Private Tour

Kanazawa Half Day Tour (Private Guide)

Overview

Available languages

Japanese

English

4 hours

Mobile ticket

The places below are examples of what you may choose to see on the day, during this 4-hour tour.

Higashi Chaya District (and Kazue Machi)

The most famous tea district and Geisha/Geiko area in Kanazawa. It is also the home of Kinpaku (Gold leaf crafts). You will have the option to make your own gold leaf creation there.It is also possible to drink authentic green macha tea.

The Samurai District

Visit the streets where the Samurai lived. You will enter the houses of the Ashigaru (footsoldiers), and then view the larger residences of the more powerful samurai.

You will have the option of entering the Nomura Samurai house. A kutani pottery museum and tea gardens are also en-route. There is also the option of taking a break for tea or a bite to eat here.

Kenrokuen Gardens

The famous gardens of the six attributes, facing Kanazawa Castle and Utatsu Mountain.There are opportunities to take a break, and to enjoy tea ceremony.

Additional Info

Wheelchair accessible

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Service animals allowed

Public transportation options are available nearby

Transportation options are wheelchair accessible

All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

If your hotel is not listed, please let us know so that we can arrange the pick up

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

Native English Customer Support

Professional English Speaking Guide

Hotel Pickup and Drop off

Custom Itinerary

Food and drinks

Transportation to/from attractions

Optional Entrance Fees

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

What To Expect

Kenrokuen Garden

Since the Edo era Kenrokuen Garden has been regarded as one of the most beautiful feudal gardens in all of Japan. We will take you on a special tour of this remarkable garden

1 hour • Admission Not Applicable

Kanazawa Castle Park

Feel the power and influence of the Lords of Kanazawa by visiting the Kanazawa Castle grounds and park area. View the beautiful white lead roof tiles, touch the formidable Ishikawa Mon gate, and enjoy the tranquility of Lord Maeda’s personal gardens.

1 hour • Admission Not Applicable

Options

1:30 PM

Pickup included

8:30 AM

Pickup included

Reviews

4.92

343 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

328

Kanazawa Highlights with a Great Guide
LCL-travels,
Nov 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Our guide Ai (pronounced "I") exceeded our expectations for our visit in Kanazawa. In order to see the sites of interest to us -- the Higashi Chaya District (Geisha district), the Nagamachi (former Samarai district) and Kenrokuen Garden, Ai indicated that we would need to take taxis between sites in order to see all of them in the time allotted. We did this and she gave us phenomenal tours. She visited the Geisha museum, the former home of a high-ranking Samarai (also a museum), and Kenrokuen Garden (considered one of Japan's most beautiful gardens). She explained each of the locations in detail, supplementing what we saw with additional photos and videos. Her English is excellent. She had spent time living in Canada to study English. A suggestion: Wear socks since shoes are not allowed in either of the museums. I highly recommend hiring Ai as your guide.
Kanazawa artisan immersion
Explore41222692192,
Nov 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
An absolutely brilliant and informative tour guide, thank you Ian. We both loved every minute of it and would definitely recommend doing a tour. We went to a Gold leaf shop which was amazing. Then a tour of the Geisha precincts which was so fascinating to hear their history and how so few are remaining. Next a sweet shop selling the most incredible traditional sweets. Lastly we spent time with a kimono making family. It was so interesting to understand the entire process from designing through to bringing the design to life on the kimono. The whole process is so intricate and complex, it is no wonder the item is valued so much and priced accordingly. So we can't recommend enough a tour of this nature.
Great experience at Kanazawa with Tetsuya!
mariazL3513YD,
Nov 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We had a great experience exploring Kanaza with the help of Tetsuya. He is very knowledgeable about Kanaza because he explained about each site we visited. I highly recommend Tetsuya.
Kanazawa Tour with Sachiko
Trail583862,
Nov 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Sachiko was an excellent guide with a lovely personality. Her knowledge of Japanese history and culture is terrific - we learned so much. She even took and shared photos of our tour. We had a great time and highly recommend her as a tour guide.
Extraordinarily good and knowledgeable guide, Mrs. Nozomi Kondo.
E K,
Nov 8, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
An extraordinarily good guide. On all fronts. Nice, knowledgeable and a nice interaction. We had a very special tour through one of the Geisha districts and a very nice tea ceremony.
Great day in Kanazawa!
Marta F,
Nov 7, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Kayo was an awesome guide. We met her at the Kanazawa train station and took a bus to the Samarai district. We got to go in an upper Samarai’s house that was beautiful. We walked through the castle area over to the Kenrokuen Garden. It was spectacular! Last we made a quick stop in the Geisha district. We fit in a lot as Kayo was a perfect guide. Since this was a day trip for us, we arrived to Kanazawa early and walked through the Omicho Market on our own. Overall, it was a wonderful day!
Excellent Tour with Kazue. The tour was very informative regarding the history and culture of Kanazawa.
Carolyn K,
Nov 3, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
The tour was very informative about the history and culture of Kanazawa. She provided visuals which helped to explain the history of the city. She paid attention to detail and was humorous at times.
Our tour with Ian was one of the highlights of our time in Kanazawa. His thoughtful guidance and deep knowledge made the
807christinag,
Oct 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
🌸 Review: Artisans of Kanazawa – Private Excursion with Ian Our half-day Artisans of Kanazawa tour with Ian was truly one of the most meaningful experiences of our trip. From the moment we met him, his calm and thoughtful way of sharing the city made us feel completely immersed in Kanazawa’s beauty and spirit. Ian guided us through some of Kanazawa’s most treasured places — from the peaceful Samurai district and charming Geisha quarter to the stunning Kenrokuen Garden, where each view seemed perfectly composed. His explanations helped us see the city not just as visitors, but through the eyes of someone who deeply appreciates its history and traditions. One of the most memorable parts of the morning was our visit with a local artisan at Wagasa-Kasamori, where we learned about the intricate process of creating traditional Japanese umbrellas. Watching the craftsmanship up close — the delicate paper, bamboo, and careful handwork — gave us such respect for the generations who have kept this art alive. It was quiet, beautiful, and humbling to witness. Ian made sure everything moved at a comfortable pace, and his gentle attention to detail made it easy to simply enjoy each moment. This wasn’t just a tour — it was an experience that connected us to the heart of Kanazawa and its people.
Excellent, custom-made half-day tour
AxelR192,
Oct 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We really enjoyed our informative and pleasant half-day tour of Kanazawa with Ai Kawachi who taught us a lot about the local culture and Japan in general. We learned more through her than through any of our other Tokyo or Kyoto guides!
Beautiful walk with lots of interesting information by a fantastic guide
T3671KKjacquelineo,
Oct 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
The guide Reiko gave a lot of interesting information when walking around Kanazawa Castle and Kenrokuen Garden. She spoke very good English and was super friendly, a winner!