Warrior's Way: A Shogun-Inspired Journey (Add-On)

Arrive in Kanazawa by train for an immersive exploration of samurai history. Start at Omicho Market for fresh seafood and sushi samples. Then, visit Higashi Chaya District's preserved tea houses and don't miss Hakuza, a shop offering Kanazawa's specialty – gold leaf products, including gold leaf-covered ice cream. End the day at Kanazawa Castle, delving into castle architecture and samurai warfare. Note: Omicho Market shops may be closed on Wednesday and Saturday.

• Hotel Description

Meet your guide at the hotel at 9:00am for a full-day exploration of Kanazawa's samurai heritage. Start with a kendo lesson in a real training dojo, delving into the sword techniques dating back to the Edo period. After lunch, visit Nagamachi Samurai district and Nomura Samurai House. Explore Maeda Samurai Museum for samurai artefacts. Conclude your day with a rare, hands-on viewing of authentic samurai swords, offered by a local business owner from a former samurai family. (B,L)

• Hotel Description

Start your day at 9:30am with a guided walk through Kanazawa's gardens, beginning at the iconic Kenroku-en, renowned for its historical significance and consistently ranked amongst Japan's top three gardens. Explore the vast landscapes with a knowledgeable, local guide who can highlight intricate details often missed by visitors. Next, visit Gyokusen-en, a smaller-scale garden providing a tranquil contrast to Kenroku-en's expansiveness. Enjoy a matcha tea ceremony at the oldest tea house in Kanazawa, led by a dedicated tea master eager to share the ritual's nuances.

Afterwards, engage in a Kaga Yuzen painting experience, a traditional dyeing technique originating in Kanazawa. Under expert guidance, hand-dye a handkerchief, incorporating the intricate designs and rich colours characteristic of Kaga Yuzen. (B)

• Hotel Description

Meet your guide at the hotel lobby at 9:30am for a kyudo archery experience at Ishikawa Prefectural Budokan, a prestigious martial arts facility. In this 90-minute workshop, don traditional kyudo kimonos and learn samurai longbow techniques. Under expert guidance, beginners can aim for success, targeting a point 28 meters away. Feel the thrill of hitting the mark, reminiscent of samurai battlefields. Afterwards, proceed to Kanazawa Station for your next destination in Japan. (B)