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
- Early this morning in the middle of the night, the customer's agent contacted me on WhatsApp, which I rarely use, and at the customer's request, today's start time was 12:00 and the end was until boarding the Kanazawa-to-Tokyo Shinkansen departing at 15:57.
- The itinerary is as follows
- 12:00 Meet at the hotel, and at the grandchild's request, walk to the Starbucks at Kanazawa Station.
- 12:30 From Starbucks, take a taxi from the Kenrokuen Exit to Ishikawa Gate
- 12:50 Enter Kanazawa Castle Ruins Park from Ishikawa Gate and stroll.
- 13:30 Enter Kenrokuen from the Katsurazaka Gate and stroll
- 14:10 Walk from the Mayumizaka Gate of Kenrokuen to the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa
- 14:20 Enjoy all the installations on the lawn outside the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa. After that, enjoy the free zone inside the museum
- 15:00 Return to the hotel by taxi, pick up the luggage, and head to Kanazawa Station.
- 15:30 Arrive at the Shinkansen platform
- 15:57 See off the customer boarding the Kagayaki No. 510 and conclude the tour.
What Can You See on a Private Kanazawa Walking Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were a group visiting from North America. Although they came from a region where the official language is Spanish, they spoke English.
One of the requests was Kanazawa Castle Park and another was Kenrokuen Garden, so we visited these two places first. The guests enjoyed strolling around while taking many photos.
Then, since the group had mentioned an interest in art, we visited the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa, and the guests were delighted. In particular, they enjoyed stepping inside several of the installations set on the lawn outside the museum, taking photos and enjoying the art.
At the entrance to Kanazawa Castle Park, one of the staff members handed over an origami flapping crane and an origami shuriken, which the guests were pleased with and played with.
For the visit to the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, the weather was fine, and the outdoor installations were unexpectedly beautiful. The guests also found the free zone inside interesting and enjoyable.
Click here for more details: Kanazawa Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
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!!