Kanazawa

Kickstart your trip to Kanazawa

City Essentials: First Day • 3 hours 5.0

(36)

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

Akari_Tsushima_Kanazawa_NSP000890

Akari_Tsushima_Kanazawa_BR-1237301823

2

8

See what happens when you travel unscripted!

17,500+ 5-Star Reviews and Counting

Trusted and recommended by travelers worldwide, including 99% on Google and TripAdvisor.

recommended by 99% of travelers on google

recommended by 99% of travelers on tripadvisor

We don’t make deals with businesses - giving you unbiased and authentic local experiences.

Gijs Jul 2025

Thanks to Selda the tour was flexibel, super interesting and really nice. It was great chatting with her!

Rachel Jul 2025

Akari took the time to contact us in advance to ask about our interests resulting in a tour which covered the areas we wanted to see as well as interesting local insights. The day before the tour she also provided restaurant recommendations and offered to help with reservations.

Matthew Jul 2025

Any trip to Kanazawa would be made richer with a host like Akari. Akari provided personalised recommendations on places to eat and even reserved a table for us. Her tour was well paced and provided memorable highlights of Kanazawa as well as fascinating history. It was a joy to learn about Kanazawa with such a knowledgeable and interesting guide like Akari.

Brandon Jul 2025

We went for the quick 2 hour option and it was great because of Akari, the guide’s flexibility. We still saw the tea house district and the samurai house. She knew Japanese history and that was informative. She dropped us off at the fish market and we parted ways! Perfect.

Paul Jul 2025

Best tour we have been on mainly because our tout guide "Mouri" went out of his way to make the day a good one. Although the weather was hot, we stopped several times to take refreshments or ice cream. The visit to the Samari home was interesting and the "Gardens" where spectacular.

Brandon Jul 2025

Akari was awesome! Knowledgeable, fun, flexible. Good recommendations. I bet she’s a favorite of everyone.

SEE ALL REVIEWS