Set aside your guidebook, because your local host will plan the perfect itinerary in central Kanazawa. With its perfectly preserved samurai and geisha districts (you could see them both), Kanazawa is just as much a cultural jewel as its more famous cousin, Kyoto. You might spend hours in the Nagamachi area, a samurai district providing a glimpse into the Kanazawa of a century ago, while the districts of Nishi Chaya (a single street where you’ll find Rakugan, Kanazawa’s pastel-colored sweets) and the more famous Higashi Chaya are must-sees if you’re hoping to spy elusive geisha among old converted geisha houses.
You might want to see the city’s shrines and temples, like Oyama Shrine (its gate marries elements of Japanese and Chinese architecture) and Tentoku In temple, built in the 17th century by the Maeda samurai clan. Speaking of the Maeda clan, Kanazawa Castle, the clan’s historic seat of power, is a must-visit, but so are the city’s modern attractions, like Omicho Market and its famous croquettes – it’s not called the “Kitchen of Kanazawa” for nothing! The Kanazawa Station area is a lively hub of stores and restaurants, while Tatemachi street, an ultra-cool shopping promenade lined with trendy fashion boutiques, is a perfect snapshot of modern Kanazawa waiting to be explored.
Within 24 hours after booking you'll receive a short questionnaire about your personality and interests. Based on your responses, you'll be assigned a like-minded host. Your host will communicate with you directly to suggest an itinerary to help you discover what makes the city unique. You will also agree on a meeting time and place. Your itinerary is flexible, so during the experience, you can always change your mind about what you want to do.