Iconic Sights & Hidden Gems • 8 hours 5.0 (6)

Top 10 Kanazawa in a day

Unlock Kanazawa's secrets with a local host by your side and explore must-see landmarks with hidden treasures sprinkled in between.

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

What makes this experience special

Key highlights

  • Visit 10 of Kanazawa’s most iconic attractions in just one day
  • Explore several of its famous central neighborhoods including Kenroku-en and the Higashi Chaya geisha district
  • See landmarks like Kanazawa Castle and Tsuzumi Gate
  • Grab a snack of local street food at Omicho Market, the “Kitchen of Karawaza”
  • Let your local host offer tips and recommendations for more things to see and do on your trip

What to know before you go

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

8 hours
Fully tailored to your preferences
English Other languages may be requested

What’s included

Private and personalized experience
8 hours with a host
Walking experience (other transport can be arranged at an additional cost)

What’s not included

Food and drinks (but you can pre-book your lunch with us, simply contact hello@cityunscripted.com)
Tickets to any attractions
Transportation costs
Gratuities (optional)

Meeting point

Kanazawa Station Information Center - The host will be waiting in front of it by the main entrance.

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

Kanazawa is home to centuries of preserved history – you could never see all of its top attractions in just one day, but what you could do is explore the heart of the city, and tick 10 of them off your bucket list! Higashi Chaya, the city’s famous geisha district, is a must-see, but Nichi Chaya in the south has a rich geisha tradition and some hidden gems of its own, like rakugan – Kanazawa’s pretty, pastel-colored sweets – and a geisha training ground. You’ll see iconic symbols of Japan’s historic heart, like the stately Kanazawa Castle, Omicho Market, and Kenroku-en Garden (one of Japan’s Three Great Gardens), but you’ll also explore the city’s contemporary side in Katamachi, a lively downtown district lined with trendy shops, cool cafes, restaurants, and bars.

1. Select a date
2. Select start time
3. Tailor your experience
Answer a few quick questions to help your host craft the perfect day tailored to you.
1. What’s your preferred hosting style?
2. How would you like the pace of your day?
3. What’s your walking comfort level?
4. Are you celebrating something special?

Real Stories, Real Connections

See our hosts and guests creating memories
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What travelers think of this experience

Ross Apr 2023

Our guide was amazing, she was wonderful with our 10 year old son and had so much knowledge to share. She showed us all we asked to see plus extra would highly recommend Yukari

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Grittin Apr 2025

We had the pleasure of having Rimiko san as our tour guide in Kanazawa. She is not only a professional and informative tour guide, but a kind, patient, and friendly person as well. While we did lot of walking and learning about the history of Kanazawa, she was always attentive to our desires. For a short 1-day trip, she did her best to help us get the most out of the city with perfect pace for our family of seven including two small kids. She also knows the best spots to get good photos for our memories and the pictures are a delight. I strongly recommend her to anyone wanting to see and experience Kanazawa. Thank you Rimiko san!

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Ashley Apr 2025

Sho was an amazing guide - he took a lot of great photos of us and showed us unique things about the sites we visited. Since he had background as an engineer, he made learning about the castle building really interesting!

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David Apr 2025

Akari was a great food guide, we booked the tour at the last minute and her communication in pulling it together was fantastic. The planned day went without a hiccup and Akari introduced us to great dining spots and provide invaluable insights into Kanazawa and it food culture

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David Apr 2025

Akira was a fantastic guide who introduced us to hidden local Japanese eating spots.

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Jillian Apr 2025

Criselda is a great communicator and proactive in making suggestions as to what might be of interest to. She is very engaging and knowledgeable. We had a lovely afternoon with her exploring beautiful Kanazawa.

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