Kanazawa Half-day Historical Walking TourThe best way to explore historical sites of Kanazawa spread out around the city with a local tour guide
- 5 hour tour
- Small group tour
- English speaking guide
What makes this tour unique
- Explore Omicho-Market which has over 300 years of history while sampling the foods you are interested in.
- Enjoy walking in one of the three most famous garden: Kenrokuen.
- Take a break with matcha and Japanese sweets at historical building in Higashi-Chaya districts.
Tips and recommendations by our official guides
I’m originally from Kyoto, but Kanazawa has captivated me for years, and I’ve visited many times. Despite being a samurai-centered city like Edo (now Tokyo), Kanazawa has a cultural richness that stands out on its own. Visitors often find Kanazawa’s unique culture enchanting, offering something different from both Tokyo and Kyoto.
During the Edo period, Kanazawa was known as "Kaga Hyakumangoku" and was one of Japan’s largest cities at the time. The Maeda family, who ruled the domain, were cautious of the Edo Shogunate and chose to invest their wealth not in military power but in the development of culture. This decision allowed Kanazawa to flourish as a cultural hub, preserving its artistic and historical heritage.
As you explore Kanazawa with a guide, you’ll discover the aesthetic sense of the samurai, preserved in its original form, throughout the city. Kanazawa was fortunate to escape air raids during the war, leaving its historical sites intact, offering a rare glimpse into the past.
This tour includes essential spots such as Omicho Market, known as Kanazawa’s kitchen and beloved by locals; Kenrokuen Garden, which took over a hundred years to complete and shows totally different beauty on each season; and the Higashi Chaya District, which retains its historical charm from 200 years ago. Additionally, we’ve carefully selected hidden gems that only locals know about, such as beautiful hidden streets and a restaurant where you can enjoy a meal while viewing Japan’s oldest fountain.
By spending half a day exploring the city with a local guide, you’ll gain a deep understanding of Kanazawa’s geography and history, uncovering the unique stories that make this city so special.
Official guide
What's included
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!
Meeting Point
FamilyMart+Drug Komeya Kanazawa Musashi Store
- In front of FamilyMart+Drug Komeya Kanazawa Musashi Store. Our guide will be holding a red/orange sign saying "Magical Trip"
Itinerary
- Omicho Market
- Kanazawa Castle Park
- Kenrokuen Garden
- Japanese Sweets Museum, Matcha (Enjoy Matcha and Sweets)
- Higashi Chaya District
- Out of respect for our other guests and to ensure the best tour for everyone, we must start the tour on time.
- Please note that if you are late for more than 15 minutes than meeting time (10 mins before the tour starting time), you will not be able to join the tour, get refund or rescheduled.
- You will not be able to join the tour, get a refund or reschedule if you are late for the tour and miss the group.
- If you're vegetarian, please be aware that lunch choice and amount is limited. (Of course, we will try to arrange as much as possible.) Please, contact us before the tour date.
- We are unable to accommodate gluten-free requests for this tour.
- Japan's climate has become more extreme, with summer highs of 40°C (110°F) and winter lows of -5°C (20°F). Please prepare accordingly for the tour. The tour might be cancelled in case of unsuitable weather for safety reasons.
- You do not need to pay for the guide's food and drinks.
- Please inform us at least one day before the tour if you have any dietary requests or allergies to mention.
- Note: Requests made on the day of the tour cannot be accommodated.
- Please bring some cash if you need additional snacks and drinks
- Itinerary order is subject to change depending on traffic, weather and operation
- If any place is closed, we will try an alternative location
- Please note that there might be other participants
- All of the entrance fees to Kenrokuen-garden and museums are included as well as lunch.
- As this is a walking tour, please make sure you wear shoes with which you feel comfortable walking long distance
- The itinerary for this tour includes some locations that are not accessible by a wheelchair or baby stroller.
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the tour starting time.
- Free date/time rescheduling up to 24 hours before the tour starting time
- (depending on availability).
Vegetarian option is only available with advanced request.
We do not have vegan and gluten-free for lunch in this tour.
