Explore Scenic Old Japan in Takayama and Shirakawa-go - Full-Day Tour

Get ready for an amazing adventure! The tour kicks off at Takayama Station, right in front of the ticket gates, at 9am. Your guide will be waiting for you there and will take you on a journey to the stunning Takayama Jinya, a beautiful, 300+ year old building.

The tour will begin there, with a 1-hour guided experience inside the Jinya where your guide will explain the history of the building and the city of Takayama itself. The Jinya includes both rooms for official business as well as rooms that were used by high-ranking officials for their own relaxation. You will also have a chance to see a beautiful Japanese garden and experience the simplistic beauty of traditional Japanese design.

The Jinya also houses several artefacts, including art, books, and tools, from its heyday in the 17th through 19th centuries. Unlike a visit to a typical museum, at the Takayama Jinya you will be able to enjoy viewing these pieces of history in a building that is as old as the items on display!

Afterwards, you will be heading to the traditional downtown of Takayama, known as the “Sanmachi”, for a 30-minute guided walk, wherein your guide will show you around the area and make sure you don’t miss any scenic views. This portion of the tour will conclude at the entrance to the Miyagawa Morning Market, where your guide will give a brief introduction to the market and its place in Takayama culture.

You will then have a little over 1 hour and 30 minutes of free time, where you may peruse the market, return to the Sanmachi to get a closer look at some of its shops, or head to some local restaurants to enjoy the delicious food of the Hida region; during this time, it is recommended that you also eat lunch. For interested guests, shops are offering local sake for taste testing, and even sushi made with wagyu beef from local ranches!

Once this time is up, you will meet your guide at the entrance to the market. From there, you will begin your journey to Shirakawa-go. Taking roughly 1 hour, this drive will not be boring as there is scenery of great beauty just outside the window for almost the whole ride. If you are lucky, you may even spot some pheasants or deer on the way!

You will then arrive at Shirakawa-go, and start the second half of your tour. You will have a chance to go up to the famous lookout point from which the whole town of Shirakawa-go may be seen at once. Your guide will then lead you down the road, descending into the rice paddies and quaint streets that make up the village. Your guide will then lead you through the town of Shirakawa-go, introducing its highlights, during which time they will explain more about the town and answer any questions you may have about the sights you will be seeing.

Once the guided portion is complete, you will have some free time to explore at your own pace and revisit places you want a better look at. During this time, you may enter those farmhouses which allow you to do so, or sample some of the snacks that are sold along the main street. Your guide will be around to answer any questions you may have.

Finally, you will meet up again with your guide at 4:30pm to conclude the tour and start your trip back to Takayama, a journey which will take roughly 1 hour. You can expect to be back in Takayama around 5:30pm. Guests who have booked to continue onwards and end Kanazawa will do so here too. The drive to Kanazawa similarly takes a little over 1 hour, and you should not expect to be back any earlier than 6:40pm. Your guide will offer any assistance necessary to make sure you reach your destination, wherever it is, on time.

Important information

In winter, the temperatures may drop below freezing, and even during the daytime temperatures may not exceed 1-2 ℃ on some days. Please wear warm clothing and footwear appropriate for snowy and cold conditions. There may also be snow and ice on the road/sidewalk, so you should take care to not slip by preparing the correct shoes for such conditions.