Share this tour
Offered languages
- English
Embark on an extraordinary journey through Japan's hidden cultural gems with this expertly guided day tour from Kanazawa. Explore the enchanting UNESCO World Heritage village of Shirakawago, where fairy-tale gassho-zukuri farmhouses with dramatic thatched roofs have weathered centuries of mountain snow.
Discover historic Takayama, the captivating "Little Kyoto of the Alps," where cobblestone Kami-Sannomachi streets house traditional sake breweries, artisanal miso shops, and charming boutiques selling handcrafted folk art and local delicacies. Marvel at spectacular festival floats at Yatai Kaikan from Japan's most celebrated festivals. Your National Government Licensed Guide unveils fascinating cultural secrets throughout this immersive experience.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
Please meet at Kanazawa Station Tourist Information Center, inside Kanazawa Station building by 8:15AM. The tour departs at 8:25AM.
Itinerary
-
1
This is one of the thatch-roofed house villages, also registered as a World Heritage Site. Look around and be fascinated by the culture and history of the village. After visiting a thatch-roofed house, customers are free to stroll around. Meal is not included. Please enjoy the local cuisine on your own during this break. A shuttle bus (additional charges apply) runs to the Shirakawago observation deck. For those who would like to use this service, please pay at the location. Depending on weather conditions, shuttle bus operation may be suspended
2 hours 30 minutes • Admission ticket included -
2
This popular facility displays some of the colorfully decorated festival floats used in the famous Takayama Festival. Enjoy seeing the many intricately made floats
30 minutes • Admission ticket included -
3
[Only 2025] Enjoy a visit to this historical Japanese-style townhouse and view a range of exquisite folk art and traditional handicrafts.*The Kusakabe Heritage House will not be visited on tours in 2026
30 minutes • Admission ticket included -
4
Duration: [2025] 40 mins [2026] 70mins. Located in the heart of the castle town, the old streets of this area which originally developed as a merchant town, retain traces from the Edo period (1603-1868), and are a must-see for visitors.
40 minutes • Admission ticket free -
5
A stop may be made at Takayama Station for drop-off. Please inform the tour guide in the morning on the day if you would like to be dropped off at Takayama Station. There will be no drop-off at Takayama Station if no notice has been made
10 minutes • Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Show 12 more
Additional info
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- After departure, the tour may stop by at hotels in Kanazawa City to pick up customers. Please note that customers may not disembark for a break here
- If sightseeing facilities are closed, the tour will be taken to alternative destinations
- The departure and arrival times and time to be spent at destinations written on the itinerary are an estimate. The order of activities and arrival times may differ depending on road conditions and congestion at destinations
- Please note that customers on this plan may ride along with participants of other tours
- At Shirakawago, the tour will visit one of the thatch-roofed houses in the village of Ogimachi. Entry to the thatch-roofed house may take some time. In case of congestion, customers may explore the interior on their own
- Children up to 5 years old may join free of charge, but will not be provided with bus seats. If bus seats are required, please make a booking under the child rate
- Meals are not included
- Guide Language Support: English - The tour is accompanied by a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter or a Region-specific Tour Guide Interpreter
- A shuttle bus (additional charges apply) runs to the Shirakawago observation deck. For those who would like to use this service, please pay at the location. Depending on weather conditions, shuttle bus operation may be suspended
- At Shirakawago, customers are free to stroll around, after visiting a thatch-roofed house
- Photo courtesy of Shirakawa-go Tourist Association
- Parental permission in writing is necessary for all tour participants under the age of eighteen. Any participant under the age of fifteen or not yet enrolled in middle school must be joined by a parent or guardian on the tour
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Show more
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Rating
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Your guide to the flawless travel experience
Top Searches
Get our app
