Takayama & Shirakawago Private Tour

On this private tour of Takayama and Shirakawago, you'll learn about daily life in these two authentic cultural treasures of Japan with an English-speaking guide. Get ready to discover the traditional essence of the Japanese Alps.

Tour Details

At the indicated time, we'll meet at the JR Takayama Station to begin this exciting tour. Our first stop will be the markets of Jinya-mae and Miyagawa, two of the oldest and biggest markets in Japan. With more than 60 stalls, you'll find vegetables, fruit, desserts, handicrafts, and unique souvenirs, all showcasing the variety and freshness of its products.

Afterwards, we'll head to the historic centre of Takayama, where we'll walk along the famous Sannomachi Street. This area is known for its traditional sake breweries, charming cafés, and craft shops. The houses, with architecture dating back to Japan's feudal era, will transport you back in time, allowing you to feel the rich history in every corner.

After roughly 1.5 hours of exploring Takayama and enjoying its delicious food, we'll return to the station to take a public bus to the village of Shirakawago. During the nearly hour-long journey, we'll witness impressive views of the Japanese Alps. Make sure to have your camera ready!

Upon arrival in Shirakawago, we'll take a tour of this World Heritage village. From the viewpoint of Ogimachi Castle, we’ll enjoy a spectacular vista of the Gassho Zukuri style houses designed to endure the heavy snowfall of the region. We will even visit one of these unique homes!

Afterwards, we'll continue to explore Shirakawago. If you're feeling hungry, you can try some of the local delicacies at the street stalls, such as the renowned gohei mochi or hida beef. If you prefer a more traditional meal, we will take you to a restaurant where you can savor hida beef hoba yaki style, accompanied by homemade soba noodles—a true delight for your taste buds!

Finally, after spending approximately 2.5 hours in Shirakawago, we'll conclude our visit at the bus station. We will accompany you to board the public bus that we have already reserved for your return trip to Takayama. You will arrive at the same meeting point approximately 6 hours after the start of the tour.