Kanazawa

Kickstart your trip to Kanazawa

City Essentials: First Day • 3 hours 5.0

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Kickstart your trip to Kanazawa

Begin your Kanazawa journey with this essential tour; see key sights and get insider tips to enrich your stay in this historic city.

If you have time, consider making the one hour journey to the historic, picturesque villages of Shirakawago

What makes this experience special

Key highlights

See some of central Kanazawa’s most famous attractions (and a couple reserved for in-the-know locals)
Explore beautiful nature, bustling city and historical sites in just three hours
Take the opportunity to try some of Kanazawa’s most popular cuisine at Omicho Market
Set yourself up for a successful trip by learning how to navigate the city like a local
Have a helpful host to share expert tips and recommendations for the rest of your trip

What to know before you go

Here’s everything you need to know before your day unfolds.

At a glance What’s included Things to know

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

Your hotel/apartment or any other central location

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience

What 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 most

What you’ll do

Buckle up for a practical crash course in getting around Kanazawa like a pro – and a golden opportunity to check out a couple of the city’s must-sees along the way. With your sensei – er, local host – leading the way, you’ll get a feel for the city center, starting at the 120-year-old Kanazawa Station and its surrounding hub of stores, restaurants, and, of course, the exquisite Tsuzumi Gate, an unofficial symbol of the city. At Omicho Market, the “Kitchen of Kanazawa”, join locals browsing stalls packed with mouthwatering food (and get plenty of delicious recommendations from your local insider), then head to Kenroku-en Garden, a famous Japanese landscaped garden that’s conveniently situated right by the bustling downtown Katamachi shopping district.

Real Stories, Real Connections

See our hosts and guests creating memories

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See what happens when you travel unscripted!

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Tami Oct 2025

Criselda was a terrific guide. We had a great day with her.

Andreas Oct 2025

picked us up in our hotel and made the 3h of the tour fly by. Harumi showed us a lot of Kanazawa’s sights (well known and hidden), explained us the context and shared valuable insights you could hardly find as a tourist exploring on your own. Apart from her knowledge, it was fun to spend time with Harumi who shared as well some insights of Japanese everyday’s life today with us. Harumi even helped us in a pharmacy when the 3 h were over. As non-native English speakers we were happy and relieved that Harumi’s English was excellent. All in all we enjoyed the splendid tour and the time we spent with her and we highly recommend Harumi as a tour guide!

Andreas Oct 2025

Harumi really did tailor a tour for us in Kanazawa according to our wishes and interests. She picked us up in our hotel and made the 3h of the tour fly by. Harumi showed us a lot of Kanazawa’s sights (well known and hidden), explained us the context and shared valuable insights you could hardly find as a tourist exploring on your own. Apart from her knowledge, it was fun to spend time with Harumi who shared as well some insights of Japanese everyday’s life today with us. Harumi even helped us in a pharmacy when the 3 h were over. As non-native English speakers we were happy and relieved that Harumi’s English was excellent. All in all we enjoyed the splendid tour and the time we spent with her and we highly recommend Harumi as a tour guide!

Julian Sep 2025

We had an absolutely amazing evening tour of Kanazawa! Our guide was friendly, knowledgeable, and made us feel right at home while showing us the highlights of his hometown. Thanks to him, we felt like we truly made the most out of our day in the city. The tour was the perfect mix of fun insights, local culture, and hidden gems we wouldn’t have discovered on our own. We had such a great time and would definitely recommend this experience to friends and fellow travelers

Craig Sep 2025

Akari was a delight! She was upbeat, interesting and knowledgeable. Our 3 hour walking tour seemed to go by too quickly.

Richard Sep 2025

Nice tour with an interesting and friendly guide. Beautiful park with some delicious shaved ice together.

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