Best Day Trips from Kanazawa
Kanazawa is the perfect launch point for exploring some of Japan’s most scenic and culturally rich destinations. Whether you're interested in guided tours or independent travel, here are the top day trips some offered directly by us, and others available to the public with helpful travel tips.
Beyond Kanazawa Tours Available
-
Private tour with English-speaking guide
-
Customisable itinerary with optional stops
-
Comfortable private transport
-
Your time. Your way.
Gifu Prefecture – Mountain Villages & Historic Towns
Step back in time with a visit to Gifu’s preserved Edo-era towns and UNESCO-recognised villages. These scenic mountain areas are known for their traditional architecture, slow pace of life, and cultural richness.
• Shirakawa-go
Explore gassho-zukuri farmhouses, stroll through snowy villages, and enjoy panoramic views from the castle ruin observatory.
• Gokayama (Ainokura & Suganuma)
A quieter, more intimate alternative to Shirakawa-go, with preserved thatched homes and local craft experiences.
• Takayama
Wander beautifully preserved merchant streets, visit morning markets, and try Hida beef specialties in this charming old town.
Toyama Prefecture – Artisanal Crafts & Riverside Beauty
Just across the prefectural border, Toyama offers refined craftsmanship, open green spaces, and sake culture—perfect for a relaxed cultural day.
• Takaoka & Zuiryu-ji Temple
Visit a hidden national treasure temple and explore the birthplace of Japan’s bronze casting traditions.
Private Tour Option Available
• Nousaku Workshop & Factory Store
Hands-on experience with metalwork at one of Japan’s most respected craft manufacturers.
Available via Private Tour or Public Transit
• Fugan Canal Kansui Park & Toyama Glass Museum
A serene urban park with architectural highlights and a modern glass museum.
Public Access
Fukui Prefecture – Spiritual Sites & Scenic Cliffs
From Zen temples to dramatic coastal cliffs, Fukui offers a range of quiet yet powerful destinations worth the extra drive.
• Eiheiji Temple
A still-active monastery founded in 1244, offering an immersive look into Zen Buddhism.
Custom Private Tour Available
• Tojinbo Cliffs & Fukui Coastline
Towering cliffs shaped by waves, with walking paths and dramatic ocean views.
Included in Custom Tours | Self-drive or local bus access
Ishikawa Prefecture – Hidden Corners of the Hokuriku Region
Beyond Kanazawa, Ishikawa offers coastal traditions, mountain retreats, and peaceful rural towns—many still untouched by mass tourism.
• Noto Peninsula (Wajima, Sojiji Temple, Senmaida Rice Terraces)
A long but rewarding drive with dramatic coastal scenery, seafood markets, and spiritual landmarks.
Available via Custom Full-Day Tour
• Kaga Onsen Towns (Yamanaka, Yamashiro, Katayamazu)
Relax in charming hot spring villages known for lacquerware, ceramics, and river gorge walks.
Private Tour Available
• Hakusan or Tsurugi Shrine Area
Lesser-known mountain foothills with deep spiritual roots and natural beauty.
Public Access or Custom Tour on Request
