About this experience
Kanazawa is a wonderful city with a rich history and plenty of unique traditions. I will tell you about sweets and gold leaf, lanterns and firefighters, fabrics and ceramics, festivals and techniques for protecting trees from snow. My stories will be woven into a walk through the amazingly beautiful Kenrokuen Garden, Kanazawa Castle, a remarkable temple with unusual gates, and the quarter where you can meet real geishas.
What to expect
Kenrokuen Garden. This is one of the three most famous gardens in Japan and a true masterpiece of landscape design. You will see artificial ponds, waterfalls, streams, and hills. Walk across a bridge framed by cherry blossoms, visit a tea house, and try the famous gold leaf ice cream.
Kanazawa Castle. This is where the most important local festivals take place: the Hyakumangoku Festival and the Kagatobi firefighters' performance. You will learn what they symbolize during the tour. I will also share the rich history of the castle, full of transformations.
Oyama Shrine — a place of worship for the first Maeda lords, Maeda Toshiie and Maeda Matsu. Together we will visit the “musical” water garden and note the distinctive feature of the shrine — bright gates with elements of Japanese, Chinese, and European styles.
Higashi Chaya — the historical geisha district. Another landmark of the city. It stands out for its scale and lack of defensive walls. The area is home to teahouses, museums, confectionery shops, and often hosts events with real geishas.
Organizational details
- An optional lunch can be arranged in the middle or end of the tour
- Food and drinks (including for the guide) are paid for separately. I recommend having 6000 yen per person in cash. Around 2000 yen will go towards tickets for Kenrokuen Garden, the tea house with tea/sweets, and the gold leaf ice cream. Around 4000 yen – lunch and personal expenses.
