Walter Ponce
After almost three weeks of ramen, sushi, tempura and set meals, there comes a night when you just want a burger. Ours came in Kanazawa, on the day we arrived from Kyoto, and we found the perfect place for it: Shogun Burger, a Japanese chain that makes its burgers with wagyu beef, in a traditional townhouse in the Higashi Chaya district.
Kanazawa was the last stop of our three weeks in Japan before heading back to Tokyo.
What we ordered
Two wagyu burgers with fries. The patties are wagyu, smashed and grilled so the edges caramelise, served in soft buns with the usual toppings, and wrapped in paper to keep everything together. The fries come on the side in a paper cone.
Wagyu’s high fat content makes for a very juicy patty, which is the whole point of the place: a classic American-style burger made with Japanese beef.
The menu
- Wagyu burgers, from a simple cheeseburger to double patties and more loaded versions.
- Soy patty burgers for vegetarians.
- Limited editions that change through the year.
- Fries, sides and drinks, including beer.
Ordering is easy: there is an English digital menu.
Good to know
- Address: 1-3-5 Higashiyama, Kanazawa, in the Higashi Chaya district, the old geisha quarter. The building is a traditional townhouse with tatami seating upstairs.
- Second branch: there is also a Shogun Burger in the Cross Gate building next to Kanazawa Station.
- Chain: Shogun Burger has several branches in Japan, so if you like it you may find another one on your route.
- Timing: it gets busy at dinner time, especially at weekends.
What is a smash burger?
A smash burger is made by pressing a ball of minced beef hard onto a very hot griddle with a spatula. The patty ends up thin, with a large surface touching the metal, and the edges turn crisp and deeply browned. That crust is where most of the flavour comes from.
Using wagyu changes the result. Because it has more fat running through the meat, the patty stays juicy even when it is smashed thin, and the fat helps the edges caramelise. It is a casual way to try Japanese beef without the price of a wagyu steak dinner.
How ordering works
- Use the digital menu. It is available in English, with photos, so you can see what each burger looks like.
- Single or double. If you are hungry, a double patty is a good choice; the patties are thin.
- Add sides. Fries are the classic option, and fried chicken is also popular according to reviews.
- Check the limited editions. Seasonal burgers rotate through the year.
- Vegetarian? Ask for the soy patty option.
Eating in a townhouse
The Higashi Chaya branch is in a traditional wooden townhouse, and if you sit upstairs, you may be on tatami mats. A few practical points:
- Shoes off. In tatami rooms you take your shoes off before stepping onto the mats.
- Low seating. Some tables are low, so you sit on cushions on the floor. If that is hard for you, ask for a regular table.
- Napkins. The paper wrap around each burger is there for a reason: wagyu burgers are juicy.
The Higashi Chaya district
Higashi Chaya is one of the best-preserved historic districts in Kanazawa. It is an old entertainment quarter where geisha performed for guests in wooden teahouses (chaya), and its streets are lined with two-storey buildings with fine wooden lattices on the front.
Today the area is full of tea houses, craft shops and cafés. Things to look for:
- Gold leaf. Kanazawa produces almost all of Japan’s gold leaf, and you will see it everywhere, including on soft-serve ice cream.
- Old teahouses that are open to visitors, where you can see how the rooms were used.
- The Asano River, just next to the district, nice for a walk at dusk.
Kanazawa has two other chaya districts, Nishi Chaya and Kazuemachi, which are smaller and quieter.
Getting there
- From Kanazawa Station: take a city bus or the Kanazawa Loop Bus towards Higashi Chaya; the ride takes around ten minutes. Walking takes roughly 20 to 25 minutes.
- From Tokyo: the Hokuriku Shinkansen connects Tokyo with Kanazawa directly.
- From Kyoto or Osaka: take the Thunderbird limited express to Tsuruga, then change to the Hokuriku Shinkansen for Kanazawa.
Other things to see in Kanazawa
- Kenroku-en, one of the three most famous gardens in Japan.
- Kanazawa Castle Park, right next to the garden.
- Omicho Market, known for seafood and crab in season.
- The 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, a short walk from Kenroku-en.
Best time to visit
Visit Higashi Chaya during the day to see the district at its best, and come to Shogun Burger before the main dinner rush or a little later in the evening. Weekends are the busiest.
What Google reviewers say
Google rating: 4.9 out of 5 from 2,992 reviews (October 2026).
This branch has some of the best reviews of any restaurant we visited in Japan. Reviewers rave about the juicy wagyu, crispy fries and fried chicken, and the friendly, helpful staff. The building gets as much praise as the food: an old townhouse in the Higashi Chaya district, with tatami seating and lanterns upstairs. The crab burger and the teriyaki burger are popular picks. The only criticism: prices are a little higher than an average burger.
Verdict
My rating: 3 out of 5. A fun, easy dinner and a change of pace from Japanese food, in a beautiful old townhouse in Higashi Chaya, but not a destination in itself. Go if you are in the area and craving a burger.
FAQ
What is Shogun Burger known for? Smash burgers made with wagyu beef.
Does Shogun Burger have vegetarian options? Yes, there are burgers with a soy patty.
Is there an English menu? Yes, ordering works through an English digital menu.
Where is Shogun Burger in Kanazawa? At 1-3-5 Higashiyama in the Higashi Chaya district, with a second branch in the Cross Gate building next to Kanazawa Station.
How do I get to Higashi Chaya from Kanazawa Station? Take a city bus or the Kanazawa Loop Bus, around ten minutes, or walk for roughly 20 to 25 minutes.
Do you sit on the floor at Shogun Burger Higashi Chaya? The upstairs room has tatami seating, so you take your shoes off. Ask the staff if you prefer a regular table.
