Day Tour from Kanazawa: Gold Leaf, Japanese Sweets and Ninja Star
Kanazawa, Japan

Day Tour from Kanazawa: Gold Leaf, Japanese Sweets and Ninja Star

Outty Ranking 70 5.0 · 7 traveler reviews8.5 hoursFrom $160
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Outty Ranking

70/100

Strongly Recommended. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

5.0/5

Based on 7 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Day Tour from Kanazawa: Gold Leaf, Japanese Sweets and Ninja Star worth booking?

Day Tour from Kanazawa: Gold Leaf, Japanese Sweets and Ninja Star is a 8.5-hour experience in Kanazawa, Japan, from $160 per person. It scores 70 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 5/5 rating across 7 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
70 / 100
Rating
5/5 (7)
Duration
8.5 hours
From
$160 per person

The city of Kanazawa, with its beautiful gardens, historic districts and delicious local foods, is more than just the sights within it. Why not get hands-on experience with Japanese and local cultural activities while exploring some of the lesser visited areas along with some the popular ones. The area is famous for its traditional crafts such as gold leaf, Japanese sweets, pottery, kimono-making, etc. On this tour you can try out using gold leaf, making Japanese sweets and also getting a chance at throwing two different types of ninja stars. If you are someone who wants to dive deeper into the culture of the city while walking around the city, this is the tour for you. Led by one of our local English-speaking tour guides, you will do three different workshops and see some of the sights that don’t normally make it onto the main Kanazawa tours. Experience the other side of this wonderful, beautiful and traditional city.

What you get

    About this experience

    The city of Kanazawa, with its beautiful gardens, historic districts and delicious local foods, is more than just the sights within it. Why not get hands-on experience with Japanese and local cultural activities while exploring some of the lesser visited areas along with some the popular ones. The area is famous for its traditional crafts such as gold leaf, Japanese sweets, pottery, kimono-making, etc. On this tour you can try out using gold leaf, making Japanese sweets and also getting a chance at throwing two different types of ninja stars. If you are someone who wants to dive deeper into the culture of the city while walking around the city, this is the tour for you. Led by one of our local English-speaking tour guides, you will do three different workshops and see some of the sights that don’t normally make it onto the main Kanazawa tours. Experience the other side of this wonderful, beautiful and traditional city.

    What's included

    Included

    • English speaking guide
    • Ninja Museum Entry Free and Shuriken Experience
    • Gold Leaf Experience
    • Japanese Sweets Making Experience

    Not included

    • Lunch

    What you'll see and do

    1. Omicho Market

      Enjoy the contrast between the modern high-rises with the older buildings as we walk towards the market.

      60 minutes here

    2. Kanazawa Katani Gold Leaf Pasting Experience

      Prepare to spend an hour meticulously placing gold on your plate. Don't worry about mistakes, the professional assistants can fix just about anything!

      60 minutes here · Admission included

    3. Higashi Chaya District

      Higashi Chayamachi, encountering an old style bridge and a former temple district in the hills.

      80 minutes here

    4. Start the Japanese Sweets Making Experience. Enjoy making the sweets you have been eating with matcha during your stay in Japan. There are a few different kinds so you can try a variety of tastes and textures.

      90 minutes here · Admission included

    5. Ishiura Shrine

      Walk through many different sites on your way to the final area. This includes stops at Ishiura Shrine, outdoor art, D.T. Suzuki Museum and Shofukaku before entering the Temple District on the west side of the city.

      80 minutes here

    6. Teramachi Temple Area

      Here we will walk the back way to Nishichaya District through this area that contains many temples. Enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of these, at times, maze-like streets that have existed for centuries.

      30 minutes here

    7. Ninja Weapon Museum

      Learn more about ninjas and try throwing two different types of throwing stars at the Ninja Museum

      60 minutes here · Admission included

    8. Nishi Chaya District

      Arrive in the Nishi Chayamachi area. The other main geisha area of the city, enjoy the atmosphere before heading into the Ninja Weapons Museum. Here you can learn more about ninjas and try the throwing star experience.

      20 minutes here

    9. The final stop of the tour before heading back is the nightlife area of the city. There are some interesting streets that look straight out of an old 1970's film. Feel free to stay here and have dinner or head back to the station with the guide.

      30 minutes here

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Kanazawa

    The meetup point is outside of the Shinkansen ticket gates, in front of the information center. You may wait nearby there until the tour begins at 8:30 A.M. Be sure to look for the guide wearing a SNOW MONKEY RESORTS tour tag.

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    The meetup point is outside of the Shinkansen ticket gates, in front of the information center. You may wait nearby there until the tour begins at 8:30 A.M. Be sure to look for the guide wearing a SNOW MONKEY RESORTS tour tag.

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Languages
    en
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri
    Group size
    Up to 15 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Snow Monkey Resorts Tours (Machinovate Japan Ltd.)

    Know before you go

    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • All listed events, activities, and experiences are subject to availability. Please note that while certain tour options may appear bookable through our platforms, this does not guarantee that every experience can be carried out as scheduled in the tour itinerary. Many activities require direct confirmation with our partner venues, and availability may vary based on the date and other factors. Should any part of your ordered itinerary require adjustment or deviation from the original schedule, or if a specific experience is unavailable, we will contact you promptly to discuss suitable alternatives or amendments.

    Photos

    Day Tour from Kanazawa: Gold Leaf, Japanese Sweets and Ninja Star, photo 2Day Tour from Kanazawa: Gold Leaf, Japanese Sweets and Ninja Star, photo 3Day Tour from Kanazawa: Gold Leaf, Japanese Sweets and Ninja Star, photo 4Day Tour from Kanazawa: Gold Leaf, Japanese Sweets and Ninja Star, photo 5Day Tour from Kanazawa: Gold Leaf, Japanese Sweets and Ninja Star, photo 6Day Tour from Kanazawa: Gold Leaf, Japanese Sweets and Ninja Star, photo 7

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 7 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    3 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    The guide

    2 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Traveler reviews

    7 verified traveler reviews for Day Tour from Kanazawa: Gold Leaf, Japanese Sweets and Ninja Star. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    7
    4 star
    0
    3 star
    0
    2 star
    0
    1 star
    0
    Sort
    827nathalyp · August 2026

    Solo Traveler Go

    It was a fun chill relaxed tour. Daniel and Liam are so personable they were engaging and fun. It is a walking tour so be prepared to walk a lot lol. Bring your walking shoes and fan!

    via Tripadvisor

    DayTrip41886990268 · April 2026

    Amazing tour

    I had an amazing day with Zack he was very a good interpret, had a lot of knowledge about the city, and good recommandation. Big tour city and unforgetable expérience

    via Tripadvisor

    Jaspertsy · January 2026

    Amazing walking experience around Kanazawa

    A great experience walking experience to see the sights of kanazawa. The tour guide Daniel was friendly and informative. The group size was small so departure from all stops was punctual. This trip is suited for everyone to have an experience only Kanazawa can provide.

    via Tripadvisor

    Lori_R · November 2025

    Great fun with activities.

    We walked about 8 miles and covered soooo much of the area. I REALLY liked the activities- the ninja star and spike throwing, the gold foil, and making our OWN sweet Japanese treats. These activities added so much to the tour. Definitely would recommend!

    via Viator

    ricardolN1788ST · May 2025

    Amazing

    Amazing experience. The museum is located at the top with a nice selection of qeapnns and armor. At the bottom there's teh store, and at the back the thrwoing shuriken experience which I super fun. Chinatsu was super friendly. 5 stars.

    via Tripadvisor

    Good to know

    Duration
    8.5 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri
    Price range
    $160 to $24,500
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    2
    Verdict
    Strongly Recommended

    Who runs this experience

    Operated by Snow Monkey Resorts Tours (Machinovate Japan Ltd.), who run 124 experiences we rank across 9 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 66.8 and 2 in the 90+ Club.

    See everything Snow Monkey Resorts Tours (Machinovate Japan Ltd.) runs

    Why this scores 70

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)95
    Review evidence (18% weight)33
    Booking momentum (14% weight)21
    Value for money (12% weight)100
    Listing quality (10% weight)85
    Local standing (8% weight)53
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Day Tour from Kanazawa: Gold Leaf, Japanese Sweets and Ninja Star: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Kanazawa.

    How much does Day Tour from Kanazawa: Gold Leaf, Japanese Sweets and Ninja Star cost?

    +

    Prices start at $160 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Kanazawa usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does Day Tour from Kanazawa: Gold Leaf, Japanese Sweets and Ninja Star take?

    +

    Plan for about 8.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Kanazawa is not rushed.

    Is Day Tour from Kanazawa: Gold Leaf, Japanese Sweets and Ninja Star worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 70 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 7 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Kanazawa, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Day Tour from Kanazawa: Gold Leaf, Japanese Sweets and Ninja Star?

    +

    Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

    Is Day Tour from Kanazawa: Gold Leaf, Japanese Sweets and Ninja Star suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 8.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Day Tour from Kanazawa: Gold Leaf, Japanese Sweets and Ninja Star?

    +

    Around 2 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Kanazawa can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

    What should I bring or wear?

    +

    Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Kanazawa and add a light layer if any part of the 8.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Day Tour from Kanazawa: Gold Leaf, Japanese Sweets and Ninja Star start and how do I get there?

    +

    The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Kanazawa within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

    What are the best things to do in Kanazawa?

    +

    On Outty we rank every Kanazawa experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include World Heritage Shirakawa-go and Experience Tours from Kanazawa, Kanazawa Highlights: Garden, Castle, Samurai & Geisha+Taxi, Kanazawa Full Day Tour (Private Guide). The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

    When is the best time to visit Kanazawa?

    +

    Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

    How many days do you need in Kanazawa?

    +

    Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

    Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

    +

    Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

    What is included in Day Tour from Kanazawa: Gold Leaf, Japanese Sweets and Ninja Star?

    +

    Included: English speaking guide; Ninja Museum Entry Free and Shuriken Experience; Gold Leaf Experience; and Japanese Sweets Making Experience. Not included: Lunch. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

    Where is the meeting point for Day Tour from Kanazawa: Gold Leaf, Japanese Sweets and Ninja Star?

    +

    The meetup point is outside of the Shinkansen ticket gates, in front of the information center. You may wait nearby there until the tour begins at 8:30 A.M. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.

    What languages is Day Tour from Kanazawa: Gold Leaf, Japanese Sweets and Ninja Star offered in?

    +

    It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.

    Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Day Tour from Kanazawa: Gold Leaf, Japanese Sweets and Ninja Star?

    +

    Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.

    What happens to Day Tour from Kanazawa: Gold Leaf, Japanese Sweets and Ninja Star if the weather is bad?

    +

    It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Kanazawa. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.

    What do travelers say about Day Tour from Kanazawa: Gold Leaf, Japanese Sweets and Ninja Star?

    +

    Across 7 reviews averaging 5.0 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling, the guide. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

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