TORIITravel in Japan
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Beyond Gold Leaf: Kaga Dolls at Nakashima Menya in Kanazawa

Kanazawa souvenirs do not have to revolve around gold leaf. A red Kaga Hachiman roly-poly doll offers something smaller and more characterful: a rounded local toy with a hand-painted face.

A red Kaga Hachiman roly-poly doll on display

Nakashima Menya’s current shop is in the basement of Omicho Ichibakan. That makes it a useful stop on a market day when you want to bring back something other than food.

Choose a face, not just a colour

Founded in 1862, Nakashima Menya makes Kaga dolls and local toys using traditional techniques. Its name recalls the masks made by the founder for performance.

Look beyond the red body to the face and painted motifs. Choosing an expression you would like to see every day makes the purchase more personal than simply buying an object with Kanazawa’s name attached to it.

Think about where it will sit before choosing a size. The photographed dolls are museum examples of the local toy; the shop’s current selection is something to explore in person.

Kaga lion heads and Hachiman roly-poly dolls on display

You can paint one as well

Painting a doll What the current official listings establish
Duration and session hours About 60 minutes, between 10:00 and 16:00 in the Musashi shopping district listing.
Location Basement of Omicho Ichibakan, 88 Aokusamachi.
Price and booking Call 076-232-1818 for the current fee and arrangements for your date, rather than using an old travel-site price.

The maker’s official site advertises a Hachiman roly-poly painting experience. The Musashi shopping association describes an approximately 60-minute activity offered between 10:00am and 4:00pm.

If you want to combine it with lunch at the market, ask about your preferred date and group size before planning on a spontaneous session. Confirm the available place, current charge and booking procedure for the day you want.

Find the basement shop on your market visit

  1. Omicho Ichibakan entrance
  2. Use the building directory to find the basement
  3. Nakashima Menya on the basement floor

It is easy to pass a basement shop while looking for food above ground. Check its position on the building directory and decide whether to stop before or after your meal.

Keep the box for the journey

A paper-based toy may not shatter like pottery, but it can still be crushed. Use the purchase box and keep it away from the weight of jars or heavy food souvenirs.

For a walk afterwards, continue with the Higashi Chaya and Kazue-machi guide. A small red doll and a little time in the streets make a satisfying combination.

Practical visitor information checked: 5 October 2026.

Information checked: October 4, 2026.

Official sources
Photo credits