Kanazawa
Tours

Our most recommended things to do in Kanazawa

Kanazawa: Kenrokuen Tea Ceremony Experience

Kanazawa: Kenrokuen Tea Ceremony Experience

Meet the guide in Kenrokutei, a historic place where important guests were entertained by lords in the past. You can request a chair for the tea ceremony if you have difficulty sitting on the floor. After that, begin the tea ceremony with a demonstration from the master on how to make tea. Listen to the instructions on how to use the tea utensils, so you can participate in the ceremony without problems. Next, try to make the tea by yourself, and then drink it. Eat some traditional wagashi from a famous confectioner. At the end of the activity, you will be able to take group picture. IMPORTANT: Our place is located in Kenrokuen Garden. An entrance fee(320yen) to Kenrokuen Garden is required separately. This ticket does not include the entrance fee to Kenrokuen Garden.The garden is not visible in the tea room, so please enjoy Kenrokuen, the garden of the lord Maeda, before or after the experience. Meeting point Meet in front of the fountain in Kenrokuen Garden. Our staff will meet you in front of the fountain at the signboard of the Tea Ceremony Experience at least 10min before the starting time. Important information Know before you go ・Our place is located in Kenrokuen Garden. An entrance fee to Kenrokuen Garden is required separately. This ticket does not include the entrance fee to Kenrokuen Garden. ・Please be punctual for your reservation. If you arrive more than 10 min after the starting time, your reservation will be canceled. ・If you require translation services from English to your native language, please make a PRIVATE reservation (send us an email) to avoid disturbing other guests. ・Participants are only allowed to attend if they are aged 7 years or older. This is because the event is held at the same time as other groups and we would like to keep the event quiet and enjoyable.

Japan: 7, 14 or 21-Day Japan Rail Pass

Japan: 7, 14 or 21-Day Japan Rail Pass

Take the hassle out of your vacation transportation with the Japan Rail Pass. Explore the whole country with just one ticket and ride the famous Shinkansen bullet train. Travel from Tokyo to Kyoto, Osaka to Hiroshima, and Hokkaido to Kyushu – Japan's your oyster with a 7, 14, or 21-day pass. Get your voucher mailed to your home or office address, then exchange this for your actual Japan Rail Pass at a major train station or international airport in Japan and start traveling. Use the free guide booklet to make the best of your Japan trip, thanks to insider tips and train details. Travel as much as you like for 7, 14, or 21 consecutive days. The pass includes: • All Japan Rail Group shinkansen bullet trains, except the Nozomi and Mizuho departures • All Japan Rail Group limited express, express, rapid, local, trains, and Bus Rapid Transit in Tohoku • Tokyo Monorail between Haneda airport and Hamamatsucho station (no service to Narita) • Aomori Railway services between Aomori and Hachinohe (some exceptions) • Ishikawa Railway services between Kanazawa and Tsubata (local, limited departures only) • Ainokaze Toyama Railway services between Toyama and Takaoka (local departures only) • All Japan Rail Bus local lines (some exceptions, no express services), including services from JR Hokkaido Bus, JR Bus Tohoku, JR Bus Kanto, JR Tokai Bus, West Japan JR Bus, Chugoku JR Bus, JR Shikoku Bus, and JR Kyushu Bus • JR-West ferry service between Miyajima and Miyajimaguchi (JR station near the pier with ferry services for Miyajima)

Kanazawa: World Heritage Shirakawa-go Guided Tour

Kanazawa: World Heritage Shirakawa-go Guided Tour

Explore the world famous UNESCO village on our Nostalgic Shirakawago Shirakawa-go AM tour from Kanazawa station! Admire the picturesque landscapes in Shirakawa-go in the morning. You can enjoy a variety of local foods as you walk around, including Hida beef, the famous local pudding, and ice cream made with unfiltered sake called "Doburoku". How do you spend your time here? Our bus departs from Kanazawa Station and heads straight to Shirakawa-go via the expressway. Enjoy the hour-long journey in a comfortable bus equipped with Wi-Fi and air conditioning. Shirakawa-go, a village built in the unique "Gassho-zukuri" architectual style, was registered as a World Heritage Site in 1995. Stroll with your guide through Shirakawa-go, a place lined with traditional buildings that embody Japan's heritage. Local people still live in Shirakawa-go. While interacting with the locals, try some local delicacies such as Hida beef and Doburoku soft serve ice cream. After enjoy Shirakawago, our bus head to Kenrokuen Garden. This tour finish at Kenrokuen Garden around 13:00. The tour includes commentary from both our friendly tour guide and a Multilingual audio guide from English, French, Italian, Spanish, German, Portuguese, Ukrainian. The coach is always antibacterial coating and regularly ventilation, a comfy airconditioned bus with free wi-fi.

Kanazawa: World Heritage Shirakawa-go & Two Local Experience

Kanazawa: World Heritage Shirakawa-go & Two Local Experience

Explore the world famous UNESCO village on our full-day Shirakawa-go & Kanazawa tour starting from Kanazawa Station! Enjoy the picturesque landscapes in Shirakawa-go in the morning, then return to Kanazawa to visit must-see attractions: Kenrokuen Garden and Higashi Chaya District. In Kanazawa, you will make Japanese sweets with an artisan and experience the traditional craft using a gold leaf. Stroll through the geisha district while savoring luxurious ice cream adorned with a gold leaf. Experience unique activities on this one-day tour that you wouldn't have on your own! Our bus departs from Kanazawa Station and heads straight to Shirakawa-go via the expressway. Enjoy the hour-long journey on a comfortable air-conditioned bus equipped with free Wi-Fi. Shirakawa-go, a village where the houses were built in the unique architectural "Gassho-zukuri" style, was registered as a World Heritage Site in 1995. There, take a walk with your guide, feeling Japanese culture and tradition. Also, while interacting with local people living in Shirakawa-go, try some specialties such as Hida beef and Doburoku ice cream.You can have lunch by yourself. After a wonderful adventure in Shirakawa-go, we will return to Kanazawa. There, walk through "Kenrokuen Garden", one of Japan's three most beautiful gardens, and discover the beauty of its design. As you stroll around Kenrokuen, you will learn the landscape theory that the ground has an abundance of viewpoints: water, trees, flowers, stones, bridges, teahouses, and hidden nooks. The beauty of this Japanese garden changes with the seasons. After that, you will learn from an artisan how to make Japanese sweets. The adorable sweets you create must be delicious! You can take them home as a souvenir. ※Depending on the craftsman's schedule, this experience may be making traditional crafts (painting of Daruma dolls). The final destination is Higashi Chaya District, a historically popular entertainment area where Geisha performed various forms of traditional art. Geisha culture still flourishes there. In the evenings, you can hear the sound of Shamisen instrument and drums from teahouses. Kanazawa produces 99% of gold leaves in Japan, so we recommend you to try a gold leaf ice cream. In Higashi Chaya District, you can also make a unique postcard by pasting a gold leaf. It's a great opportunity to experience Kanazawa's traditional craft. The tour includes commentary by both our friendly English-speaking tour guide and a multilingual audio guidance available in English, French, Italian, Spanish, German, Portuguese, and Ukrainian. The coach has an antibacterial coating and is regularly ventilated. Enjoy your tour on a comfortable air-conditioned bus with free Wi-Fi.

From Kanazawa: Shirakawa-go, Gokayama and Wood Carving art

From Kanazawa: Shirakawa-go, Gokayama and Wood Carving art

This tour will start at Kanazawa Station at 9:00 A.M., where your guide will meet you in front of the Information Center near the Shinkansen Ticket Gates. The tour begins at Kanazawa Station, where you will get on the bus at the bus terminal on the Kanazawa Port side of the station. After boarding the bus, you will ride about an hour on the highway through the beautiful mountains and then plains of the Hokuriku Region. Getting off the bus in the middle of a small town near the mountains, you have arrived in Inami. This area is famous for its woodcarving and there are over 100 professional traditional woodcarvers in the area. The main street is a thoroughfare towards the centerpiece of Inami, Zuisenji Temple. As you go along you can find examples of National Historic Treasures in woodcarving on and above many of the shops. Also, look for the cats because they are hidden everywhere. The town association says there are 32 but many other shops have also made their own cats in interesting locations. Finally, you will arrive at Zuisenji Temple, with its giant walls. As you approach you may feel like you’re about to enter a castle. Originally built in the 1300s, it burned down in 1735. That prompted a rebuilding that brought a famous wood carver from Kyoto. There are many intricate designs that include not only patterns on the gates but also dragons, lions, elephants and many of the other famous animals all over the grounds. After seeing the temple it is time to meet back up at the parking lot, we will then head towards Gokayama, one of the two areas of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The first stop is Ai-no-kura, one of the best preserved villages in the area. This area, secluded from the hustle and bustle of the larger cities, were vital to the economic prosperity of the entire state. The production of various agricultural products and sake were very important but also was the manufacture of gunpowder and paper. You will get your hands wet making paper using traditional Japanese methods. Usually there will be time for lunch in Ainokura but depending on circumstances it may be in Inami as well. If you are worried about lunch/have specific preferences please bring your own lunch. The next bus ride will take about 40 minutes before arriving at the UNESCO World Heritage Site that is Shirakawa-go. This beautiful village is famous for its picturesque townscape with the gassho farmhouses. We will start from main street where we will do a tour of the historic town and enter into one of the beautiful thatched-roof houses. After a long day exploring around the region, we will return to the bus and head back to Kanazawa. The ride is a little over an hour so relax and enjoy the ride back to the station/hotel. If you have any questions about any other parts of your trip, this is a perfect time to ask! You should arrive back at Kanazawa between 6:00 and 6:30pm depending on traffic

From Takayama: Guided Day Trip to Takayama and Shirakawa-go

From Takayama: Guided Day Trip to Takayama and Shirakawa-go

Discover Takayama’s well-preserved old town and jinya, and visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Shirakawa-go on a full-day trip. Take guided walking tours at both spots along with free time to explore, eat, and shop on your own. Meet your guide at Takayama Station and be escorted to the 300+ year-old Takayama Jinya, a local governor's office from the Edo period. Enter the jinya for a guided tour and learn all about the history of the building and the city of Takayama itself. See several artifacts, including art, books, and tools, from its heyday in the 17th through 19th centuries. Unlike a visit to a typical museum, the Takayama Jinya offers pieces of history in a building that is as old as the items on display. Afterward, head to the downtown of Takayama, known as the “Sanmachi”. See as your guide points out the highlights of the area. Enjoy scenic views and conclude this part of the tour at the entrance to the Miyagawa Morning Market. Next, enjoy 1 hour and 30 minutes of free time to walk around the market, return to the Sanmachi for a closer look at the shops, or savor the food of the Hida region at a local restaurant. You can treat yourself to a sake tasting, or feast on sushi made with wagyu beef from local ranches. Then, meet your tour guide to continue your journey to Shirakawa-go. Sit back and soak in the scenery on your bus ride. Then, begin the second half of your tour. Go up to the famous lookout point for a breathtaking view of the town of Shirakawa-go. Follow your guide down the road, descending into the rice paddies and quaint streets that make up the village. See the largest hamlet of gassho-zukuri-style houses in Japan. Get introduced to the highlights of Shirakawa-go, learning more about the town. After the tour, explore the town on your own, and revisit places you want a better look at. During this time, you may also grab lunch, head to a traditional mountain farmhouse, or sample snacks sold along the main street. Finally, start your trip back to Takayama to conclude the tour.

Kanazawa Like a Local: Customized Guided Tour

Kanazawa Like a Local: Customized Guided Tour

Explore the city with a friendly local who is passionate about his/her city and eager to share all the tips and tricks that will help you make the most of your trip. Meet where you're staying to get familiar with the neighbourhood, find out about the best places to eat and buy groceries, the easiest ways to get around, and the hidden gems you might have missed. By the end of the tour, you'll feel more comfortable in navigating the city and confident that you have all the information you need to make the most of your stay. Once the supplier has received your booking, they’ll get in touch with you to confirm all the details for the tour: meeting place and time, language and your contact information, and also ask you some questions to get to know you better. The right loca is hand-pickedl for you based on your interests. Each tour is completely customized so you can choose the meeting location, start time and length that you prefer (minimum: 2 hours).  During the walking tour you will have the option of taking public transportation or taxi to get around the city (at your expense). The local guides that we work with (Lokafyers) are locals who are passionate about their city and love to meet travellers and share what they love about their city.  They are not professional tour guides and do these tours occasionally, which provides an authentic and personal experience that is like having a friend show you around their home city.  Through conversations with your Lokafyer, you’ll learn what it’s like to live in Kanazawa, learn about cultural differences, local events and politics and also get to know each other on a personal level. With this experience, you won’t be just passing through the city, you’ll be part of it.

Kanazawa: Samurai, Matcha, Gardens and Geisha Full-Day Tour

Kanazawa: Samurai, Matcha, Gardens and Geisha Full-Day Tour

Join a guided tour to explore the historical attractions of Kanazawa, including well-preserved Edo-era districts, restored residences, feudal-era tea houses, and a partially restored castle with a garden. Get plenty of time to explore the markets and grab a bite on the way. Start the tour by meeting your guide at Kanazawa Station. As soon as you leave the station building, the first sight will be immediately visible to you. See Tsuzumi-mon gate, a modern take on a traditional building style and a new symbol of Kanazawa. Walk towards the Nagamachi Samurai District using a side street lined with local residences and the occasional wooden temple. Reach a small neighborhood with houses that once belonged to low-ranking Samurai. Get a chance to enter these houses and see how Samurai of modest means lived their lives. Afterward, enter the Nagamachi Samurai District and walk down its crooked main street. With free time to explore on your own, buy local Kanazawa crafts and wares. Next up is Oyama Shrine, combining both Japanese and Western elements in a fusion that reflects the history of Japan in the 19th century. Head to the back of this shrine to explore a koi pond and a small garden, as well as a path that leads to a big wooden bridge. Cross this bridge before passing through an impressive gate to enter the Kanazawa Castle grounds. Take a well-deserved break at the Gyokusen-an tea house with views over a fabulous garden at the base of some of the castle’s enormous stone walls. Admire the purely Japanese interior of the tea house with unparalleled elegance and refinement. (Occasionally special events are held here and we must change the matcha tea tasting to a different location) Treat yourself to matcha and artistic “Wagashi” sweets served by kimono-clad staff, while the guide shows you the proper way to drink matcha. Mentally refreshed, now it's time for a physical refresher at lunch nearby. Ask your guide for recommendations! Head through the Kanazawa Castle grounds before crossing over to the entrance. Follow your guide into the Kenroku-en garden, often listed as one of the best gardens in Japan. Learn how it was designed and created over 200 years ago on the order of the Lord of Kanazawa Castle. Continue to the famous Higashi-chaya Tea District, the symbol of Kanazawa and perhaps the most famous tea district in Japan outside of Kyoto. Stroll through streets lined with tall, 2-story wooden tea houses, some of which are painted red – a unique design feature to be found only in Kanazawa. Leaving Higashi-chaya, start the return trip back to the station, passing through the maze-like backstreets of Kazue-machi along the way.

From Takayama: 1-Way Bus Ticket to Kanazawa Via Shirakawago

From Takayama: 1-Way Bus Ticket to Kanazawa Via Shirakawago

Itinerary Time Table: Takayama (Dep. 8:20) → Shirakawago (Arr. 9:20, Dep. 11:50) → Kanazawa (Arr. 13:10) *Please note that times may vary due to traffic conditions. **Please arrive at the station 10 minutes before the departure time. Begin your adventure with a comfortable ride departing from Takayama. Enjoy the beautiful scenery as we leave the city behind and travel through the countryside. Our first stop will be a 2.5 hour visit to Shirakawa-go. You will receive a suggested path for your self-guided visit to Shirakawa-go from the bus driver, giving you the confidence and freedom to enjoy Shirakawa-go. Tucked away in the mountainous region of Gifu Prefecture, Shirakawa-go is known famously for its unique architecture: houses with towering triangular roofs, called gassho in Japanese, meaning "to bring ones hands together in prayer." It's also home to two of Japan's National Parks, and is surrounded by lush nature that changes dramatically with the seasons. You can see bold and vibrant fall leaves, stunning snowy scenery in the winter, speckled-pink flowery sights in the spring, and vibrant verdure in the summer. After experiencing the rustic beauty of Shirakawa-go, we will continue our journey towards Kanazawa. En route, enjoy picturesque landscapes and a relaxing bus ride. Kanazawa is home to some of the best preserved buildings and districts in Japan, and is especially well-known for its beautiful gardens, tea-house districts and samurai district! Below are some of our suggestions for Kanazawa: - Eating fresh seafood in Kanazawa: Kanazawa has access to the Sea of Japan, making it home to some of the freshest sashimi and sushi in Japan. - Enjoy Japanese teahouse tradition in the Higashi Chaya District: the tea houses, or chaya, of Kanazawa have been preserved since the Edo period. We recommend the Higashi Chaya District, home to museums, tea houses, and other shops and restaurants. - Visit Kanazawa Castle: Kanazawa Castle is home to several free of charge walking paths, where you can admire the castle turrets and gardens. We especially recommend Gyokusenin Maru Garden! - Experience striking scenery at Kenrokuen Garden: Kenrokuen Garden is one of Japan's 3 most beautiful landscape gardens, boasting seasonal flowering trees, elaborate aquatic features including waterfalls, fountains, still ponds, and more. Please note: This is a transfer service only and not a guided tour. This transportation option offers you the freedom and flexibility to explore Japan without needing to worry about organizing your own transporation schedule.

Kanazawa: Sushi & Japanese Cooking Class with a Master Chef

Kanazawa: Sushi & Japanese Cooking Class with a Master Chef

Experience authentic Japanese cuisine in Kanazawa! In this hands-on class taught by the head chef of a long-established cooking school established 56 years ago, you can master traditional techniques while using fresh local ingredients. Since this is a cooking class, I am good at teaching people who are not good at cooking in a fun way. Conveniently located near Kanazawa Station. Learn directly from a master chef Sushi making using fresh local seafood Fun and easy for everyone with interesting and popular live translation using AI! Tips that can be replicated anywhere in the world What to make and experience 1. Nigiri-zushi - Using the same fresh seafood as the best sushi chefs. 2. Jibuni - A Kanazawa specialty, richly flavored with wasabi (Japanese horseradish). 3. Egg rolls using a recipe from a Michelin restaurant 4. Spinach appetizer 5. Miso soup Duration: 2hours+mealtime Location Cooking studio near Kanazawa Station This is a must try menu when you come to Kanazawa! Learn new cooking skills, enjoy a fun cultural experience, and take home unforgettable memories. Please make your reservations early! Ingredients to be used on the day Bonito flakes, kelp, green and yellow vegetables, eggs, shiitake mushrooms, fu, tofu, seaweed, rice, chicken, 6 kinds of fresh sashimi from the waters around Kanazawa (will include chutoro, salmon, premium fish, scallops, white fish) *Slightly varies depending on fishing conditions. Seasoning Soy sauce, mirin, sake, rice vinegar, sugar, salt, potato starch, flour, rapeseed oil

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What people are saying about Kanazawa

Overall rating

4.7
(206 reviews)

The program proceeded according to a very well-planned procedure by the 2 tea-masters. The English-speaking host guided all carefully, and it was easy to understand the history of Japanese tea ceremony and Kanazawa(Genrokuen), plus the importance of the tea ceremony spirit to the Japanese people. Another mater's restrained and perfect tea-making has been a good demonstration to us, and the tea tastes really delicious and fragrance. The experience like participating in nice tea ceremony (of course, it was simplified compared to the real thing I presume), and I felt heart-peaceful at the end of the program. I Highly recommend the program if you come to Kanazawa.

The town buses were fully booked, so I booked this a few days before the day I wanted to go. I took the bus on a Saturday, but it was empty, and I think there were less than 10 passengers. The 13:50 departure from Kanazawa Station was just the right time. It was a January trip to see snow-covered Shirakawa-go on a large bus, enjoying the scenery. I was able to board the bus with a lot of luggage, including suitcases. The best thing about the parking lot at Shirakawa-go was that once I reached the entrance, I could enter the parking lot without having to wait.

Aiko was very friendly and engaging. Very good at talking. is there a way that the app can notify me better about changes in schedule? We booked a taxi to get to the bus at 7:50 to leave at 8. The schedule changed to getting to the bus at 7:40 to leave at 7:50. I only noticed the change in schedule when waiting for the taxi, by then it was too late to reschedule the taxi to the bus earlier.

It's a wonderful trip. Schedule is very flexible depends on our request. The car is new, warm and cozy. The driver is very nice and polite. He give a good information for the trip and also planning time for us so we can go to all place that we want. Also, he stop a car as I request to watch snowing. Very good trip 👍👍👍

Really liked the atmosphere and the history behind a tea ceremony. Guide was great and made it fun at the same time as trying to uphold Japanese traditions. Very understanding of individual needs throughout and it was a lovely experience