Things to do in Kanazawa

Tour was amazing, our guide Kana was super friendly and provided all the info in advance while on the way, so when you arrive you already know what to prioritize and have a map to go around easily. tour starts early but then, when you arrive, is not that crowded which is nice. Better to follow her recommendation and go to the observatory first, when I went after arrival was almost empty but one hour later it was super full and it continued like that the rest of the day. Lunch was great and nice opportunity to try a traditional lunch. Both places were honestly breathtaking and we were super lucky to have a super sunny day. Bus was also great and it honestly felt nice to not have to check 10 times the public info for transport to make sure I was going in the right direction :) . Overall I think the experience is definitely worth it if you are in the area!

First, I'd like to thank our tour guide, Ms. Anna, for leading us on the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route tour on May 8th. From the moment we boarded the bus, she provided very detailed explanations and repeated them in both Chinese and English. It seemed like if there were Japanese participants, she might have even explained it in Japanese again. She was able to explain the origins of everything, from the history of Tateyama and its scenic spots to the herbs on the Chizushi bento box, which was truly impressive. Furthermore, during the tour, she would always be the first to arrive at the meeting point, holding her flag high, and would frequently offer helpful tips, such as information on limited-edition local products, seating areas, recommended seating positions on public transport, crowd control, and perfect timing. In short, she is a truly admirable person. Regarding the attractions, I honestly feel we were very lucky. I initially thought it would be a day ruined by heavy rain, as it was pouring heavily on the way to Tateyama Station... My heart sank at that moment. I thought, "How are we going to enjoy anything like this?" However, from Tateyama Station onwards, the rain stopped. Then, at Murodo, at a crucial moment, there was only fog and wind, but the visibility was still very good, making the experience uniquely enjoyable. The fog even created a snow-like, yet not quite snowy, atmosphere. Besides our own group, I saw many other tourists having a great time. Later, at Daikanbo, there was no rain or fog when we were at the observation deck or riding the ropeway. We were able to take in the entire panoramic view, which was truly breathtaking. Any photo taken there could easily be a postcard. At Kurobe Lake and Kurobe Dam, I had heard there would be significant rain, but by the time our group arrived at Kurobe Lake, the rain had stopped, and visibility was incredibly high. The unobstructed view of the dam was another kind of spectacular and magnificent sight. Was our group blessed with some special luck? Thank you to our tour guide and the hardworking driver. Watching him drive precisely and smoothly on the dark, winding roads on the way back showed his extensive experience. Most of the tourists, including myself, slept soundly. Thank you to all the staff for providing us with such a wonderful experience on this one-day tour! I would definitely recommend this to friends who aspire to travel independently but also want an easy way to experience the Kurobe Tateyama Alpine Route.

We started and ended on time. Our tour guide, Ceasar, was helpful and knowledgeable about the tour. Special thanks to our bus driver, Yamafuji, who brought us back safely to Kanazawa.

Had a great time. Our guide Keita took time to give us lots of background info. We did the full day tour that included painting the Daruma and this was a fun activity and a great way to also see parts of Kanazawa. I would definitely recommend this tour.

What an amazing tour! Mike was very a great guide and very knowledgeable about the towns and their history. Some of the small museums has very little information provided, but Mike was able to give us thorough explanations with engaging storytelling. We would never have found out about the wood carving village Inami, but it was such a great place to learn about local history and craft traditions. This tour provide very good value and never upcharged us or surprised us with unknown fees. I would highly recommend the tour to anyone looking to explore beyond Kanazawa.

The large bus was very comfortable. The itinerary was a slow-paced activity, but with many small stops, the time at each location felt compressed. It might be better to allocate more time for the morning market. The tour guide's explanations could be improved by appropriately switching between Japanese and Chinese, allowing for a deeper understanding of the destinations and more extensive introductions, which would enrich the experience. The best part of this trip was that the Noto Peninsula, in an effort to promote tourism, provided each person with a 4,000 yen voucher to spend, which was fantastic. This tour also thoughtfully provided lunch.

We had an absolutely wonderful experience with VASARA Kimono Rental! The shop was easy to find, and the staff was incredibly professional and helpful. The kimonos were stunning and truly exceptional quality. Throughout our travels in Japan, we saw many other kimono rentals, and we felt ours were far superior in both quality and appearance. We chose the Premier rentals and upgraded the hair styling and a few accessories, which was absolutely worth it. We also hired a local photographer for a photo shoot in the garden, and the photos turned out incredible—the beautiful kimonos made them even more special. I honestly wouldn’t change a thing about our experience. From the service to the quality of the kimonos and accessories, everything was fantastic. I would highly recommend VASARA to anyone looking for a beautiful, high-quality kimono experience in Kanazawa.

Beautiful walk, well-maintained areas. My two boys, aged 11 and 13, enjoyed the place and searching for key points on the map. Recommended.

Easy to purchase and use voucher issued on site. If visiting together with Kenrokuen Garden, can consider getting the combo ticket on site at a discounted price of ¥500. Castle was interesting with showcase of its history, construction techniques etc.