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
- 9:30 Meet at the hotel, walk toward Oyama Shrine
- 9:45 Visit and stroll around Oyama Shrine, then enter Kanazawa Castle Ruins Park through the Nezumita Gate and stroll around
- 10:15 Head to Kenrokuen from the Ishikawa Gate
- 10:20 After confirming the location of Kikan-tei, located in front of the fountain in Kenrokuen where the 4 guests will experience a tea ceremony tomorrow, go to Kasumigaike Pond, guide them through Niji Bridge, Kotoji Lantern, the observation deck, the Karasaki Pine, the Meiji Memorial Monument, and the Karasaki Pine, then head to Katsurazaka.
- 11:00 Take a route bus to Korinbo, transfer buses at Korinbo, and head to the Ninja Temple
- 11:20 Arrive at the Ninja Temple
- 11:30 The 4 guests join the Ninja Temple tour. Since the guide is not allowed to speak English inside the temple, the guide waits outside.
- 12:20 Finish the Ninja Temple tour and walk toward the Ninja Weapons Museum.
- 12:30 Tour the Ninja Weapons Museum. Enjoy a shuriken (throwing star) experience as well.
- 13:15 Stroll from Nishi Chaya District, where the Ninja Weapons Museum is located, toward the Katamachi area.
- 13:30 Take a bus toward the Omicho Market area.
- 13:45 Enter a conveyor belt sushi restaurant located on the outer side of Omicho Market, have lunch, then stroll through the market, buy strawberries, and eat them in the market.
- 14:25 Take a bus toward the Higashi Chaya District area.
- 14:35 At the Sakuda Main Store of gold leaf, located near the Higashi Chaya District, watch a gold leaf production demonstration. Watched machine leaf-beating and gold leaf transfer. The guide interprets the gold leaf production process and the artisan's talk. Also tour the second-floor restroom fully covered in gold leaf.
- 15:05 Stroll around the Higashi Chaya District
- 15:30 Tour ends
Title: What Is a Private Family Day Tour of Kanazawa Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were a group visiting from North America. They planned the entire trip themselves, arranging transportation, accommodation, and guide bookings, and they had researched Japan very thoroughly.
Some of the guests were interested in Japanese youth culture, fashion, and food. They mentioned that they had really enjoyed sushi, Pokémon, and youth fashion during their time in Japan, and they were looking forward to visiting a Pokémon Center and youth clothing shops in a fashion building near the station in Kanazawa on the following afternoon.
Today, some of the guests said they had enjoyed Kenrokuen Garden, the Ninja Weapon Museum, a conveyor-belt sushi restaurant, and eating sweet strawberries bought at Omicho Market. The guests were moved by the beauty of Kenrokuen Garden and found the demonstration of the gold-leaf making process fascinating.
Click here for more details: Kanazawa Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Free Pass | Kanazawa Station～Kenrokuen, Kanazawa Castle | 800JPY |
| Total | 800JPY | ||
Hello.
My name is Masayo Shirai.
I have been a national licensed tour guide of English since April in 2014.
I was born. raised, and still living near the Higashi Chaya District in Kanazawa.
I have guided lots of foreign guests in my hometown Kanazawa, Gokayama, Shirakawago, Takaymam, Kaga, Fukui, and Toyama.
I have guided FIT, highend FIT, group tour, and bus tours.
I have been learning tea cemoney, flower arrangement, and noh performance of noh chanting and playing the hand drum.
I can take you to the experience spot of such traditional cultural spots in my hometown, Kanazawa,
Oct 5, 2025
L
LightPacker147788
Kanazawa visit
Tripadvisor review: Kanazawa 6hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Very interesting tour with Masayo. She took us…
Oct 5, 2025
L
LightPacker147788
Kanazawa visit
Tripadvisor review: Kanazawa 6hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Very interesting tour with Masayo. She took us to excellent locations including the Samurai
housing district and super location for lunch.
Jun 27, 2025
H6092PZsuem
Pleasant and interesting morning
Tripadvisor review: Kanazawa 4hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Masayo was our guide for the morning.…
Jun 27, 2025
H6092PZsuem
Pleasant and interesting morning
Tripadvisor review: Kanazawa 4hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Masayo was our guide for the morning. She met us at our hotel and took us on a very interesting tour of some of the main sites in Kanazawa She was pleasant company ,letting us spend as much time as we wanted at each place. Masayo told us many intriguing facts about the history of the area and the local culture
Mar 16, 2025
952bonnieh
Wonderful!!!
Tripadvisor review: Kanazawa 6hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
We loved our time with Masayo! Thank you for a…
Mar 16, 2025
952bonnieh
Wonderful!!!
Tripadvisor review: Kanazawa 6hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
We loved our time with Masayo! Thank you for a wonderful tour. Jason and I learned so much and enjoyed every minute. We will definitely recommend her to our loved ones who would like to visit Kanazawa. It is such a beautiful city!
We are looking forward to dinner at her sushi restaurant tonight! Thank you for the recommendation.
Just so you know – we went to Huni restaurant for dinner last night and it was fantastic. Chef Takuo is an amazing cook and he is an artist, too! Please recommend it to your travelers.
Jan 3, 2025
U5110ZKjades
A day in Kanazawa with Masayo!
Tripadvisor review: Kanazawa 6hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Masayo Shirai was an excellent…
Jan 3, 2025
U5110ZKjades
A day in Kanazawa with Masayo!
Tripadvisor review: Kanazawa 6hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Masayo Shirai was an excellent guide! We had the best experience & she showed us many
local spots and the best sushi! Thankyou Masayo!!