The Golden Experience: Kanazawa & Alpine Towns

Master the Art of Kanazawa Cuisine with Market-to-Table Experience

Begin your culinary journey with an expert-guided tour through the historic Omicho Market – Kanazawa’s 300-year-old “Kitchen of the City” – where local vendors showcase the finest seasonal ingredients from the Sea of Japan and surrounding mountains. Under the guidance of a master chef in a traditional kitchen setting, you’ll learn the secrets of Kaga cuisine, a refined regional style that reflects Kanazawa’s samurai heritage.

This hands-on experience includes selecting premium ingredients, mastering essential Japanese knife techniques, and preparing authentic dishes such as fresh sashimi, seasonal vegetables with Kaga-style seasonings, and local specialties.

The session culminates in a memorable lunch where you’ll savor your culinary creations paired with local sake, while gaining deep insights into the cultural significance of each dish and the centuries-old culinary traditions that make Kanazawa a gastronomic treasure.

An Enchanted Evening of Elegance with Kanazawa’s Geigi

Step into the refined world of Japanese hospitality with an exclusive geisha dinner experience in one of Kanazawa’s historic tea districts, where time-honored traditions have been preserved for centuries. Known locally as ‘geigi,’ Kanazawa’s geisha are distinguished by their unique cultural heritage and sophisticated artistry that reflects the city’s samurai past. Your evening unfolds in an elegant traditional setting, where you’ll be personally attended by these accomplished artists who have spent years mastering their craft.

Experience the mesmerizing grace of traditional dance performances, accompanied by the haunting melodies of the shamisen and classical Japanese songs that echo centuries of artistic tradition. Engage in traditional games and lighthearted conversation while being served an exquisite kaiseki dinner featuring seasonal local delicacies, each course thoughtfully presented as its own work of art.

This intimate gathering offers rare insights into the geigi’s rigorous training, their daily lives, and their vital role in preserving Japanese cultural arts. The evening provides numerous opportunities for personal interaction and photography, creating memories that capture the essence of Japan’s most refined traditional entertainment.

Journey Through Time: Shirakawa-go and Hida Takayama Day Expedition

Embark on an enchanting day trip that weaves through the Japanese Alps, discovering two of Japan’s most cherished historic destinations. This carefully crafted journey takes you from the sophisticated streets of Kanazawa into the heart of traditional rural Japan, where centuries-old ways of life continue to thrive.

Begin your exploration at the UNESCO World Heritage site of Shirakawa-go, a picturesque village renowned for its distinctive gassho-zukuri farmhouses. These architectural marvels, with their steep thatched roofs resembling praying hands, have withstood the heavy mountain snows for generations. Wander through the village to witness how these unique buildings have been preserved through centuries of cooperative community effort. Visit a designated farmhouse to experience the ingenious interior design that accommodated both family life and silk cultivation, while learning about the traditional lifestyle that earned this remarkable village its UNESCO status.

Your journey continues to Hida Takayama, often called “Little Kyoto of the Mountains” for its exquisitely preserved old town district. Here, perfectly maintained streets lined with traditional merchant houses transport you back to the Edo period. Explore the morning market where local craftspeople and farmers showcase their wares, and discover the historic sake breweries with their distinctive sugidama (cedar balls) hanging outside.