Flexible Half-Day Discovery • 4 hours 5.0 (120)

Half a day in Kanazawa

Immerse yourself in a half-day private tour, crafted by a local insider, where iconic sights, geisha allure, and samurai history await.

If you have time, consider making the one hour journey to the historic, picturesque villages of Shirakawago

What makes this experience special

Key highlights

  • See an area of Kanazawa chosen by your knowledgeable host, but visit locations tailored to your interests
  • Explore central Kanazawa’s attractions, or head off the beaten track to hidden gems recommended by your host (or do a bit of both!)
  • Grab a bite at the “Kitchen of Kanazawa”, Omicho Market, the most popular market in the city
  • See some of the must-see sights, like Oyama Shrine and Kanazawa Castle
  • Have your local host share plenty of tips and recommendations for the rest of your trip

What to know before you go

Here’s everything you need to know before your day unfolds.

4 hours
Fully tailored to your preferences
English Other languages may be requested

What’s included

Private and personalized experience
4 hours with a host
Walking experience (other transport can be arranged at an additional cost)

What’s not included

Food and drinks
Tickets to any attractions
Transportation costs
Gratuities (optional)

Meeting point

Kanazawa Station Information Center - The host will be waiting in front of it by the main entrance.

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience

What to bring

  • We recommend wearing comfortable shoes and carrying a light bag for your essentials.
  • Public transport may be used during the experience - please bring a travel card or small amount of cash for fares.

How your day could unfold

A flexible, unscripted experience designed entirely around your interests. Your host will adapt the day based on what excites you most

What you’ll do

A rival to Kyoto as the historic jewel of Japan, Kanazawa is a melting pot of Japanese art, culture, and tradition. With your local host to help you squeeze in as many sights as possible, you’ll experience the perfectly preserved history of this gorgeous city. Entertainment district Higashi Chaya is a must-visit for anyone hoping to spot elusive, ethereal geisha, while a tranquil stroll through Kenroku-en, one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan, should be on every bucket list. You could browse stalls at the 280-year-old “Kitchen of Kanazawa”, Omicho Market, and see the unique Oyama Shrine with its Dutch-style stained glass on the third floor, or maybe you’ll be content to spend hours at the impressive Kanazawa Castle, the historic seat of power of the Maeda samurai clan. 

1. Select a date
2. Select start time
3. Tailor your experience
Answer a few quick questions to help your host craft the perfect day tailored to you.
1. What’s your preferred hosting style?
2. How would you like the pace of your day?
3. What’s your walking comfort level?
4. Are you celebrating something special?

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What travelers think of this experience

Sheree, Mar 2025

We had a wonderful time exploring Kanazawa with Atari! It was amazing how much we saw in 4 hours and even in the rain she made it such a memorable experience.

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Yu, Feb 2025

I booked a half-day guided tour of Kanazawa. Akari was very enthusiastic in introducing all the itinerary attractions. The itinerary was also very flexible in coordinating the location and location, so I could walk around leisurely and discover stories about the attractions I didn’t know about. Akari was also willing to provide assistance with subsequent travel issues. It was a great travel companion.

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Yevgeny, Feb 2025

Akari was a great guide! She took us to try some delicious local foods and also showed us the historic parts of Kanazawa. She is very knowledgeable about the city and gave us some further recommendations.

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Robert, Feb 2025

Informative and well paced. We enjoyed our tour of Kanazawa. Akari gave us all the highlights, details, insights and information that we needed.

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Robert, Feb 2025

We enjoyed our cold tour to Samurai and Geisha districts and Atari filled us with all the information needed in Kanazawa. We had a super time and got all the tips and hints in Kanazawa. Thank you Adari

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Nelli, Jan 2025

We celebrated New Year in Japan. Despite warnings that everything will be shut down all over the country we took the chance and never regretted it. After skiing in Hakuba we headed to Kanazawa and spent three wonderful days there. Our guide Criselda, introduced us to the cultural background of Ishikawa region, its rich history and traditions in the best way possible. She built our itinerary so it was always a time to stop and enjoy what was going on around. Kanazawa is a beautiful place with incredible food and people there are very welcoming. Thank you Criselda!

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