Top Chubu Art & Culture - page 11

This is a Kanazawa-only craft bonsai experience using rare black-glazed tile pots handcrafted by Hokuriku’s only onigawara artisan. More than a simple workshop, this experience invites travelers to help preserve Kanazawa’s traditional tile culture through hands-on creation and take home a meaningful bonsai they made themselves. All bonsai are made using artificial plants, making them easy to take home to your own country.

Experience the Hakusan Shirakawa-go White Road before it opens to traffic on this exclusive early morning walking tour. Walk along the normally vehicle-only road, enjoy the peaceful mountain scenery of Hakusan National Park, and learn about its nature and history from a local guide. After the walk, relax at Roadside Station Seme with local specialties, freshly baked bread, and coffee. Available on only three Sundays in September. > 03:50 A.M. (Early Morning) – Meet at JR Kanazawa Station 04:00 A.M. – Depart from JR Kanazawa Station 04:45 A.M. (Approx.) – Roadside Station Shirayama-san. 05: 10 A.M. – 05: 25 A.M. – Roadside Station Sena (Restroom Break) 05:40 A.M. (Approx.) – Ichirino Onsen. 05:55 A.M. (Approx.) – Chugu Onsen. 06:30 A.M. – 08:00 A.M. – Hakusan Shirakawa-go White Road Early Morning Scenic Walk 09:00 A.M. – 09:20 A.M. – Roadside Station Sena (Break) 10:30 A.M. – Arrive at JR Kanazawa Station (Kanazawa Port Exit / West Exit)

This tour offers more than a standard visit to the D.T. Suzuki Museum. With a local guide, you will first learn who D.T. Suzuki was and why his work helped introduce Zen and Eastern thought to the world. Then, instead of simply looking at exhibits, you will explore how the museum expresses his ideas through minimalist architecture, quiet gardens, water, and open space. The experience is designed to be calm and accessible, with just enough explanation to deepen your understanding while leaving time to enjoy the museum’s peaceful atmosphere. It is ideal for travelers who want to discover a quieter, more thoughtful side of Kanazawa beyond the usual sightseeing spots.

Guests will get to learn about the glasses and the accessory making process at KISSO which produces high quality accessories using glasses materials. You will get to see the rarely seen behind the scenes of a accessory making factory. You will then make your own ring by fitting your favorite glasses materials into machinery at the factory. There are many options for colors. You can make a one-of-a-kind ring that is suited to you.

Explore the rich heritage of Mino ware on this immersive walking tour in Tajimi, Japan. Begin at Gallery Voice, a cultural hub showcasing contemporary ceramic art while learning about the evolution of Mino ware from its medieval roots to modern interpretations. Then, stroll down Oribe Street, visiting local pottery shops where you can feel the textures and weight of the ceramics firsthand, bridging the gap between art and functionality. Engage with artisans' insights as you select unique pieces that reflect both tradition and contemporary sensibilities. This tour offers a deep dive into a living craft, revealing the artistry that shapes daily life in Tajimi. - Discover the history and evolution of Mino ware ceramics - Visit Gallery Voice for contemporary ceramic exhibitions - Explore Oribe Street and engage with local pottery shops - Touch and appreciate the craftsmanship of functional art pieces

- Hideaway in a rural area in the mountain. - Private local guide show you our village. - Warm interaction with local residents as a “villager for a day.” - We provide the information about access to our area. (By car or Public transportation.) Discover Shiramine, a hidden mountain village in Hokuriku, just 1.5 hours from Kanazawa and Komatsu airport. Experience the beauty of Japan’s mountain nature, hands-on cultural traditions, warm encounters with local residents, and tattoo-friendly hot springs. In this small village where community life is still alive, we invite you to spend the day like a local — as a “villager for a day.”

Seto, a pivotal town in Japan’s ceramic history, invites you to discover its rich tradition of pottery. Begin your adventure at the Seto-gura complex, home to the Seto-gura Museum, where the evolution of Seto ware is unveiled from the Heian period to contemporary designs. Learn about the unique characteristics of Seto ceramics, including their practical applications and innovative glazing techniques. The tour also includes a visit to a local ceramics shop, offering insights into modern usage and design. Experience the blend of tradition and modernity in this vibrant craft town. - Discover the history and evolution of Seto ceramics at the Seto-gura Museum - Explore practical wares that shaped Japanese dining culture - Visit a local ceramics shop for insights on modern designs - Learn about versatile glazing techniques that define Seto ware

Formal Purification & Prayer Experience a private Shinto ritual inside the Nationally Designated Important Cultural Property. The priest will deliver your personal prayers and gratitude to the deities. Sacred Miko Dance Witness the Kagura-mai, a graceful ritual dance performed by a shrine maiden to honor the spirits. Forbidden Sanctuary Viewing Visit the boundary of the "Go-shin-iki" (Divine Precincts). Enjoy a rare opportunity to view this off-limits sacred area from the outside with a priest's guidance. Naorai Ritual Dining Partake in a "Naorai" feast—a sacred Shinto-style meal featuring Noto’s legendary salt and seasonal local ingredients to conclude your spiritual journey.

Explore the Yōrō Site of Reversible Destiny, a unique open-air artwork that invites you to engage with art in a profound way. Created by renowned artists Arakawa Shūsaku and Madeline Gins, this immersive park challenges perceptions with its undulating hills, tilted structures, and disorienting pathways. As you walk through this vibrant, interactive environment, each step becomes a reflection on space, movement, and existence itself. With guided insights into the philosophy behind this experimental site, you’ll leave with a deeper understanding of how art and life intertwine. - Experience a 1.5-hour or 2.5-hour guided tour tailored to your schedule - Engage with a unique artistic environment that combines playfulness and philosophy - Learn about the intentions of the artists with an expert guide - Convenient transport included for the longer tour from Ōgaki Station

I provide private photography sessions for international visitors in Japan, including couples, families, and special moments such as proposals and weddings. Sessions take place around iconic locations like Mount Fuji, Tokyo, and Kanagawa, with a relaxed and friendly approach that helps everyone feel comfortable in front of the camera. Whether you’re traveling as a couple, with your family, or planning a meaningful moment during your trip, each session is carefully customized to your needs. You’ll receive over 100 professionally edited, high-resolution photos delivered digitally, so you can easily share and preserve your memories. *The session lasts one hour.

If you are a wine lover, Katsunuma Koshu region wineries are a must. The Koshu region has a lot of great wine makers and we have chosen our top 10 for you to pick from to visit. Your guide and driver can bring you to 3 to 5 wineries on this tour! This is full day tour, so you can relax and enjoy your wine. Have fun "Winery hopping". We hope to guide you soon! Maximum 7 participants per tour. If you are travelling with children ages 0-6, please inform us when you make the reservation. No more than 2 car seats available for each vehicle. Infant child seats may not be available.

Holiday Travel offers a photography program that takes visitors to some of Kanazawa’s most popular spots. Led by highly qualified photographers, our program works around your travel schedule, capturing natural and memorable shots. -Available anywhere in Kanazawa. -The original 100+photo files will be delivered. -Photography can be booked up to 3 days in advance. Please select your preferred shooting location from the Location list and inform us when booking or via Chat. ①Kenrouken Gardens ②Higashi Chaya District ③Kanazawa Castle Park ④Other location (Additional fees will be charged for outlying areas) ＜Important Notice＞ ・After your booking is confirmed, we will invite you to a LINE group chat with your assigned photographer for smooth communication during the tour. ・If you do not have a LINE account, please download and register the app in advance. ・If you are unable to use LINE, please contact us separately.

You can visit Otake Confectionery (sandwich bread), Ameya (traditional sweets), the former division commander's residence, Mochiya (grilled rice dumplings), Takada Castle Three-story Turret, Takada Komachi, Taga Tea Shop (tea and Japanese sweets), and more. You can go there by bicycle and return by local train.

The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route offers a remarkable journey through Japan's Northern Japan Alps, showcasing stunning alpine scenery and unique transportation experiences. Traverse the route via cable cars, ropeways, and buses, while witnessing breathtaking landscapes that change with the seasons. Highlights include the famous Yuki-no-Otani Snow Corridor in spring, vibrant autumn foliage, and the impressive Kurobe Dam. Each season reveals a different side of this natural wonder, making it a year-round destination for adventure seekers and nature lovers alike. -Take comfortable bus from Nagano/Kanazawa, explore Northern Alps. -Spring-limited "Snow Wall Valley", a spectacular snow wall landscape that you must see once. -Visit world-class engineering marvel, the Kurobe Dam, experience firsthand the magnificent grandeur of Japan's largest dam. -Enjoy unique journey using six different mountain transportation in one day. -Special gift: Hokushinetsu specialty and local cuisine "Sasa Sushi".

修正予定 Uenohara is rich in natural beauty and still retains its original Japanese landscape. Guided tour. The ko-minka are made using traditional Japanese building techniques. We will meet at 11:00 a.m. and return to the meeting place around 4:30 p.m.

Unlike crowded tourist seafood markets in larger cities, this tour introduces the local food culture of the Noto Peninsula through Noto Shokusai Market, where visitors can experience the flavors and atmosphere of everyday life in coastal Ishikawa. Explore the market with a local guide while discovering seasonal seafood, regional specialties, and traditional foods unique to Noto. Learn about ingredients such as yellowtail, nodoguro, monkfish, Noto salt, and fermented seafood products, and how they connect to the region’s climate and fishing culture. The tour includes a ¥3,000 food credit, allowing guests to freely choose what they would like to try from the market’s shops and restaurants. Enjoy fresh seafood bowls, grilled shellfish, local snacks, and regional specialties at your own pace. Perfect for travelers looking for a more relaxed and authentic local food experience beyond Japan’s famous tourist markets.

Living in Kanazawa for many years, you'll discover the history of the town, but also the life of its inhabitants today, and of Japanese people in general. You'll meet craftsmen and locals, and spend a day immersed in a city of gastronomy, art, craftsmanship and traditional culture.

Kanazawa is famously known as the city of arts, and while you can find art workshops throughout Japan that you can easily participate in, it is rare to find one like ours that offers you a chance to truly experience Kanazawa's traditional arts in the form of Yuzen, as well as an opportunity to sit down and have a conversation with the artisan who has dedicated their life to making it. Our translator will be there to ensure that the communication between you and the artist is as smooth as possible, and you will be able to bring home with you a memorable souvenir that you make yourself!

The Magic of Metal Inlay: A Private Masterclass with a Kanazawa Artisan Experience the 'Magic of Metal Inlay' at the renowned Kazawa Bishō Studio—whose works grace Kanazawa Station—as you enjoy a private lesson from a master craftsman, learning to carve and inlay metals into a seamless, silky-smooth masterpiece.

Discover the profound stillness of Daijoji Temple, one of Japan’s most prestigious Soto Zen training monasteries. This exclusive experience is personally guided by a resident monk, with a professional interpreter ensuring you understand every nuance of Zen philosophy. Your journey begins with a private vehicle pick-up from your Kanazawa hotel. At the temple, you will be led on an in-depth tour of the historic architecture and sacred grounds by the monk. Following the tour, enter the meditation hall for a private Zazen (seated meditation) session. The monk will provide direct instruction on posture and breathing, translated in real-time by your guide. Conclude your experience with traditional matcha tea and a moment of reflection. This is a rare opportunity to engage deeply with authentic Zen life in a private, serene setting.

Embark on an exclusive journey through four of Kanazawa’s most distinguished heritage sites, guided by a knowledgeable private guide who will provide clear and insightful explanations of the city’s history and culture. Discover the essence of Kanazawa, allowing you to enjoy the remainder of your day at your leisure. Appreciate the refined beauty of Kenrokuen Garden and the majestic Kanazawa Castle, experience the elegant atmosphere of the Higashi Chaya District, and gain a deeper understanding of samurai traditions at the renowned Nomura Samurai Residence in the Nagamachi Samurai District

This half-day tour takes you through Kanazawa’s most iconic sights, starting at Oyama Shrine, known for its unique gate combining Japanese, Chinese, and Western architectural styles. Your guide will explain the shrine’s history and its connection to the Maeda family. Next, explore Kanazawa Castle, where you'll learn about samurai life, defensive design, and the craftsmanship behind its restored walls and wooden structures. You will then visit Kenroku-en Garden, one of Japan’s Three Great Gardens, admired for its ponds, lanterns, seasonal scenery, and traditional garden design. The tour ends in Higashi Chaya District, a beautifully preserved geisha teahouse area with charming wooden streets, perfect for photos and browsing local shops.

This tour is designed as an immersive cultural experience rather than a standard sightseeing walk. Instead of simply listing historical facts, we focus on storytelling, context, and human drama to help you understand how samurai culture shaped Kanazawa’s identity. The guides are selected not only for their knowledge but for their ability to engage, adapt, and create memorable moments tailored to each group.

This tour is designed for travelers who have reached Gokayama and want to experience it as more than a photo spot. With a private guide, you will walk through one of its quiet World Heritage villages and learn how gassho-zukuri houses, deep snow, mountain life, faith, traditional industries, and food culture are connected. Unlike larger tours that combine Gokayama with other destinations, this experience focuses on either Ainokura or Suganuma. In Ainokura, explore traditional industries, a local shrine and temple, and enjoy a hands-on washi paper-making experience. In Suganuma, view the village from the observatory, visit a gassho-style folk museum, and learn about historic saltpeter production. The tour also includes time for a café stop, where your guide can introduce local foods such as red turnips, mountain vegetables, and firm Gokayama tofu. It is a compact but meaningful experience for independent travelers who want to understand the living culture behind Gokayama’s scenery.