Ishikawa in Half a Day: Nishi Chaya District by taxi — Guide Masayo

July, 2025

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
  • 9:10 Head to Nishi Chaya District by taxi
  • 9:30 Visit the Kanazawa City Nishi Chaya Museum
  • 9:50 Visit the interior of "Hana no Yado," an active teahouse in the Nishi Chaya District, and enjoy matcha and local sweets.
  • 10:20 Visit the Ninja Weapon Museum and enjoy a shuriken throwing experience.
  • 11:00 Head to the Nagamachi Samurai District by bus
  • 11:10 Stroll through the Nagamachi Samurai District and visit the Nomura Family Residence
  • 11:40 Head to Shinbido near the Higashi Chaya District by a taxi called at the Nomura Family Residence
  • 11:55 At Shinbido, see Kutani ware, Ohi ware, Yamanaka lacquerware, Wajima lacquerware, kintsugi, and more, and enjoy shopping for Kutani ware and Yamanaka lacquerware
  • 12:20 Purchase matcha at Amano Tea Shop
  • 12:30 Stroll through the Higashi Chaya District
  • 13:00 Catch a taxi at Hashiba-cho, and the two guests head to Omicho Market. The tour ends for me here
  • The guest couple had come to the Higashi Chaya District on their own yesterday, so they said they would like to enjoy strolling around while having the guide show them the Higashi Chaya District, have shops introduced to them, and enjoy shopping for traditional crafts of this area. In the afternoon, they said they had made a reservation for a tea ceremony experience at 15:00 at a shop inside Kenrokuen, after having lunch at Omicho Market and then going to Kenrokuen.

**What's a Private Kanazawa Samurai and Geisha Culture Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report**

The guests were visiting Japan from North America and had requested a tour focused on samurai and geisha culture, as well as shopping for traditional crafts. [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) is one of Japan's largest networks of government-licensed, English-speaking private tour guides, serving all 47 prefectures.

The guests had visited the Higashi Chaya District the previous afternoon but were unsure where to find good shops, so they asked me to guide them. They also mentioned that, since it was hotter than where they had come from, they wanted to walk as little as possible and travel by taxi where possible.

First, we took a taxi to the Nishi Chaya District. After visiting the Nishi Chaya Museum in Kanazawa, we went to the Ninja Weapon Museum, where the guests viewed authentic displays of samurai swords, armor, and ninja weapons, and they also enjoyed a shuriken throwing experience. Afterward, we toured the interior of "Hana no Yado," a working teahouse in the Nishi Chaya District, and I explained Kanazawa's geiko culture in a room that is actually still in use.

Next, we strolled through the Nagamachi Samurai District and visited the Nomura Family Residence, where the guests became very interested in the life of samurai and how it evolved from the late 16th century to the late 18th century, and I received many questions.

Finally, at a local shop near the Higashi Chaya District, the guests were able to leisurely enjoy shopping for the traditional crafts they had been looking forward to.

Click here for more details: Kanazawa Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1BusHirokoji (Kanazawa City)／Hokuriku Railroad Bus～Korinbo／Hokuriku Railroad Bus210JPY
Total210JPY

Tour Report by Masayo

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,

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