• Kimono Rental Wargo - Experience the charm of Wargo’s Standard Kimono Plan. This affordable option provides a delightful introduction to wearing kimonos. The designs are simple yet captivating, blending cuteness with elegance, appealing to all.
• Kanazawa Castle - From 1583 until the end of the Edo Period, Kanazawa Castle (金沢城, Kanazawajō) served as the seat of the influential Maeda Clan, rulers of Kaga, a feudal domain second only to the Tokugawa in size and wealth.

The castle has been rebuilt several times due to fires, with the last major fire in 1881 leaving only two storehouses and the Ishikawa-mon Gate intact. The gate, dating back to 1788, faces Kenrokuen. Kanazawa University occupied the former castle grounds for several decades until relocating to the city’s outskirts in the early 1990s. Since then, efforts have been made to reconstruct the castle’s original buildings, with many central structures now restored, enhancing the visitor experience.

• Kenrokuen Garden - Kenrokuen (兼六園) in Kanazawa is rightly considered one of Japan’s “three most beautiful landscape gardens,” alongside Mito’s Kairakuen and Okayama’s Korakuen. Once the outer garden of Kanazawa Castle, it was developed by the Maeda family over nearly two centuries. Opened to the public in 1871, Kenrokuen boasts a variety of flowering trees, offering a unique appearance each season.
• Higashi Chaya District - A chaya (lit. teahouse) is an exclusive restaurant where guests are entertained by geisha through song and dance. During the Edo Period, chaya were located in designated entertainment districts, typically just outside city limits. Kanazawa features three well-preserved chaya districts: Higashi Chayagai (Eastern Chaya District), Nishi Chayagai (Western Chaya District), and Kazuemachi.
• D. T. Suzuki Museum - The D.T. Suzuki Museum (鈴木大拙館, Suzuki Daisetsu Kan) is a small museum honoring the life and works of Suzuki Daisetz Teitaro (1870-1966), a renowned Buddhist philosopher. Opened in 2011 in Kanazawa, where Suzuki was born, it is a ten-minute walk from Kenrokuen. The museum showcases exhibitions of D.T. Suzuki’s writings, offering insights into his life and philosophy. Additionally, the museum’s architecture reflects D.T. Suzuki’s life and religious scholarship, with its clean, simple lines and open spaces encouraging reflection.

*Closed until mid-March 2024

• Myoryuji Temple - Myoryuji Temple (妙立寺, Myōryūji), often called Ninjadera (“Ninja Temple”), was constructed by the Maeda lords, rulers of the region during the Edo Period. Although not linked to ninjas, the temple earned its nickname due to its many deceptive defenses.

The shogun imposed strict building restrictions to weaken regional lords, so Myoryuji was cleverly designed to bypass these restrictions and serve as a disguised military outpost. It features significant defenses and escape routes to alert the castle in case of an attack.

*Reservations must be made by phone; ask your guide for assistance.

• Seisonkaku Villa - The Seisonkaku Villa (成巽閣, Seisonkaku) was constructed in the final years of the Edo Period by a Maeda lord for his mother. It stands as one of Japan’s most elegant remaining samurai villas.

Situated in the southeast corner of Kenrokuen, Seisonkaku is a large structure with several spacious tatami rooms across two floors. A notable feature is its garden viewing deck, built without supports that would obstruct the garden view.

• Naga-machi District - Nagamachi (長町) was a samurai district located at the base of the former Kanazawa Castle, where samurai and their families once lived. The area retains a historic ambiance with its preserved samurai residences, earthen walls, private gates, narrow lanes, and water canals. A key attraction is the centrally located Nomura-ke, a restored samurai residence showcasing the lifestyle and artifacts from the samurai’s prosperous era. In contrast, the Shinise Kinenkan Museum, a restored pharmacy, displays the lives of the merchant class, which rose in prosperity as the samurai declined.
• 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art - The 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art (金沢21世紀美術館, Kanazawa Nijūichiseiki Bijutsukan) opened in 2004 in downtown Kanazawa, just steps from Kenrokuen. It features works by renowned contemporary artists from Japan and around the world and is one of Japan’s most popular art museums.

The museum’s architecture is distinctive, setting it apart from other museums and buildings in Kanazawa. It consists of a circular building, 112.5 meters in diameter, with no facade or main entrance. Designed without a front or back, it encourages visitors to approach the museum and its art from multiple perspectives.

• Oyama Shrine - Oyama Shrine (尾山神社, Oyama Jinja) is dedicated to Maeda Toshiie, the first lord of the powerful local Maeda Clan. The shrine was built in 1599 by Toshiie’s successor, Maeda Toshinaga, on Mount Utatsu and later relocated to its current site.

Oyama Shrine is renowned for its unique gate, designed by a Dutch architect, incorporating elements of European and Asian religious themes. The first story showcases a

• Omicho Market - Omicho Market (近江町市場, Ōmichō Ichiba) has been Kanazawa’s largest fresh food market since the Edo Period. Today, it is a vibrant and colorful network of covered streets lined with about 200 shops and stalls. While most shops specialize in excellent local seafood and produce, visitors can also find flowers, clothing, kitchen tools, and more.

The market is most lively in the morning but also becomes bustling around noon when tourists and locals arrive for lunch at the market’s restaurants. It’s common to see lines forming in front of popular eateries, many of which specialize in rice bowls topped with fresh Kanazawa seafood.

• Kanazawa City Nishi Chaya Museum - A chaya (茶屋, lit. teahouse) is an exclusive restaurant where guests are entertained by geisha through song and dance. Kanazawa boasts three well-preserved chaya districts: Higashi Chayagai (Eastern Chaya District), Nishi Chayagai (Western Chaya District), and Kazuemachi. Each district offers its own unique charm, with a mix of shops, cafes, and chaya restaurants.

The Nishi Chaya District (西茶屋街, Nishi Chayagai) is a compact area just a short walk from the Ninja Temple. It is smaller and quieter than Higashi Chayagai and features one public attraction: the Nishi Chaya Shiryokan museum, which presents the district’s history and serves as a meeting point for free tours (Japanese-only).

• Meet up with guide on foot within designated area of Kanazawa
• Kimono wearing experience (standard plan only)
• Licensed Local English Speaking Guide
• Customizable Tour of your choice of 2-3 sites from ‘What to expect’ list

• Transportation fees, Entrance fees, Lunch, and Other personal expenses
• Private Vehicle
• You cannot combine multiple tour groups.
• Guide Entry fees are only covered for sights listed under What to Expect.

The kimono is the beautiful traditional dress of Japan! On this 6-hour walking tour, you can experience wearing a Kimono. You will be dressed by a professional and have your hair done in a simple hairstyle.

It will take about one hour to change for one group (including a simple hair set for women). Afterward, you can walk around Kanazawa and take photos. Please bring your camera!

Kanazawa is well known for its sophisticated food and tea culture. The secret of the popularity of Kanazawa’s cuisine is that it is not just about its taste, but is packed with many Japanese elements such as the spirit of hospitality, the beauty of tea utensils, and traditional methods.

• Your tour will be of 2 to 3 sights that you decide on with your guide from the itinerary list.
• Kimono Sizes: for woman 150cm-170cm, for men 165cm-200cm. If you cannot find a perfect fit Kimono, the professional staff can dress you in the Kimono as best as they can.
• Start time: Your start time for the experience may vary. The estimated time for the experience will be about 1 hour from the tour start.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.