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
- 08:50 Meet at Machiya Kurohoro
- 09:45 Samurai Residence Nomura Family
- 11:10 Kenrokuen Garden
- 11:45 Kanazawa Castle Park
- 12:45 Chamaron in Higashiyama (Lunch)
- 14:00 Kenrokuen Garden
- 13:50 Kanazawa Castle Park
- 14:00 Higashi Chaya District (Gold leaf experience at Mikazari Asano, Shima)
- 15:00 Dismissal at Higashi Chaya District
What Is a Private Day Tour of Kanazawa Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
I guided a group visiting from South America on a private tour of Kanazawa. At the samurai residence, the guests were delighted by the beautiful garden and the elevated tatami room. On the way from the samurai residence to Korinbo, they shopped at stores selling Kutani porcelain, diatomaceous earth products, and indigo-dyed goods. The guests seemed very interested in traditional crafts.
At Kenrokuen Garden, they enjoyed the winter scenery, including the yukitsuri rope supports on the trees. As we were short on time at Kanazawa Castle, we could not go inside the Gojukken Nagaya storehouse, but the guests enjoyed the exterior view of Kanazawa Castle.
For lunch, we visited a Western-style restaurant in the Higashiyama area, where they enjoyed dishes such as pork cutlet curry. They love Japanese curry, and the restaurant staff were very kind, so we had an enjoyable lunchtime.
In the afternoon, we did a gold leaf experience in the Higashi Chaya District. Everyone was satisfied with their original gold leaf creations. After that, I guided them through the Shima teahouse.
The highlights for the guests this time seemed to be shopping for traditional crafts, the pork cutlet curry for lunch, and the gold leaf experience.
Click here for more details: Kanazawa Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
I majored in civil engineering at a college and am interested in historical infrastructures. I have also guided foreign people around Ishikawa Prefecture, Toyama Prefecture, Gifu Prefecture, and Fukui Prefecture as an international activity of an English circle. I was a volunteer interpreter at the training camp for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in 2021.
Hokuriku region has a lot of sightseeing spots as follows, beautiful landscapes like Kenrokuen Garden and Tateyama, tasty food like traditional Kaga dishes and fresh seafood from Toyama Bay, traditional crafts like Kaga Yuzen dyeing, Takaoka copperware, and Inami woodcarving. I introduce these spots and historical infra tourism such as Kurobe dam and industrial tourism.
I also work as a translator. I translated the Japanese firefly squid tourism pamphlet into English in 2020.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/shoten-sasaki/
May 26, 2026
C4211GUbrittanym
Tripadvisor review: Toyama 6hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Great time in Toyama!
Nice tour, guide was very nice and…
May 26, 2026
C4211GUbrittanym
Tripadvisor review: Toyama 6hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Great time in Toyama!
Nice tour, guide was very nice and knowledgeable. We had a great time!
May 14, 2026
190kariml
Great tour in Kanazawa with Sho
Tripadvisor review: Kanazawa 4hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
We had a wonderful time…
May 14, 2026
190kariml
Great tour in Kanazawa with Sho
Tripadvisor review: Kanazawa 4hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
We had a wonderful time in Kanazawa with our guide, Shoten Sasaki. In 5 hours we covered Nagamachi, the samurai quarter; Lunch at Omicho Market; Oyama Shrine; Gyokusen’inmaru Garden; Kanazawa Castle; and Kenrokuen Gardens. Sho shared detailed knowledge at every stop, was kind and really focused on our having the best experience. We enjoyed our time in Kanazawa and highly recommend Sho for touring Kanazawa!
Jul 24, 2025
Wander60650705961
Delightful experience um Kanazawa
Tripadvisor review: Kanazawa 4hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
We had the pleasure of taking a…
Jul 24, 2025
Wander60650705961
Delightful experience um Kanazawa
Tripadvisor review: Kanazawa 4hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
We had the pleasure of taking a tour around Kanazawa with Mr. Shoten Sasaki, and it was truly a memorable experience. Mr. Sasaki was incredibly kind, attentive, and always ready to answer our questions or accommodate our requests with great care and patience.
He guided us through the stunning Kenrokuen Garden and the historic Kanazawa Castle, where he shared fascinating insights and stories about their history. His deep knowledge and passion for the city made every stop even more special.
We also visited the charming geisha districts, the iconic gold leaf workshop—one of Kanazawa’s most symbolic places—and the museum of the city’s very first tea house. Thanks to Mr. Sasaki, we got to experience not just the sights, but also the soul of Kanazawa.
We’re truly grateful for his guidance and warm hospitality. Highly recommended!
Jul 2, 2025
nuttineeyav
Walking day in Kanazawa
Tripadvisor review: Kanazawa 4hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
The old town was very nice to…
Jul 2, 2025
nuttineeyav
Walking day in Kanazawa
Tripadvisor review: Kanazawa 4hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
The old town was very nice to walk around. My husband and I walked around the city with
Sho, our tour guide who provides all the details of Kanazawa. It was a fun sunny day in
Kanazawa. I will definitely go back again.