Kanazawa Gold Leaf Tour: Higashi Chaya, Crafts & Food
Uncover Kanazawa’s gold leaf industry with a guided culture experience. Visit a gold leaf factory, tour the Higashi Chaya Geisha district, make a set of gold chopsticks, & try gold leaf foods.
Highlights
Gold Leaf Production: Witness the intricate process of Kanazawa gold leaf production. Learn about the artistry and craftsmanship involved in creating these delicate sheets of gold.
Culinary Delights: Reward your taste buds with gold leaf ice cream and takoyaki.
Memorable Souvenirs: Take home your handcrafted gold chopsticks as a unique and lasting memento of your visit to Kanazawa.
Higashi Chaya Exploration: Immerse yourself in the enchanting atmosphere of the Higashi Chaya district, a geisha district known for its preserved historic charm.
Expert Guided Tour: You'll be accompanied by a private guide who will provide historical and cultural context, ensuring a deeper understanding of Kanazawa's gold leaf heritage.
10 meals
Experience Details
Join a golden tour of Kanazawa, a region famed for its gold leaf production. Visit a gold leaf factory to witness the production process, explore the Higashi Chaya Geisha district, create your own set of gold leaf chopsticks alongside an artisan, and conclude with Kanazawa gold leaf takoyaki and ice cream. You’ll be guided by one of Mike's domestically trained guides, who share a passion for sharing Kanazawa-based experiences with visitors and tourists. Each member of this well-informed team uses storytelling and exceptional customer service to provide unique cultural experiences championing the local community.
Itinerary:
Hotel pickup and travel to Higashi Chaya Geisha district
Gold leaf factory tour
Guided tour of the Higashi Chaya district
Create your own gold chopsticks with an artisan
Enjoy Kanazawa gold leaf takoyaki and ice cream
Tour conclusion and transfer back to the requested location
Kanazawa boasts a centuries-old tradition of meticulously crafting gold leaf, using a painstaking process that involves hammering gold bars into incredibly thin sheets. This meticulous art form has solidified the city's status as a hub of the gold leaf industry, producing over 99% of Japan's gold leaf, which is used to adorn traditional crafts, temples, and even gourmet cuisine.
Your golden journey begins at Kinpakuya gold leaf factory, where you’ll witness the production process, learn about the tools, and tour the factory. You’ll also have the opportunity to interact with a gold leaf artisan, who welcomes any questions you may have.
From here, continue on to the Higashi Chaya district, renowned for its geisha culture and traditional wooden buildings, many of which date back to the Edo Period. After exploring the area with your guide, it’s time to roll your sleeves up for a hands-on activity: making your own set of gold chopsticks! Round off the day by enjoying some Kanazawa gold leaf treats (takoyaki and ice cream).
Inclusions
4-hour private guided tour of Kanazawa
Food: Gold leaf takoyaki & gold leaf ice cream
Activity: Make gold chopsticks with an artisan
Transport: Pickup and drop off (hotel or other requested location)
Exclusions
Additional purchases made outside of those included in the experience
Meeting Point and Meeting Time
Please provide the name of your hotel and address to your host. Alternatively, meet your host in Higashi-chaha next to the police station. More detailed information and a Google Maps link will be provided upon booking.
Remarks
Please inform your guide of any dietary restrictions at the start of the tour
Cancellation Policy
Cancel your booking at least 2 days before the experience start time to receive a full refund minus a 3.2% transaction fee.
Experience Location
Stretching alongside the Sea of Japan, the coastal prefecture of Ishikawa boasts some dramatically diverse scenery ranging from rugged coastlines to untouched mountain backdrops, offering the freshest seafood and colorful locally-grown produce, harvested from rural areas.
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10 meals
Relax with an overnight stay at Kaga Onsen in Ishikawa! Enjoy a room with a private onsen, luxurious kaiseki dining, a Japanese breakfast, sake tasting, & a gold-leaf crafting workshop.
Touring Kanazawa on a bike is a breeze! Cycle through historic landmarks, the geisha district, and scenic mountainside paths at a leisurely pace. Then, have a lunch of local Kanazawa fermented foods and learn about katanas.
Sample a variety of sake, including rare premium-ranked sake, with a certified sake sommelier as your guide. Learn to pair sake with different dishes, and feast on A5 Wagyu sushi, izakaya staple dishes and a mini ramen bowl!
Embark on a food tour in Nihonbashi, a district near Ginza and Akihabara that is at the heart of Tokyo’s history. Led by a friendly local guide, you’ll enjoy dinner and drinks at three well-established restaurants in an evening you’ll never forget.
