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,
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 A few days ago, an email came from the customer, and it had been changed to a 9:30 start.
- Met at the hotel lobby, walked along Hakuchoro and headed to Kenrokuen.
- 9:45 Bought a gold leaf soft serve ice cream at the Hakuichi branch on the slope near Kenrokuen and ate it outside.
- 10:10 Strolled around Kenrokuen, and walked around Kanazawa Castle Park from Ishikawa Gate.
- 11:10 Took a taxi below Nezumita Gate and headed to the Ninja Temple.
- 11:30 Toured the Ninja Temple. Since guides cannot give explanations inside the Ninja Temple, I waited outside.
- 12:15 Took a route bus from Hirokoji to Korinbo.
- 12:25 Strolled from Korinbo through the Nagamachi Samurai District and visited the Nomura Family Residence.
- 13:00 Caught a taxi in front of the Nomura Family Residence and headed to Omicho Market.
- 13:10 Strolled around Omicho Market. Enjoyed wagyu beef skewers and drinks at a butcher shop in Omicho Market.
- 13:30 Ended the tour.
What Can You See on a 4-Hour Private Kanazawa Tour Before Catching the Shinkansen to Kyoto? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visiting from North America, and this was their first trip to Japan on an 11-day visit.
Since they were heading to Kyoto on the 16:30 shinkansen departing from Kanazawa today, it was a 4-hour tour using local buses and taxis, but they were delighted because we were able to visit all the places they wanted to see. At Kenrokuen Garden and Kanazawa Castle Park, they took great interest in my guiding about the Maeda family. Since we visited the Ninja Temple after that explanation, they found the content easy to understand. They were deeply moved by the beautiful garden of the Nomura family residence.
After the tour ended, since my home is near Higashi Chaya District, I walked together with the guests who were heading to Higashi Chaya District on their own while I returned home, and I was able to recommend a good cafe and point out the highlights of Higashi Chaya District along the way.
Click here for more details: Kanazawa Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Bus | Hirokoji (Kanazawa City)／Hokuriku Railroad Bus～Korinbo／Hokuriku Railroad Bus | 220JPY |
| Total | 220JPY | ||
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!!