18 Must-Buy Kanazawa Souvenirs: From Iconic Sweets to Shimmering Gold Leaf Crafts

Located in the heart of Ishikawa Prefecture, Kanazawa is known for its rich traditions, refined crafts, and local cuisine. Souvenirs made with local specialties are a wonderful way to remember a trip to the city. Kanazawa is home to museums displaying beautiful mizuhiki (decorative cords), long-established shops selling award-winning wagashi (Japanese sweets), and specialty stores dedicated to additive-free tsukudani (preserved seafood). This guide introduces 18 must-buy Kanazawa souvenirs, including popular sweets and crafts made with gold leaf. Let this guide inspire a journey to discover the best souvenirs in Kanazawa.

• Ishikawa

Itaya Honten

The signature sweet at the long-established wagashi shop Itaya Honten in Kanazawa is Komokaburi, inspired by komogake—the traditional straw coverings used in winter. Skilled artisans wrap a whole large chestnut in soft baked dough, creating a nostalgic flavor. You can watch live demonstrations and enjoy Komokaburi freshly baked. Another popular item is Korin, a steamed castella cake filled with candied chestnuts. It makes a perfect gift or a special treat for yourself.

Gold Leaf Sakuda Honten

With over 100 years of history, Sakuda Honten specializes in Kanazawa gold leaf, one of the city’s most iconic traditional crafts. The gold is hammered into sheets so thin they can crumble at the touch of a fingertip. At the shop, you can try a gold leaf application experience, watch the delicate production process, and browse unique souvenirs. Beyond traditional crafts, the store offers a wide range of gold leaf products, from cosmetics and oil-blotting papers to gold-flecked foods.

Jiyukajin Mizuhiki Museum

Jiyukajin Mizuhiki Museum showcases and sells beautiful mizuhiki creations crafted by skilled artisans. Mizuhiki are traditional decorative cords used for weddings and ceremonial gifts, symbolizing good fortune. Inside the museum, colorful mizuhiki lampshades create a popular photo spot. In the gallery, visitors can browse a variety of artworks for sale, including seasonal home décor items and accessories that make charming souvenirs.

Patisserie & Parlor Horita 205

Patisserie & Parlor Horita 205 is a patisserie and parlor serving sweets and lunch dishes made with fruits and vegetables selected by an expert greengrocer. On the first floor, visitors can find a variety of cakes, baked treats, and takeaway items. A fan favorite is Nihonkai Nuts, a sweet-and-savory snack that pairs perfectly with drinks. The shop also offers beautifully packaged gift sets of baked treats, making these a great choice for souvenirs.

Horita 205 Rinto

Horita 205 Rinto is a parlor where you can enjoy sweets and meals made with fruits and vegetables selected by an expert greengrocer. The menu features seasonal parfaits, sandwiches, and fresh salads. Signature items include the 205 Deli Sandwich and the Fruit Tart, both highlighting the natural flavors of fresh produce. All items are available for takeaway, making them perfect for a snack on the go or a tasty souvenir to enjoy.

Horita PICNIC

Horita PICNIC is a café and shop offering light meals, sweets, and cakes made with fruits and vegetables selected by an expert greengrocer. The menu features a wide range of options, including breakfast dishes, sweets, and takeaway items. Baked treats made with carefully selected ingredients are perfect gifts or tasty souvenirs. On clear days, you can enjoy beautiful sunset views and views of Lake Kahokugata from inside the shop—a relaxing place to spend a peaceful afternoon.

Sake Fujita

Sake Fujita is a long-established liquor shop located near Kenrokuen Garden. The store offers a wide selection of drinks, including fine sake from historic breweries, shochu, and fruit liqueur. A standout choice is Ikezuki, a rare sake produced by Toriya Brewery in Noto. Because much of the brewing process is done by hand, production is limited, making it a highly sought-after bottle. It makes a great souvenir for any sake lover.

Suehirodo (Kanazawa Hyakubangai Anto)

With over 150 years of history, Suehirodo (Kanazawa Hyakubangai Anto) is a long-established wagashi shop known for sweets made with carefully selected ingredients. Many of the sweets here are award-winners from prestigious competitions. Popular items include Kintsuba, a light and refreshing sweet made without added sugar, and Usukawa Manju, a soft bun with a thin crust topped with black sesame seeds. Located inside JR Kanazawa Station, you can easily pick up these treats while waiting for your train or Shinkansen.

Suehirodo Honten

With over 150 years of history, Suehirodo Honten is a long-established wagashi shop loved by locals and visitors alike. The shop offers traditional sweets made with carefully selected ingredients, including its famous Kintsuba and Usukawa Manju. Kintsuba, the signature item, features a light taste made with reduced-maltose syrup instead of sugar. Another popular gift is Okashi no Heya, a colorful assortment of sweets that makes a beautiful souvenir. Located in the charming Higashi Chaya District, you can enjoy browsing for local treats while exploring the historic streets.

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Wagashidokoro Nakagoshi

Wagashidokoro Nakagoshi is a long-established wagashi shop loved by locals of all ages for its delightful fruit daifuku. The shop offers a wide selection of sweets, ranging from traditional classics to colorful, fruit-filled treats. A fan favorite is the Whole Mandarin Orange Daifuku, bursting with juice and the fresh aroma of citrus in every bite. These charming sweets are perfect as a gift special treat to enjoy.

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Oohata Shokuhin Co., ltd.

Founded in 1936, Oohata Shokuhin Co., Ltd. is a long-established maker of tsukudani (small ingredients simmered in soy sauce and sugar). Keeping traditional methods alive, their products feature a distinctive Kaga-style flavor influenced by Kanazawa’s rich tea ceremony culture. A fan favorite is Kurumi no Oyatsu, a caramelized snack inspired by walnut tsukudani. The shop also offers Kanazawa-themed gift sets featuring these walnut treats and tsukudani, making them perfect for souvenirs.

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Paysan

Paysan is a spacious farm growing over 20 varieties of herbs. Cultivated on the reclaimed land around Lake Kahokugata, their herbs are grown without pesticides or chemical fertilizers. The shop offers a wide selection of products perfect for souvenirs, including herbal teas, syrups, and aroma products. You can also find herb salt for home cooking—a great souvenir option even for those who don’t usually drink herbal tea.

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INSPICE

INSPICE is a specialty shop offering spice-infused foods and drinks made with plant-based ingredients and original blending techniques. The menu features a wide selection, including spice curries and flavorful dishes. A popular choice is Hot Spice Shibi-Kara, made with two types of Japanese sansho pepper—known for its refreshing aroma and numbing heat that pairs well with a variety of dishes. You should also try the High-Cacao and Spice Cocoa, a rich blend made with nine carefully selected spices and a touch of rock salt.

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Tsukuda no Tsukudani

Tsukuda no Tsukudani is a long-established shop offering traditional Kanazawa-style tsukudani. Committed to additive-free recipes, the shop allows the natural flavors of carefully selected ingredients to shine. Popular items include Gori no Tsukudani, Kurumi-ni, and Kaga no Shiramine—a fan favorite featuring walnut tsukudani inside a walnut-shaped monaka wafer. The contrast between the salty wafer and the subtle sweetness of the filling pairs perfectly with tea or drinks, making it an excellent souvenir.

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Kanazawa Bozushi Shuraku

Kanazawa Bozushi Shuraku is a long-established shop specializing in hand-pressed bozushi (pressed sushi) with a tradition dating back to the Edo period. Each piece is meticulously prepared, from the selection of the finest fish to the careful crafting of every piece. A popular choice is the bozushi trio, "Aya"—allowing you to enjoy half-size portions of mackerel, shrimp, and nodoguro (blackthroat seaperch) in one box. Beautifully packaged in an elegant wooden box, it makes a perfect souvenir.

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Seasonal Foods Siii

Siii is a shop offering wholesome seasonal foods made with an abundance of fresh, locally grown produce. Inside, you can find a wide selection of baked goods, deli items, and artisan food products. The shop also offers unique creations made with local ingredients, such as Kanazawa yuzu and plum syrups, yuzu miso, and tomato sauce. All items come in easy-to-carry sizes, making them perfect for enjoying at home or as thoughtful souvenirs.

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Kuze Sake Brewery

Kuze Sake Brewery is a long-established sake brewery with a tradition dating back to the Edo period, crafting its brews with time-honored techniques. The brewery grows its own original rice variety called Choseimai, controlling every step from rice cultivation to sake brewing. A fan favorite is Choseimai Tokubetsu Junmai, a dry and easy-to-drink sake that pairs well with a variety of dishes. With a wide selection available, their sake is perfect for gatherings or as a thoughtful gift.

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Kanazawa Higashiyama Hyakubanya

Kanazawa Higashiyama Hyakubanya is a shop offering Kanazawa sweets and Kutani ware crafts that blend nostalgic charm with a modern touch. Inside, you will find a delightful selection of charming sweets and craft items that are hard to resist. Popular souvenirs include Fuyaki O-Re, Baked Sweet Potato Kintsuba, and Nodoguro Chips—all made with local specialties from Ishikawa. With delightfully designed packaging and high-quality products, Hyakubanya’s items make perfect gifts.

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Final Thought

This guide introduced 18 recommended souvenirs you can find in Kanazawa, ranging from popular sweets to intricate gold leaf crafts. The city is dotted with unique spots, including long-established shops specializing in traditional Kanazawa gold leaf, parlors famous for sweets made with carefully selected fruits and vegetables, and sake breweries that control every step from the rice fields to the bottle. Sharing these gifts might even inspire your loved ones to visit Kanazawa themselves. When you travel to Kanazawa, use this guide to discover shops that catch your interest and find the perfect souvenir.