2 Best Nightlife in Kanazawa, The Japan Alps and the North Chubu Coast

Kanazawa’s first craft brewer when it launched in 2016, Oriental Brewing has three small pubs in the city, one in Higashiyama, one by the station, and this one in Korinbo. The eight taps here always include a mix of domestic guest brews and Oriental’s own creations—things like wheat beer with spicy sansho pepper and stout using locally roasted tea—all served in 350 ml glasses. Come 4 to 6, Monday to Friday for the ¥500 happy hour.

Pronounced "po-ray po-ray," this reggae bar is run by the same jolly owner as the restaurant Legian, which sits next door. If you want to sit, arrive before midnight. The two dark, cramped rooms get so full that the crowd spills out into the hallway. Pole-Pole is open until 2 am on weeknights and until 5 am on weekends.