During the Edo period, Kanazawa was known as “Kaga Hyakumangoku” and was one of Japan’s largest cities at the time. The Maeda family, who ruled the domain, were cautious of the Edo Shogunate and chose to invest their wealth not in military power but in the development of culture. This decision allowed Kanazawa to flourish as a cultural hub, preserving its artistic and historical heritage. As you explore Kanazawa with a guide, you’ll discover the aesthetic sense of the samurai, preserved in its original form, throughout the city. Kanazawa was fortunate to escape air raids during the war, leaving its historical sites intact, offering a rare glimpse into the past. This tour includes essential spots such as Omicho Market, known as Kanazawa’s kitchen and beloved by locals; Kenrokuen Garden, which took over a hundred years to complete and shows totally different beauty on each season; and the Higashi Chaya District, which retains its historical charm from 200 years ago. Additionally, we’ve carefully selected hidden gems that only locals know about, such as beautiful hidden streets and a restaurant where you can enjoy a meal while viewing Japan’s oldest fountain. By spending half a day exploring the city with a local guide, you’ll gain a deep understanding of Kanazawa’s geography and history, uncovering the unique stories that make this city so special.
**The tour operates on Sundays and Saturdays, but will operate on January 16, 22, and 29, 2025; March 7, 2025; April 10, 2025; and will be closed on March 28-29, 2026, and April 4, 2026. **
Highlights
Explore Omicho-Market which has over 300 years of history while sampling the foods you are interested in.
Enjoy walking in one of the three most famous garden: Kenrokuen.
Take a break with matcha and Japanese sweets at historical building in Higashi-Chaya districts.
Duration
5 hours
Offered in
English
What is included
Kanazawa style Lunch
All Entrance fees
Sweets and Matcha at the Teahouse
Photos during the tour
a local guide
Omicho Market
Start time
10:00 am
End point
Higashi Chaya District
Explore Omicho-Market which has over 300 years of history while sampling the foods you are interested in.
Enjoy walking in one of the three most famous garden: Kenrokuen.
Take a break with matcha and Japanese sweets at historical building in Higashi-Chaya districts.
Explore the most iconic spots in Kanazawa, including Omicho Market, Kanazawa Castle, and Kenrokuen Garden, all packed with insights only local guides know.
This tour begins at Omicho Market, which has a history of over 300 years and is known as Kanazawa’s kitchen. If you’re already feeling hungry, take the opportunity to try some local foods such as fresh seafood and locally produced vegetables (specifically called Kaga-vegetables) and fruits as you stroll through the market. Next, explore Kanazawa Castle Park and Kenrokuen Garden which shows totally different but all marvelous sides on each seasons and counted as one of Japan’s three great gardens, and learn about the Maeda family, who shaped Kanazawa’s culture.
Experience Kanazawa’s history from a different perspective by enjoying local cuisine while overlooking Japan’s oldest fountain or by visiting a wagashi (Japanese sweets) museum.
When you start feeling hungry from walking, enjoy Kanazawa’s local cuisine at a restaurant inside Kenrokuen, where you can try famous Kaga (Kanazawa) cuisine called Jibuni, while enjoying the view of Japan’s oldest fountain in front of you. Additionally, indulge in wagashi and matcha, and learn about the process of making traditional sweets at a wagashi museum, deepening your understanding of Kanazawa’s history from a different angle.
The climax of this tour is the Higashi Chaya District. Make unforgettable memories in Kanazawa by visiting teahouses with over 200 years of history.
The highlight of this tour is the Higashi Chaya District, where traditional streetscapes remain preserved. After strolling through this area, visit teahouses (geisha houses) with over 200 years of history to truly feel the depth of Kanazawa’s heritage. The area offers plenty things to see, buy and experience, hear what your local guide should reccomend and enjoy them with your newly acquainted knowledge about Kanazawa!
Out of respect for our other guests and to ensure the best tour for everyone, we must start the tour on time.
Please note that if you are late for more than 15 minutes than meeting time (10 mins before the tour starting time), you will not be able to join the tour, get refund or rescheduled.
You will not be able to join the tour, get a refund or reschedule if you are late for the tour and miss the group.
If you're vegetarian, please be aware that lunch choice and amount is limited. (Of course, we will try to arrange as much as possible.) Please, contact us before the tour date.
We are unable to accommodate gluten-free requests for this tour.
Japan's climate has become more extreme, with summer highs of 40°C (110°F) and winter lows of -5°C (20°F). Please prepare accordingly for the tour. The tour might be cancelled in case of unsuitable weather for safety reasons.
You do not need to pay for the guide's food and drinks.
Please inform us at least one day before the tour if you have any dietary requests or allergies to mention.
Note: Requests made on the day of the tour cannot be accommodated.
Please bring some cash if you need additional snacks and drinks
Itinerary order is subject to change depending on traffic, weather and operation
If any place is closed, we will try an alternative location
Please note that there might be other participants
All of the entrance fees to Kenrokuen-garden and museums are included as well as lunch.
As this is a walking tour, please make sure you wear shoes with which you feel comfortable walking long distance
The itinerary for this tour includes some locations that are not accessible by a wheelchair or baby stroller.
It operates only on Sunday and Saturday, but will open on January 16, 22, and 29, 2025; March 7, 2025; April 10, 2025; and will be closed on March 28-29, 2026, and April 4, 2026.
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