Top Chubu Culture - page 10

Half-Day Mt. Fuji Scenic Drive (3 Hours) Enjoy a personalized private tour around Mt. Fuji with an expert local guide-driver. While Mt. Fuji is famous for summer climbing, it offers stunning scenery year-round. Travel comfortably in a private vehicle as your guide shares insights into nature, culture, and local history. Our guide-drivers are certified and experienced Mt. Fuji guides, some holding sommelier qualifications. Discover scenic viewpoints, spiritual sites, and carefully selected local gourmet spots for a well-rounded experience. Suggested itineraries are available, but your guide-driver will customize the tour based on your preferences on the day. Feel free to share your interests in advance. Private transfer vehicle operated by a Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism-approved vehicle and a qualified local guide driver.

This 3-hour cultural experience brings you deep into the shimmering world of gold leaf, an essential part of Kanazawa’s identity. Begin at Sakuda Gold Leaf, where you'll learn about Kanazawa’s long-standing role in gold production and artistry. Try your hand at making your own gold-leaf souvenir during a hands-on workshop. Then stroll through the atmospheric Higashi Chaya District, visiting specialty gold shops and ending with the famous gold-leaf soft-serve ice cream. The tour concludes at the peaceful Utatsuyama Shrine, offering a moment of reflection with stunning city views.

Embark on a journey to Kanazawa, a city that retains its rich history and important tourist attractions, and experience the facets of the Edo period as they were in those days. Please select from the options if you would like to purchase a ticket with Shinkansen from Tokyo. On this tour, you will first visit Kenrokuen Garden, considered one of the most scenic spots in Japan, where you can see the seasonal faces of the Kaga feudal lords who ruled this area, and then experience the deep connection between Kanazawa and gold. Afterwards, we will dine at Omimachi Market, known as Kanazawa's kitchen, and local eateries, and stroll through well-preserved Edo streetscapes, including samurai residences and the flower district. The tour also includes an optional gold leaf-applying experience, which is the largest production in Japan. Why not slip back in time to the Edo period, experiencing colorful flowers and scenery, as well as Japan's ancient history and culture?

This private tour will be a unique experience to enhance your treasured memories in Japan. You will be taken to the Japan's most beautiful places, guided by a local English-speaking professional photographer. During the tour I will capture your magical moments, leaving you free to take in the sights without worrying about the best angles and light, or asking a stranger to take your picture! I am experienced in portrait and travel street photography, and my work has been published in many magazines, guidebooks including Lonely Planet and the city guides of tourism boards. A day out with me ensure you will have a knowledgeable, funny, local professional photographer, and Insta-worthy travel photos will be guaranteed!

Exclusive Kannon‑in Temple Tour｜Kanazawa Slip one block past Higashi Chaya and enter Kannon‑in Street, a hushed lane leading to a 400‑year‑old temple rarely open to visitors. With an English‑speaking interpreter you’ll hear the lore of this hidden spiritual quarter before crossing the gate for a private rite. In the main hall you join the Goma Fire Ritual: wooden prayer sticks are offered to the flames while mantras burn away worldly desires. You then walk Osuna‑fumi, tracing a circle on consecrated sand for body‑mind purification. Before leaving, the temple master’s wife hand‑brushes a personalised Goshuin seal for you to keep. Ancient statues and treasures are shown along the way.

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

Beyond Kanazawa – Discover the Hidden Foundations of the Kaga Domain Step beyond central Kanazawa and uncover the cultural roots behind the Kaga Domain’s prosperity. With comfortable transport and a local guide, visit places not easily accessible on your own. A highlight is a visit to Asano Taiko, a world-renowned drum maker with over 400 years of history. Observe craftsmanship, enjoy a live performance, and take part in a hands-on drumming experience. These traditions originate from samurai armor techniques and are symbolized by Kanazawa Station’s Tsuzumi Gate. The tour concludes with dining at a restored sake brewery restaurant. Enjoy seasonal cuisine paired with local sake, including Kaga no Kikuzake, once favored by feudal lords. Through food and sake, gain insight into the local resources behind Kanazawa’s culture. Ideal for travelers seeking a deeper cultural experience beyond sightseeing.

An experience where you can learn the process of making Echizen lacquerware by visiting two workshops, Hacoa and Shitsurindo and making your very own original lacquer spoon. Guests will get to see the process of making authentic Echizen lacquerware. Hacoa is a woodworking workshop that makes the base for many of the lacquerware craftsman in the area. Here you will get to see craftsman transform wooden blocks into commercial products. After viewing the workshop you will polish your own spoon and head over to Shitsurindo. Shitsurindo is a Echizen lacquerware workshop where craftsman paint lacquer. You will get to also see their workshop which is usually off limits. Here you will paint your spoon with lacquer.

Explore Shirakawa-go: Flexible Private Guided Tours for an Unforgettable Experience Discover the enchanting village of Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its traditional Gassho-zukuri farmhouses. Our private guided tours are designed to accommodate travelers arriving by bus from Takayama, Kanazawa, or Toyama, with start times carefully aligned to their schedules. Choose from three flexible durations—2 hours, 3 hours, or 4 hours—allowing you to customize your visit according to your interests and availability. Whether you're drawn to Shirakawa-go for its architectural beauty, rich history, or tranquil mountain scenery, this private guided tour offers the perfect balance of structure and flexibility. Book now for an unforgettable journey into Japan’s cultural heritage!

Embark on a tranquil journey with our Kanazawa Garden Tour, where we'll meander through the town's most enchanting green havens as nature's beauty unfolds around every corner. Kanazawa is a beautiful city, well situated between the Japanese Alps and the sea of Japan. There is much to discover in Kanazawa but especially the gardens are just wonderful. Because it was one of the 5 most important cities during feudal times, Kanazawa had a real "Arts and crafts blossom" during the Edo-period. This rich heritage remained preserved until today. This tour goes off the beaten path to show you some of the most gorgeous traditional gardens in Kanazawa.

Uenohara is rich in natural beauty and still retains its original Japanese landscape. This is a valuable tour to share the secrets of healthy longevity in Japan, held by a dietitian who is an expert in food and nutrition. You will eat a healthy longevity diet rich in fresh, pesticide-free vegetables from traditional fields in an old private home, and we will talk about traditional food and nutrition. 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. We will take you on a 10-minute walk to a spot with lovely river and mountain scenery. After that, we will walk about 10 minutes and guide you to a souvenir store, take a cab to the mountain scenery, and take you to a food store. This is a healing spot with a beautiful river and birdsong. After that, please take a cab to arrive at an old house and enjoy listening to a story about healthy longevity food, diet and nutrition.

Discover samurai life in Kanazawa beyond battle through a private walk in the historic Nagamachi Samurai District, followed by a hands-on bonsai workshop at SHIKA Studio. Learn how samurai values shaped architecture, gardens, and the philosophy behind Kanazawa roof tiles. Create your own bonsai in a pot made from traditional roof tiles and take it home as a unique souvenir.

Enjoy the beautiful scenery in Hamamatsu Castle, Kanzan Temple Onsen area, and Lake Hamana. Experience moving experience by flower in Hamamatsu flower park. ・Visit Hamamatsu castle, Kanzan Temple Onsen area, Flower Park, Orgel Museum with one day bus ticket and admission to the park and museum at a discount! ・Enjoy a lot of flower and technology at flower park. ・Ride the ropeway and cross over the lake. ・Enjoy the beautiful scenery and the sounds of ancient musical instruments. ・The theme of the Lake Hamana Flower Festa 2026 is "Flowers and Hot Springs." ・Enjoy a meal and a bath in addition to cherry blossom viewing ・Free gift of hand towel and tea (As the free gift is limited, it will end as soon as it is out of stock.)

Explore the world famous UNESCO village on our full-day Shirakawago & Kanazawa tour from Kanazawa station! Admire the picturesque landscapes in Shirakawa-go in the morning, then return to Kanazawa to visit must-see attractions like Kenrokuen Garden and Higashi Chaya District. In Kanazawa, you will make Japanese sweets with a professional craftsman and enjoy the traditional craft of gold leaf experience. Stroll through the geisha district while savoring luxurious soft serve ice cream adorned with gold leaf. Enjoy unique experiences on this one-day tour that you wouldn't have on your own. Please enjoy Walking & Local food in Shirakawa-go. Let's make Japanese Sweets with professional craftsman. Learn about Traditional craft Gold leaf experience.

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.

The Kawada district of Sabae City is a town of Echizen lacquerware with a history of 1500 years. Tour the roots of Echizen lacquerware on a lacquered bicycle, including the Lacquerware Shrine (Shikiyama Shrine), which enshrines the god of lacquerware, and a tour of a workshop led by a craftsman.

This 1-day guided tour offers an immersive experience at the Echigo-Tsumari Art Field, one of the world's largest international art festivals. Explore a unique fusion of art and nature in the picturesque satoyama region. Highlights include the mesmerizing "Tunnel of Light" at Kiyotsu Gorge and evocative installations like "For Lots of Lost Windows" and "The Last Class." Visit the Matsudai NOHBUTAI Field Museum and MonET, a contemporary art museum featuring works like Leandro Erlich's "Palimpsest: Pond of Sky." Enjoy a buffet lunch featuring local ingredients. With convenient round-trip options from either Tokyo or Echigo-Yuzawa, this tour is ideal for art enthusiasts, nature lovers, and those seeking unique cultural insights.

Make the most of a full day in Kanazawa with this private guided tour, tailored to your interests and preferred travel style—by taxi, on foot, or by e-bike. Explore the city’s landmarks, historic neighborhoods, and hidden spots with the insight of a knowledgeable local guide. Your itinerary is fully flexible—stroll through Kenrokuen Garden, admire Kanazawa Castle, wander the Higashi Chaya District, and enjoy lunch at Omicho Market. In the afternoon, visit the Nagamachi Samurai District and choose optional museums or craft workshops with hands-on activities. Whether your interests are art, history, food, or culture, this full-day private tour gives you time to experience Kanazawa in depth, at your own pace.

In four hours, immerse yourself in traditional and exceptional Japan. You will have the opportunity to gain a deep understanding of Japanese culture, both past and present, and the daily life of the Japanese people today. Your guide will answer your many questions and share their passion and knowledge with you. During this tour, you will also meet many locals. An experienced and passionate guide who has lived in Kanazawa for over 10 years, specialising in social and cultural anthropology of Japan, history, culture and sociology. Passionate about photography, cinema, literature, design, art and crafts, and a practitioner of several traditional Japanese arts (Kyudo, tea ceremony), he will show you his adopted city with enthusiasm.

Explore popular sightseeing spots in Kanazawa such as the Kenrokuen Garden, Nagamachi Samurai District, and Higashi Chaya-gai together with an interpreter-guide who knows all there is to know about Kanazawa. Recommended for first time travelers to Japan and those arriving at Kanazawa in the afternoon. At sightseeing spots, learn from the guide about the culture and townscapes that Kanazawa continues to carefully preserve as well as initiatives for SDGs. ©金沢市

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.

This experience is designed for travelers who want clarity, flexibility, and genuine local expertise—not a rushed. You can choose between a half-day or full-day option, depending on your travel style and schedule. ️ Half-Day Tour: Shirakawa-go Only: The half-day tour focuses exclusively on Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO World Heritage village. You’ll travel by bus and explore the village with a local guide, learning how families lived in the iconic gassho-zukuri houses and why this unique culture developed in a remote mountain region. Full-Day Tour: Shirakawa-go + Kanazawa The full-day tour adds a cultural deep dive into Kanazawa after returning from Shirakawa-go. You’ll explore the city’s history, local life, and traditions, turning a single destination visit into a well-balanced regional journey. Why Book This Experience? Local guides with proven experience — our guides have guided over 1,000 guests, and they can offer clear, easy-to-follow explanations, not scripted lectures.

Discover Kanazawa through the eyes of a passionate Guide who has lived there for many years. Between samurai districts, refined gardens and craft traditions, this tour invites you to immerse yourself in the history and culture of Kanazawa. Along the way, you will explore iconic places such as the beautiful Kenroku-en Garden, Nagamachi Samurai Quarter or the charming alleyways of Higashi Chaya. In a friendly and accessible atmosphere, this experience is the perfect opportunity to understand what makes Kanazawa so unique.