Ultimate Guide to Kanazawa Tours 2025: Best Private & Group Tours to Shirakawa-go, Samurai Districts & Must-try Foods
Kanazawa is one of Japan's premier historic cities, characterized by traditional streetscapes that developed from its castle town origins. The city also features many modern facilities, and as someone who loves contemporary art and architecture, I count Kanazawa among my favorite cities.
However, it's true that Kanazawa's deep history and living traditions can make it challenging for first-time foreign visitors to fully appreciate. In fact, a friend of mine once said, "I could only vaguely sense its elegance and refinement, and I felt frustrated when I returned home."
If you don't want to have similar regrets, I highly recommend joining a tour where locals guide you through Kanazawa's historic spots. By participating in the Kanazawa Half-day Historical Walking Tour, you can explore Kanazawa's must-see locations while listening to explanations from local guides.
Another appealing aspect of Kanazawa is its rich food culture. If you want to enjoy Kanazawa's exquisite seafood and local cuisine, join the Kanazawa Night Foodie Tour and experience restaurants that locals truly love.
Magical Trip, which offers these tours, is a trusted tour company that has won Tripadvisor's Best of the Best award for two consecutive years in 2024 and 2025.
If you want to explore Japan's tourist destinations efficiently and deeply, definitely try Magical Trip's local tours guided by locals!
Introduction
Kanazawa stands as a highly popular destination among both domestic and international tourists, renowned as a city where visitors can experience Japan's traditional culture and exquisite cuisine all at once. In Kanazawa, you can enjoy historic landmarks such as Kenroku-en, Kanazawa Castle, and the Higashi Chaya District, alongside local gourmet experiences featuring fresh seafood from the Sea of Japan and traditional regional dishes.
For those who want to efficiently enjoy Kanazawa's charming tourist spots and gourmet offerings within limited time, participating in Kanazawa Tours guided by English-speaking local guides is highly recommended. This article introduces a diverse range of Kanazawa Tours perfect for sightseeing, organized clearly by type.
Types of Kanazawa Tours Available
Kanazawa Tours can be broadly categorized into three types: "Food Tours," "Walking Tours," and "Tours around World Heritage Sites near Kanazawa." The characteristics and experiences of each tour type are as follows:
Kanazawa Tours for Savoring Exquisite Cuisine and Food
These Kanazawa Tours take you through hidden izakaya (Japanese bars) in Kanazawa's representative entertainment districts and the Omicho Market, also known as "Kanazawa's Kitchen." Food tours allow you to taste exquisite gourmet experiences including fresh seafood caught in Kanazawa's coastal waters and regional cuisine "Kaga Ryori."
Walking Tours of Kanazawa's Historic Castle Town
Experience the streetscape of Kanazawa, a castle town with over 400 years of history, by actually walking through it. Since you can tour while learning about Kanazawa's history from local guides, you can enjoy sightseeing while gaining a deeper understanding of the city.
Private Kanazawa Tours Visiting World Heritage Sites and Must-See Tourist
Destinations in One Day
Enjoy exploring surrounding tourist spots that can be visited on day trips from Kanazawa, including the World Heritage site "Shirakawago" and Takayama, famous for its traditional streetscape lined with historic black buildings.
Comparison of Recommended Kanazawa Tours by Genre Featured in This Article
- Food Hopping Tours
| Kanazawa Night Foodie Tour | Taste of Kanazawa | Kanazawa: Private Food Tasting Walking Tour | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tour Overview | You can enjoy local gourmet cuisine at Kanazawa's premier food destinations. | Experience fresh seafood tastings at Omicho Market and stroll through Kanazawa's traditional neighborhoods. | In addition to the Kanazawa culinary experience, you can also enjoy sightseeing at historic landmarks. |
| Features |
Dine at hidden gem restaurants beloved by locals |
Stroll through traditional samurai districts Savor a wide variety of Kanazawa cuisine |
Experience both gourmet food and history in just 2 hours Enjoy local cuisine at Omicho Market and Katamachi entertainment district Customize your tour itinerary |
| Places to Visit |
•Katamachi •Traditional Japanese restaurant Sake bar •Samurai residences |
• Omicho Market • Higashi Chaya District • Kazuemachi Chaya District |
• Kanazawa Station • Omicho Market • Katamachi • Kanazawa Castle • Oyama Shrine |
| Number of Reviews | 13 | 32 | 24 |
| Rating | 4.8 | 5.0 | 4.7 |
| Booking Site | Official website Get Your Guide |
Tripadvisor | Get Your Guide |
| Estimated Cost (As of August 2025) | US$149.56/person | US$46.48/person | ¥28,334/person |
| Recommended For | Those who want to experience Kanazawa's exceptional cuisine and traditional neighborhoods | Those who want to efficiently experience Kanazawa's famous local food and historic districts | Those who want to customize their experience and make the most of everything Kanazawa has to offer |
- Walking Tours
| Kanazawa Half-day Historical Walking Tour | Kanazawa Half Day Tour (Private Guide) | Kanazawa Half Day Private Tour: Local Highlights & Hidden Gems | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tour Overview | Explore Kanazawa's main tourist attractions on foot in half a day. | Efficiently enjoy Kanazawa's major sightseeing spots with a private guide. | Customize your tour to visit the spots you want according to your preferences. |
| Features |
• Enjoy matcha and traditional sweets in historic buildings • Experience food hopping at Omicho Market |
• Hotel pickup and drop-off service included • Explore traditional neighborhoods at your own pace |
• Customize your itinerary and choose your own stops • Enjoy a private tour designed just for you |
| Places to Visit |
• Omicho Market • Kanazawa Castle • Kenroku-en • Higashi Chaya District |
• Kenroku-en • Kanazawa Castle • Higashi Chaya District • Samurai District |
• Samurai District • Omicho Market • Kanazawa Castle • Kenroku-en • Higashi Chaya District |
| Number of Reviews | 13 | 249 | 40 |
| Rating | 4.5 | 4.9 | 4.9 |
| Booking Site | Official website Get Your Guide |
Tripadvisor | Tripadvisor |
| Estimated Cost (As of August 2025) | US$101.97 per person | US$140.89 per person | US$145.99 per person |
| Recommended For | Those who want to efficiently explore Kanazawa's main attractions | Those who want to enjoy hassle-free Kanazawa sightseeing directly from their hotel | Those who want a personalized tour focused on their preferred destinations |
- Private Tours
| 1 Day Private Charter Tour to Takayama & Shirakawago | World Heritage Shirakawa-go Perfect Guided Tour from Kanazawa | |
|---|---|---|
| Tour Overview | Visit the World Heritage site Shirakawago and the Takayama area with its preserved traditional streetscapes all in one day. | Experience the World Heritage site Shirakawago efficiently in about 5 hours with departure and return from Kanazawa. |
| Features |
• Enjoy a completely private tour with a dedicated vehicle • Add spots you want to visit based on your preferences |
• Avoid crowds by departing from Kanazawa in the morning • Efficiently visit the main tourist attractions of Shirakawago and Kanazawa |
| Places to Visit |
• Shirakawago (Wada House etc.) • Hida Minzoka Mura Folk Village (Hida no Sato) • Takayama Jinya • Kamisannomachi • Takayama Betsuin Shorenji Temple |
• Shirakawago • Ogimachi Castle Observation Deck • Kenroku-en |
| Number of Reviews | 176 | 163 |
| Rating | 4.8 | 5.0 |
| Booking Site | Tripadvisor | Tripadvisor |
| Estimated Cost (As of August 2025) | $575.00/group *Varies by group size and vehicle type |
$85.39/person |
| Recommended For | Those who want to efficiently tour Japan's representative cultural heritage sites and traditional neighborhoods around Kanazawa in one day | Those who want to efficiently enjoy Kanazawa and Japan's most famous cultural heritage sites in limited time |
For Enjoying Kanazawa's Exquisite Cuisine While Bar Hopping, Local-Guided Tours are Recommended
When you come to Kanazawa, be sure to enjoy efficient and deep tourism guided by guides who are more knowledgeable about tourist destinations and food culture than anyone else.
Actually, when I recently had a local guide show me around the city, I regretted thinking "Why didn't I participate earlier?"
To enjoy your precious Japan trip as deeply and efficiently as possible, let's set off on Kanazawa Tours together with the guides that Magical Trip confidently recommends!
From here, we'll introduce two Kanazawa Tours that Magical Trip recommends.
Kanazawa Night Foodie Tour
The Kanazawa Night Foodie Tour is a gourmet tour where you visit three hidden famous establishments in Katamachi, Kanazawa's representative entertainment district, together with a local guide. This tour offers substantial content that also includes strolling through the samurai residence district, allowing you to simultaneously enjoy Kanazawa's specialty gourmet food and traditional streetscapes.
Enjoy Kanazawa's Must-Try Foods at Establishments Beloved by Locals
In these Kanazawa Tours, you can taste authentic Kanazawa gourmet food at hidden izakaya (Japanese bars) and restaurants frequented by locals, not those aimed at tourists.
The appealing point of the authentic Japanese restaurants visited on this tour is that you can enjoy Japanese cuisine such as sashimi and fried dishes made with fresh seafood caught in Kanazawa's coastal waters.
At retro-atmosphere izakaya, you can experience Kanazawa's regional dish "Kanazawa Oden." I recommend savoring "Kanazawa Oden," where broth has soaked into Kanazawa-specific ingredients like local vegetables and Kurumafu (traditional preserved food made from wheat flour), together with aromatic Japanese sake.
Since English-speaking local guides support menu selection, you can safely enjoy dishes you're trying for the first time.
Enjoy Various Alcoholic Beverages Including Japanese Sake with Exquisite Cuisine
At each izakaya and restaurant visited on these Kanazawa Tours, you can experience various alcoholic beverages such as beer and Japanese sake paired with the cuisine. Since you're tasting exquisite gourmet food in the culinary city of Kanazawa, please try enjoying the marriage with delicious alcohol as well.
At the end of this tour, you can compare and taste 3-5 different flavored local sake varieties. Since the master explains local drinking customs and traditional pairings, you can taste Kanazawa's local sake more deeply.
With these Kanazawa Tours guided by English-speaking guides, even foreigners who don't understand Japanese can safely experience Kanazawa's drinking culture. Since non-alcoholic drinks are also available at each establishment, those who cannot drink alcohol can also feel free to participate as long as they are over 20 years old.
Kanazawa Half-day Historical Walking Tour
The Kanazawa Half-day Historical Walking Tour is a 5-hour tour that takes you around Kanazawa's main tourist attractions. This tour allows you to enjoy visiting atmospheric famous spots of the castle town Kanazawa, including Kanazawa Castle, Kenroku-en, and Higashi Chaya District, as well as food hopping for Kanazawa gourmet at Omicho Market.
Enjoy Kanazawa's Townscape Developed from a Castle Town with Expert Commentary
The greatest appeal of this tour is that you can sightsee while learning about the history of castle town Kanazawa through careful explanations by local guides. Kanazawa Tours like this provide an invaluable opportunity to understand the city's rich heritage.
Kanazawa developed as a castle town approximately 400 years ago during the Edo period. This tour takes you around popular spots that symbolize Kanazawa's history, including Kanazawa Castle, the residence of the Maeda Family who ruled Kanazawa at that time, and Kenroku-en, which the Maeda Family constructed over many years.
Additionally, Kanazawa, which escaped war damage, still preserves traditional townscapes that retain the atmosphere of those times. This tour also allows you to enjoy strolling through Higashi Chaya District, where buildings from about 200 years ago still stand. By touring with guide commentary, you can more deeply experience the history of Kanazawa and the charm of its famous spots.
Please experience the profound history of Kanazawa that you couldn't learn about on individual travel.
Enjoy Spots Where You Can Feel Rich Nature and Gardens
The highlight of this tour is Kenroku-en, known as one of Japan's three most famous gardens. At Kenroku-en, an unmissable popular spot for Kanazawa sightseeing, the attractive point is that you can enjoy beautiful nature throughout the four seasons: cherry blossoms in spring, greenery in summer, autumn foliage in fall, and snowy landscapes in winter.
In this tour, you can taste Kanazawa's local cuisine "Jibuni" (a simmered dish of duck meat and Kanazawa-produced vegetables) while viewing Japan's oldest fountain in the garden. When I experienced this in summer, I could thoroughly savor Kanazawa's traditional flavors amid the scenery woven by vivid greenery and the refreshing fountain.
This tour also allows you to enjoy strolling while feeling rich nature at Kanazawa Castle, which is adjacent to Kenroku-en. Please fully enjoy the beautiful scenery where historic castle architecture fuses with seasonal nature.
Kanazawa Tours: Food Hopping Tours to Enjoy Exquisite Food and Japanese Cuisine
Kanazawa food tours allow you to fully experience local food culture, including fresh seafood at Omicho Market and Kanazawa soul food in the entertainment district. Here we introduce two tours where you can enjoy Kanazawa's exquisite food along with major tourist spots.
Taste of Kanazawa
Source:Tripadvisor
Taste of Kanazawa is a food tour where you can experience a wide variety of local gourmet food at Omicho Market, a treasure trove of Kanazawa's exquisite gourmet cuisine. This tour also allows you to enjoy strolling through Higashi Chaya District and Kazuemachi Chaya District, which represent Kanazawa's traditional townscapes. These Kanazawa Tours offer the perfect combination of culinary and cultural experiences.
At Omicho Market, you can sample fresh seafood such as shrimp and crab caught in the waters near Kanazawa. The fresh seafood delivered directly from fishing ports has little fishy smell and is easy to eat even for foreigners experiencing raw fish for the first time. Since an English-speaking guide accompanies you, even those with food preferences can participate with peace of mind.
Since this tour visits two beautiful tea house districts, please bring a camera and capture Kanazawa-like scenery as travel memories.
Information:
- Meeting point: Mister Donut Kanazawa Musashi Shop
- Tour area: Musashigatsuji ~ Higashiyama
- Start time: From 9:30~
Kanazawa: Private Food Tasting Walking Tour
Source:Get Your Guide
The Kanazawa: Private Food Tasting Walking Tour is a food tour where you can taste 6 local dishes in 3 hours. This tour starts from Kanazawa Station, which serves as Kanazawa's tourism hub, and allows you to enjoy sightseeing at popular Kanazawa spots including Omicho Market, Kanazawa Castle, and Oyama Shrine, in addition to exquisite gourmet food. These personalized Kanazawa Tours ensure a truly memorable experience.
At Omicho Market, you can taste specialty gourmet foods such as handmade croquettes using seafood representative of Kanazawa like sweet shrimp and Blackthroat seaperch, and grilled squid skewers. In Kanazawa's entertainment district, Katamachi, you can savor Kanazawa-unique dishes such as the local gourmet "Hanton rice" at local restaurants.
Since this tour is a private tour, customization according to your preferences is possible. Please consult thoroughly with the knowledgeable local guide to fully enjoy Kanazawa even within limited time.
Information:
- Meeting point: In front of the tourist information center at Kanazawa Station main entrance
- Tour area: Kanazawa Station ~ Musashigatsuji ~ Katamachi ~ Kanazawa Castle vicinity
- Start times: 8:00~, 9:00~, 10:00~, 12:00~, 13:00~, 14:00~, 16:00~, 17:00~
Walking Tours That Guide You Through Kanazawa's Beautiful City
If you want to fully enjoy Kanazawa's historic streetscapes, walking tours guided by English-speaking guides are ideal. Here we introduce Kanazawa Tours that allow you to explore major spots like Kanazawa Castle and Kenroku-en, as well as traditional neighborhoods including historic tea districts and samurai residences.
Kanazawa Half Day Tour (Private Guide)
Source:Tripadvisor
The Kanazawa Half Day Tour (Private Guide) is a private tour that visits popular tourist spots in Kanazawa, including Kanazawa Castle and Kenroku-en. This tour allows you to fully enjoy strolling through traditional neighborhoods such as the Higashi Chaya District and samurai residence areas.
At Kanazawa Castle and Kenroku-en, you can experience beautiful scenery where Kanazawa's history and nature merge, while in the traditional neighborhoods, you can experience an atmospheric ambiance as if you've traveled back in time about 200 years. What I particularly love about this tour is that local guides can also take you through the back alleys of these historic neighborhoods.
Since the guide picks you up at your accommodation hotel for these Kanazawa Tours, you can efficiently enjoy Kanazawa sightseeing without worrying about using public transportation or getting lost.
Information:
- Meeting point: Your accommodation hotel in Kanazawa city
- Tour area: Kenroku-en, Kanazawa Castle ~ Higashiyama ~ Nagamachi
- Start times: 8:30~, 13:30~
Kanazawa Half Day Private Tour: Local Highlights & Hidden Gems
Source:Tripadvisor
The Kanazawa Half Day Private Tour: Local Highlights & Hidden Gems is a tour where you can freely customize the tourist spots you want to visit. This private tour allows you to efficiently visit major Kanazawa spots like Kanazawa Castle and Kenroku-en, focusing on the places you want to go.
With these Kanazawa Tours, you can request must-see spots and genres of interest through a post-booking survey. Local guides will take you to spots where you can experience Kanazawa more deeply, including historic landmarks and hidden gems not well-known to tourists, according to your preferences.
This tour offers walking pickup service to your accommodation hotel. However, if you're staying at a hotel not included in the list, landmarks in central Kanazawa will serve as the meeting point, so please confirm carefully when booking.
Information:
- Meeting point: Your accommodation hotel or Kanazawa Station tourist information center
- Tour area: Central Kanazawa
- Start times: 8:00~, 9:00~, 10:00~, 13:00~, 14:00~, 15:00~, 16:00~
Full-Day Tour from Kanazawa: Samurai, Matcha, Gardens and Geisha
Source:Tripadvisor
The Full-Day Tour from Kanazawa: Samurai, Matcha, Gardens and Geisha is a luxurious 9-hour full-day tour where you can enjoy four aspects of Kanazawa culture: samurai, matcha, gardens, and geisha. In addition to major spots like Kenroku-en and Kanazawa Castle, you can also enjoy hidden gems like the Ashigaru Museum.
These comprehensive Kanazawa Tours offer special experiences unique to Kanazawa, such as matcha tea ceremony while viewing historic Japanese gardens and visiting the tea house "SHIMA" built in 1820. "SHIMA," where you can see rooms where geisha entertained guests and musical instruments used for performing arts, is one of my favorite spots as a Kanazawa enthusiast.
Since this tour involves walking around tourist spots all day, please wear comfortable shoes when participating.
Information:
- Meeting point: In front of Kanazawa Station Information Center
- Tour area: Central Kanazawa
- Start time: 9:00~
Private Car Tours to Enjoy the World Heritage Site "Shirakawago"
Shirakawago is a village in Gifu Prefecture lined with traditional houses called "Gassho-zukuri," registered as a World Heritage Site in 1995 and representing one of Japan's most important cultural heritage sites.
For those who want to enjoy both Kanazawa and Shirakawago tourism, we recommend using guided tours that allow you to efficiently enjoy Shirakawago. Here we introduce two Kanazawa Tours with English-speaking guides departing from and returning to Kanazawa for day trips to experience Shirakawago.
1 Day Private Charter Tour to Takayama & Shirakawago
Source:Tripadvisor
The 1 Day Private Charter Tour to Takayama & Shirakawago is a guided tour that visits the World Heritage Site Shirakawago and the traditional townscape of Takayama in one day. This completely private tour allows you to add several tourist spots not included in the itinerary according to your preferences.
The main highlight of these Kanazawa Tours is Shirakawago, where you can enjoy scenery created by traditional rural architecture and nature throughout the four seasons. The sight of traditional houses with triangular thatched roofs standing in orderly rows is spectacular, and I still remember being captivated by the breathtaking scenery while surrounded by refreshing nature.
Please note that this tour, which involves walking through natural areas and traditional neighborhoods, may be canceled in case of severe weather.
Information:
- Meeting point: Designated hotels in Ishikawa or Toyama Prefecture
- Tour area: Kanazawa or Toyama ~ Shirakawago ~ Takayama ~ Kanazawa or Toyama
- Start time: 9:00~
World Heritage Shirakawa-go Perfect Guided Tour from Kanazawa
Source:Tripadvisor
The World Heritage Shirakawa-go Perfect Guided Tour from Kanazawa is a guided tour where you can fully enjoy Shirakawago, one of Japan's premier cultural heritage sites. Another attractive point of these Kanazawa Tours departing from and returning to Kanazawa is that you can enjoy Kenroku-en, one of Kanazawa's most popular tourist spots, at the end.
Since this tour departs from Kanazawa early in the morning, you can thoroughly enjoy Shirakawago during quiet hours before it gets crowded with tourists. From the Ogimachi Castle Observation Deck, you can enjoy picture-perfect Japanese scenery with traditional thatched-roof Gassho-zukuri houses lined up like a painting.
These Kanazawa Tours offer not only live English guides but also audio guides in German, Portuguese, Italian, French, and Spanish. Please experience the beautiful scenery while learning about Shirakawago's history in your familiar language.
Information:
- Meeting point: Kanazawa Station West Plaza
- Tour area: Kanazawa Station ~ Shirakawago ~ Kenroku-en
- Start time: 7:50~
