This is a private guided tour report by Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.), a network of 1,000+ government-licensed, English-speaking local guides across all 47 prefectures of Japan. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.
Tour Itinerary
- 09:00 Meet at Hotel Kanazawa
- 09:20 Teramachi Temple District
- 10:00 Tsuda Mizuhiki Orikata
- 11:00 Nishi Chaya District
- 11:40 Omicho (Lunch)
- 13:10 Kenrokuen Garden
- 13:50 Kanazawa Castle Park
- 14:50 Higashi Chaya District
- 15:10 Disband at Higashi Chaya District
Tour Itinerary in Detail
This private tour of Ishikawa began at 09:00, when the guide met the guests at Hotel Kanazawa, and finished at 15:10. The day ran to 6 hours and 10 minutes from start to finish.
From there the group visited Teramachi Temple District at 09:20, Tsuda Mizuhiki Orikata at 10:00, Nishi Chaya District at 11:00, Omicho (Lunch) at 11:40, Kenrokuen Garden at 13:10, Kanazawa Castle Park at 13:50 and Higashi Chaya District at 14:50.
What Is a Private One-Day Kanazawa Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
I guided the guests who came from North America. We strolled through the temple district of Teramachi, and they tried their hand at calligraphy using a bamboo brush. There, they bought a mouse pad with an ukiyo-e style design. At a mizuhiki (decorative paper cord) workshop, they experienced making a mizuhiki necklace. It seemed quite difficult to make, but they crafted it beautifully. They also bought several mizuhiki souvenirs. We strolled through the Nishi Chaya district and enjoyed the old townscape. For lunch, they savored dishes such as seafood rice bowls and tempura set meals at Omicho Market. At Kenrokuen Garden, they seemed to particularly enjoy the autumn foliage scenery. They were also interested in the traditional architectural style of Kanazawa Castle. They seemed to like the elegant guest rooms of Shima in the Higashi Chaya district as well.
The guests this time were interested in traditional crafts, and it seemed the mizuhiki experience was especially enjoyable for them.
Click here for more details: Kanazawa Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
I majored in civil engineering at a college and am interested in historical infrastructures. I have also guided foreign people around Ishikawa Prefecture, Toyama Prefecture, Gifu Prefecture, and Fukui Prefecture as an international activity of an English circle. I was a volunteer interpreter at the training camp for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in 2021.
Hokuriku region has a lot of sightseeing spots as follows, beautiful landscapes like Kenrokuen Garden and Tateyama, tasty food like traditional Kaga dishes and fresh seafood from Toyama Bay, traditional crafts like Kaga Yuzen dyeing, Takaoka copperware, and Inami woodcarving. I introduce these spots and historical infra tourism such as Kurobe dam and industrial tourism.
I also work as a translator. I translated the Japanese firefly squid tourism pamphlet into English in 2020.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/shoten-sasaki/
May 26, 2026
C4211GUbrittanym
Tripadvisor review: Toyama 6hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Great time in Toyama!
Nice tour, guide was very nice and…
May 26, 2026
C4211GUbrittanym
Tripadvisor review: Toyama 6hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Great time in Toyama!
Nice tour, guide was very nice and knowledgeable. We had a great time!
May 14, 2026
190kariml
Great tour in Kanazawa with Sho
Tripadvisor review: Kanazawa 4hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
We had a wonderful time…
May 14, 2026
190kariml
Great tour in Kanazawa with Sho
Tripadvisor review: Kanazawa 4hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
We had a wonderful time in Kanazawa with our guide, Shoten Sasaki. In 5 hours we covered Nagamachi, the samurai quarter; Lunch at Omicho Market; Oyama Shrine; Gyokusen’inmaru Garden; Kanazawa Castle; and Kenrokuen Gardens. Sho shared detailed knowledge at every stop, was kind and really focused on our having the best experience. We enjoyed our time in Kanazawa and highly recommend Sho for touring Kanazawa!
Jul 24, 2025
Wander60650705961
Delightful experience um Kanazawa
Tripadvisor review: Kanazawa 4hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
We had the pleasure of taking a…
Jul 24, 2025
Wander60650705961
Delightful experience um Kanazawa
Tripadvisor review: Kanazawa 4hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
We had the pleasure of taking a tour around Kanazawa with Mr. Shoten Sasaki, and it was truly a memorable experience. Mr. Sasaki was incredibly kind, attentive, and always ready to answer our questions or accommodate our requests with great care and patience.
He guided us through the stunning Kenrokuen Garden and the historic Kanazawa Castle, where he shared fascinating insights and stories about their history. His deep knowledge and passion for the city made every stop even more special.
We also visited the charming geisha districts, the iconic gold leaf workshop—one of Kanazawa’s most symbolic places—and the museum of the city’s very first tea house. Thanks to Mr. Sasaki, we got to experience not just the sights, but also the soul of Kanazawa.
We’re truly grateful for his guidance and warm hospitality. Highly recommended!
Jul 2, 2025
nuttineeyav
Walking day in Kanazawa
Tripadvisor review: Kanazawa 4hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
The old town was very nice to…
Jul 2, 2025
nuttineeyav
Walking day in Kanazawa
Tripadvisor review: Kanazawa 4hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
The old town was very nice to walk around. My husband and I walked around the city with
Sho, our tour guide who provides all the details of Kanazawa. It was a fun sunny day in
Kanazawa. I will definitely go back again.