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 had a great experience on the Shirakawa-go, Kenrokuen, and Higashi-Chaya tour. The pace was a bit rushed, but it was exactly what we needed to see all the highlights in just one day. We also really appreciated that the tour started and ended exactly on time. Huge thanks to our guide Cesar for a very thorough tour, clear instructions, and helpful sightseeing tips. He did a great job keeping everyone on schedule. Shout-out as well to Ikeda-san, our bus driver, for driving safely despite the heavy snow and for kindly lending us his umbrella. The tour operator was also very responsive to our questions on WhatsApp, which made everything smoother. Overall, a well-organized tour and a great option if you want to cover a lot in one day.

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.

Such a great tour with good enthusiastic guide 小Xi and safe Japanese driver. Big coach was clean and comfortable. The scenery along the way was beautiful. Everything went well. We were very lucky to have a guide who spoke clearly and gave detailed instructions, information and recommendations both verbally and through WhatsApp. The itinerary was excellent with sufficient time at every stop. The tour is self-guided so we enjoyed the flexibility to do what we want and roam around freely based on the many places suggested by 小Xi who WhatsApp the exact location on Google maps to us. He also provided maps and gave food suggestions. We stayed at Hotel MyStays Kanazawa. Rooms are clean and new but very small. Double bed is also very small for two people. Best to ask for twin beds when booking this tour. Breakfast at the hotel was great with a wide spread of local and continental food. Overall we enjoyed this tour very much. Highly recommend this over a day tour to Shirakawago/Takayama.

Karolina is an awesome guide. she is very knowledgeable and is very friendly and approachable. I highly recommend her.

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

We had a pleasant time in Kanazawa using kimono rental service from Vasara. They have various selection of good quality kimonos and services were smooth and professional. We love the enthusiasm of the staffs.

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.