Try Samurai Falconry in Kanazawa

Experience falcon training and falcon hunting, once exclusive to samurai

Kanazawa is a seaside city filled with Japanese cultural delights, including geisha performances, outstanding gardens, and fresh seafood, as well as historic architecture, including a beautiful castle. A visit will also give you the chance for an unforgettable day with one of the few licensed falconers in the country.

Enjoy a traditional falconry experience close to Kanazawa Castle Park. Falconry was popular with samurai from the 17th to 19th centuries. It was also an exclusive sport, as samurai of Kanazawa’s ruling Kaga Domain were among the few permitted by the shogunate military rulers to engage in falcon training and hunting. 

During this tour offered by Kanazawa Adventures, you will observe up close how the falcons are trained to hunt their prey using artificial bait. In addition, your expert falconer will guide the falcon to land on your arm, so you too can feel the power of these majestic birds, as if you yourself were a local ruler of past times. You will also be able to observe other birds, such as owls, during the experience.

Tours are operated on the Shinoki Cultural Complex Grounds in Ishikawa, and participants are accompanied by an English-speaking guide. Don’t miss your chance to learn about this fascinating sport and art in an area full of history and culture.

Access: From Tokyo Station, take the Shinkansen bullet train to Kanazawa Station, about 2 hours 30 minutes. Take the bus bound for the Hirosaka/21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art stop, then walk about one minute.

An exclusive falconry experience (Kanazawa Adventures)