As autumn settles in and the evenings turn crisp, the back streets come alive with the shrill call of bamboo flutes, the percussive twang of shamisens, and the excited shouts of children practicing their roles—stick-wielding, lion‑fighting, and full of bravado. Every night, towns hum with anticipation as communities rehearse for an event that has been … Read more

Momijigari in Kanazawa – Chasing Autumn’s Fire After the long, humid stretch of summer fades, Kanazawa transforms. The heavy air lightens, the skies sharpen to a clear blue, and across the region millions of maple trees begin their slow, spectacular metamorphosis. What were once lush green canopies turn into blazing crowns of crimson, amber, and … Read more

Kanazawa is famous for its gardens, samurai streets, and beautifully preserved districts—but it’s also famous for rain. Locals will tell you that a drizzle is practically part of the city’s charm. Luckily, Kanazawa is packed with fascinating indoor attractions that make a rainy day feel like an opportunity rather than a setback. Whether you’re into … Read more

Take a step back in time with KWT and go for a stroll around the historical Nagamachi Samurai District. Unlike many of Japan’s largest cities, Kanazawa has been fortunate to come through much of the country’s oft-turbulent history relatively unscathed. This, coupled with incentives given by the ruling Maeda Family to encourage samurai and merchants … Read more

Come join Kanazawa Walking Tours as Kanazawa celebrates its biggest festival of the year! Each year, on the first Saturday in June, the colourful festival known as Hyakumangoku Matsuri is held on the streets of Kanazawa. It is a celebration to mark the anniversary of the arrival of Maeda Toshiie, a famous Sengoku Period samurai … Read more

Kanazawa Tours sit down with Fumi Koji from ‘Let’s Reiki’ for the lowdown on Reiki in Japan. Fumi is a Gendai Reiki Master and Practitioner operating in the foothills of Mount Hakusan, a sacred mountain just outside Kanazawa. Whiskey of choice: Redbreast 12 Year First of all can you please tell us, What is Reiki? … Read more

Winter in Japan is Sake brewing season so Kanazawa Tours headed out to the prestigious Kano Sake Brewery in Kaga Onsen. We were greeted by Hiromichi Kano (pictured above), the president and 7th generation in this traditional sake brewery. So what’s the secret to your brew? Hiromichi told us straight off that for generations the … Read more

Kanazawa Walking Tours investigates the Matcha (green tea) Experience on the Chaya district Tours. The Chaya districts are a great place to start. Kanazawa Walking Tours visits and speaks to Mr Yonezawa, the proprietor of the oldest tea supplier in Higashi Chaya (East Tea District). He now stands proudly as the 5thgeneration tea master in this … Read more

KWT take some time out during the winter season to talk to some of Kanazawa’s exciting entrepreneurs. We don’t have to go far to meet Yuka from Kanazawa Brewery, operating from a 19th-century building, perched above downtown’s Katamachi. What the building lacks in external aesthetics it makes up for with internal sophistication. So where did the inspiration to … Read more

Nestled on the South side of the Asanagawa Bridge is the smaller, but equally scenic Kazue-machi Chaya geisha district. Kazua machi is a quaint and enchanting little district, with hidden Geiko stables, real tea houses and some fascinating architecture. Strolling through these streets reels you back in time to a simpler, quieter time away from … Read more

Kanazawa Tours get an exclusive meeting with Kaga Yuzen(Kimono Dyeing) master, Hisatsune-san, who speaks about the age-old tradition of kimono dyeing in Kanazawa and how the times are changing. So what is Kaga Yuzen and how is it different to other kimono dyeing styles? Kaga Yuzen traditionally depicts beautiful natural scenes, such as flowers, birds and … Read more

Kenrokuen Gardens Kanazawa The Kenrokuen Gardens are famous for their year-long beauty, lush and serene landscapes. Situated in Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan, it is an old park-like garden and is the city’s main attraction. The entry is paid and is open for leisure year-round, except December 29 to January 3. It was built by the Maeda … Read more

Shirakawago Picture postcard beautiful and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Shirakawago is stunning village hidden in an isolated valley in the far north of Gifu Prefecture. Instantly recognizable by the steeply sloped, thatched roofs of the traditional wooden houses that dot the landscape. Far from being just an attractive design, these specially crafted roofs  are … Read more

Artisan – Ohi Toshio As part of Kanazawa Tours Meet the Masters series, I would like to introduce you to the master potter and ceramic artist Ohi Toshio Chozaemon XI. Ohi-san is the 11th generation of a long line of masters to take the name Chozaemon; a name that has been passed down through his … Read more