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Full-Day Tour from Kanazawa: Samurai, Matcha, Gardens and Geisha | 9 hours

24 Reviews | Kanazawa
From $156.47 per person Lowest Price Guarantee
Select Date and Travelers
You can select up to 15 travelers in total.
Adult (13-100) Minimum: 1, Maximum: 15
2
Child (6-12) Minimum: 0, Maximum: 15
0
Free Cancellation For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Full-Day Tour from Kanazawa: Samurai, Matcha, Gardens and Geisha
2 Adults x $148.64
$297.28
Approx Total
$297.28

Inclusions / Exclusions

  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English
  • Matcha Tea and Wagashi Sweets at a Tea House
  • Entry to the Shima Chaya Preserved Geisha House
  • English Speaking Guide
  • Entry to the Kenrokuen Garden
  • Lunch

Overview

Our tour offers the best route to see all of Kanazawa's must-see spots, and many of its lesser known gems, in one day on foot. Our knowledgeable guides will ensure you come away with an enriched understanding of the culture of Kanazawa. Guests will also have the opportunity to try Matcha and traditional sweets at a historical tea house, allowing them to feel a connection to Kanazawa and its customs after only a short time. Please consider participating in this tour if you want to make the best of your time in Kanazawa on a course that is exhaustive but not exhausting.

Meeting points

Kanazawa Station
Japan, 〒920-0858 石川県金沢市木ノ新保町1番1号

Open in Google Maps

The meeting point is outside of the Shinkansen Ticket Gates, across the concourse and in front of the information center. Look for a four large sumo wrestlers under the information center sign. Be sure to look for our guide wearing the SNOW MONKEY RESORTS tag.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

  • Ashigaru Museum

    The tour starts with a visit to the Ashigaru Museum. Ashigaru is a word describing low ranking Samurai, and here you can enter two homes that once belonged to Ashigaru families in the days of the Samurai. Outside, you will find beautiful landscaping, and inside faithfully preserved rooms granting a glimpse into old-school Japanese life.

    1 hour

  • Ruins of Nagamachi Bukeyashiki

    Next, you will be led through the former Samurai District known as Nagamachi. Here, the streets still maintain their handsome appearance and the visitor would be forgiven for thinking they have somehow landed in Old Japan. With a number of shops selling local crafts on the street, you will also have a chance to window shop for some goodies to take home.

    1 hour

  • Oyama Shrine

    Leaving the Samurai District behind, the guide will lead you through the Oyama Shrine on your way to Kanazawa Castle. Unlike most shrines in Japan, the entry gate here is made of brick, an unusual choice that speaks to its unique history. You will also pass through a small but beautiful garden on the way out the back of the shrine towards the castle.

    40 minutes

  • Gyokusen-an

    Having entered the castle grounds, you will next have time for a Matcha tea experience while enjoying views over a centuries old garden that spreads out before you. The Gyokusen-an tea house is a splendid example of Japanese design, and their Matcha and wagashi sweets are sure to delight. (Occasionally there are events at this tea house so we will go to a different tea house to have matcha and sweets)

    1 hour

  • Kanazawa Castle

    On the way to the Kenroku-en Garden, the tour will take you through the grounds of Kanazawa Castle. Marvel at the scale of the restored buildings which stand majestic over an expansive lawn on the castle grounds while your guide teaches you a bit about the Samurai history of Kanazawa and the origins of its riches and success.

    20 minutes

  • Kenrokuen Garden

    After time for a lunch break in front of the Kenrokuen Garden, we will enter into this breathtaking display of traditional Japanese design concepts. Stroll through the gardens, enjoy views over the city, and maybe even enter the home of the former Lord of Kanazawa's wife.

    1 hour 30 minutes

  • Higashi Chaya District

    Enjoy a taste of traditional tea district and Geisha culture at Higashi-chaya. Here, streets lined with fashionable tea houses from centuries ago await you, filled with eateries and craft shops. You will have free time after a guided walk to wander the streets here for yourself and perhaps have some ice cream or takoyaki topped with sheets of gold leaf.

    1 hour

  • Ochaya Shima

    The tour will next take you inside a tea house, or Chaya, once inhabited by Geisha and frequented by their wealthy patrons. The colorful walls and musical instruments here showcase the wealth and charming atmosphere of the Kanazawa tea districts in the golden days of the city. Your guide will be happy to answer any geisha related questions you may have.

    30 minutes

  • Kazuemachi Chayagai

    Leaving Higashi Chaya, we will pass by the Kazuemachi tea district on the way back to the station. Less crowded than Higashi Chaya, in this tea district Geisha still entertain customers, and if you are lucky you can hear the soft sound of a shamisen being plucked emanating from one of the small sidestreets.

    30 minutes

  • Omicho Market

    Finally, your guide will lead you through the Omicho Market. A staple of Kanazawa food culture, guests who wish to leave the tour here for dinner are free to do so. Otherwise, the guide will escort you back to the station.

    30 minutes

Sample Menu

Additional Info

  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • 1 hour short of the posted 9 hours because there is a 1 hour lunch break that is included in the tour. The customers are able to choose their own restaurant to eat at with recommendations from the guide at this time.

Free Cancellation

October 26100% refund
October 27No refund

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews

4.8

24 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
  • 5 stars
    23
  • 4 stars
    0
  • 3 stars
    0
  • 2 stars
    0
  • 1 star
    1

Reviews by TravelOne travelers

Showing 1-5 of 23 reviews with 5 stars

Fabulous walking tour of Kanazawa

Published on May, 2025

Our guide was wonderful - so knowledgeable and answered a million questions from our small group. The tour itself covered great ground across the city. Recommend!

Must-do tour of Kanazawa

Published on May, 2025

Absolutely brilliant tour of Kanazawa that covers almost everything there is to see. The tea ceremony was lovely and our guide Akari was super knowledgeable, gave great explanations and could answer all the questions we had.

Perfect tour for short stays

Published on Apr, 2025

Highly recommend this all day tour! Mike was a great guide! He was very knowledgeable and personable. It was a small group and we all bonded and had a great time. My husband and I only had one full day to visit Kanazawa and I feel like this tour hit all the great highlights that this beautiful city had to offer. Wear your walking shoes!!

One day in Kanazawa with the best guide.

Published on Apr, 2025

My wife and I have traveled a lot but this is our 1st review. This was one of very best experiences touring the city. Mike is very personable, passionate about his job and has a great knowledge of Japanese history and culture. Mike originally from Scotland so needless to say that his English is impeccable. (Not always the case for Japanese guide) Highly recommend Mike for anyone visiting Kanazawa!

Mike's Tour Makes Kanazawa Unforgettable!

Published on Apr, 2025

Kanazawa is rich in history and incredibly beautiful, but what truly made the difference was Mike, our guide. His exceptional knowledge and entertaining personality transformed this day into a precious memory. Without giving away too many spoilers, I can say we learned unexpected and hilarious things - like the surprising story behind the white wood in historical monuments. An absolute must-do tour! P.S. Mike's boss - he really deserves that promotion ;)

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