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Samurai History Walking Tour in Kanazawa

5.03 reviewsKenroku-en Garden

  • 2–3 hours
  • Free cancellation up to 24h before
  • Guided in English
  • Private tour

Highlights

Kanazawa was a samurai city. Many of the famous attractions have connections with the samurai, and the city's culture has its roots from the samurai. In this tour, join our local guides on a private walking tour and explore the city while learning the historical and cultural background of some of its most famous spots. The tour will take you through the old samurai residential area of Nagamachi, the city's most prominent Shinto shrine, the castle that used to be the samurai's seat of power, and lastly, the famous Kenrokuen Garden. You can ask as many questions as you'd like, and our guides would be more than happy to share their recommendations with you!

Inclusions

What's included

  • English-speaking guide

What's not

  • Entrance/Admission fees to attractions are not covered and must be paid by the traveler
  • Transportation fees (Bus 220~yen/person or Taxi 1000~yen/car)
  • Coffee and/or Tea

Itinerary

  1. Historical district not far from the Kanazawa Castle, which once was a home to middle-class samurai and their families. Learn how samurai lived while walking through the narrow streets of the district, visit the houses where they used to live, and don't forget to buy souvenirs in one of the traditional arts and crafts shops!

    45 min

  2. A shrine built in dedication to Toshiie Maeda, the first lord of the Maeda Clan that ruled Kanazawa for centuries during the Edo Period. It is known for its unique gate that combines architectural elements of both the East and the West. It is the most prominent Shinto shrine in the city and also boasts a beautiful architecture and garden.

    30 min

  3. The seat of the Maeda Clan, the castle still reflects the region's past as the second most powerful feudal domain after the shogunate in terms of size and wealth. Some original structures from the samurai era remain standing, and the castle is undergoing a reconstruction project to slowly restore it to its former glory.

    45 min

  4. Originally built as a private garden for the Maeda Clan, Kenrokuen Garden is one of the most beautiful gardens of Japan, that attracts visitors from all over the world. Cherry blossoms in spring, red leaves in autumn, or snow in winter – it is beautiful no matter the season. Our guide will introduce you the brief history of the garden and its most interesting and stunning spots.

    45 min

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.

Reviews

5.0

  • 53
  • 40
  • 30
  • 20
  • 10

Ratings come from 3 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.

Know before you go

Meeting point
Our meeting point may change depending on the route that we are going to take on the day of the tour. Our guide will contact you for details after the reservation.
Pickup
Everyone meets at the starting point; there is no pickup.
Ticket type
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Operated by
Unveil Japan
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

How it compares in Kanazawa

  • Its from-price is close to the median of the 249 experiences we list in Kanazawa.
  • It is shorter than most of them.
  • By number of reviews it ranks 102 of 249.
  • The operator lists free cancellation on it.

About Kanazawa

Kanazawa is a castle city on Japan's Sea of Japan coast, with the celebrated Kenrokuen garden, geisha and samurai districts, gold leaf and fresh seafood.

Kanazawa was the seat of the Maeda clan, who ruled the rich Kaga domain through the Edo period, and it escaped the bombing of the Second World War, so its old streets survive. Kenrokuen, one of Japan's three great landscape gardens, spreads over a hill beside the castle, with ponds, stone lanterns and pines that are held up by ropes against the winter snow. The turrets and gates of Kanazawa Castle have been rebuilt.

See all 249 experiences in Kanazawa

Special offers in Kanazawa

Was/now prices come from the operator, never from us.

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