Omicho Market

Discover the beautiful town of Kanazawa on a fully customizable tour. Choose what you would like to experience, what time you would like to start your tour, and where you are staying, and the local partner will arrange a tour to suit you. Start your day by meeting your guide at your hotel, then choose to sites you wish to visit depending on your interests. Example 6-hour Itinerary: Meet your guide at your hotel in Kanazawa and begin your adventure. Visit Kenroku-en, one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan, and stroll through the garden of a feudal lord which took years to complete. Afterward, head to Kanazawa Castle Park and visit Kanazawa Castle. Discover impressive buildings and gardens which been successfully and accurately reconstructed in recent years. Then, enjoy lunch at Omicho Market and be amazed by the selection of fresh fish and local vegetables at "Kanazawa's Kitchen". Then, proceed to the Chaya District for a leisurely walking tour. See the area of Higashi Chaya known for its architecture retaining the grace of the Edo Era with its many miso stores, rice shops, and teahouses serving wagashi confections. Visit stores that practice the traditional folkcraft of Kanazawa and the Kaga Yuzen art of dyed fabrics.

Embark on an unforgettable culinary and cultural journey through Kanazawa, starting with a vibrant tasting experience at Omicho Market. Here, you'll savor the freshest seafood, local produce, and traditional delicacies, immersing yourself in the lively atmosphere of this historic market. Next, meander through the charming streets of Kazuemachi Chayagai, where you can soak in the serene beauty of one of Kanazawa’s oldest geisha districts. Admire the picturesque teahouses and learn about the rich cultural heritage that has been preserved for centuries. Conclude your adventure in the enchanting Higashi Chaya District, exploring beautifully preserved teahouses and indulging in Wagashi (Japanese Sweets) As you stroll along the narrow, cobblestone streets, you’ll gain insights into the traditional design and cultural significance of the Geisha district, experiencing a unique blend of flavors, history, and artistry. This tour offers an immersive experience that captures the essence of Kanazawa, making it a must for any visitor seeking to understand the city’s rich heritage and culinary delights.

Taste your way through the city center of Kanazawa as a private guide leads you through its streets on foot to sample local delicacies. Head to Kanazawa Station’s iconic Tsuzumi Gate after meeting your guide, and peer into the area’s bustling shops and cafes. Make your way down the main road to Omicho Market, the “Kitchen of Kanazawa," and join locals jostling their way through the 180 stands. Sample some of the best street food in the city, such as fried squid skewers. Take a break from feasting to explore Katamachi, a vibrant downtown shopping district that has plenty of neon-lit pubs, clubs, bars, and live music venues. Savor Kanazawa-style pork curry or Hanton rice at a no-frills restaurant. Squeeze in some sightseeing at Kanazawa Castle before indulging in a decadent specialty: glittering gold leaf ice-cream. Stop off at a dimly-lit izakaya (casual Japanese pub) to taste some of Japan’s freshest sashimi with a cold beer. Conclude the tour with a peaceful stroll to Oyama Shrine, known for its Dutch-style stained glass. Take a few extra minutes if desired to explore the famous Nishi Chaya geisha district.

Embark on a captivating journey through Kanazawa, a city where tradition and modernity blend seamlessly. With our expert local guides, explore the iconic Kenrokuen Garden, one of Japan's three most beautiful landscape gardens, offering stunning seasonal views year-round. Step back in time as you stroll through the historic Higashi Chaya District, with its well-preserved geisha houses and traditional tea shops. Discover the artistic wonders of the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, showcasing cutting-edge exhibitions in a strikingly modern setting. Visit Kanazawa Castle and its adjacent park, where you can learn about the city's samurai heritage. Our guides will share intriguing stories and insights, providing a deeper understanding of Kanazawa's cultural and historical significance. Enjoy a delectable lunch featuring Kanazawa's renowned seafood at a local market or restaurant. If desired, venture off the beaten path to uncover hidden gems and local secrets. While we primarily use public transportation for an authentic experience, a private vehicle can be arranged for an additional fee with prior request. Don't miss this opportunity to experience the unique charm and rich history of Kanazawa with our knowledgeable guides. Book your tour today and discover the essence of this enchanting city!

Experience the enchanting charm of Kanazawa, a city where rich history meets vibrant culture. As you stroll through the bustling Omicho Market, the aroma of fresh seafood and local delicacies fills the air, inviting you to savor authentic flavors. Wander the serene pathways of Kenrokuen Garden, where each season unfolds a new palette of beauty, showcasing traditional Japanese landscaping. Step back in time at Kanazawa Castle, where you’ll feel the echoes of the Edo period in its majestic architecture. Explore the historic Samurai District, immersing yourself in the fascinating stories of warriors and their families. Delight in a traditional tea ceremony, where the art of matcha preparation offers a glimpse into Zen philosophy and mindfulness. Visit a historic temple and learn about the intricate relationship between Shinto and Buddhism in Japan. Enjoy a delicious lunch featuring Kanazawa’s culinary treasures, followed by a hands-on craft workshop that lets you create your own piece of art, rooted in local tradition. Conclude your journey by sharing reflections with fellow travelers, enriched by the insights and experiences that make Kanazawa truly unforgettable. This tour offers not just sights, but a heartfelt connection to Japan’s cultural soul. Itinerary Example: This is an example of this tour's itinerary. – Kenrokuen Garden Start the day by exploring Kenrokuen Garden, one of Japan’s three most beautiful gardens. – Kanazawa Castle Park From Kenrokuen, it's just a short walk to Kanazawa Castle Park. Spend about 30 minutes here to explore. – Nagamachi Samurai District Next, head to the Nagamachi Samurai District, where you’ll get a glimpse of the preserved samurai residences and earthen walls. S – Higashi Chaya District Conclude the tour with a visit to the Higashi Chaya District, a traditional geisha district with beautifully preserved wooden teahouses. – End of Tour The tour wraps up at 11:15 AM, leaving you with some free time to further explore Kanazawa or enjoy lunch in the city.

Starting from Kanazawa Station at 08:30, you will first head towards Omicho Market. Enjoy the contrast between the modern high-rises with the older buildings as we walk towards the market. This area is the main fish market for the center of the city and has lots of stores to pursue. After passing through, we will soon arrive at our first activity, the gold leaf experience. Kanazawa is famous for its production of gold leaf which is gold hammered to within 1/10,000th of a millimeter and is a UNESCO Culturally Intangible Property. At this first experience, you can choose the shape of plate you wish to make and are guided by the experienced workers at the shop. After packing up your gold leaf plate, we will walk the back way through Kazuemachi, a geisha district, and cross an old Edo style bridge. Finally, we will arrive at Higashichayamachi, the famous tea house and geisha district, and learn about the history of the area. The next activity for the day is Japanese Sweet Making. Near the famous Kenrokuen Garden, this activity will have you make Japanese sweets that can be eaten alone or with matcha. You will make three different types of sweets that change depending on the season. This activity is led by a Japanese sweet chef where you can feel the atmosphere of being able to make some of the famous designs that are found in most of the common tea ceremonies. Continuing along Honda-dori, we will then stop outside at the D.T. Suzuki Museum. Even without entering the museum you can enjoy a stunning and tranquil modernist Zen pool. D.T. Suzuki was a writer who is credited with bringing Japanese Zen Buddhism to the world and you can definitely feel inner peace looking out at the pool. Directly next to the pool is Shofukaku, an Edo-period style Japanese garden that had been privately maintained for decades. Not so far from this area is the final activity of the tour, the Ninja Museum, in the Nishi-chaya District. This area was and is home to some of the geisha in the city and preserve the feel of the old times on this street. The Ninja Museum, a small and humble building on this street, is near the main road and entrance of this district. In here you can learn about and see different weapons and attire that ninjas would wear. Downstairs from the museum is the ninja star throwing experience. You can try the classic ninja star(kuruma-shuriken) or the stick style (bo-shuriken) by throwing them at a target. The last part of the tour includes walking across the river to Katamachi, the nighttime and youth hub of the city. We will walk around some of the older areas of the city that combine artwork with the vibes of the 1970s. After exploring the area a bit and learning about the possible food and shopping options, feel free to stay and have dinner or go back to the station by bus with the tour guide.

anazawa’s cultural richness offers a unique charm distinct from both Tokyo and Kyoto. During the Edo period, Kanazawa was known as "Kaga Hyakumangoku," one of Japan’s largest cities. The Maeda family, who ruled the domain, focused their wealth on cultural development rather than military power, allowing Kanazawa to flourish as a cultural center. As you explore with a guide, you’ll see the preserved aesthetic sense of the samurai throughout the city. Kanazawa was spared from war damage, leaving its historical sites intact, offering a rare glimpse into the past. This tour includes key spots like Omicho Market, known as Kanazawa’s kitchen; Kenrokuen Garden, a masterpiece that showcases seasonal beauty; and the Higashi Chaya District, rich in 200 years of history. You’ll also visit hidden gems like secret streets and a restaurant with views of Japan’s oldest fountain. With a local guide, you’ll gain deep insights into Kanazawa’s history and geography, discovering what makes the city so special. [What You can Experience] ◼️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!

Itinerary Time Table: Osaka (Dep. 7:20) → 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. Please note: This is a transportation service only and not a guided tour. This transportation option offers you the freedom and flexibility to enjoy the scenery of Japan in comfort during the journey to your destination, without having to worry about luggage transportation or transfers. This coach bus service ensures a smooth and relaxing ride as you make your way from bustling Osaka to the relaxed, traditional town of Kanazawa. Ideal for travelers seeking a stress-free journey, you can enjoy the tranquility of Kanazawa without worrying about transfers or luggage, while taking in the scenic sights along the way. Kanazawa is home to some of the best preserved buildings and districts in Japan, and is especially well-known for Kenrokuen, known as the most beautiful garden in Japan. We recommend the following activities in Kanazawa: - Eating fresh seafood at 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, and many are still in operation while others have been recognized as cultural artifacts and converted to museums. 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.