This is a personalized tour for people or group who want to explore Kanazawa in a half day (5hour).
Kanazawa attractions: Kenrokuen park, Kanazawa castle park, Nagamachi Samurai District, Higashi Tea (Geisha) Street, Nomura house and so on.
You can choose starting time at either 9am or 1pm.
The Itinerary is one example. This tour is very FLEXIBLE AND DESIGNED ONLY FOR YOU.
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
At your hotel
Kenrokuen
Kenrokuen (兼六園) 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.
Bukeyashiki(Samurai Residential area) / Nomura samurai house
The Samurai District and Nomura Family Residence
Step back in time to Kanazawa’s Edo period at the Nagamachi Samurai District, a beautifully preserved neighborhood where samurai once lived. Stroll through narrow, cobblestone streets lined with earthen walls and traditional wooden gates, evoking the atmosphere of a bygone era. This area offers a glimpse into the lives of samurai, who were not just warriors but also scholars and artists, embodying the refined culture of their time.
At the heart of Nagamachi lies the Nomura Family Samurai Residence, a stunning example of samurai architecture and lifestyle. The Nomura family, once high-ranking samurai, lived here for over 300 years. The residence features elegant tatami rooms, intricate wooden carvings, and a collection of samurai armor and artifacts. One of its highlights is the breathtaking Japanese garden, an oasis of tranquility with a koi pond, stone lanterns, and a cascading waterfall. The garden’s design reflects the samurai’s appreciation for harmony and nature, offering visitors a serene retreat.
The Nomura Residence is more than just a historic site—it’s a window into the world of the samurai, showcasing their dedication to honor, beauty, and tradition. Visiting this site is a journey into Japan’s rich cultural heritage, making it a must-see for anyone exploring Kanazawa.
Higashi Chaya District
The Higashi Chaya District (東茶屋街, Higashi Chayagai) is the largest and by far the most interesting. Two chaya, the Shima Teahouse and Kaikaro Teahouse, are open to the public. Other buildings along the central street now house cafes and shops. One of the shops, Hakuza, sells gold leaf products, a specialty of Kanazawa, and displays a tea ceremony room which is completely covered in gold leaf.
Casual lunch / street food tour at Omicho market
Omicho Market, known as the “Kitchen of Kanazawa,” is a bustling hub of fresh seafood, local produce, and vibrant energy. With a history spanning over 300 years, it has been a vital part of Kanazawa’s culinary culture. The market features over 180 stalls offering everything from premium crab and fresh sashimi to seasonal fruits and traditional sweets. Visitors can enjoy freshly prepared meals at small eateries or pick up unique local specialties to take home. Omicho Market is not just a place to shop but a lively experience where you can immerse yourself in the flavors and traditions of Kanazawa.
Ending Point
At your hotel
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Including guide fee, hotel pick-up in the center of Kanazawa, transportation fee (bus) for guide
Transportation fee for participants. Taxi fee if you prefer (You and guide), entrance fee for you and guide
Entrance fee: Kenrokuen 320yen, Nomura house 550yen
Taxi: 1,200yen per ride on average
This tour is a half day (around 5 hours) tour walking around in Kanazawa
Walking distance per tour.
Walking only: 6-7km
Walking with bus 4-5km
Waling with Taxi: 3-4km
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.
Sue C.
“Excellent Tour Guide”
We had the best day with Yoji! We were a group of four including my 87year old mum in a wheelcheer - Yoji could not do more for us - including pushing the wheelchair - so definitely went above and beyond. It was super hot on the day and he was so understanding about our need to find airconditioning regularly. Aside of that - we had an excellent day seeing the sites. Highlights were the fish market and the local restaurant that he took us to. Thanks Yoji you were the best!!
Yoji K.
Thank you for such a great review and comment on my tour and me. I had a great time with you chatting and walking in the tour. I’m glad to hear that you had a wonderful time in Kanazawa. It was my pleasure to meet you and your family. Thank you again! Yoji
Renee M.
“Yoji is EXACTLY what you want in a guide- A SUPERIOR experience”
We didn't know what to expect from Kanazawa and Yoji did a superb job of understanding what we wanted in a tour and tailoring our day to layer experiences that made us absolutely fall in love with Kanazawa. He is deeply knowledgeable, well planned, flexible and a joy to spend time with. I couldn't be more grateful that we chose Yoji as our guide. Thank you Yoji!
Yoji K.
Thank you very much for such a great review and photos you shared. It was like yesterday. I had a wonderful time walking and chatting with both of you. When we met at the hotel, I didn’t feel we met for the first time. Let’s s stay in touch and see you again! Yoji
Michele M.
“Personalized and Unforgettable day trip from Tokyo”
We had a fantastic day trip to Kanazawa from Tokyo with Yoji. He tailored the tour to fit the time we had there. He picked us up by car, which made getting around Kanazawa so much easier given the limited time we had. Yoji speaks fluent English, which made communication easy, and his laid-back personality made the experience relaxing and thoroughly enjoyable. He was incredibly accommodating—my husband wanted to photograph the backstreets, and Yoji took us to some amazing hidden spots. He even went out of his way to spend extra time with us and helped us rebook our Shinkansen tickets back to Tokyo. Kanazawa is well worth the trip, and I highly recommend it to anyone visiting Japan. We did several private day tours during our stay, and our tour with Yoji was one of our favorites. If we’d had more time in Japan, we would have loved to book another tour with him to explore the surrounding areas that are only accessible by car. Side note: If you have the time, stop by the quaint shaved ice shop Yeti—the shaved ice was absolutely delicious! Thank you, Yoji!
Yoji K.
Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a wonderful comment for my review. I actually had a great time too and found myself wishing we had one more day together. Out of all the cities you could have chosen for your limited travel time, I’m truly grateful you picked Kanazawa—and that you chose me as your guide. The shaved ice shop was a great find! I’d love to try it myself next time, and with the weather getting warmer, I’m definitely planning to take more guests there. I hope this trip becomes a lasting and memorable experience for you. Again, thank you very much for giving me such a great time with you. Best regards, Yoji
$193/ per group