In Kanazawa, past and present blend seamlessly. The Local & Global Gochamaze Tour offers a unique walking experience where locals and travelers come together to explore Kanazawa while engaging with the people who shape its traditions. Each tour includes visits to historical sites, local shops, and workshops where you can meet and talk with Local Experts who will share their stories and knowledge.
Whether you are a visitor experiencing Kanazawa through local eyes or a resident seeing your city from a traveler’s perspective, this tour offers a new way to connect with the heart of the city.
- All tours are conducted in English and Japanese.
- Walk-ins welcome! If there are available slots, you may join on the day of the tour after filling up the form here.
- The word “Gochamaze” means “mixing” in casual Japanese.
Tour Lineup
[Mar. 14] Omicho Market – Meet the owner of a centuries-old fish shop!
Omicho Market has a history of more than 300 years since the Edo period. As the “kitchen of the people of Kanazawa,” it has become a popular destination for both locals and international tourists. On this tour, we will walk through two lively shopping streets before reaching Omicho Market. Along the way, we will introduce some charming local restaurants and unique spots. At the Omicho Market, we will have the owner of a fish store to introduce the market and his message to us.
- Date: March 14, 2025 (2:00 PM – 4:00 PM)
Check in: between 1:30 PM to 1:50 PM - Meeting Point: Kanazawa Station East Exit, near Bus Terminal #3 (Landmark: a kettle-shaped sculpture) 📍MAP
If it rains, in front of the Kanazawa Station Tourist Information Center. - Route: Kanazawa Station → Betsu’in-dori Shopping Street → Kanazawa Omote-sando Street → Omicho Market
- Participation Fee: ¥3,000
- Quota: 20 people
- Who You’ll Meet: Kamitani Issei (Owner of Yamaka Suisan)
[Mar. 20] Kenrokuen Garden & Kanazawa Shrine – Explore a scenic garden and meet a Shinto priest!
Stroll through Kenrokuen, one of Japan’s three most famous gardens, and enjoy its seasonal beauty. Then, visit Kanazawa Shrine, which is said to protect the garden, and listen to the priest share stories about Shinto traditions. Discover what Shinto means to Japanese people.
- Date: March 20, 2025 (2:00 PM – 4:00 PM)
Check in: between 1:30 PM to 1:50 PM - Meeting Point: Kenrokuen Garden/Kanazawa Castle Park (LL9) Bus Stop 📍MAP
- Route: Kenrokuen Garden → Kanazawa Shrine
- Participation Fee: ¥3,000 (including admission to Kenrokuen Garden)
- Quota: 20 people
- Who You’ll Meet: Priest Atsumi Yukimasa (Kanazawa Shrine)
[Mar. 21] Higashi & Kazue-machi Chaya Districts – Strolling through Kanazawa’s geisha streets!
From Kazue-machi Chaya (Geisha) District, cross the Asano River, which retains the atmosphere of Kanazawa’s historic castle town, and head to Higashi Chaya District, which has existed since the Edo period. After walking around the town, meet one of the people who continue the town’s traditions!
- Date: March 21, 2025 (3 PM – 5 PM)
Check in: between 2:30 PM to 2:50 PM - Meeting Point: Hashibacho Kinjoro-mae (RL5) Bus Stop 📍MAP
- Route: Hashiba-cho → Kazue-machi Chaya District → Higashi Chaya District → Asanogawa Enyukai-kan
- Participation Fee: ¥3,000 (including Asanogawa Enyukai-kan admission fee)
- Quota: 20 people
- Who You’ll Meet: Uehara Junichi (Director of Asanogawa Enyukai-kan)
[Mar. 22] Katamachi – A historical walk through Kanazawa’s lively entertainment district!
First, you will walk around the Nagamachi area, where the streets still retain an atmosphere of the Edo period. Then walking through downtown Katamachi, we will visit Hirakiya, a fablic dyeing studio founded in 18c. The eighth generation of the family will guide you through the workshop, which has a tea ceremony room on the second floor. Discover the secret taste of the long-established young master.
- Date: March 22, 2025 (3 PM – 5 PM)
Check in: between 2:30 PM to 2:50 PM - Meeting Point: Korinbo former Nichigin-mae (RL12) Bus Stop 📍MAP
- Route: Katamachi → Nagamach and Katamachi area→ Hirakiya Dyeing Workshop
- Participation Fee: ¥3,000
- Quota: 20 people
- Who You’ll Meet: Hiraki Yoshinao (8th-generation of Hirakiya)
Before You Join the Tour
Important Information
💴 Payment: Cash only. We apologize, but we only accept cash payments. Please bring exact change.
👪 For Minors: Participants under 18 must be accompanied by a guardian.
🚶 Walk-ins Welcome! If there are available slots, you can join on the day of the tour. Please check availability in advance HERE or ask at the meeting point.
👞 What to Bring: Comfortable walking shoes, water, and weather-appropriate clothing.
🚗 No Parking Available: Please use public transportation or nearby paid parking lots.
🏠 IF you are Ishikawa Residents: The first 10 applicants for each tour will receive a discount; the tour fee will be 2,000 yen. Please select the discount option on the application form. And bring proof of address (ID, insurance card, etc.) to receive the discount.
Photography Policy
Personal Photos: You may take photos and share them on social media, but please respect other participants’ privacy.
Organizer’s Photos: We will take photos for documentation, ensuring that participants’ faces are ocscured.
Group Photo: A group photo will be taken at the end of the tour and sent to participants via email. Please do not post it on social media without permission. (If you would prefer to hide your face, please bring a mask or other covering.)
Cancellation & Contact
- If you need to cancel, please click HERE to notify us in advance.
- If the tour is canceled due to weather conditions or other reasons, we will notify participants via email.
- For inquiries, contact Kanazawa Ryokan & Hotel Cooperative Association: +81-76-221-1147 (Weekdays 9:00 – 17:00, except for organization events)
Leaflet
Click to download PDF
Organizer
Kanazawa Ryokan and Hotel Cooperative Association （金沢市旅館ホテル協同組合）
TEL: +81-76-221-1147 / Website: yadotime.jp/en
