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All Highlights! Can also be a fully Personalized Tour!
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Joined 2024
Typical Full Highlights Day, but Each Tour Can be uniquely crafted for you. In the latter case; Share your age, interests, places you'd like to visit, experiences, activities, or special restaurants you’d love to try. As a local guide and father who's lived here for 5+ years, I’ll create the perfect personalized journey for you and your loved ones!
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
At Your Hotel.
Samurai District.
After the presentation and a brief introduction, we will be heading to the Samurai District where History, Architecture, Stories will blend and special places be visited.
Omicho Market + Special Artisan’s Shops.
Heading to a 300 years old covered market where 180 shops display a folkloric mix of Fresh Seafood, Fruits & Veggies, Quick Snacks, Souvenirs, and more.
You can choose to make your own Hanko (signature stamp handmade by an artisan) and / or Buy (or only check) a Kitchen knife from the Newest Highest quality artisan’s knives you’ll find in Japan!
(I’ll be there to help you with recommendations & translation if needed too).
Kazuemachi (Geisha District)
We’ll walk through the Cutest neighborhood in Kanazawa where I’ll tell you all about Geishas’s History and fun facts!
Restaurant Break!
Whether you want to eat some local food or not; take your time to eat or not; I have many recommendations for us to eat at your pace for all diets & feelings of the day!
The famous Eastern Tea & Geishas District.
We’ll walk through the most famous spot of Kanazawa where old architecture, history, arts, snacks, and wonderful experiences blend together for an array of amazing memories.
Kanazawa Castle
We’ll walk to and through Kanazawa Castle and its amazing fortress, with a 400+ years of History.
Kenrokuen Garden.
Considered a Top 3 best in all JAPAN, Kenrokuen is a large garden full of wonderful scenes, transporting you in another realm, regardless of the weather & season.
I’ll be there to point you to a few specifics and best photo spots!
Walk back to the hotel
We’ll finish the tour quietly returning to your hotel.
I’m of course always happy to answer any questions you may have, help you have with queries and help you make a reservation for some of the best restaurants in town!
Ending Point
At your Hotel
Want to personalize this tour?
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Guide Fees.
Service with a smile.
Invaluable informations for the rest of your stay.
Costs for foods & drinks [The price will really depend on your preferences]; Entrance fees [generally $500 per person on average per place]; for you and guide.
Transportations if needed.
Insurance.
Tour Important Information
This is a walking and public transport tour—no buses or private cars. Be ready to explore the city on foot and experience it like a local!
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It might take time to craft the perfect itinerary if you choose to fully personalize it, so I kindly ask that you book at least one week in advance in this case - if you can.
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To ensure clear communication and avoid any confusion, I only speak directly with future participants, not third parties or tour company personnel.
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
Joined 2024
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
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!
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
$530/ per group
More tours by Raphaël P.
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4 Hours - Kanazawa's Main Attractions ! Can be personalized to your liking!
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Perfect mix of Kanazawa Highlight & Nature Walk.
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Kanazawa & Beyond
Other Popular Highlights Tours in Kanazawa
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Best of Kanazawa - Half Day
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The Complete Kanazawa Experience: Tradition & Modern Charm
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The Complete Kanazawa Experience: Tradition & Modern Charm
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