Kanazawa & Beyond
Starting Time: 7:00 to 9:00am.
Embark on a transformative journey that combines the rich cultural heritage and stunning landscapes of Japan with personal reflection and inner discovery. This 8-hour tour through Kanazawa and Tsurugi offers a unique blend of activities designed to help you reset, recharge, let go of daily stresses & find yourself a bit more.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Starbucks Coffee - Korinbo Tokyu Square
- Conveniently located and easily accessible from most hotels.
Nishichaya District [One of the three geisha district].
Stroll through the historic Nishichaya District, one of Kanazawa's three traditional geisha districts. Enjoy the charming atmosphere, beautifully preserved teahouses, and a glimpse into the cultural heritage of old Japan.
Nomachi Station
Enjoy a scenic 30-minute train ride to Tsurugi City, where more adventures and breathtaking views await you.
Arrive in Tsurugi Station.
Kinking Shrine & Waterfall.
Take a serene walk to Kinkengu Shrine, where you can admire the tranquil beauty of the nearby waterfall. This peaceful spot offers a perfect blend of natural and spiritual beauty.
Tsurugi-betsuin Temple
Visit Tsurugi-betsuin Temple, a place of historical and spiritual significance. Explore its serene grounds, admire the traditional architecture, and soak in the peaceful ambiance that invites reflection and tranquility.
Gondola - Paragliders & Mountain Views.
Experience breathtaking mountain views from a serene gondola ride. Watch as paragliders soar gracefully above, adding to the stunning panorama.
Lunch - Rest
Indulge in a meal of your choice at one of the local specialty restaurants, whether it be homemade soba, gourmet pizza, or a delicious burger. Each restaurant is dedicated to perfecting their specialty, offering a memorable culinary experience.
Shirayama Hime Jinja Shrine
Nestled in serene surroundings, Explore Shirayama Hime Jinja Shrine, a sacred site with deep historical significance.
Afternoon Snack at Omoteya
Obanyaki at Omoteya!
Stunning Famous Tedorigawa River View!
Enjoy the breathtaking views of the famous Tedorigawa River. The perfect spot for capturing memorable photos and taking in the natural beauty of the area.
Station ride back to Kanazawa
Arrive in Nomachi station
Samurai District
Wander through the historic Samurai District, where you can explore well-preserved samurai residences and cobblestone streets.
Ending Point
Samurai district or Back to Starbucks [5 mn walk].
Want to personalize this tour?
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This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Guide fee [French, English, Spanish]
Return train tickets 1200¥
Gondola Ride 700¥
Lunch & Sweet [1200-2500¥]
Insurance
Tour Important Information
Depending on the starting time of your choice, we may have to switch a few things around.
I am very flexible, if there are different things you may want to visit such as a sake brewery, coffee shop, insect museum, garden, or else; feel free to let me know prior or during the tour. An adventure isn't an adventure without a bit of showmanship on the spot.
Make sure to wear comfortable shoes.
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
About Tour Guide Raphaël P.
Kanazawa-based private guide offering deeply curated, seamless experiences across the region.
I have been living in Kanazawa since 2019 with my Japanese wife and our children, and over time have developed a deep understanding of the region: its history, craftsmanship, and everyday life. This is not simply where I guide, but where I live and build my life.
Over the past couple of years, I have led more than 500 private tours across Kanazawa, Shirakawa-go, Takayama, Kaga, and beyond, working with international guests in English, French, and Spanish.
My background spans over 20 years in the international service industry, including hospitality, consulting for Michelin-level restaurants and traditional ryokan, and the performing arts. This experience naturally shapes the way I guide, combining structure, adaptability, and attention to detail, while keeping each day engaging and personal.
Each experience is carefully adapted to the people in front of me. Whether that means exploring major highlights, discovering quieter places, or adjusting the pace to create a smooth and memorable day.
If this approach resonates with you, I would be very happy to guide you.
Kind regards,
Raphaël
Reviews
Patricia C.
“Excellent tour!!”
Our clients had an amazing time with Raphael! Our clients toured all around Japan, and they said that Raphael was the stand-out guide during their trip. They said he truly went above and beyond, and made sure they had an excellent time in Kanazawa. We look forward to working with Raphael again in the future!
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Raphaël P.
Patricia, Thank you very much for taking the time to write a review. I am very happy to hear it went wonderfully with your clients. Feel free to reach out when in need of a guide in Kanazawa and nearby region. Thank you again for the trust and opportunity. All the very best. Raphaël
Louise P.
“Best Halfday in Kanazawa ”
We had the best 4 hours in Kanazawa with our guide Raphaël P. We wish we had had more time to make it a full day. He allowed us to choose the locations to visit within our timeframe, was very knowledgeable of local and general Japanese history. Highlight I think was Kenroku-en. They work hard at preserving the beautiful trees
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Raphaël P.
Louise! Thank you very much for choosing me as your guide! I agree, more time would have been nice but I really think we did the best we could looking at the constraints of the day. It was a pleasure guiding you all (and not only because you were all Aussies & I could reminisce on a few memories)! I wish you the absolute best second half of your trip! Kind regards, Raphaël
Amy H.
“Engaging and Knowledgeable”
On our first morning in Kanazawa we were fortunate to have Raphael as our guide. Raphael is a clear communicator, paced our 4 hour tour well and had a great way of enriching our stay in Kanazawa. He is very knowledgeable about the history and the sights. He helped us with what to do after our time with him as well. We went to the market and focused mostly on the Samurai district. Along the way though we learned more about Kanazawa and other aspects of Japanese culture. Another strength of Raphael is that he reads people (at least us) well and knew how to make the best use of our time together. We had a lot of fun with him, he has a great sense of humor!
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Raphaël P.
Amy, Doug, Thank you very much for a Stellar Day and review! It was a lot of fun showing you around Kanazawa. I wish we could have spent more time together but I am absolutely grateful to have had the opportunity to meet you both. Wishing you the very best back home! If you ever come back around, please, let me know! Kind regards, Raphaël
$562/ per group
More tours by Raphaël P.
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4 Hours - Kanazawa's Main Attractions ! Can be personalized to your liking!
This 4 hours itinerary covers the essential attractions of Kanazawa, providing a mix of historical insights, natural beauty, and local culture. Who is it originally designed for? 1] People wanting to max out all the Kanazawa essentiels in just a few hours! 2] People wanting to slowly focus on a couple spots in the city. However, feel free to let me know what you like & I'll make sure to cater the tour for you! 9:00am or 13:30pm Start! Let's explore the city!
4 Hours - Kanazawa's Main Attractions ! Can be personalized to your liking!
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