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Kanazawa Immersion - Kenrokuen, Samurai Villa & Tea Experience (Half Day Tour)

Gyokusen-An (Matcha & Sweet)

Kanazawa Shrine

Gyokusen-An (Garden View)

Omicho Fish Market

Oyama Shrine

Gyokusen-An (Garden View)

Kenrokuen (Famous Kanazawa Garden)

Seisonkaku (Samurai Elite Villa)

Seisonkaku (Samurai Elite Villa - Garden)

Kanazawa Shrine

Kanazawa Immersion - Kenrokuen, Samurai Villa & Tea Experience (Half Day Tour)

Art, Culture, & Historical

Joined 2026

Daniel W.

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

Kanazawa

English (Native), Japanese

4 hours

Private tour (only you and Daniel W.)

Up to 4 people

Step into the heart of Kanazawa on this immersive half-day walking tour. We’ll explore the city’s rich samurai and garden heritage—from the vibrant Omicho Market to the serene paths of Kenrokuen. Enjoy matcha in a hidden garden, admire the elegance of Seisonkaku Villa, and uncover stories of Shinto tradition at local shrines. With thoughtful pacing and cultural depth, this tour blends history, beauty, and personal connection into an unforgettable experience.

Itinerary

This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!

09:00 AM

Meeting Point

Omicho Market - Mister Donut Sign

- Let’s meet under the big Mister Donut sign at the main entrance of Omicho Market. Easy to spot! I won’t have a sign, but I’ll be there ready to go. We will spend around 15 minutes in Omicho Fish Market. I will highlight an ATM, food stalls and restrooms. This will be an opportunity for you to start your day off on the right foot.

09:30 AM

Oyama Shrine

From Omicho Market it should take no more than a 10-15 minute walk to Oyama Shrine, if even that.

Oyama Shrine is a peaceful spot with a unique blend of Japanese and Western design, Oyama Shrine honors Lord Maeda Toshiie, the founding lord of Kanazawa. Its striking gate, stained glass windows, and quiet gardens make it a perfect place for photos and an introduction to Shinto beliefs and key features.

It is also the home of the "Garden of Musical Instruments". One of the last things the Maeda family made. This garden is perfect for pictures and taking in nature.

10:00 AM

Gyokusen-An (Matcha & Sweet)

Take a quiet pause in this hidden garden beside the castle. At Gyokusen-An, we’ll enjoy a traditional matcha tea and seasonal sweet while overlooking a beautifully restored Edo-period landscape. It’s a peaceful moment to relax, recharge, and learn a little about Kanazawa’s tea culture and the garden’s history.

**Note:** In rare cases, certain sites may close unexpectedly. If no suitable alternative is available, we’ll adjust the timing to allow for more exploration at nearby locations or offer extra insights and stories to enrich your experience. I’ll always do my best to make the most of our time together.

10:30 AM

Kanazawa Castle Exterior

As we walk the castle’s outer grounds, you’ll see how its massive stone walls evolved over time—each layer telling a different chapter of Kanazawa’s history. I’ll highlight the clever defensive design, the unique patterns in the stonework, and introduce the two surviving original structures: the Ishikawa Gate and Sanjikken Nagaya storehouse. This is where the story of the Maeda clan truly comes to life.

11:00 AM

Kenrokuen Garden - Renchi Tei Entrance

Step into one of Japan’s most celebrated gardens through the quiet Renchi Tei Gate, away from the crowds. We’ll explore seasonal highlights like the Kotoji Lantern, Kasumigaike Pond, and the Meiji Monument, while I share the garden’s unique design principles—“the six attributes of a perfect landscape.” Along the way, we’ll pause to appreciate the harmony of nature, history, and artistry that defines Kanazawa’s most iconic space.

11:40 AM

Seisonkaku - Hidden Villa of Samurai Elite

Tucked within Kenrokuen, Seisonkaku offers a rare glimpse into the refined world of samurai nobility. Built by a Maeda lord for his mother, this elegant villa features vivid interiors, seasonal motifs, and original artifacts. As we explore its rooms, I’ll share how architecture, color, and craftsmanship reflected status, care, and quiet power in the Edo period.

**Note** The items/clothing within the villa changes seasonally. No pictures are permitted inside the villa except for at the 2 gardens within the villa.

12:20 PM

Kanazawa Shrine

Tucked beside Kenrokuen’s eastern edge, Kanazawa Shrine offers a quiet moment of reflection. Built to honor a scholar-deity, it’s a place where students still come to pray for success. I’ll share the shrine’s unique connection to the Maeda family and the Shinto traditions still alive here today—including a personal story into local Shinto wedding customs.

12:40 PM

Tour Wrap-Up & Flexible Finish

After visiting Kanazawa Shrine, we’ll exit Kenrokuen through the main gate facing the castle. From here, you’re free to:

Stay and explore Kenrokuen at your own pace

Return to Omicho Market with me (10–15 min walk)

Catch a taxi from the nearby stand

**Please note**: Transportation after the tour is not included in the tour price and will be at your own expense.

Ending Point

Kenrokuen Garden or Omicho Fish Market

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

What‘s included

-Guide Fee

-Guided walking tour with local insights and storytelling

-Entry to Kenrokuen Garden and Seisonkaku Villa

-Matcha and seasonal sweet at Gyokusen-An

-Cultural and historical explanations at each stop

-Flexible wrap-up with local recommendations

What‘s not included

-Transportation (e.g. taxi fare, bus fare)

-Personal purchases (snacks, souvenirs, etc.)

-Lunch

-Travel insurance or personal expenses

-Assistance with bookings at restaurants

-Assistance with luggage transportation

Tour Important Information

-This tour involves walking and stairs—please wear comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing.

-The route includes gravel paths, stone steps, and uneven surfaces.

-Some locations may close without notice due to weather or maintenance. If no alternative is available, we’ll adjust the pacing or explore nearby areas.

-The tour ends at Kenrokuen’s main gate. Guests may choose to stay in the garden, walk back to Omicho Market with me, or use the nearby taxi stand.

-I will not accompany guests beyond the tour endpoint.

-Transportation after the tour is not included in the tour price and is at your own expense.

-Please bring cash or IC card if you plan to purchase snacks, souvenirs, or a tea set.

-The tour runs rain or shine, but in case of severe weather, I’ll contact you about any changes.

-Walking Pace, photography and shops can impact tour pacing.

Important message from the supplier

I am only available to book tours in Kanazawa City, Ishikawa. Thank you for your understanding.

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 2026

Daniel W.

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

About Tour Guide Daniel W.

Hi, I’m Daniel – your local guide in Kanazawa!

Originally from Northern Ireland, I now call the beautiful city of Kanazawa, Japan my home. With a background in Special Educational Needs, I’ve always been passionate about making learning accessible, engaging, and meaningful. Today, I bring that same spirit to my work as a local guide, blending storytelling, cultural insight, and warm conversation into every tour.

My passion for Japanese culture and history runs deep. I’ve spent years immersed in independent study—reading, exploring, and reflecting on the traditions that shape daily life here. My academic background in Theology has given me a unique lens through which to understand and explain Japanese Buddhism and Shinto, helping guests appreciate the spiritual layers behind the temples, shrines, and seasonal rituals we encounter. Combined with my hands-on experience guiding visitors through Kanazawa’s historic districts, I aim to offer tours that are both thoughtful and down-to-earth.

My tours are designed to be relaxed, friendly, and full of discovery—no stiff scripts or megaphones here! Whether we’re exploring samurai villas, shrines, or the tranquil paths of Kenrokuen Garden, I aim to create a space where guests feel welcome to ask questions, share stories, and truly connect with Japanese culture.

I’m always happy to chat about life in Japan, share personal experiences, and offer practical tips for travelers. Whether you're curious about daily life in Kanazawa, Japanese traditions, or just want to enjoy a good conversation over matcha, I’m here to make your visit memorable.

So let’s take a stroll, soak in the sights, and enjoy a tour that’s as informative as it is fun. I look forward to welcoming you to Kanazawa!