Kenroku-en

The Kanazawa Geisha District Tour will introduce you to this beautiful and intriguing quarter of Kanazawa city’s long held culture and charm. Be taken down the enchanting back streets to visit the less commercial aspects of this charming tea district. Where untouched enclaves take you back to samurai times when this entertainment district was in its heyday. The Kanazawa Samurai District Tour will take you back in time to one of the best preserved samurai districts in Japan. The streets are lined with mud and straw walls encapsulating the unspoilt extravagance of the samurai era. Be taken through this romantic enclave on a trip back in time with this tour. Feel the power and influence of the Lords of Kanazawa by visiting the Kanazawa Castle grounds and park area. View the beautiful white lead roof tiles, touch the formidable Ishikawa-mon Gate and enjoy the tranquility of Lord Maeda’s personal gardens. The defenses and grounds were constructed over hundreds of years as the country changed from war to peace, making them a combination of the best craftsmanship, ingenuity and design of the Edo period. Join this tour to make sure you don’t miss anything on your trip through this historical and political center of Kanazawa. Since the Edo period (1603~), Kenrokuen Garden has been regarded as one of the most beautiful feudal gardens in all of Japan. There is so much to see, such as the Kotoji-toro (lantern with features of a Japanese ‘harp’), the island with the ageless hermit, the lake and natural water fountain, the tea houses and so much more. Plum and cherry blossoms can be seen in spring, azaleas and irises in early summer, leaves with hues of red and yellow in autumn/fall and snow and yukizuri (traditional snow ropes) in winter. Let this walking tour transform your time there into a breathtaking experience.

Discover the beautiful town of Kanazawa on a fully customizable tour. Choose what you would like to experience, what time you would like to start your tour, and where you are staying, and the local partner will arrange a tour to suit you. Start your day by meeting your guide at your hotel, then choose to sites you wish to visit depending on your interests. Example 6-hour Itinerary: Meet your guide at your hotel in Kanazawa and begin your adventure. Visit Kenroku-en, one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan, and stroll through the garden of a feudal lord which took years to complete. Afterward, head to Kanazawa Castle Park and visit Kanazawa Castle. Discover impressive buildings and gardens which been successfully and accurately reconstructed in recent years. Then, enjoy lunch at Omicho Market and be amazed by the selection of fresh fish and local vegetables at "Kanazawa's Kitchen". Then, proceed to the Chaya District for a leisurely walking tour. See the area of Higashi Chaya known for its architecture retaining the grace of the Edo Era with its many miso stores, rice shops, and teahouses serving wagashi confections. Visit stores that practice the traditional folkcraft of Kanazawa and the Kaga Yuzen art of dyed fabrics.

Follow your guide to Nagamachi, a neighborhood once inhabited by a band of Samurais. Discover remnants of this part of Kanazawa’s history with a visit to Nomura Clan Samurai House and see famous artifacts that date back to this period. Visit Kanazawa Castle Gardens and Kenroku-en, one of the finest Japanese gardens in the world. Your guide will take you to the best areas for photos. In spring you’ll see plum blossoms (just before the famous cherry blossom season) whilst in autumn the cherry and maple trees change to a range of beautiful red and orange colors. Finally, take a stroll through Higashi-chaya, once a haven for the fabled Geisha. Your guide will take you through this historic district and take you to a Japanese Tea House where the Geisha once performed. Take the opportunity to sample the famous Gold Leaf Ice Cream. Kanazawa is one of Japan’s top producers of gold leaf, and the local specialty is to serve it in a layer on top of an ice cream cone.