Kanazawa Half Day Tour: An Authentic Exploration of the Historical Samurai and Geisha Districts

Immerse yourself in the rich history of Kanazawa with this half-day tour. Explore the iconic Higashi Chaya District, visit the Samurai District, and stroll through the stunning Kenrokuen Gardens.

Duration: 4 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • 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
What's Included
  • Professional, English-speaking guide
  • Native English customer support
  • Convenient hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Customizable itinerary
What's Not Included
  • Food and drinks
  • Transportation to/from attractions
  • Optional Entrance Fees
Additional Information

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.

  • If your hotel is not listed, please let us know so that we can arrange the pick up
Location
Kenrokuen Garden
1-1 Marunouchi,
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
4.9
(178 Ratings)
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Lorire3892qm
Aug 27, 2024
Fantastic tour! - We had the best tour of Kanazawa with our tour guide Tetsuro! He was amazing from the time he picked us up at our hotel until the tour finished. He showed us so many amazing spots (gold leaf store, Wow!) and gave us a great overview of the city as well as its history. So many interesting facts. He was great at adjusting the tour to meet our wishes. We would highly recommend this tour and our guide, Tetsuro.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Northstar556919
Aug 27, 2024
Vibrant & valuable local knowledge - My husband and I had a fabulous day walking the streets and learning the history of Kanazawa Our guide Nozomi was outstanding, friendly and a bundle of fun She knew so much and has had a lengthy, diverse career as an interpreter. We learned the background, colour and families behind the Samauri and Geisha districts, fun places to eat, which art galleries to go to, and where to walk and catch buses on our next day. I highly recommend the company- invaluable Thank you Nozomi
Review provided by Tripadvisor
757jx
Aug 11, 2024
I'm not one to go on tours but 10/10 no regrets - I had the pleasure of exploring visiting places in kanazawa with Nozomi-san who was attentive to my requests throughout the entire tour. I signed up to visit an artisan as well as to explore the Geisha town. Nozomi san shared stories of each location that was only IYKYK, and as my interest was in crafts, she brought me to places such as the river where they used to wash kimono in the process of yuzen dye. I was also looking for a goshuin book from kanazawa, and she asked every shop we went into if they had it. I'm not one to go on tours, but am glad that I had in this trip :)
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N3025nqellenr
Aug 7, 2024
Artisans of Kanazawa - Ichigo Ichie - Nozomi was a wonderful tour guide! Her knowledge of and affinity for the city was fantastic. We loved learning from her about Geisha culture, meeting a master silk dyer, and also appreciated her restaurant suggestion.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Michael_w
Jul 30, 2024
A Must ! - Very funny, very informative, we learned a lot about Kanazawa, the people, the history and the presence!
Review provided by Viator
Theodemoor
Jul 21, 2024
Nice tour guide - Lovely and interesting tour, our tour guide was on time and speaks very well English. We visited the market, garden and castle.
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James_g
Jul 16, 2024
All-round great four - Excellent tour by Nozomi. Wonderful combination of Kanazawa’s history, art, and contemporary life. Nozomi also knows so many luminaries from the area (and the best place to get gold-leaf ice cream) that it made the tour very special!
Review provided by Viator
Bokasolowsky
Jul 11, 2024
Brilliant local insights - Our guide was very informed and shared lots of great information with us. The pace was just right and we enjoyed how relaxed it was.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ramssee
Jul 4, 2024
Great tour from a Cruise ship stop over - We came in on the Diamond Princess Cruise ship, arriving at 9:00am and leaving at 5:30pm, and it was enough time to take the local trains to Kanazawa and have a lovely 3-hour tour with Karolina. Since it is summer, the gardens are not much in bloom (and we’d seen a few already), so we had a leisurely visit to the samurai and geisha quarters, including touring the inside of a preserved house in each district. Definitely worth the trip! And very doable if you are willing to work the local train maps. Karolina is a wonderful and gracious guide with lots of good information! Highly recommend!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kendra_m
Jun 25, 2024
Best guide ever...Nozomi - Such an amazing tour! We loved our guide Nozomi. She was so knowledgeable and provided us with a thorough tour of Kanazawa. We had a fabulous day and we were so grateful for all the special insight Nozomi provided to our family on the tour.
Review provided by Viator
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up to 6 guests
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September 2024
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