Kanazawa Unveiled: Exclusive Private Half-Day Discovery

🌸 Review: Artisans of Kanazawa – Private Excursion with Ian Our half-day Artisans of Kanazawa tour with Ian was truly one of the most meaningful experiences of our trip. From the moment we met him, his calm and thoughtful way of sharing the city made us feel completely immersed in Kanazawa’s beauty and spirit. Ian guided us through some of Kanazawa’s most treasured places — from the peaceful Samurai district and charming Geisha quarter to the stunning Kenrokuen Garden, where each view seemed perfectly composed. His explanations helped us see the city not just as visitors, but through the eyes of someone who deeply appreciates its history and traditions. One of the most memorable parts of the morning was our visit with a local artisan at Wagasa-Kasamori, where we learned about the intricate process of creating traditional Japanese umbrellas. Watching the craftsmanship up close — the delicate paper, bamboo, and careful handwork — gave us such respect for the generations who have kept this art alive. It was quiet, beautiful, and humbling to witness. Ian made sure everything moved at a comfortable pace, and his gentle attention to detail made it easy to simply enjoy each moment. This wasn’t just a tour — it was an experience that connected us to the heart of Kanazawa and its people.

We really enjoyed our informative and pleasant half-day tour of Kanazawa with Ai Kawachi who taught us a lot about the local culture and Japan in general. We learned more through her than through any of our other Tokyo or Kyoto guides!

Art and crafts tour. Great experience to see the craftsmanship of a master in the art of lacker. Ian was a great guide that showed us around Kanazawa and told the stories of the town. Very knowledgeable!

Sachiko was one of several guides who hosted us on our travels in Japan and she was one of the best. Her English was exceptionally clear, she demonstrated an appreciation of American culture that allowed us to compare and contrast it with the Japanese way of life, and she was professional yet personable. During a one-on-one craft demonstration with an artisan, we were especially impressed with her ability to translate the artist’s description about his work and inspiration. Big thumbs up!

We had Kenzo as our guide - he picked us up at the hotel - we got a taxi to the Samurai district; it was really interesting. Then we went to the Castle & gardens & to Kenrokuen garden - he was knowledgeable & interesting & was able to tell us all about the areas we were seeing - we sampled gold leaf ice-cream - yum! We had a great time.

Our guide, Chikako, was very flexible and efficient and made the most of our 4 hours together, which was important given that we were on a cruise. We identified sites that would be the most interesting to us and she kept us moving! A job well done.

We had a fantastic guided walking tour in Kanazawa, exploring both the old samurai district and the historic geisha area. Our guide, Sachiko, who is a local from Kanazawa, was absolutely wonderful — warm, welcoming, and always smiling. She was an excellent storyteller, bringing the history of the Edo-period samurai to life with fascinating details and vivid anecdotes. We also gained a truly interesting insight into the world of geishas — their traditions, daily life, and the cultural importance they still hold in Kanazawa today. Sachiko’s deep knowledge, enthusiasm, and personal connection to the city made the tour both educational and very enjoyable. We highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Kanazawa who wants to experience the city’s rich history and culture in an engaging and authentic way.

Jorge was extremely knowledgeable about the history and culture of this beautiful city. A terrific, active half day walking tour.

Kumiko gave us a great tour - adapting to our interests. She was very knowledgeable and always asked us about our touring preferences. Highly recommended!!!

Nozomi was the best guide we’ve ever had in Japan (we’ve had several)! We learned so much from her and she’s truly a delight. We really enjoyed her tour and her enthusiasm. She even made several recommendations for the next day on our own. Definitely a 10/10!! We would recommend her anytime! She is amazing and knowledgeable and FUN! The artisan she shared with us was so friendly, sweet, and most of all talented! We felt privileged to meet him and see his amazing work and we’re thankful for Nozomi and her wisdom and connections! When coming back to Japan we’d make a point to visit Kanazawa and book another tour with her.