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 people 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.
A special nighttime edition of the tour!
Every Saturday evening, the Kanazawa Light-Up Bus runs through the city, offering a chance to explore Kanazawa after dark. On two special nights, our tour will make use of this bus—hopping off at select stops for a relaxed night walk. It’s a great way to escape the summer heat and discover a different side of the city—one that comes alive in the glow of evening lights.
[July. 12] Hop On the Light-Up Bus: Explore Kanazawa’s Historic and Modern Nightlife
Hop aboard the Kanazawa Light-Up Bus and discover two of the city’s most atmospheric geisha districts. At night, these areas reveal a quieter, more elegant side, far different from the bustling daytime crowds.
Then, ride the bus again and hop off at Katamachi, Kanazawa’s busiest nightlife district. As we walk through the streets, you’ll learn how layers of history—from the Edo period to today—are woven into the neighborhood’s character.
The tour ends in Katamachi, where you’re free to continue exploring, grab dinner, or hop back on the Light-Up Bus with our staff to return to Kanazawa Station. Either way, it’s a perfect way to experience the magic of Kanazawa at night.
- Date: July 12, 2025 (7:00 PM – 9:00 PM)
Check in: between 6:30 PM to 6:50 PM - Meeting Point: Kanazawa Station East Exit, near Bus Terminal #7 📍MAP
- Route: Kanazawa Station → Kazue-machi & Higashi Chaya (Traditional Geisha Districts) → Katamachi & Shintenchi Neighborhoods
- Participation Fee: ¥2,000 (includes a ¥500 Light-Up Bus day pass and tax)
- Group Size: Around 10–20 participants
- Language: English and Japanese
[July 26] Art & Garden Highlights by Light-Up Bus on Fireworks Night
Hop on the Kanazawa Light-Up Bus and experience the city’s art and architecture under the stars.
We’ll first visit the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art at night, the National Crafts Museum and the Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of History (also known as the Red Brick Museum) from the outside, beautifully lit up.
Then, back on the bus, enjoy views of the fireworks from your window as we make our way to Oyama Shrine and the Gyokusen’inmaru Garden, where you may catch another glimpse of the fireworks from the illuminated garden.
The tour ends in Korinbo, where you can enjoy dinner on your own or hop back on the Light-Up Bus with our staff to return to Kanazawa Station. A perfect way to spend a summer evening in Kanazawa!
- Date: July 26, 2025 (7:00 PM – 9:00 PM)
Check in: between 6:30 PM to 6:50 PM - Meeting Point: Kanazawa Station East Exit, near Bus Terminal #7 📍MAP
- Route: Kanazawa Station → 21st Century Museum → Honda-no-mori Park → Oyama Shrine & Gyokusen’inmaru Garden
- Participation Fee: ¥2,000 (includes a ¥500 Light-Up Bus day pass and tax)
- Group Size: Around 10–20 participants
- Language: English and Japanese
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.
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 obscured.
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)
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
