Kanazawa Food & Tea Culture Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide

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6 hours (approximately)
Pickup offered
Offered in: Japanese and 1 more

Since the old days, traditional Japanese culture has been very much a part of daily life in Kanazawa. Its profound charm is attracting attention from overseas.

Kanazawa is well known for its sophisticated food and tea culture. The secret of the popularity of the Kanazawa's cuisine is that it is not just about its taste, but is packed with many Japanese elements such as the spirit of hospitality, the beauty of tea utensils, and traditional methods.

This is the ideal pick for time-tight travelers wanting to discover lots of Kanazawa's dietary highlights in a day. Avoid the potential confusion of public transportation system, and travel comfortably with your private local guide.

Note: The National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.

What's Included

Meet up with guide on foot within designated area of Kanazawa.
Licensed Local English Speaking Guide
Customizable Tour of your choice of 3-4 sites from 'What to expect' list
If you want to experience Tea ceremony, please let your guide know in advance.
Transportation fees, Entrance fees, Lunch, and Other personal expenses
Private Vehicle
You cannot combine multiple tour groups. (Max:10 person)
Guide Entry fees are only covered for sights listed under What to Expect.

Meeting and pickup

Pickup points
You can choose a pickup location at checkout (multiple pickup locations are available).
Pickup details:

This private tour is a walking day tour. A private vehicle is not included. Public transportation or local taxis maybe used to transfer between sites. Exact transportation costs can be discussed with the guide after a reservation is finalized. Please have Japanese Yen on hand for your transportation costs. If you wish to arrange for a private vehicle, please contact us directly. All Private vehicles must be booked 5 days in advance. Maximum number of passengers: 7.

Itinerary

Duration: 6 hours (approximately)
  • 1

    Kenroku-en,one of the three most beautiful gardens in Japan.means a garden combining the six attributes of a perfect garden. As a strolling-style landscape garden,it incorporates fancy designs in every corner,achieving peerless scenery in each season.

    30 minutes • Admission ticket not included
  • 2

    The Shigure-tei Teahouse sits in the middle of Kenroku-en, Kanazawa's stunning traditional stroll garden. Yet another, more hidden, garden sits within the hedged borders of the teahouse property. It can be viewed while enjoying a cup of macha tea and a traditional wagashi sweet or simply from a large tatami room that often welcomes large tour groups. After your refreshment, feel free to step out onto the polished veranda for a better look at the meticulously tended garden.

    30 minutes • Admission ticket not included
  • 3

    Exhibiting over one thousand of items such as wooden Japanese sweet molds has been in use since the Edo period.

    30 minutes • Admission ticket not included
  • 4

    Ohi Pottery is a very specific type of pottery that has been made by one family in Kanazawa for 350 years. The Ohi Pottery Museum and Gallery is housed in their old family residence and provides an excellent introduction to this local ceramic tradition.

    30 minutes • Admission ticket not included
  • 5

    Omicho Market (近江町市場, Ōmichō Ichiba) has been Kanazawa's largest fresh food market since the Edo Period. Today, it is a busy and colorful network of covered streets lined by about 200 shops and stalls. While most shops specialize in the excellent local seafood and produce, you can also find flowers, clothing, kitchen tools and more on sale. Although the market is most exciting during the morning hours, it also gets quite busy around noon, when tourists and locals arrive to have lunch at restaurants inside the market. It is not unusual for lines to build in front of the popular restaurants, many of which specialize in rice bowls topped with fresh Kanazawa seafood.

    1 hour • Admission ticket free
  • 6

    A chaya (lit. teahouse) is an exclusive type of restaurant where guests are entertained by geisha who perform song and dance. During the Edo Period, chaya were found in designated entertainment districts, usually just outside the city limits. Kanazawa has three, well preserved chaya districts, Higashi Chayagai (Eastern Chaya District), Nishi Chayagai (Western Chaya District) and Kazuemachi. Of the three districts, the Higashi Chaya District (東茶屋街, Higashi Chayagai) is the largest and by far the most interesting. Two chaya, the Shima Teahouse and Kaikaro Teahouse, are open to the public. Other buildings along the central street now house cafes and shops. One of the shops, Hakuza, sells gold leaf products, a specialty of Kanazawa, and displays a tea ceremony room which is completely covered in gold leaf.

    30 minutes • Admission ticket free

Additional info

  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • Wheelchair accessible
Supplied by Japan Guide Agency

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Cancellation Policy

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

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