【Private Car Tour】Kanazawa Highlights from Hotel or Cruise Port
Experience the highlights of Kanazawa on a private tour, including Kenroku-en Garden, Kanazawa Castle Park, Omicho Market, Nagamachi Samurai District, and Higashi Chaya District. Enjoy beautiful gardens, rich samurai history, fresh local cuisine, and traditional geisha culture—all at a relaxed pace. If time permits, you may also visit the Ninja Temple (reservation required) or the D.T. Suzuki Museum.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Meet at your hotel or Kanazawa port terminal
Higashi Chaya Tea Street (Geisha Street)
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
Kenrokuen Garden
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 Park
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.
Lunch Break
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. It would be great if you tell me "Casual and fast lunch", "Sushi/Seafood" or "Best experience in Kanazawa even though it costs 50-100USD" I would like to know what you are looking for and what budget you have.
The guide fee excludes lunch fee for both participants and the guide.
Nagamachi Bukeyashiki / Nomura house
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.
Ninja temple or D.T Suzuki museum
Ending Point
At your hotel / Kanazawa port terminal
Want to personalize this tour?
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This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
- Guide fee
- Pickup and drop off at your hotel or Kanazawa port terminal
- Car and Car related cost such as gas, tolls and parking fees
Car type: Toyota Crown
A mini van will be prepared if you are more than 4 passnegers
- Entrance fee for Kenrokuen garden, Kanazawa castle and Samurai house.
- Meals and Drinks
- Entrance fee except those mentioned above.
- Taxi
Tour Important Information
- The tour duration would be 8 hours including pickup and drop off
- The tour will be conducted by car. you may need to walk around 5,000-10,000 steps (kenrokuen, Kanazawa castle, nagamachi and Higashi tea street)
- Please let me know in advance if you have any food allergies or other dietary restrictions.
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
About Tour Guide Yoji K.
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.
Reviews
Raffaella Z.
“A Fantastic Day with Yoji – A Wonderful Guide for the Whole Family!”
We had a fantastic day with Yoji! He was incredibly kind, helpful, and knowledgeable, making the whole experience both enjoyable and enriching. The tour was fascinating, well organised, and varied, with plenty of interesting insights along the way. Yoji made us feel very welcome, and our teenage kids really enjoyed spending the day with him, too! We couldn’t have asked for a better guide and would highly recommend him to anyone visiting Kanazawa.
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Yoji K.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! It was a real pleasure spending the day with you and your family. I’m especially happy to hear that your teenage kids enjoyed the tour as well! I truly enjoyed showing you around Kanazawa and sharing its history and culture with you. Thank you again for your kind words and recommendation. I hope our paths cross again someday in Japan!
Donna meadsbarlow D.
“Yoji K is an Excellent Driver and Guide”
Really commend Yoji K who picked us up at Fukui and drove us through to Kanazawa on a full day one way Private Explore Fukui, Eiheiji temple and knife village Tour. We were 2 couples travelling with our luggage. Nothing was a problem for Yoji. His communication was fabulous, car was clean and comfortable and Yoji shared lots of local knowledge. My only concern was not with Yoji it was with gowithguide in that they would not release Yoji contact till the day prior to our tour which left us very uncomfortable. Would recommend gowithguide review their policy.
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Yoji K.
Dear Donna san, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! It was a pleasure spending the day with all four of you and showing you around Fukui. I’m glad you enjoyed the tour and felt comfortable throughout the journey. I also appreciate your feedback regarding the contact details. Thank you again, and I hope to see you all in Japan someday! Yoji
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Evelyn F.
“Great way to spend the day with a wonderful guide”
Our group met Yoji as planned at the cruise terminal and we promptly made our way through the countryside to Shirakawago. Although it was slightly rainy, it did not disappoint. We enjoyed all the activities of the day and also visiting Takayama and having a wonderful lunch. The scenery is so peaceful and well worth the trip from the coast. We would highly recommend Yoji as guide.
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Yoji K.
Thank you so much for your kind review. I’m very happy to hear that you enjoyed Shirakawago, Takayama, the beautiful countryside, and lunch despite the rainy weather. It was a real pleasure spending the day with your group, and I’m glad the trip from the coast was worthwhile. Thank you again for your recommendation, and I hope you all have many more wonderful memories in Japan! Yoji
$708/ per group
More tours by Yoji K.
Kanazawa Must-See Places One Day Tour - NO CASH NEEDED
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.
Kanazawa Must-See Places One Day Tour - NO CASH NEEDED
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Personalized Half A Day Tour in Kanazawa - NO CASH NEEDED
【PRIVATE CAR TOUR】A full day tour to UNESCO World Heritage, SHIRAKAWAGO & TAKAYAMA - NO CASH NEEDED
Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site Shirakawago, renowned for its breathtaking Gassho-style thatched-roof houses, offering a glimpse into Japan's rural life and traditions. Then we go to Takayama boasting a beautifully preserved Edo Period historical center called 'Sannomachi'. Wander its charming streets lined with Edo Period buildings housing museums, galleries, sake breweries, and craft shops. Immerse yourself in Japan's rich history and traditional charm.
【PRIVATE CAR TOUR】A full day tour to UNESCO World Heritage, SHIRAKAWAGO & TAKAYAMA - NO CASH NEEDED
【PRIVATE CAR TOUR】World Heritage GOKAYAMA/SHIRAKAWAGO Tour from Kanazawa - NO CASH NEEDED
Shirakawago, with its stunning Gassho-style thatched-roof houses, is a UNESCO World Heritage site that captivates visitors with its beauty. Recognized in 1976 for its cultural significance, it offers a glimpse into Japan's rural life and traditions. Surrounded by scenic landscapes, it attracts tourists from overseas. Shirakawago, which showcases Japan's changing seasons, retains a fantastical beauty of the countryside. Please enjoy the scenery that cannot be experienced in Tokyo Osaka, or Kyoto.
【PRIVATE CAR TOUR】World Heritage GOKAYAMA/SHIRAKAWAGO Tour from Kanazawa - NO CASH NEEDED
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