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
- 8:45 Meet at the hotel 8:55 Head to Kenrokuen from Kanazawa Station on the Kanazawa Loop Bus 9:10 Tour Kenrokuen
- 9:30 Tour the Ishikawa Museum of Traditional Arts and Crafts next to Kenrokuen
- 10:00 Return to Kenrokuen 10:25 Stroll through Kanazawa Castle Park
- 10:55 Go from Nezumita Gate to Oyama Shrine for a stroll and visit
- 11:20 Head toward the Nagamachi Samurai District and tour the Ashigaru Museum
- 11:40 Tour the Takada Family Residence 11:55 Tour the Nomura Family Residence
- 12:30 Take a taxi from Korinbo toward the Higashi Chaya District
- 12:45 At Sakuda Gold Leaf, tour and receive an explanation of the gold leaf production process 13:15 Walk through the Higashi Chaya District.
- 13:25 At the plaza of the Higashi Chaya District, explain the Higashi Chaya District and its highlights, ending the tour in front of Shima
What Is a Private Walking Tour of Kanazawa Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
Despite the rainy season, it stayed sunny for the first three hours after the tour began, so the guests enjoyed strolling through Kanazawa's famous sights and the back streets along the canals.
The guests were especially interested in Kanazawa's traditional culture and gold leaf. For this reason, they loved the Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Traditional Arts and Crafts, and at the shop they purchased a small replica of the Kaga lion dance figure unique to Kanazawa.
At Hakuza gold leaf shop, they were fascinated by the gold leaf manufacturing process, listening attentively to the explanations and watching the work closely. They remarked that Kanazawa is a beautiful and wonderful city.
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 | Kanazawa Station～Kenrokuenshita, Kanazawa Castle | 210JPY |
| Total | 210JPY | ||
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!!