I am originally from Kanazawa and I would like to tailor your Kanazawa tour only for you. Kanazawa is different from cosmopolitan cities like Tokyo and Osaka, but you can see well preserved Japanese culture and history. Please feel free to contact me what you want to visit and see. I will make an itenerary based on your request. Here is my propsosed itinerary but I am very flexible on it.
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
At your hotel or JR Kanazawa station
Kenrokuen in Kanazawa is justifiably classified as one of Japan's "three most beautiful landscape gardens" alongside Mito's Kairakuen and Okayama's Korakuen. The spacious grounds used to be the outer garden of Kanazawa Castle and were constructed by the ruling Maeda family over a period of nearly two centuries. Opened to the public in 1871, Kenrokuen features a variety of flowering trees which provide the garden with a different look for each season.
Kanazawa Castle was the residence of the Maeda clan, feudal rulers of the Kaga Domain (modern-day southern Ishikawa Prefecture). The first clan lord, Maeda Toshiie, entered the fortifications in 1583 and began rebuilding an impressive castle there. Kanazawa Castle had a large keep, multiple turrets and a palace, but the structures were destroyed by fires in 1602, 1631, and 1759. The oldest surviving structure is Kanazawa Castle Park’s symbolic Ishikawa-mon, built in 1788. the Hishi Yagura, Gojukken Nagaya, and the Hashizume-mon Tsuzuki Yagura have been faithfully reproduced based on old drawings and documents, making it an ideal location to experience a Japanese castle.
Please let me know if you have any food allergies, dietary restrictions, and preferences with your budget. Teppanyaki, Udon, Ramen, Curry rice, highend Omakase and so on.
Nagamachi was a samurai district located at the foot of the former Kanazawa Castle, where samurai and their families used to reside. The area preserves a historic atmosphere with its remaining residences, earthen walls, private entrance gates, narrow lanes and water canals.
One of the main attractions of the district is the centrally located Nomura-ke, a restored samurai residence displaying the lifestyle and artifacts of the era when samurai were prosperous.
A chaya (lit. teahouse) is an exclusive type of restaurant where guests are entertained by geisha who perform song and dance. During the Edo Period (1603 - 1868), chaya were found in designated entertainment districts, usually just outside the city limits. You may want tp try a gold leaf workshops at a gallery for a hands-on experience
At your hotel or JR Kanazawa station
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
¥48,000 for guide fee up tp 6 participants,
¥2,000 for transportations for guide(including round trip fare from home to your hotel)
Costs for foods & drink (around 2,000 yen per person) for you and guide, entrance fee for you and the guide.
-Kenrokuen 320yen per person, free for above 65 years old with ID.
-Nomura House 550yen per person. No entrance fee for the guide.
Transportation for participants (around 800 yen per person)
Please note that above costs are needed on the day of the tour.
We mainly use public bus and our own feet. However, if you prefer taking a taxi or renting a car with professional driver, please feel free to ask.
If you have food restrictions or allergies, please feel free to tell me.
Walking distance per tour.
Walking only: 10-12km walk
Walking and bus 7-8km walk
Walking and taxi 5-6km walk
Hello,
I'm Yoji, based in Kanazawa.
I spent my formative years in Kanazawa and pursued my master's degree in the United States. Having lived in Washington D.C. and California for six years, I then resided and worked in China and various Southeast Asian countries. My passion lies in exploring new destinations and connecting with people worldwide. Now, it's my turn to extend the same hospitality I've received to you. I specialize in crafting personalized tours tailored to your interests and preferences. If you're a food enthusiast, you've come to the right place. For those seeking to delve into Japan's rich history and culture, I highly recommend joining my full-day tour in Kanazawa. Additionally, I offer tours to Shirakawago and Takayama. Let's embark on an unforgettable journey together.
“Found ancestral gravesite in Nodayama Cemetery”
Yoji was great. Our first priority was finding my wife's ancestors gravesite in Nodayama Cemetery and Yoji led us all over (it's huge) until we found it and adjusted the schedule to fit our search. He is also very knowledgable of the area and took us to great spots.
Yoji K.
(33 reviews)Thank you very much for your time making a review and comment on me. I am very happy to find the grave site in Nodayama finally! The day should be played in the documentary. As a clue, we wandered 2 hours but we couldn’t find under raining and many spiders webs. Then we finally found in the afternoon! It was a fantastic experience and memory for both of you! And for me as well. Thank you for letting me be in the moment. I hope you enjoy the rest of your trip in Japan! Take good care!
Jami N.
【 PRIVATE CAR TOUR】A Half-Day Takaoka Tour from Kanazawa
Customized
“Once in a lifetime visit to Toyama Syouryu Orin singing bowl craftsman”
From the moment we met Yoji at the train station we knew we were in good hands. He is kind, attentive and patient. He spent time prior to our visit contacting the 4th generation craftsman, Yoshinori san, to plan our tour. We stopped along the way at a sushi “conveyor belt” restaurant, which was quite entertaining! Once we got to the Orin workshop it was clear it was a magical place. Yoshinori san explained how he forms the bowls and “tunes” them to the sound they are meant to have. He provides Orin bowls to many Buddhist temples throughout Japan and beyond. We each got to experience a bowl singing around our head and on our abdomen while lying on our backs. We took all the time we needed to select a bowl to take home. It was a very meaningful experience and we appreciate Yoji’s willingness to do the extra work to make it happen and to be our interpreter with the craftsman.
Yoji K.
(33 reviews)Thank you very much for your review and comment on my tour. I had wonderful day with you. It was my first time to visit Orin bowl factory. He was a professional handcraft man. I was impressed by his work and his attitude towards his work. I hope you enjoyed the day with me. Thank you very much for giving me such a great opportunity and belt conveyer sushi which was very fun! Stay in touch!
Peter S.
【PRIVATE CAR TOUR】A full day tour to UNESCO World Heritage, SHIRAKAWAGO & Old town, TAKAYAMA
“Shirakawago & Takayama”
A review from someone who rarely writes a review.... Our day tour was by far the highlight of our holiday! Yoji was absolutely fantastic! Yoji accommodated all our requirements, we were traveling with an 8 months old which made it tricky, but nothing was a problem for him. We also stopped at a little town for lunch and had lunch as a local which was very cool. Yoji was the perfect guide, very informative. Yoji, Thank you for a great day!!
Yoji K.
(33 reviews)Peter san, thank you for such a lovely comment. I just saw your review and comment on me after work without any expectations. It makes me smile^^ I had such a wonderful time with you all. I hope all of you enjoyed the day with me, even a smily baby. I’m happy to hear from you and see photos you took while I’m with you. I appreciate your time and kindness. Best regards, Yoji