Top Chubu Nature Walks

Begin your tour at the Kehi Jingu Shrine, one of Japan’s three great torii gates. Walk under the massive wooden structure and explore a serene forested shrine complex. Continue to the Tsuruga Red Brick Warehouse, a beautifully preserved site that now hosts cafés, local art shops, and maritime exhibits. Enjoy a relaxing stroll along the waterfront with sea breezes and a view of passing ships. Next, learn about Tsuruga's unique role as a humanitarian gateway at the Port of Humanity Tsuruga Museum. Hear the inspiring story of Jewish refugees who arrived here during WWII thanks to Chiune Sugihara’s transit visas. Finish with a visit to the Tsuruga Fish Market or a local seafood restaurant to enjoy specialties like grilled mackerel (saba) or seasonal crab, caught fresh from the Sea of Japan.

Discover an atmospheric side of Kanazawa on this guided evening walk. Begin in Higashi Chaya District after the daytime crowds disappear and wooden teahouses glow beneath lantern light. Your local guide shares stories of geisha culture, traditional entertainment, architecture, and Edo-period life. Continue to peaceful Kazuemachi Chaya District along the Asano River. Explore its narrow streets and riverside paths while discovering hidden details many visitors miss. Then walk through central Kanazawa to Oyama Shrine. Learn how the powerful Maeda Clan shaped the city, admire the illuminated grounds and distinctive gate combining Japanese, Chinese, and European influences, and hear about the shrine’s connection to Maeda Toshiie. Your guide also shares historical insights, photo spots, and local recommendations. Ideal for travelers interested in history, geisha culture, architecture, photography, and authentic local experiences, and for anyone wishing to avoid daytime heat and crowds.

Seeing Kanazawa's top attractions in a short time can take a lot of planning, so let this small-group tour do the hard work for you. A carefully planned itinerary takes you to Kenrokuen Garden, Kanazawa Castle, the Samurai District, and the Higashi Chaya District, with admission to Kenrokuen Garden and Nomura House included to save time. Also, an included taxi ride between districts helps you cover more ground in less time.

Explore the beauty of Kenrokuen, one of Japan's three most beautiful gardens, and witness the majesty of Kanazawa Castle's exterior. This essential walking tour offers an in-depth look at the garden's rich history, its cultural significance, and its deep connection to the adjacent Kanazawa Castle Park. Guided by knowledgeable local experts in small groups, you will discover the historical link between the garden, which served as the outer garden of the feudal lord's residence, and the castle grounds across the street. Guides will explain how these two landmarks, the castle's restored architecture and the garden's exquisite design, tell the story of the powerful Kaga Domain. Participants will uncover hidden gems and insights often missed during solo visits, making it an enriching experience for both history enthusiasts and nature lovers seeking to understand Japan's heritage.

Travel through the scenic Hakusan Shirakawa-go White Road, a beautiful mountain route in Hakusan National Park surrounded by stunning autumn foliage. An English-speaking guide will accompany you throughout the tour. The route connects Kanazawa to Shirakawa-go, the UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its traditional Gassho-style villages. Enjoy breathtaking seasonal scenery, waterfalls including Ubaga-Taki Waterfall (one of Japan’s 100 Famous Waterfalls), and panoramic viewpoints along the way. The best autumn foliage season is from mid-October. Explore Shirakawa-go at your own pace with free time to discover the charming village and its unique traditional houses. The tour also includes a visit to Hakuichi’s flagship store “Hakukokan”, a “Gold Leaf Museum” showcasing Kanazawa’s famous gold leaf craftsmanship. Enjoy the popular Gold Leaf Soft-Serve Ice Cream, visit the café, and browse unique souvenirs. A light lunch box and a bottle of water are included.

Explore the natural beauty of Tateyama, one of Japan's Three Holy Mountains, on this day tour from Kanazawa. Start your adventure at Shomyo Falls, Japan’s tallest waterfall, known for its soothing sounds. Hike through lush alpine trails at Midagahara, enjoying a picturesque lunch overlooking the plateau. Reach Murodo Station for stunning views, where you can explore hiking routes or relax in the highest-altitude onsen in Japan. This tour offers a perfect blend of breathtaking nature and cultural insights, making it ideal for outdoor enthusiasts and travelers seeking a unique experience in Japan. - Day tour from Kanazawa, starting at 8:00 A.M. - Visit Japan's tallest waterfall and hike the Roof of Japan - Enjoy a lunch break with scenic mountain views - Suitable for moderately fit hikers with flexible routes available for the less physically fit

Avoid the risk of getting lost in the Japanese Alps when you take a private day hike with a guide. Enjoy a beginner-friendly hike along the Nakasendo Trail between two traditional villages, Magome and Tsumago. Learn more about Japanese history and culture from your guide, and enjoy getting some exercise in the beautiful landscape.

Abutting the remarkable Toyama Bay, Takaoka is a city with a diverse history of over 350 years. Known as the “Kitchen of Kanazawa”, it produced large amounts of food, metal working and pottery. As the second city of the Kaga Domain, much wealth was poured into the city, mostly in the form of building great temples. Two of those great temples, Zuiryuji and Shokoji, still remain and are considered National Treasures. On this tour you will see those temples, try your hand at metalworking and see the Amaharashi Coast with a view of the snow-capped Tateyama mountains in the background.

Explore the breathtaking landscapes of Japan on this full-day tour from Kanazawa. Begin your journey at Shirayama Hime Shrine, dedicated to sacred Mt. Haku, then venture through the picturesque Hakusan Shirakawa-Go White Road, known for its stunning valley views and waterfalls. Conclude your adventure in Shirakawa-Go, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you can walk through historical thatched-roof houses and immerse yourself in local culture. Perfect for nature lovers and history enthusiasts, this tour includes guided insights and captivating sights. - Start the tour at 9:00 A.M. from Kanazawa Station - Visit the ancient Shirayama Hime Shrine and then Tedori Gorge - Travel along the scenic White Road with multiple sightseeing stops - Explore the UNESCO-listed village of Shirakawa-Go

Get a taste of the ancient Nakasendo Trail that runs between Kyoto and Tokyo on a guided five-hour walk through the Kiso Valley. Walk between two scenic medieval towns without the risk of getting lost as your guide will keep you on the right path. Learn more about local culture and traditions while enjoying the landscapes along the way and getting some exercise.

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

- 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.”

Unlike standard sightseeing tours that simply introduce famous spots, this experience explores the hidden meanings, design philosophy, and changing scenery of Kenrokuen Garden with a local guide. Guests will discover how ponds, bridges, islands, stones, and open spaces were carefully arranged to express traditional Japanese aesthetics and ideas of beauty. The tour follows the garden’s classic viewing route while introducing iconic locations such as Kotoji Lantern, Kasumigaike Pond, Karasaki Pine, and Ganko Bridge. Along the way, your guide will explain how Kenrokuen was designed to reveal different scenery step by step, creating a garden meant to be experienced through movement rather than viewed from a single point. Guests are also encouraged to reflect on which location they personally found most beautiful, making the experience more interactive and thoughtful than a typical guided walk. The extended option additionally includes a relaxing tea break inside the garden.

The departure location is selectable from Nozawa Onsen, Myoko Kogen and Madarao Kogen. Starting with a visit to the famous Snow Monkey Park. Get up close and watch as the Snow Monkeys relax in the naturally occurring hot springs of Jigokudani. Thanks to the tour's early morning start you will see the Monkeys as exclusively as it gets! Following this, we will commute to Shibu Onsen town. The first place to stop is Tamamura Honten, a sake & beer brewery established in 1805 attached to a traditional art gallery. After that, our guide will offer you insight into the historic Onsen village. This village was once frequented by Samurai, poets, and travellers alike. Good fortune is said to come to those who bathe in each of the Onsen in town. This section is a walking tour, but if you would prefer to relax in an Onsen, you may do so for just ¥800! Finally, during the green season, we visit Kokugonji, a serene and beautifully maintained temple nestled in rural Nakano and founded in 825.

The city of Kanazawa, with its beautiful gardens, historic districts and delicious local foods, is more than just the sights within it. Why not get hands-on experience with Japanese and local cultural activities while exploring some of the lesser visited areas along with some the popular ones. The area is famous for its traditional crafts such as gold leaf, Japanese sweets, pottery, kimono-making, etc. On this tour you can try out using gold leaf, making Japanese sweets and also getting a chance at throwing two different types of ninja stars. If you are someone who wants to dive deeper into the culture of the city while walking around the city, this is the tour for you. Led by one of our local English-speaking tour guides, you will do three different workshops and see some of the sights that don’t normally make it onto the main Kanazawa tours. Experience the other side of this wonderful, beautiful and traditional city.

No more stress from asking strangers to take your photos! I’ll capture your favorite moments with my iPhone until you’re fully satisfied, so you can relax and enjoy the experience. This is a completely customized tour just for you. We will visit the places you want to see in Kanazawa—either on foot or by public bus. No plan? No problem! As someone born and raised in Kanazawa, I’ll share several great local spots, and we can choose together. Also you’ll explore beautiful locations while learning about the city’s history, culture, and unique atmosphere. This tour is perfect for solo travelers or duos, and of course small groups are welcome, too. Please note that any additional costs—such as food, transportation, or entrance fees—are required for both guests and host. I’m not a professional photographer, but I will use my iPhone to take natural, enjoyable photos throughout the tour.

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.

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.

Especially designed for nature lovers! This private tour will be a unique experience to enhance your treasured memories of Japan. You will be taken to the city’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!

【OUTLINE】 We will guide you to a secluded, closed-off quarry deep in the mountains while walking on forest roads and taking a forest bath! A tour to experience the world of Ghibli. The quarrying of stone began around 1887 (Meiji 20), approximately 140 years ago, but after the war, as cement became widely used as a building material, the demand for stone drastically decreased, and the mine was abandoned. We will guide you to another world on a mystical tour. 【HIGHLIGHTS】 A guide will take you through a secluded area that is usually off-limits. You can immerse yourself in an other-worldly experience unlike your daily life. Enjoy a forest bath in a space of tranquility.

Unleash your inner explorer on Toyama with a personalized journey, immersing yourself in its vibrant culture and serene hidden spots. Our custom tours provide a bespoke experience, tailored to your desires, ideal for adventure seekers, families with children, and culture enthusiasts alike. Discover local secrets, savor authentic moments, and create unforgettable memories on Toyama. Enjoy immersive cultural experiences, gain insider knowledge, and have memorable encounters with local traditions, ensuring a truly unique and enriching adventure.

This day tour from Toyama highlights the charm and diversity of Kamiichi Town, blending history, nature, cuisine, and culture into a seamless journey. You will explore the sacred grounds of Oiwa Niseki-ji, savor freshly made regional noodles, and stroll through the refreshing landscape of Sengan-kei Gorge. A relaxing café break offers unique local flavors, followed by a visit to the picturesque house that inspired the film Wolf Children. The tour concludes at Sasaraya, where you can enjoy a hands-on senbei-making experience and shop for local specialties. With comfortable private transportation, this itinerary provides an enriching and enjoyable way to discover the hidden gems of Toyama’s countryside.

[Option1] Kanazawa: Walking & Calligraphy Tour with an ex-Pro Athlete Explore Kanazawa with a former pro baseball player, visiting Nagamachi Samurai District, Oyama Shrine, Kanazawa Castle Park, Kenrokuen Garden and Higashi Chaya District. Finish with a private calligraphy session at a temple. Morning: 9:00–13:00 / Afternoon: 14:00–18:00. [Option2] Kanazawa: Zen Calligraphy Experience at a Historic Temple Enjoy calligraphy inside a peaceful Zen temple. With a guide, choose a meaningful Kanji that reflects your personality or journey. Beginners are welcome with step-by-step instruction. Practice first, then create your final artwork on a souvenir to take home. [Option3] Kanazawa: Tea Ceremony in Zen Tradition at a 350-Year Temple Walk from Higashi Chaya to a quiet 350-year-old temple. Learn traditional etiquette, discover seasonal scrolls, utensils, flowers and sweets, watch matcha prepared by hand, then experience the ceremony yourself in a small group of up to six.