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
- 9:00 Meet at the hotel, head to Omicho Market and take a stroll.
- 9:20 Take a route bus toward the Ninja Temple. Made a reservation for 10:00 while on the bus.
- 9:40 Arrived at the Ninja Temple. While waiting until our name was called at 9:50, I gave guidance outside the Ninja Temple about its history and its relationship with the Maeda family.
- 10:00 Toured the Ninja Temple. Since the guide inside could not speak English, I accompanied them until the instruction time ended, and after they received a file with English guidance and photos and the tour began, I waited outside.
- 10:45 At Sakami Tea Shop near the Ninja Temple, they shopped for matcha and sencha.
- 11:05 Entered Hana no Yado in Nishi Chaya District, enjoyed matcha and local sweets, and toured the tea house. The owner only allows customers brought by local guides to visit.
- 11:35 Toured the Nishi Chaya District Museum.
- 11:55 Took the Kanazawa Flat Bus toward the Nagamachi Samurai District.
- 12:10 Toured the Nomura Family Residence. Afterward, we strolled through the streets behind the Nomura Residence, and the customers purchased Kutani ware and a bag made from obi fabric.
- 13:05 Took a route bus toward Musashigatsuji.
- 13:15 Arrived at Omicho Market. At the customers' request, at the place we had seen in the morning, they found and purchased their favorite lunch of sushi and sashimi.
- 13:30 As the customers headed back from Omicho Market to their hotel near the market, I said goodbye and ended the tour.

What Can You See on a Private Day Tour of Kanazawa? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visiting Japan for the first time from North America. They were interested in Japanese history, culture, and food. They had arrived in Kanazawa from Kyoto in the afternoon two days earlier. Staying at a hotel near Omicho Market, they had already visited Kenrokuen Garden, Kanazawa Castle Park, and the Higashi Chaya District. Today they requested the Ninja Temple, the Nagamachi Samurai District, the Nomura Family Residence, and Omicho Market. Having watched "Shogun" back home, they were very interested in the stories of the Kaga Domain and the Tokugawa family during the Edo period. Since I gave an overview of the Ninja Temple before the visit, they said the tour of the Ninja Temple was very interesting.
They were also amazed by the beauty of the garden at the Nomura Family Residence and the splendid koi of various colors, and took many photos.
For this afternoon, they said they would eat sashimi and sushi bought at Omicho Market at their hotel near the market, and then head to the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa.
Click here for more details: Kanazawa Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Other | Kanazawa Station/Hokuriku Railroad Bus~Hirokoji (Kanazawa City)/Hokuriku Railroad Bus | 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!!
