a place where tourists and local people gather, KUMU has a share spaces, where events and workshops are held. All rooms are composed of private rooms that can accommodate a maximum of 4 people. KUMU offers a total of 6 kinds from traditional Japanese tatami rooms to reasonable room consisting of bunk beds. In the morning, you can have freshly baked breads and fresh vegetable salads, egg dishes, ham etc. in buffet style.

This hotel is what I would imagine is a modern day traditional Japanese ryokan. They did an amazing job interpreting Japanese tradition into modern day design.

Hotel is very clean and new. Did not see a single dirty spot or corner you typically see at other hotels. Even new hotels.

Front hotel staff were very friendly and attentive.

Location is good. Same street as their shopping district. Everything is pretty much walkable.

This hotel was easy to access from the train station on the bus line. Staff was friendly and helpful. The hotel had cool, modern design and the bathrooms were my favorite of all the places we stayed in Japan. The toilet seat even opens automatically when you walk in the room.

The hotel location is excellent-within easy walking distance of many interesting places. Staff were very helpful and pleasant. The hotel style is minimalist modern-it was very clean and our room and bathroom were well appointed, except for places to hang or store clothing.Our beds were mattresses on elevated platforms-great for sleeping but a challenge to get up from at our advanced age.

If you wanted to have breakfast in the hotel you can pay ¥1300/pax. Simple breakfast but nice. And if you want to have breakfast or meals outside, this hotel is surrounded by nice dining/eating places, we tried The Bankers Street Cafe, it was nice and good, and not expensive. Just across the street, 5 minutes walk from the hotel. And you can just cross the street to find the Family Mart, and you can get whatever you need there. From food to amenities.

The main attractions of the city of Kanazawa such as Kanazawa Castle, Omicho Market, and some parks are very near. You can just walk anywhere or take the bus.

Overall, we love our stay in Kanazawa, and the most we love The Share Hotels KUMU, I really recommend this hotel if you need accommodation in Kanazawa.

3. Kaname Inn Tatemachi 3* – Gay Friendly Hotels Kanazawa

Kaname Inn Tatemachi is set in Kanazawa, 800 m from Kenrokuen Garden and 1.1 km from Kanazawa Castle. Omicho Market is 1.5 km away, while the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa is only 350 m from the property. Free WiFi access is offered throughout the entire property, and staff are on site 24-hours a day to assist guests during their stay.

Guests can relax and enjoy the purpose-built Kanazawa Music Bar, home to a variety of live music events and a collection of vinyl records, with DJs playing most evenings until late hours.

The spacious rooms feature kettles, a fridge, slippers, bathrobes and toiletries.

Encircled by all the must-see spots of Kanazawa (a.k.a. “little Kyoto”), Kaname Inn Tatemachi is only a few minutes’ walk from everything you could want in a trip to this “City of Gold.” Additionally, the beautifully structured Kanazawa Station readily and regularly connects to the best of the Hokuriku countryside; Shirakawa-go, Takayama, and the many Noto and Kaga onsens tucked away in the mountainous landscape are all an easy day-trip away.

On top of all this, restaurants of all flavors surround the centuries-old shopping promenade of Tatemachi Street on which we reside. And at night, the street softens and glows, providing a welcome return from the bustling nightlife in the downtown Katamachi district, and a restful slumber in a private, zen-like space for your Japan adventures, making our location one of the best you could get during your Kanazawa stay.

Location is great – easy walking distance to the castle & gardens, and the beautiful old Samurai district. It is also easy to get to/from the train station.

This hotel is lovely. It has a great atmosphere in the Breakfast/Bar area, particularly in the evenings with a DJ playing vinyl records from a huge collection. He chooses music based on the age-set sitting around. We found the drinks quite expensive but worth it to just sit & relax to the music before going out to dinner.

Our room was very clean, spacious & comfortable with a window looking out to the mountains. It has everything you need with a small fridge, tea making facilities & hair dryer.

Located on a pedestrian thoroughfare with great little shops and restaurants on either side. Took Taxi from train station.. not expensive 10-15 mins approx. best drop off point is McDonald’s Tanamachi as it is pedestrian mainly mall.

Super clean rooms which is essential. Modern and minimal furniture. White and bright. We liked the change after weeks of Ryokans and traditional accom.
Comfy pillows, doonas, mattress a touch firmer but used to this in Japan.

The rooms are great and comfortable in minimalist chic kind of way., but 1 thing really made this place stand out:

The bar. In the lobby they have the Takayama Music Bar, which is a cozy little place featuring a DJ spinning 70’s/80’s tracks on a vintage hifi system that must have set them back well over $10,000. They have happy hour for hotel guests from 6 – 8 each night. Music is kept at a tasteful volume too, so you don’t have to shout over it.

There are lots of restaurants, cafes and convenience stores nearby. It’s a further walk to Highashi Chaya (scenic Asani River walk, old geisha district where the Gold Leaf Museum and several shops selling just gold leaf items are located), Nishi Chaya, the Teramachi Temple District or Omicho Market. There are loop bus stops not far away.

Kanazawa is a very pleasant city to wander around and the Kaname Inn is perfectly positioned.

All three geisha districts, the samurai district, the castle, Kenrokuen garden, the 21st century art museum & castle are all within 15 mins walk max. There are also loads of places to eat/drink very close by (if you like craft beer you’ll be in your element). We had considered staying near the station but glad in the end we opted for here instead.

Our room (a standard on the 8th floor) was fine. Very comfortable beds, decent bathroom, a view of the distant mountains and the town. It wasn’t big and lacked much hanging/storage space, plus there was no safe which was a bit annoying, but it did the job for a three night stay.

At check in breakfast was offered for 800 yen each per day with two sittings (7am or 8.30am). We went for it. Choice was limited (juice; tea & coffee; soup; curry & rice; boiled eggs; toast and jam) but to be fair space is limited too for 800 yen it was reasonable value. Just bear in mind you might want to give it a miss if you want more choice or something different.

The music bar is nice and quite lively in the evenings.