Shirakawago and Kanazawa Full or Half Day Private Tour

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

• 1
  Shirakawago

  If travelers book this experience, they will visit Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO World Heritage village known for its traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses with steep thatched roofs. Guests will walk through the village streets at a relaxed pace, surrounded by rivers, rice fields, and mountain scenery. They will learn why this unique architecture developed and how families once lived and worked together in this remote region. The experience includes time to explore selected historic houses, see traditional tools and interiors, and understand daily rural life in Japan. Travelers will also enjoy free time for photos and may visit a scenic viewpoint overlooking the entire village, one of the most iconic views in the area. Throughout the visit, guests can expect clear explanations, cultural context, and a calm atmosphere that allows them to fully appreciate the beauty, history, and timeless character of Shirakawa-go.

  3 hours • Admission ticket free
• 2
  Wada House

  Wada House is the largest and one of the most important gassho-zukuri farmhouses in Shirakawa-go. Once home to the influential Wada family, the house played a central role in the village’s history and economy. Travelers can enter the house and explore multiple floors, seeing how families lived together, stored crops, and worked through harsh winters. Inside, guests will view traditional tools, hearths, and the impressive roof structure designed to withstand heavy snowfall. From the upper floors, there are also beautiful views over the village. Visiting Wada House offers a rare opportunity to experience authentic rural life, understand traditional Japanese architecture, and step inside a living piece of Shirakawa-go’s history.

  10 minutes • Admission ticket included
• 3

  Myozenji Temple is a rare and atmospheric Buddhist temple featuring a gassho-zukuri–style hall, making it unique even within Shirakawa-go. Tucked quietly within the village, it reflects how religion adapted to the region’s heavy snowfall and rural lifestyle. Travelers can enter the temple grounds, admire the steep thatched roof, and see traditional interiors that reveal how monks lived and practiced in this remote mountain community. The temple’s calm setting offers a peaceful contrast to the village streets and provides insight into local faith and daily life. Visiting Myozenji allows guests to understand the spiritual side of Shirakawa-go while experiencing a rare example of religious architecture built in the same style as the village’s historic farmhouses.

  15 minutes • Admission ticket included
• (Pass by)

  Shirakawa Hachiman Shrine is the village’s main Shinto shrine and a spiritual center of Shirakawa-go. Surrounded by forest, the shrine blends seamlessly with the rural landscape and reflects local beliefs tied to agriculture and community life. Travelers will see a rare gassho-zukuri–style shrine building, adapted to withstand heavy snowfall, and learn how Shinto practices are woven into everyday village life. The shrine is also famous for hosting the Doburoku Festival, a lively autumn celebration featuring traditional rituals, music, and locally brewed sake offered to the gods. A visit here offers a quiet, meaningful pause to understand the spiritual traditions and seasonal customs that have shaped Shirakawa-go for generations.

  Admission ticket free
• 4
  Ruins of Nagamachi Bukeyashiki

  A preserved area where samurai families once lived. The Nomura Clan Samurai House is a key point of interest, offering a glimpse into the life of samurai warriors. Traditional earthen walls and narrow streets add to the authentic historical atmosphere.

  30 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 5

  One of the oldest Japanese house used to be owned by Nomura Samurai family with beautiful Japanese garden and tea ceremony room.

  15 minutes • Admission ticket included
• 6

  One of the most important shrines in Kanazawa, which worships the leader of Kanazawa Castle, Toshi-ie Maeda, and his wife, Matsu.

  10 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 7
  Kanazawa Castle

  The Kanazawa Castle was the residence of the powerful Maeda clan. Visitors can explore the remains, including the Ishikawa-mon Gate, and learn about the castle’s role during the feudal era. The restored turrets and the park grounds offer insights into samurai history.

  40 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 8
  Kenrokuen Garden

  One of the Three Great Gardens of Japan. Known for its year-round beauty, it features the Kasumigaike Pond, Kotoji Lantern, and seasonal landscapes with cherry blossoms, autumn foliage, and serene pathways. A cultural and historical highlight of Kanazawa, it was once the outer garden of Kanazawa Castle.

  40 minutes • Admission ticket included
• 9

  One of the three Geisha districts in Kanazawa where many local people and geisha live; Geisha resident area

  10 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 10
  Higashi Chaya District

  The iconic Geisha district where people can feel the history of Kanazawa's geisha and learn the difference from Kyoto's.

  10 minutes • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

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