Kanazawa
Secret gems of Kanazawa
Hidden Gems • 3 hours
5.0
(53)
Secret gems of Kanazawa
Journey through Kanazawa's hidden gems with a local, gaining insider insights on an unforgettable tour.
What makes this experience special
Key highlights
- With your local host, get off the well-trodden tourist trail and explore Kanazawa’s secret side
- Visit Utatsuyama Park, an expansive forest in the middle of the city with colorful wildflowers and several shrines
- Learn about mysterious geisha in compact Nishi Chaya, a single residential district where geisha and maiko (apprentice geisha) live and train
- Let your host recommend a trendy cafe in riverside Kazuemachi, where traditional and modern Japan coexist
- Get more insider tips for unique things to see and do on your trip
What to know before you go
Here’s everything you need to know before your day unfolds.
3 hours
Fully tailored to your preferences
English Other languages may be requested
What’s included
Private and personalized experience
3 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 experienceWhat 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 mostWhat you’ll do
Some of Kanazawa’s most precious districts are overshadowed by more famous areas – but seeing the city through a local’s eyes creates a new perspective. Explore a quiet residential area where pastel-colored Rakugan confections – a Kanazawa specialty – are produced, and learn more about mysterious geisha at the geisha museum and training ground. Visit Utatsuyama Park – an expansive forest in the middle of the city with over 100 types of wildflowers – then forego crowded Higashi Chaya in favor of storybook Kazuemachi, a small riverside district lined with wood-built, feudal-era buildings where ethereal geisha play music and locals move between trendy taprooms and galleries (why not let your host recommend a hidden haunt for a quick coffee?).
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
Ana
Mar 2025
Lucy was very knowledgeable and made our tour of Kanazawa very pleasant. We would highly recommend this tour.
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Stephanie
Mar 2025
It was a real pleasure to spend the day with out Guide Akari-San in Kanazawa. We Visited all the important places and got many good Recommendations for Restaurants and activities. It was a pleasure!
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Justin
Mar 2025
Akari was a treat to have as my guide for this tour. She was exceptionally knowledgeable about the history behind the sites she showed me. The extra bit of history about how a particular stone pagoda in the castle garden was related to the Imjin War was exceptionally surprising since that war is effectively unknown in the West.
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Justin
Mar 2025
Akari was extremely knowledgeable about the areas she showed me & was a lovely conversation partner. Seeing inside some of the houses in the samurai district was fascinating. And having her point out a structure dating back to the Imjin was extremely surprising.
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Faisal
Feb 2025
Well, I really enjoyed the city tour. It introduced me to many different parts of Kanazawa that I actually never would have visited myself. It felt very personal like and not a very rigid itinerary. Like I could stop to eat something, buy something..etc I really enjoyed this one.. And Megumi was really an amazing person.
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Catherine
Jan 2025
Our guide Mo spoke excellent English and was very polite and helpful. He knew some great places to visit and it was so relaxing having a local guide us around. We especially loved visiting the Samurai house, Zen gardens, Kenroku-en gardens and Kanazawa pottery shops.
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