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- Off the Beaten Path
Kanazawa’s hidden side in 4 hours
This immersive tour promises an escape from the bustling Main Street, offering a rare chance to discover a side of Kanazawa that often goes unnoticed by the average traveler. From historic districts to cultural gems, each stop on this off-the-beaten-path adventure unveils the city's rich tapestry of tradition, History, crafts, and local life.
Step into authentic neighborhoods where samurai once roamed.
Meeting Point
at your hotel or anywhere in the city center
Your Hotel or anywhere in the city center
Meeting with Lucy
Nomura House
The Nomura Residence in the Samurai District is the former estate of a middle-upper-rank samurai family. Its wonderful private garden awarded 2 stars in the Michelin green Guide.
Shinise Memorial Hall, old merchant house
The building was once a traditional medicine store established by the Nakaya family in 1579. Walking through this old merchant house, we will discover a feudal-period pharmacy and learn all about the traditional culture of Kanazawa's townpeople
Traditional umbrella shop
We will make a brief stop at the Matsuda Wagasa shop, the last standing Japanese umbrella atelier and shop in Kanazawa.
Nishi Chaya District
Our journey continues to Nishi-Chaya, one of Kanazawa’s three historic “teahouse” entertainment districts. It was established in 1820 along with Higashi-Chaya as areas for geiko (the local name for geisha) to entertain wealthy patrons with music, dance, and games.
Ninja Temple
Myoryuji Temple in Kanazawa is full of trap doors, hidden rooms, secret passageways, and maze-like stairwells. These features have earned it the nickname “Ninja Temple”
D.T. Suzuki Museum
The D.T. Suzuki Museum is dedicated to the life and ideas of D.T. Suzuki (1870–1966), a world-famous Buddhist philosopher. Suzuki is credited with popularizing Zen in the West through his book “Introduction to Zen Buddhism” (1934), worldwide lectures, and English translations of important Eastern philosophical texts. The museum’s building, designed by architect Taniguchi Yoshio, uses clean, simple lines as an architectural interpretation of Suzuki's philosophy. It is also one of my favorite places in Kanazawa
End of our tour
Our tour ends around 13:00 at the D.T. Suzuki Museum. After that I will explain how to get back to your hotel, to the next point on your schedule or a nice restaurant to enjoy some delicious local food
Ending Point
at the D.T. Suzuki museum
Want to personalize this tour?
- Our tours can be customized according to your needs and preferences
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Inclusions & Exclusions
Pick up at the place of your choice
Guide fee
Guides transportation and entrance fee
Transportation and entrance per person:
Single bus tickets or Bus Day pass 800¥
Entrance fee Nomura house 550¥
Shinise memorial Hall 100¥
Ninja temple 1200¥
D.T. Suzuki museum 310¥
Privat purchases
Tour Important Information
Important: Kids under the age of 8 cannot enter The Ninja Temple
All my tours are customisable according to your wishes.
Why not including a potter's wheel Experience at a traditional ceramic Studio nearby? (5500 Yen/person up to 4 people)
Since the D.T.Suzuki museum is closed on Mondays, we would switch with another nice attraction in case of a Monday booking.
Important message from the guide
For any tour on the next day, please send me a short message before booking.
Liability Disclaimer and Waiver:
Please read this document carefully before participating in the walking tour. By joining the tour, you acknowledge and agree to the terms outlined below:
1- Assumption of Risk:
I understand that participating in a walking tour involves certain inherent risks, including but not limited to accidents, injuries, or incidents that may arise from walking in urban or natural environments.
2- Health and Fitness:
I certify that I am physically capable of participating in the walking tour and that I have no medical conditions or physical limitations that would prevent me from safely taking part.
3- Responsibility for Personal Belongings:
I understand that I am responsible for my personal belongings during the walking tour and that the guide is not liable for any loss, theft, or damage to my personal property.
4- Release of Liability:
In consideration of being allowed to participate in the walking tour, I hereby release, waive, discharge, and covenant not to sue the guide from any and all liability, claims, demands, actions, or causes of action arising out of or related to any loss, damage, injury, or harm that may occur during or as a result of my participation in the walking tour, including but not limited to negligence or any other act or omission.
5- Severability:
If any provision of this waiver is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.
By participating in the walking tour, I acknowledge that I have carefully read and fully understand the terms of this Liability Disclaimer and Waiver, and I voluntarily agree to be bound by its terms and conditions.
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
Kanazawa Tour Reviews
“Excellent Kanazawa 101 tour ”
My husband and I had a wonderful time with Lucy this morning. Since she is from Europe, her tour is perfectly aligned with our (US) perspective and interests, and she speaks perfect English! Also she is super friendly and has a great knowledge of Kanazawa and Japanese history and culture. We learned so much from her while are not overwhelmed by too much information that could happen for a scholastic tour guide. So we highly recommend her if you are interested in Kanazawa 101 tour!
Lucy F.
(3 reviews)Thank you Debra for your kind review. It was a pleasure to spend the morning with you and your husband and I wish you a wonderful time in Kanazawa and Japan. All the best, Lucy
“Wonderful day with an excellent guide”
We did a full day tour in Kanawaza with our guide Lucy. We thoroughly enjoyed our day. Our guide was excellent and we had great fun with her. She really cared for our needs and took us around all the main sights. She gave us a real perspective of the city and its people. We definitely recommend her. Gowithguide is also a very good company to deal with.
Lucy F.
(3 reviews)Thank you so much Rita for your kind words
“Informative and relaxing tour”
We really enjoyed this tour. Lucy was full of interesting facts and we really enjoyed talking with her. My mother had hurt her knee and Lucy paced the tour around us rather than the set itinerary. We really enjoyed our 1/2 day tour and would highly recommend Lucy.,
Lucy F.
(3 reviews)Thank you Louise for your kind words. I’m glad you enjoyed the visit as much as I did. It was a pleasure to spend time with you and your mother.
