Komatsu attractions

This full-day Shirakawago & Kanazawa tour centres on the UNESCO-listed village of Shirakawa-go and time in Kanazawa. You will spend the morning in Shirakawa-go, admiring its picturesque landscapes and taking in the village atmosphere as you move through the area. As you walk around Shirakawa-go, you can enjoy a variety of local foods. Typical options include Hida beef, the famous local pudding, and ice cream made with unfiltered sake called doburoku. The description focuses on what you will see and the local flavours you may sample while exploring the village.

You will travel from Kanazawa to the UNESCO World Heritage village of Shirakawa-go, then continue on to Takayama. In Shirakawa-go you will step into a village of well-preserved thatched-roof houses that reflect centuries of traditional craftsmanship and rural culture. A driver will give you a self-guided walking map that points you to a selected viewpoint; following the map, you can wander the charming streets, take photographs of the distinctive roofs, and learn about local building methods and village life as you explore at your own pace. You’ll also have the opportunity to visit small local shops along the way. Please note this is a transportation service only and not a guided tour. The experience centres on independent exploration, with the walking map provided to help you make the most of your time in Shirakawa-go before the journey continues to Takayama.

In the heart of Kanazawa, you'll take part in a hands-on workshop using the traditional Japanese Tsuchime (hammered texture) technique to make your own ring. You will hammer the textured pattern onto your band, and skilled artisans will professionally finish it into a high-quality piece of jewellery. Even if it's your first time, you can enjoy the process with confidence, and you can take your finished ring home the same day. You will choose from a wide variety of materials, widths, textures and finishes to create a ring that reflects your personal style. The experience works well as a meaningful souvenir, an anniversary gift or even as a pair of wedding bands, giving you a uniquely made piece that showcases the Tsuchime tradition.

From Kanazawa Station you’ll travel to the village of Shirakawago, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its gassho-zukuri houses. The steep, thatched roofs create a timeless feel across the landscape. You’ll have free time to explore the village at your own pace and enjoy a traditional lunch set within this distinctive setting. If you select the Kenrokuen option, you’ll continue to Kenrokuen Garden, a peaceful haven celebrated for its harmony between nature and Japanese garden art, with ponds, stone bridges and centuries‑old trees to stroll among. The day also takes you through the Higashi Chaya district, where cobbled streets and traditional teahouses evoke the era of geishas and samurai and create a unique atmosphere full of history. You’ll return to Kanazawa with memories from a day that blends history, culture and nature.

From Kanazawa Station, this tour visits the UNESCO-listed village of Shirakawa-go and key sights in Kanazawa city. You will explore the picturesque landscapes of Shirakawa-go on foot and enjoy local food there. A professional English-speaking guide will attend the tour, and multilingual audio guidance will be available in EN, FR, IT, ES, DE, PT, UK. Back in Kanazawa, you will visit must-see spots including Kenrokuen Garden and the Higashi Chaya District. Along the way you will make traditional Japanese sweets (wagashi) with a professional craftsman and take part in a hands-on gold leaf experience to learn about this local craft. As you stroll through the geisha district, you will savour a luxurious soft serve ice cream decorated with real gold leaf. These included activities give you a mix of landscape, food, craft and cultural highlights that are harder to arrange on your own.

You’ll take a culinary and cultural walk through Kanazawa, starting with a vibrant tasting experience at Omicho Market. Here you’ll savour fresh seafood, local produce and traditional delicacies as you move among the market stalls. Along the way you’ll wander the charming streets of Kazuemachi Chayagai, immersing yourself in the serene beauty of one of Kanazawa’s historic geisha districts with its picturesque teahouses and rich cultural heritage. The experience ends in the atmospheric Higashi Chaya District, where you’ll explore beautifully preserved teahouses and get a sense of the elegance tied to the area’s geisha traditions. You’ll also enjoy a tasting of exquisite Japanese sweets, which offers a delicate complement to the market flavours. Together, these stops combine tastes, history and artistry to create a balanced introduction to Kanazawa’s food culture and traditional neighbourhoods.

In Kanazawa, a city with a 400-year samurai history, you will step into the world of the samurai with a private swordsmanship lesson. After changing into a traditional samurai kimono, you will train in a quiet, private setting at an old temple under the guidance of a skilled sword master. You will learn the basics of swordsmanship and practise techniques that reflect the discipline and form of this ancient art. As you move through the session, the historic atmosphere of Kanazawa will provide a fitting backdrop and you may feel the spirit of the samurai in the surroundings. To help you remember the experience, you will receive training photos by email later. During the summer months the venue does not have air conditioning, so please dress comfortably as it can get quite warm.

You’ll join a fully hands-on Japanese cooking class at a long-established culinary school just three minutes from Kanazawa Station. This is not a demonstration — each guest cooks every dish with clear, personal guidance, and you’ll take part in every stage of preparation. Real-time AI translation displayed on a large screen will ensure smooth communication in English as you work. You’ll learn practical techniques you can recreate at home, including sushi shaping, making dashi, preparing fluffy rolled omelettes and Jibuni, a Kanazawa speciality with samurai-era roots. Along the way the instructor will explain the cultural background of each dish so you understand context as well as technique. You’ll work with fresh, seasonal ingredients, including premium seafood sourced from Omicho Market, which is trusted by top local restaurants. Please note that vegan diets and guests avoiding fish-based dashi cannot be accommodated. Let the provider know of any other dietary restrictions when you book, as same-day changes are not possible.

In Kanazawa, near the Ninja Temple, a 100-year-old townhouse offers an authentic calligraphy experience. With only ink, traditional washi paper and a brush in your hand, you will be shown how simple strokes become expressive characters. A local calligraphy master will guide you step by step, starting from basic brush techniques and leading you through the practice needed to complete your own final piece. Along the way, you will feel the texture of the paper and the subtle weight of the brush as you learn posture, pressure and rhythm in a calm, hands-on setting. Please note that on Thursdays and Saturdays after 3:00 PM a local calligraphy class is in session, so you may occasionally see Japanese children nearby. The experience uses materials that contain animal-derived components.

On this walking tour you will explore Kenrokuen, one of Japan’s three most beautiful gardens, and view the exterior of Kanazawa Castle and the adjacent Kanazawa Castle Park. Guided by knowledgeable local experts in small groups, you’ll learn about the garden’s history and cultural importance. Along the way, your guide will explain how the garden once served as the outer garden of the feudal lord’s residence and how it connects across the street to the castle grounds. As you move through the garden and pause by the castle’s restored architecture, your guide will show how these sites together tell the story of the powerful Kaga Domain. You’ll hear details and see features that are often missed on solo visits, uncovering small historic and design elements. The experience is informative for history enthusiasts and nature lovers who want a clearer understanding of this part of Japan’s heritage.

From Kanazawa you will head into the Japanese mountains to visit the villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama. These UNESCO World Heritage sites are known for their gassho-style houses, some more than 250 years old, which give a clear glimpse into the life of traditional farming communities. As you move through the villages you will see how these steep thatched roofs and narrow lanes reflect local history and craftsmanship. Along the way you will pass through historic towns such as Inami, where woodcarving remains a living tradition. On shopfronts, temple carvings and signs you will find fine examples of this craft, and the tour includes the chance to see expert wood carving up close. The wider region was once home to many local crafts, including Japanese-style paper making, and you will be able to try your hand at making paper as part of the experience. Overall, the day combines scenic villages, traditional architecture and hands-on craft activities that highlight the region’s cultural heritage.

This private, fully customisable visit to Kanazawa is organised around your interests. It isn’t a fixed itinerary but a flexible, immersive experience led by a passionate local who brings the city to life with personal insight and expert knowledge. With a start time that suits your schedule, it’s suitable whether this is your first trip or you’re returning and want a more local perspective. Along the way you may visit iconic sites and uncover hidden gems, from samurai districts and traditional markets to peaceful gardens and geisha quarters. Your host will share meaningful stories, cultural context and practical insider tips you won’t find in guidebooks. As you move through the city they’ll point out small details, explain traditions and suggest places to explore further on your own. After booking, you’ll receive a short questionnaire to describe your interests. You’ll then be matched with a like-minded local host who will contact you directly to help plan the route, pace and focus of your visit so it fits what you want to see and learn.

This walking tour in Kanazawa follows a route that covers the city’s must-see spots and many lesser-known gems. Knowledgeable guides will share cultural context and local stories as you move through historic districts and quieter corners. Along the way, you’ll gain an enriched understanding of Kanazawa’s customs and history. You’ll also have the opportunity to try matcha and traditional sweets at a historical tea house, providing a direct taste of local tradition and a chance to feel connected to the city’s culture in a short visit. The route is designed to be thorough without being tiring, so you can make the most of your time in Kanazawa while exploring both famous sights and hidden highlights.

On this day tour from Kanazawa you will visit two of Japan’s cultural highlights: the UNESCO World Heritage village of Shirakawago and the historic town of Takayama. In Shirakawago you will see fairy-tale gassho-zukuri farmhouses with dramatic thatched roofs that have weathered centuries of mountain snow, giving a clear sense of traditional mountain life. In Takayama, often called the Little Kyoto of the Alps, you will wander the cobbled Kami-Sannomachi streets where traditional sake breweries, artisanal miso shops and small boutiques sell handcrafted folk art and local delicacies. Along the way you will also encounter spectacular festival floats at Yatai Kaikan, showcasing pieces from Japan’s most celebrated festivals. A National Government Licensed Guide will accompany you, sharing cultural background and local stories throughout the experience. You may choose either a round-trip return to Kanazawa or a drop-off in Takayama, depending on your plans.

With this admission ticket, you will have the opportunity to explore the Motorcar Museum of Japan and admire its extensive collection of historic Japanese vehicles and cars coming from all over the world. As you walk through the different exhibition halls, you will get to find around 500 cars, displayed according to brand and vehicle type, including some particularly valuable and exclusive models.