Private Charter Tour: Explore Traditional Japan in Takayama & Shirakawago
4.9
75 Ratings
Shirakawa-mura
Embark on a private charter tour to explore the hidden beauty of the Hokuriku region in Japan. Visit the historic villages of Shirakawa-go, experience traditional Japanese culture in Takayama, and be guided by our knowledgeable English-speaking driver.
Duration: 8 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • The Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go Gassho Style Houses - The world heritage site, Shirakawago, is a free walk. Take a stroll at your own pace and enjoy the countryside at your leisure. with a delicious lunch full of mountain food.
  • Ogimachi Castle Old Site Observatory - Enjoy the unique view of Shirakawago village from the best angle and height.
  • Wada House - Visit Wada House to see inside the Gassho Zukuri House and be impressed by the architectural details of the unique house.

Admission fee:-
General individual Adults (junior high school students and above): 400 yen; children (elementary school students): 200 yen.
General group (20 people or more) Adult: 350 yen
Disabled individual Adult: 200 yen (disability certificate required, person only)

  • Hida-Takayama Miyagawa Morning Market - Miyagawa Morning Market is one of the main places to visit in the Hida Takayama area. Travelers can try delicious local food and visit local shops to interact with shop owners dealing in handicraft goods.
  • Hida Minzoka Mura Folk Village (Hida no Sato) - Hida Folk Village (Hida no Sato) is an open-air museum exhibiting over 30 traditional houses from the Hida region, the mountainous district of Gifu Prefecture around Takayama. The houses were built during the Edo Period (1603–1867) and were relocated from their original locations to create the museum in 1971. In a village-like atmosphere, the museum features buildings such as the former village head’s house, logging huts, storehouses, and a number of gassho-zukuri farmhouses. These massive farmhouses are named after their steep thatched roofs, which resemble a pair of hands joined in prayer (“gassho”). They were moved here from nearby Shirakawago, where gassho-zukuri houses are the reason for the region’s World Heritage status.
  • Takayama Betsuin Shorenji Temple - Takayama Betsuin Shorenji Temple, around a five-minute stroll from JR Takayama Station, is a notable Buddhist temple in Takayama. Its notorious, three-celebrated pagoda was developed in 1820. A Buddhist statue remembered to have been made in the Heian time frame is revered in the fundamental structure. Make certain to pay heed to the tremendous gingko tree on the grounds. It is more than 1,260 years old.
  • Takayama Jinya - Because of its valuable timber resources, the Hida Region around Takayama was put under direct control of the Tokugawa Shogunate in 1692. The Takayama Jinya served as the local government office, headed by officials dispatched from Edo (present-day Tokyo). The building complex was in official use until 1969 and is now open to the public as a museum. It includes various nicely maintained tatami mat rooms that once served as offices, conference rooms, guest rooms, and residential spaces. There is also an interesting interrogation room. Beside the main building stands a large storehouse, built in the 1600s. Known as the biggest traditional rice storehouse in Japan, it now functions as a museum, showcasing the belongings and official documents of past feudal lords, old maps of the Hida Region, and historic town plans.
What's Included
  • Private transportation
  • Customizable tour with option to add 2-3 personal site choices
  • Complimentary bottled water
  • English-speaking driver
  • Air-conditioned vehicles
  • Fuel surcharges included
What's Not Included
  • Lunch
  • Snacks
  • Entrance/Admission Fee
  • Admission fee Wada House:- Adults : 400 yen; children: 200 yen. Group (20 or more) Disables: 200 yen
  • Admission Fee to Takayama Jiniya
  • Admission Fee to Hida no Sato
Additional Information

We are based in the Hokuriku region and are well aware of the hidden beauty of this region. As we have been in this field for many years, our service will define itself.

Travelers to this region will be welcomed and will visualize the natural beauty, and traditional Japanese culture by visitIng The Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go, Ogimachi Castle Old Site Observatory, following Takayama towns’ must-see attractions and learn more about their culture and history along the way. We have a well-trained and organized English-speaking driver as guide.

Location
The Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go Gassho Style Houses
Ogimachi,
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(75 Ratings)
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Jade_s
Apr 13, 2024
Wonderful historical village tour. - We had a wonderful time with Arfa who had a lovely energy, provided wonderful conversation and prepared us with knowledge for each visit. This trip was fantastic and worth the investment of having a charter. The individual locations are very easy to navigate, with time allocations being perfect (and flexible if needed). Thank you Arfa x
Review provided by Viator
Nickbk2053ue
Apr 13, 2024
Tour to Shirakawago and Takayama - Our driver Malik was personable and very accommodating. He managed to get us to all of the main sites and still get us back in time for us to visit the Ninja weapons museum in Kanazawa. Highly recommended day out
Review provided by Tripadvisor
B3174bd_
Apr 13, 2024
I would like to say that the driver Ali was amazing He was very patient and very nice Both my wife and my two children l - I would like to say that the driver Ali was amazing He was very patient and very nice Both my wife and my two children loved him very much He also helped us and gave us many recommendations He is absolutely charming and made for an amazing trip
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Konradb975
Apr 11, 2024
Private Tour of Shirakawa-go and Takayama - I had a wonderful trip to Shirakawa-go and Takayama all thanks to Malik my driver. He picked me up as well as gave me tips on where to dine and sightsee. A truly wonderful trip with great memories. I highly recommend Malik to be your private tour guide if you happen to venture to Shirakawa and Takayama.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Douglasgu7963ua
Apr 8, 2024
Comfortable Trip - This was the most convenience way to visit Shirakawa-go from Kanazawa. Our driver Malik was the best as he suggested us about what spots are best to visit together. We went to Observatory deck, Wada house, Nagase house while ending up at Takayama old town. Malik was a great driver, very accomodating when we needed to stopover for bathroom breaks. We Highly recommend to seek for Malik
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Anitaph5294oy
Apr 8, 2024
Shirakawa-go & Takayama - Wonderful trip with my daughter to visit the historic Shirakawa-go & Takayama. We visited different places like Goshho Style houses, Jinya Hida no Sato etc offered different cultural and sight seeing experiences. Malik, our driver offered his insights around the various sites and provided a smooth, comfortable trip to both Shirakawa & Takayama from our hotel in Kanazawa.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Y3655xmmuhammada
Apr 4, 2024
Fabulous Day at Shirakawa-go - We as a family had great time. Hiring this tour service was great move as we covered both Shirakawa-go & Takayama in one day. Especially it was absolutely wonderful to visit Shirakawa-go. Malik our driver was very friendly, polite & we were very comfortable with him throughout the trip. We had a great variety of experiences from the Shirakawa-go, to old town in Takayama while ended up with Sake tasting experience! He was very well aware of the area also about authentic Japanese culture. We are really thankful to him for making our day.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mikkinp2024
Mar 31, 2024
Highly recommend - Excellent tour service we had great experience of private tour. Shirakawa-go is amazing and unique cultural spot in Hokuriku region. I have been to Japan many times perhaps first time to such an incredible place. Takayama town was also wonderful while have delicious Hida beef with some fresh vegetables. Ending up with sake tasting in old town. This was all possible due to out drive Malik who was very friendly while suggesting us and giving all possible knowledge about these two places. I & my wife we are really thankful to entire smile team for hosting us with such an amazing team work.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Manoelheleno_r
Apr 17, 2024
Amazing, impressive, relaxing, interesting!!! - The sites are amazing!!! The history and tecniques are impressive! The vibe is quite relaxing and interesting! Asfa is a very good driver and we shared culture and experience "tales". She was on time and so were we, which is good for everyone! It was a wonderful day indeed!!!
Review provided by Viator
Flora_a
Apr 7, 2024
Disappointed - There was absolutely no tour. The driver spoke some English and provided no information about places we visited. Use of taxi would have been better and cheaper. I booked a tour which I did not get!
Review provided by Viator
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