Complete Kanazawa Samurai & Ninja Experience Guide 2025: Authentic Activities, Historic Districts & Cultural Tours
Kanazawa is a city in Ishikawa Prefecture along the Sea of Japan that has long developed as a castle town.
During the era called Edo, spanning the 1600s to 1800s, it flourished as a region where samurai lived and was known as a cultural city alongside Kyoto and Tokyo.
Traditional crafts and arts were nurtured here, and remnants of this heritage remain throughout the city today. It's characterized by cobblestone streets, historical samurai residences, and old-fashioned districts called Chaya-gai.
Incidentally, Chaya-gai refers to areas lined with traditional wooden architecture where geisha entertained guests with their arts, tea ceremonies, and music.
Kanazawa has excellent facilities where you can experience history and culture, and an attractive point is that you can enjoy various experiences while exploring the historic streets.
So this time, we'll introduce tourist spots where you can experience Kanazawa's history and culture in an easy-to-understand way.
Table of Contents
-At Shijimaya Honpo, You Can Enjoy an Authentic Kanazawa Samurai Experience
-Experiences at Shijimaya Honpo Other Than the Kanazawa Samurai Experienc
-Three Facilities Where You Can Experience Ninja and Samurai in Kanazawa
-Two Facilities Recommended for Those Interested in History and Culture
Castle Town Kanazawa Has Many Spots Related to Tradition and Culture
Kanazawa has a history where merchants and craftsmen gathered around the castle, and culture and economy flourished. Even today, you can feel the atmosphere of that era throughout the city.
Representative examples include residences that convey the lifestyle of samurai and historical districts such as Chaya-gai, where traditional wooden buildings line the streets. In these places, you can closely experience the lifestyle and aesthetic sensibilities of that time.
Furthermore, there are abundant facilities where you can experience making traditional crafts such as lacquerware and gold leaf, as well as museums where you can learn about the culture.
Not just viewing buildings, but being able to experience Japanese culture with your own hands is a major attraction of Kanazawa tourism.
The old streets harmonize with modern culture, allowing you to enjoy a unique atmosphere unlike any other city.
Kanazawa Also Has Spots Where You Can Enjoy Samurai-Related Activities
Kanazawa has numerous spots where you can actually experience samurai history and culture—a true **Kanazawa Samurai Experience**.
The attractive point is that you can feel the culture with all five senses, such as touching armor and swords, and learning about the warrior lifestyle.
In this city where warriors were active from the 1600s to 1800s, samurai residences from that time remain, and you can see the building interiors and lifestyles up close.
Additionally, at experiential facilities, you can feel history intimately through warrior etiquette, trying on armor and weapons, and photo opportunities.
You can have valuable experiences that combine tourism and learning, and even first-time visitors can enjoy and understand the culture.
What Are Samurai?
Samurai refers to a class of people who held special roles throughout Japanese history. Originally born as warriors skilled in battle, they became deeply involved in politics and culture as times progressed.
During the era called Edo, spanning the 1600s to 1800s, they lived in castle towns throughout the land as retainers serving the shogun and were important figures maintaining regional order.
They were characterized by wearing swords and armor and emphasizing etiquette and education. It's said they possessed not only martial strength but also spiritual fortitude and aesthetic sensibilities.
Kanazawa flourished as the castle town of an area called "Kaga," which was a powerful domain at the time, and many samurai lived there.
Even today, buildings and culture that convey their lives remain in the city, making it a valuable place where visitors can learn about that worldview.
At Shijimaya Honpo, You Can Enjoy an Authentic Kanazawa Samurai Experience
Source:Official website
Shijimaya Honpo, located in downtown Kanazawa, is known as a long-established shop for traditional fermented foods, but here they also offer special programs where you can experience samurai culture—a genuine Kanazawa Samurai Experience.
The store has displays of Japanese swords passed down through generations, and you can hear explanations about the swords in English.
Furthermore, options are available where you can actually wear replica swords and samurai-style costumes and take photographs, and the attractive point is that you can physically experience history.
Also, since the program can basically be experienced in about 90 minutes, you can easily participate between sightseeing activities.
Wear a Replica Sword and Iaido Hakama for an Experience Like Becoming a Real Samurai
Source:Official website
At Shijimaya Honpo's Kanazawa Samurai Experience, you can wear a replica sword (a bladeless sword) and Hakama, the traditional warrior costume, spending special time as if you've become a real samurai.
It's not just about wearing the costume—under the careful guidance of staff, you can experience how to hold the sword, basic movements, and postures.
By being conscious of your standing posture and behavior, you can naturally encounter the etiquette and beautiful movements that warriors of that time valued.
While it's a program you can easily participate in during your sightseeing, the experience content is authentic and deepens your cultural understanding.
It's highly popular not only with those interested in history but also with travelers looking for unique activities perfect for photography, making it a memorable experience.
I also took photos in various poses. It's the perfect activity for those who want to physically experience traditional Japanese culture.
Experiences at Shijimaya Honpo Other Than the Kanazawa Samurai Experience
Shijimaya Honpo offers various programs where you can experience Japanese culture closely, in addition to the Kanazawa Samurai Experience. It's an attractive feature that you can easily drop by during your sightseeing and freely choose experiences according to your interests and purposes. From here, I'll introduce experience programs at Shijimaya Honpo other than the Samurai Experience.
Viewing Japanese Swords with English Explanations
Source:Official website
At Shijimaya Honpo, in addition to the Samurai experience, there is a program where you can see Japanese swords up close and receive detailed explanations in English.
What is displayed here includes historically valuable items such as the famous sword "Kanemoto" made about 500 years ago, a sword owned by a feudal lord in the late 1800s, and a small dagger carried by women.
The explanations introduce easy-to-understand points even for those unfamiliar with swords, such as the shape of the sword, wave-like patterns appearing on the blade surface, and the texture of the steel. Traditional Kanazawa crafts are used in decorative parts such as the sword handle, and you can clearly see that it is both a weapon and a work of art. When I visited, I was captivated by the beauty of the swords I actually saw.
You Can Leisurely View Traditional Gardens and Buddhist Altars
Source:Official website
You can also leisurely view spaces where you can feel traditional Japanese architecture and culture. Inside the building, there is a well-maintained traditional Japanese garden where you can enjoy the beauty of nature that differs with each season.
The time spent in the quiet atmosphere with green moss, the sound of water, and stone lanterns is perfect for a break between walking around the city.
Inside the facility, there is also an exhibition of Buddhist altars with a long history. Buddhist altars are special wooden altars for enshrining Buddha statues and ancestors in the home, based on Buddhist faith.
Shijimaya Honpo's Buddhist altars are decorated with traditional Japanese crafts such as gold leaf down to the finest details, and are worth seeing as works of art. It's recommended for those who want to slowly experience the delicacy of Japanese culture in a quiet space.
Learn About Kanazawa Culture from Various Angles, Including Samurai Culture, Townspeople Culture, and Fermented Food Culture
Source:Official website
At Shijimaya Honpo, you can learn about Kanazawa's diverse culture, not just through the Kanazawa Samurai Experience and viewing Japanese swords. Kanazawa once prospered as a castle town where Samurai lived, and at the same time, it is a region where merchants and craftsmen nurtured their own unique culture.
Inside the facility, there are exhibitions where you can feel both samurai culture and townspeople culture, and you can learn about the lifestyle and values of that time.
Furthermore, this facility is also a long-established store that has inherited the culture of fermented food. In Kanazawa, there is a history where traditional food culture using fermentation to mature ingredients with natural forces, such as miso, soy sauce, and pickles, has developed.
Barrels and tools are displayed inside the facility, and you can learn about the mechanism and history of fermentation. There is also a healthy lunch using fermented foods, and when I ate it, there were many dishes, all delicious, and I was very satisfied.
<Information>
Address: 1-17-28 Yayoi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Business Hours: 8:00-17:00
Regular Holiday: Operating from January to November 20
Phone Number: 0120-41-4173
Official Website: https://www.kabura.jp/
If You Want to Enjoy Kanazawa's Traditions and Culture More Deeply, It's Recommended to Have Local Residents Guide You
Kanazawa has many attractions, and for first-time visitors, it may be quite difficult to cover everything in one stay. What's convenient at such times is a walking tour of about 5 hours guided by local guides who can speak English.
On the tour, you can efficiently visit major tourist spots while receiving easy-to-understand explanations about history and culture.
For example, at "Omicho Market," called the kitchen of Kanazawa, you can experience the lively atmosphere with fresh seafood and local ingredients lined up. After that, you will visit Kanazawa Castle, which was built as a base for this area, and you can feel the traces of when it prospered as a castle town.
And Kenrokuen Garden, counted as one of Japan's three famous gardens, has nature, ponds, bridges, and stone lanterns beautifully arranged for each season, and you can truly experience Japanese beauty.
Because you can tour not just walking through tourist spots, but understanding the history and culture behind them, it's recommended for those who want to fully experience Kanazawa's charm in limited time.
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Meeting point: In front of Family Mart + Drug Komeya Kanazawa Musashi Store
Tour area: Omicho Market, Kenrokuen Garden, Higashi Chaya District, etc.
Start time: 10:00
Three Facilities Where You Can Experience Ninja and Samurai in Kanazawa
In Kanazawa, there are several facilities where you can experience Ninja and Samurai culture up close. You can explore historical buildings, see and experience actual weapons and tools, making it easy to understand the ingenuity of ancient Japanese warfare.
These authentic Kanazawa Samurai Experience opportunities allow you to step back in time and immerse yourself in Japan's warrior heritage. From here, we'll introduce three carefully selected facilities in Kanazawa where you can have experiences related to Ninja and Samurai.
"Evening Activity" Experience at Joushouji Temple
Source:Kanazawa Tourism Official
Joushouji Temple is a Kanazawa temple with over 400 years of history. Here, they offer Japanese cultural experience programs in the evening. The program allows you to spend time calming your mind and body while experiencing Samurai spirit and Buddhist culture in the temple's quiet space.
The first experience is a ritual called "Kouboku" where you burn fragrant wood and savor its aroma. Quietly enjoying the scent enhances your concentration and calms your mind.
After that, you'll experience the basic movements of "Kendo" using a wooden sword. This is one of Japan's traditional martial arts, characterized by its emphasis on the beauty of posture and movement.
I participated as well, and since they explain everything carefully, even beginners can enjoy it. And when you swing the wooden sword while shouting loudly, it feels exhilarating.
After that, you'll listen to taiko drum performances and talks by monks inside the building, and finally, you'll prepare and taste Green Tea yourself.
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Address: 5-70 Teramachi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Hours: 16:30-18:00
Regular Holidays: Held every Tuesday and Thursday
Phone: 076-241-9425
Official Website: https://kanazawajoshoji.wixsite.com/toppage
Ninja Weapon Museum
Source:Kanazawa Tourism Official
The Ninja Weapon Museum in Kanazawa is a facility where you can view and experience various weapons used by Ninja and Samurai. This outstanding Kanazawa Samurai Experience venue offers hands-on activities that bring history to life.
Inside the museum, approximately 160 precious items are displayed, including "Shuriken," metal throwing weapons, chain weapons with blades attached to the end, and elaborate Samurai armor.
Located in a renovated traditional house, you can feel history up close in a charming, old-fashioned space.
Moreover, in addition to viewing the exhibits, the attractive point is that you can actually experience throwing Shuriken.
I tried it too, and had an intense competition with my friends to see if we could hit the center of the target.
The museum also has a shop selling souvenirs, where you can purchase replica swords, original goods, and Kanazawa sweets.
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Address: 2-26-1 Nomachi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Hours: 10:00-17:00
Regular Holidays: Open year-round
Phone: 076-245-6450
Official Website: https://www.ninjaweaponmuseum.jp/
Myouryuji (Ninja Temple)
Source:Tripadvisor
Myoryuji Temple is a Buddhist temple in Kanazawa built in 1643, and is called the "Ninja Temple" due to its special architectural structure.
Although Ninja did not actually live there, many mechanisms were created to prepare for enemy intrusion, and you can experience an atmosphere just like a Ninja mansion.
From the outside it appears to be a two-story building, but amazingly, a complex seven-layer structure is hidden inside. With 23 rooms and 29 staircases, there are many surprising points with various ingenious features such as hidden stairs, secret doors, and escape routes designed to confuse enemies.
The entire building is like a kind of trap house, and walking through the interior feels like exploring a maze.
Please note that visits require advance reservations, so be sure to make a reservation by phone beforehand.
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Address: 1-2-12 Nomachi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Hours: 9:00-16:00
Regular Holidays: January 1st, 2nd, and memorial service days
Phone: 076-241-0888
Official Website: http://www.myouryuji.or.jp/
Two Facilities Recommended for Those Interested in History and Culture
In Kanazawa, there are still many places where you can deeply learn about Japanese history and traditional culture. From here, we'll introduce facilities in Kanazawa that are especially recommended for those interested in Japanese history and culture.
Kanazawa Castle
Kanazawa Castle is a historic castle located in the center of Kanazawa, and was used as the headquarters of the Maeda family who ruled the region called Kaga domain.
The castle was first built in the 1500s, surrounded by moats and high stone walls, serving as an important defensive stronghold during the era of warfare.
Some parts were later lost to fire, and the current buildings are partially reconstructed, carefully reproducing their original appearance.
One characteristic of the castle is its white tile roof. The tiles are made of lead, and while the reason for using lead to create a white finish is not clear, the sight that looks like snow has accumulated is very beautiful.
The grounds are spacious, and by walking around the stone walls, gates, and long corridors, you can imagine the world where Samurai lived at that time. This is an essential part of any Kanazawa Samurai Experience journey.
Parks are also developed around the castle, and in spring, cherry blossoms bloom and it bustles with many tourists.
Also, every Saturday and on designated days, the castle is lit up at night. I've visited before, and the mystical atmosphere allows you to enjoy a different view from the daytime.
<Information>
Address: 1-1 Marunouchi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Hours: 7:00-18:00 (8:00-17:00 from October 16th to the end of February)
Regular Holidays: Open year-round
Phone: 076-234-3800
Official Website: None
Nagamachi Samurai District
Nagamachi Samurai District is an area right next to Kanazawa Castle, where the townscape where Samurai once lived still remains today.
On both sides of the narrow streets, earthen walls and cobblestone paths continue, and it's a precious place where you can feel the atmosphere of the 1600s to 1800s as it was.
This district was where middle and high-ranking Samurai who served to protect the castle lived, and is also characterized by elegant gardens that utilized water drawn from the river.
The walls are earthen walls designed to protect from snow. In winter, the sight of walls protected with covers called "Komo," woven from straw and rope, has become a seasonal tradition, and you can enjoy different landscapes depending on the season.
There are also samurai residences open to the public within the district. I've entered before, and from the tatami-floored rooms, gardens, and daily life tools, I was able to feel the life of that time up close.
<Information>
Address: Nagamachi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Hours: Varies by facility
Regular Holidays: Varies by facility
Phone: None
Official Website: None
Enjoy Kanazawa's Exquisite Food at Authentic Restaurants Loved by Locals!
Kanazawa is known not only for its history and traditional culture, but also as a city rich in food. Because it faces the Sea of Japan, fresh seafood is available in all four seasons, and local cuisine is diverse.
After thoroughly enjoying the culture and townscape, savoring local flavors is one of the pleasures of travel.
However, Kanazawa has so many restaurants that first-time visitors will be confused about where to go.
So what we recommend is a food tour of approximately 3.5 hours guided by an English-speaking local guide.
You can visit restaurants and izakayas popular with locals that tourists would have difficulty finding on their own, and they'll explain the background of the dishes and recommended ways to eat them in an easy-to-understand manner.
Since you'll visit izakayas where you can enjoy local cuisine and shops where you can enjoy Japanese sake and matcha, it's recommended for those who want to efficiently visit famous shops or those who want to deeply understand food culture.
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Meeting point: In front of the clothing store "BEAMS" inside the Korinbo La Moda building
Tour area: Around Kenrokuen Garden
Start time: 18:00
