Experience the best of Kanazawa with Withlocals

"Raphael was so patient with our group, and he fully customized our tour to meet our interests and needs. He is genuinely a wonderful person. You cannot go wrong choosing him as your guide! 10 stars!!!"

"We wanted to know more about Samarai, Geisha's and the history of Japan during the Edo period, and Raphael was a wealth of knowledge as we toured the Samarai District. He also cheerfully answered all of our questions about everyday life in today's Japan. And showed us where to find the best coffee in Kanazawa! I would highly recommend Raphael if you want an informative tour."

"Raph was an absolute pleasure! He communicated with us immediately after booking (we booked last minute!) and tailored our tour based on our timing, interests and then suggested our route on our own for the next day. We learned so much that we never would have known. He is a fun person to be around. I would give 11 stars if I could :). "

"We had only 2 days in Kanazawa and booked Raphaël on a whim and I’m so glad we did. Raphaël took our requests seriously and filled our 3-hour tour with all things we wanted to see and do. He has a vast knowledge of Kanazawa and was able to answer most of our (many) questions. And if he didn’t know something, you knew he was going to look it up later for the next tour. Raphaël took us to the quieter parts of town and stopped by local artisan shops at my request. While Raphaël is not from Japan, you could tell how much he respects the culture and wants to learn as much about it as he can. At the end of the day, I would recommend Raphaël as a tour guide to anyone and wish we had more time with him. "

"Our group of six was traveling through Japan in search of authentic, local experiences, and our time in Kanazawa with Monse was one of the highlights. She did an incredible job showing us the local scene, with fantastic restaurant picks and insight into the culture. Monse’s energy, warmth, and likable personality made the experience even more memorable. I highly recommend this tour—and especially Monse—to anyone looking to go beyond the typical tourist path. Monse, if you see this, I hope your presentation the next day went great!"

"Had a great time exploring Kanazawa with Yoji. Being a local, he really knows the area well and took us to some interesting places that we wouldn’t have found on our own. Yoji was knowledgeable about the city’s history and culture, and it was nice getting his perspective on different spots around town. He showed us places that felt more authentic than the usual tourist areas. Overall, it was a good experience and we’d book with him again if we’re back in the area. Would recommend for anyone wanting to see Kanazawa through local eyes."

"Selda's knowledge, flexibility, and thoughtful attention to our interests made our tour in Kanazawa a memorable and insightful experience. We highly recommend her to anyone looking to explore the specificities of Kanazawa as well as the Japanese culture and history. Selda provided unique insights into the local life and history that truly enriched our understanding and appreciation of the area. Originally, we had planned for a tasting tour, but since we weren't very hungry and were particularly curious about samurai culture, Selda showed remarkable flexibility. She skillfully combined a light tasting experience in the samurai district with a visit to the Omicho Market. Selda informed us in advance that not all shops at the Omicho Market would be open on a Wednesday, but this turned out to be a positive experience. We discovered some incredible regional foods that we had never tried before, and the less crowded environment allowed us to enjoy our experience even more. She went above and beyond by helping us find a tour in Noto Island, despite the reduced activity due to the earthquake on January 1, 2024. Her assistance was invaluable and greatly appreciated!!! "

"Selda was very knowledgeable and accommodating. She walked us through the Samurai district and gave us lots of ideas about what to do in Kanazawa. Tried foods I never would have ordered which made the evening fun. However, only went to 2 restaurants and was not really a street food experience. Would have like to explore more locations and types of foods. "

"Three weeks into our travels in Japan this was a great way to enjoy a nice walk, in nature, and away from the crowds. Lucy was very relaxed, flexible and also knowledgeable about the area. As an expat herself she gave some interesting insights to life in Japan and Kanazawa. "

"Review We had a great time with Rafael touring Kanazawa. He gave us a wonderful introduction to the history of Kanazawa, showing around Higashi Chaya District, but also giving us some ideas and highlights for visiting Kenroku-en garden, Kanazawa Castle, Naga-macho Buke Yashiki district, and sharing so many interesting stories and insights about the local history and past and present culture. We truly appreciated Rafael’s very personal and easy going attitude. Overall, a great experience. We liked Kanazawa before but liked even more after tour with Rafael. Highly recommended to anyone visiting the city!"