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Offered languages
- Japanese
- English
Discover the magic of winter in central Japan with this 2-day tour featuring the spectacular Shirakawa-go Winter Illumination. Marvel at the UNESCO World Heritage village as its thatched-roof farmhouses are beautifully lit against the snowy backdrop. Experience Kanazawa's cultural treasures, including Kenrokuen Garden and the historic Higashi Chaya District. In addition, visit also UNESCO-listed village of Suganuma in Gokayama, another beautifully preserved settlement of traditional thatched-roof houses. Enjoy a cozy overnight stay in a hotel with a public bath and savor regional cuisine, including a sushi lunch.
- Visit the exclusive Shirakawa-go Light Up event
- Explore Kanazawa's renowned Kenrokuen Garden and Higashi Chaya District
- Experience the UNESCO-listed Suganuma village's charm
- Includes overnight accommodation with a public bath
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
Meet at the JR Shinjuku Station South Exit ticket gate, on the Koshu-kaido side. Please arrive at least 10 minutes before the scheduled meeting time. The tour conductor will be holding a flag and a placard with the local tour operator's logo.
Itinerary
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1
After meeting your tour conductor, depart from Shinjuku between 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM aboard the Limited Express Azusa (reserved standard-class seat). Arrive in Matsumoto and continue by coach toward Shirakawa-go. Important: Final train details, including exact meeting time and train number, will be confirmed 1 week prior to your tour date and sent via Viator chat. Please check your messages for updates.
5 minutes • Admission ticket free -
2Shirakawago Light-up
After approximately 210 minutes of travel (including 1 rest stop), arrive at Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its traditional thatched-roof farmhouses. Enjoy the special Shirakawa-go Winter Illumination, a highly sought-after event held on only a limited number of dates each year. As evening falls, the village's historic farmhouses are illuminated, creating a magical winter landscape that attracts visitors from across Japan and around the world. During your visit, dinner is served in a traditional thatched-roof building, providing a unique opportunity to experience local hospitality in an authentic setting. Please note that this tour does not visit the observation deck.
2 hours • Admission ticket free -
3
After approximately 80 minutes of travel, arrive at Kanazawa Manten Hotel. Enjoy an overnight stay at a hotel equipped with a large public baths (indoor and outdoor), providing a relaxing end to the day's sightseeing. Rooms are Western-style single or twin rooms with private bathroom facilities. Please note that guests booking a twin room may occasionally be accommodated in two separate single rooms depending on room availability.
11 hours • Admission ticket free -
4Kenrokuen Garden
After breakfast, depart the hotel and travel approximately 15 minutes to Kenrokuen Garden. Considered one of Japan's Three Great Gardens, Kenrokuen is renowned for its beautiful seasonal scenery and elegant landscape design. During winter, the garden is particularly famous for its distinctive rope supports that protect tree branches from heavy snowfall, creating one of Kanazawa's most iconic seasonal views. You can also view the historic Ishikawa Gate, one of the principal entrances to nearby Kanazawa Castle.
1 hour 10 minutes • Admission ticket included -
5Higashi Chaya District
After approximately 20 minutes of travel, continue to the Higashi Chaya District. This beautifully preserved neighborhood is one of Kanazawa's most famous historic areas. Traditional wooden teahouses, narrow lanes, and stone-paved streets create an atmosphere that reflects the city's prosperous merchant culture. Enjoy time to stroll through the district, browse local shops, or stop at one of the many cafés occupying historic buildings.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
6Kanazawa
After approximately 25 minutes of travel, enjoy lunch in Kanazawa. A meal of nigiri sushi, featuring slices of seafood served over hand-formed rice, is included.
40 minutes • Admission ticket free -
7Gokayama
After approximately 65 minutes of travel, arrive at Suganuma, one of the historic villages of Gokayama, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Smaller and quieter than Shirakawa-go, Suganuma offers a peaceful setting where traditional thatched-roof houses remain surrounded by mountain scenery. The village preserves the architectural heritage and rural lifestyle that have characterized this region for generations. Snow-covered scenery may be visible depending on weather conditions.
50 minutes • Admission ticket free -
8
After approximately 220 minutes of travel (including 1 rest stop), return to Matsumoto. Board the Limited Express Azusa (reserved standard-class seat) for the return journey to Tokyo. The tour concludes with arrival at Shinjuku between 9:10 PM and 10:46 PM, with optional drop-offs available at Hachioji and Tachikawa stations along the way. Important: Final train details, including exact meeting time and train number, will be confirmed 1 week prior to your tour date and sent via Viator chat.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free
Shirakawa-go Winter Illumination
Kanazawa and Gokayama
Additional info
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- This tour is operated for both Japanese and foreign customers. A Japanese tour conductor will accompany the group and provide key information using a translation app. Please note that the tour conductor is not a tour guide and will focus on sharing essential information during the tour.
- Please note that we are unable to accommodate special dietary requests, including food allergies. If you have specific dietary needs, we recommend making your own meal arrangements. No refunds will be provided for meals.
Additional info
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- This tour is operated for both Japanese and foreign customers. A Japanese tour conductor will accompany the group and provide key information using a translation app. Please note that the tour conductor is not a tour guide and will focus on sharing essential information during the tour.
- Please note that we are unable to accommodate special dietary requests, including food allergies. If you have specific dietary needs, we recommend making your own meal arrangements. No refunds will be provided for meals.
- This tour does not include access to the observation deck overlooking the Shirakawago Illumination. You will explore the village itself.
- According to traffic conditions etc, the order of the itinerary may be changed
- Delays or omissions made to the itinerary due to traffic, weather or other circumstances that are beyond the control of the tour operator are not subject to refund
- Infants (0-2 years old) are free of charge with no seat and no bed or any other arrangements. Child (3-5 years old) rates includes bus seat only.
- Even if you apply with two or more people, train seats may not be adjacent or may be separated.
- Due to weather conditions, snowy scenery may not be visible, and the illumination event may be canceled in the event of severe weather.
- Roads and walkways may be slippery. Please wear waterproof footwear with good traction. As walking outdoors at night in snowy conditions can be hazardous, bringing a flashlight is recommended.
- Temperatures can fall below freezing at night. Please bring appropriate winter clothing.
- Snowy landscapes depend on the weather and cannot be guaranteed.
- Wearing clothes and shoes that let you move easily and comfortably is strongly recommended.
- Delays or non-participation due to public transportation delays will be subject to cancellation fees. The tour will depart at the scheduled time informed in the confirmation email.
- After viewing the Shirakawa-go Light-up Event, we are expected to arrive at the accommodation at around 9:30 PM.
- Please note that even if you book for 2 guests in one room, you may be assigned to two separate single rooms instead.
- Please note that we are currently unable to accept reservations from residents of the European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) due to reservation system restrictions related to data protection regulations (GDPR). Country of residence will be confirmed after booking. If we are unable to process your reservation, it will be rejected and a full refund will be provided.
- Operated by Club Tourism, a leading Japanese travel company with over 70 years of experience, this high-quality tour offers a safe and reliable travel experience in Japan. Accompanied by a tour leader known for excellent hospitality, it has received high praise from travelers of many nationalities.
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Cancellation Policy
If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 6 full days before the experience’s start time.
- For a 50% refund, you must cancel 2–6 full days before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 2 full days before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
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