Top Ishikawa Prefecture How to Get Around - page 8

This 4hr private customized walking tour includes a 2hr Geisha (Geigi) performance and dinner experience! Explore the beautiful town of Kanazawa with your English-speaking guide, who will efficiently show you the city, such as Kenrokuen Garden—one of Japan’s Three Great Gardens—Higashi Chaya District, a teahouse area from the Edo period. After the walk, enjoy a rare Geisha experience—typically not open to first-time visitors—in a private setting at a historic machiya. Watch elegant traditional dance and join in ozashiki games. Then savor a beautifully prepared Shokado bento dinner from a long-established ryotei (traditional Japanese fine dining restaurant). Choose 2-3 spots from the list in the tour information to create your itinerary and inform your guide post booking. Note*1:Children age 6 and under are free. Dinner not included, but you may bring food. Note*2:Minimum charge is for two adults, so if your group has one adult and one child, please count the child as an adult.

For travelers looking to explore a more traditional side of Japan, Takayama and Shirakawa-go offer a great opportunity to immerse yourself in a world that seems far away from the hustle and bustle of major cities. Takayama today has within it a faithfully preserved traditional town composed of three major avenues and a number of alleyways. With crystal clear water flowing on both sides of the streets, and historical wooden buildings, you will be witness to the beauty of traditional Japanese architecture. Shirakawa-go, on the other hand, is and has always been a quaint village of thatched roof homes, where agriculture and cottage industries thrived for centuries. Nowadays, it has become well known as one of the few remaining villages in Japan that boasts a high number of preserved homes with thatched roofs. You are free to start your tour from either Takayama or Kanazawa, and also end the tour at either of those destinations.

Embark on an exclusive full-day journey by private air-conditioned car to discover two of Japan’s most enchanting destinations. Begin with a visit to the picturesque village of Shirakawago, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its iconic gassho-zukuri houses with steep thatched roofs, creating a timeless and fairy-tale atmosphere. Enjoy free time to wander through the village at your own pace and take in the beauty of the surroundings, with the option to enjoy a traditional local lunch.Continue your journey to Kanazawa, starting with the serene Kenrokuen Garden, one of Japan’s most celebrated landscape gardens, where crystal-clear ponds, elegant stone bridges, and centuries-old trees create a perfect balance between nature and traditional Japanese aesthetics.The experience concludes in the historic Higashi Chaya District, where cobblestone streets and beautifully preserved teahouses evoke the refined world of geishas, offering a glimpse into Japan’s rich cultural heritage.

This tour takes you through the historic villages of Shirakawa-go and Takayama, where you can experience Japan's traditional landscapes and cultural heritage. Ideal for travelers seeking to immerse themselves in the serene beauty of Japan’s countryside, the tour offers a glimpse into the country's past. You’ll explore the iconic thatched-roof houses of Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and wander through Takayama’s beautifully preserved Edo-period streets. This journey is perfect for those who appreciate historical architecture, stunning natural scenery, and a deeper connection to Japan's original way of life.

The Noto Peninsula is often called a “treasure trove of marine fermentation.” Here, traditions such as Ishiru fish sauce, sweet kome-ame malt syrup, seafood-friendly miso and soy sauce, and seasonal local sake have been passed down for generations. Framed by rugged outer shores, calm inner bays, and the satoyama hillsides, the people of Noto have long transformed nature’s gifts into singular flavors through the wisdom of fermentation. More than preservation alone, this culture is a living proof of how generations endured harsh winters and humid summers by harnessing the power of rice, salt, and microorganisms. In every taste, you encounter not only flavor, but also the memory of the land and the quiet prayers of its people.

The tour begins with a visit to Kenrokuen Garden, considered one of the most scenic spots in Japan, where visitors can see the seasonal expressions of the Kaga feudal lords who ruled the area. The next stop is the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa, where visitors can experience contemporary art. The circular building has an open design with a natural connection between inside and outside, creating a sense of unity with the city. Inside, visitors can enjoy works by internationally acclaimed artists and hands-on exhibits. The building itself is also attracting attention as a work of art.Visitors can also take part in an optional experience using gold leaf, which is unique to Kanazawa, known as one of the leading gold leaf production centers in Japan.Why not spend a day in Kanazawa experiencing history, culture, and art? *21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art is closed on Mondays. Visitors will be taken to a different location for tours on days when the museum is closed.

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.