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Joined 2023
Haru G.
Available Areas
Kanazawa (Living)
Languages
English
Response Time
4 hours on average
Availability Updated
3 days ago
About Tour Guide Haru G.
Thank you for considering me as your guide! I am excited to become not just your guide, but your friend as we explore Kanazawa together—a city where rich cultural traditions seamlessly blend with modern vibrancy.
Being a native of Ishikawa Prefecture, with Kanazawa as its heart, I have a deep connection to this place. Though I spent several years living in New York, I’ve always carried the spirit of Japan with me. Upon returning to Japan, I immersed myself in the travel industry, gaining over a decade of experience and obtaining my guiding license in 2017 while working for successful inbound travel agencies.
My time abroad has given me a profound appreciation for Japan’s uniqueness, and my passion for sharing its beauty and culture with travelers has only grown stronger. Now, I am eager to share that enthusiasm with you as we explore Japan together, uncovering hidden gems and experiencing its timeless charm.
Important
Even if my calendar shows as unavailable, I may still be able to accommodate half-day or evening tours. Please feel free to reach out with an inquiry anytime.
I can also provide guiding services outside Kanazawa upon request.
Tours
All tours can be customized for you. Send me a message with your requests!
Categories
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Best of Kanazawa - Half Day
Kanazawa is a charming city where old and new co-exist. Let's explore it together and see the richness of the culture throughout the day! In this tour, we will visit some of the highlights: Kenrokuen Garden, Samurai and Geisha Districts. We will move at your pace and take breaks as needed as this is a private tour. The itinerary may be adjusted depending on the weather or your health conditions on the day. It is most important for you to enjoy the time together and become a fan of Kanazawa!
Best of Kanazawa - Half Day
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Best of Kanazawa - Full Day
Kanazawa is a captivating city where tradition and modernity harmoniously coexist. Join me on a journey to discover its rich culture and history! This private tour will take you to some of Kanazawa’s most iconic highlights, including Kenrokuen Garden, Kanazawa Castle, Omicho Market, and the historic Samurai and Geisha districts. We’ll move at a comfortable pace, allowing time for breaks as needed. As this is a private tour, the itinerary can be adjusted based on the weather or your preferences.
Best of Kanazawa - Full Day
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Evening Food Tour in Kanazawa
Taste local food of Kanazawa! On this tour, we will visit a few restaurants and bars learning about Japanese food culture and ingredients. You will sample a drink and a shared plate at each location and we will hop around. Your evening will be spent with a local guide by going to her favorites places and sharing stories together. The locations will be adjusted accordingly to availabilities. Two spots are included as a default but contact me for more options.
Evening Food Tour in Kanazawa
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A Day Trip to Shirakawago by Public Transport
Embark on a journey from Kanazawa to the UNESCO World Heritage village of Shirakawa-go, renowned for its traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses. This guided day trip from Kanazawa offers guests an immersive cultural experience, stunning views, and a taste of local flavors.
A Day Trip to Shirakawago by Public Transport
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Off the beaten path in Kanazawa
Experience the true spirit of Kanazawa with an off-the-beaten-path tour that dives deep into the city’s local treasures. Leave the bustling main attractions behind and explore hidden gems where residents go to relax, dine, and celebrate their traditions. I may introduce you to meet some local artisans/artists. This tour needs more planning depending on the seasons and schedules of visiting places so please consult me first.
Off the beaten path in Kanazawa
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Shirakawago/Gokayama - Private Car Tour with Guide
Discover the timeless beauty of the UNESCO World Heritage villages of Shirakawa-go and/or Gokayama on a day trip from Kanazawa. Explore traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses, enjoy breathtaking mountain landscapes, experience Japan's rural heritage, and savor local specialties along the way.
Shirakawago/Gokayama - Private Car Tour with Guide
Reviews
Eric F.
“Lovely Tour of Ishikawa Prefecture”
We had an absolutely wonderful experience exploring Shirakawa-go thanks to our amazing tour guide. From the moment we met, she was friendly, knowledgeable, and passionate about sharing the history and culture of this beautiful village. She brought the traditional gassho-zukuri houses and the surrounding landscape to life with fascinating stories and insights we never would have discovered on our own. The pace of the tour was perfect—relaxed yet engaging. What really stood out was her attention to detail and willingness to go the extra mile, whether it was recommending the best photo spots or answering all our questions with enthusiasm. Thanks to Haru, our visit to Shirakawa-go was not just a sightseeing trip, but a truly memorable cultural experience. We highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Japan!
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Haru G.
Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful review, Eric. It was truly a pleasure spending the day with you and your family in Shirakawa-go. I hope the memories and photos from Shirakawa-go stay with you for many years to come. Wishing you all the best on your future travels, and I hope our paths cross again someday!
Jenifer V.
“Go With Haru! ”
Haru G. was delightful & professional giving us a comprehensive walking tour of Kanazawa. Haru was patient answering our questions and allowing us time to shop and explore. Her knowledge and history of the samurai district, garden, castle, Omicho market, geisha districts and hidden gems made our day with her extra special and memorable!
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Haru G.
Thank you so much for your kind review, Jenifer! I'm happy that you enjoyed exploring Kanazawa with me. It was a pleasure spending the day with you and your family and I hope you will come back to Japan!
Ron S.
“Japan Trip with Granddaughter”
Hanu met us at our hotel in Kanazawa and was waiting in the lobby at the agreed upon meeting time. We had a great time exploring Kanazawa over the next 4 hours as we visited the Geisha District and Samurai District, and explored the local market. Hanu was very flexible with adjusting her planned tour as we had already explored the Kanazawa Castle on our own the day before our tour. I would highly recommend Hanu for you next visit to the Kanazawa area.
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Haru G.
Thank you so much for your kind review, Ron! It was a pleasure meeting you and showing you around Kanazawa. I'm glad we were able to adjust the itinerary so you could make the most of your time and explore places you hadn't yet visited. I truly appreciate your recommendation!
Other Popular Tour Guides in Kanazawa
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Naoto K.
Hello! I’m Naoto. Born and raised in Toyama, with Kanazawa as my backyard, I welcome you to Hokuriku—Japan’s sanctuary of culture, nature, and gastronomy. My roots run deep into Takayama, Gifu. I even spent part of my childhood in a traditional thatched-roof house, giving me a lifelong connection to the heritage and craft of Hokuriku and Hida. After living abroad and spending decades in Tokyo, I returned to curate tailored journeys into authentic Japan, far from tourist crowds. In Hokuriku, you experience history through all senses. With my private vehicle, I offer door-to-door comfort to extraordinary places tour buses cannot reach. What Makes Your Journey Extraordinary: Food as Living Culture: From "jewels of the sea" along Toyama Bay (Iwase/Himi) and samurai cuisine to mountain retreat dining, every meal is curated to your tastes. Samurai Legacies & Crafts: Walk through samurai districts and connect with artisans, from Kanazawa’s gold leaf to Inami woodcarving and Gokayama Washi paper. Majestic Nature: Experience contrast—from the Northern Japan Alps to UNESCO-listed villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama. Immersive Experiences: Craft workshops, culinary sessions, or quiet river excursions with a local insider. Having lived abroad, I act as your cultural translator, bridging the gap between a visitor and local Japan. Every itinerary is 100% customized to your pace. Let’s create an unforgettable journey tailored for you. [Qualifications] Government-Licensed Guide-Interpreter (English) Certified General Travel Services Manager Historical Proficiency Test (Japanese History, Grade 2) English: EIKEN Grade 1 | TOEIC: 985 | TOEFL iBT: 108 U.S. Graduate Degree; 3+ Years Abroad Certified in CPR and AED (Basic Life Supporter) by the Japanese Red Cross Society
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Shoten S.
Hello, my name is Shoten, please call me Sho. I was born in a local area in Toyama prefecture. I majored in civil engineering at a college and am interested in historical infrastructures. After graduation, I continued to study English at a local English circle. In international activities, I also guided foreign people around Toyama Prefecture, Ishikawa Prefecture, and Gifu Prefecture. After retirement, I work as a guide interpreter and a translator. The Hokuriku region has many sightseeing spots, including beautiful landscapes like Kenrokuen Garden and Tateyama, tasty food like traditional Kaga dishes and fresh seafood from Toyama Bay, and traditional crafts like Takaoka copperware and Inami woodcarving. I introduce these spots and historical infra tourism, such as the Kurobe dam and industrial tourism. I look forward to welcoming you to the Hokuriku region.
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Yoshie K.
Hi, I am Yoshie. I am a national government licensed English speaking Guide. I used to work for multinational companies and served as an interpreter for several years and travelled around Japan with coworkers. I love plants, nature, travelling as well as finding good places to eat! I am also a communicative person. After having lived in Tokyo for some decades, now I live in my hometown, Fukui where you can have a great experience of Zen buddhism in the head temple of the Zen sect, Eiheiji which was founded in 1244. Fukui Dinosaur Museum is very popular regardless of age. It is one of the world's three largest dinosaurs. Echizen is also well known for Japan's handmade crafts including kitchen knives, washi paper, lacquer wares, Tansu chests and pottery. Seeing craftsmen's work right in front of you makes you excited and impressed. I have been travelling Kanazawa since my high school age so I know well about the town to show you around as well as Shirakawago, a day trip from Kanazawa. I am excited to meet you and coordinate what you are really interested in to make you the happiest memories in Japan. I look forward to guiding you soon!
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