1-Day Takayama Tour: Discover Traditional Japan in Takayama and Shirakawago

Embark on a 1-day tour of Takayama and Shirakawago, where you can explore their charming streets and get a glimpse into traditional Japanese village life. Led by a knowledgeable guide, this cultural experience is a must-visit in central Japan.

Duration: 9 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Takayama Jinya - Tour the inside of the Takayama Jinya, a beautiful centuries old government outpost built for the Shogun’s representatives, and learn about the history and industry of Takayama.
  • Sanmachi Suji - Explore the traditional “Sanmachi” district in the heart of Takayama. Lead by your knowledgeable tour guide, you will have a chance…
What's Included
  • English speaking guide
  • Entrance to the Takayama Jinya
  • Transportation between all destinations
  • Guided walks at both Takayama and Shirakawa-go
What's Not Included
  • Lunch
Additional Information

Nestled deep within the heart of Japan’s central mountains, away from the constant activity of urban centers like Tokyo and Osaka, you’ll discover the charming and impeccably preserved towns of Takayama and Shirakawa-go. Takayama, a former land gifted to the Shogun, mesmerizes with its exquisite woodcrafts and traditional alleyways that ooze a…

Location
Takayama Station
Please make sure you choose the correct option. Depending on the day, the tour offers ONLY drop off at Takayama Station
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
4.9
(57 Ratings)
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Ilariar527
May 2, 2025
An incredible day...especially thanks to Yogi🙏🏼 - Really an amazing day! Yogi our guide was really the best guide we could have hoped for, he made this day even more special!During the morning he guided us through the streets of Takayama, we visited the Governor's house and in the afternoon we went to Shirakawa Go, a truly unique and wonderful place!Yogi also here guided us in this beautiful village telling us the whole story and making us passionate even more! What can I say thank you very much ... and if we happen again in these parts we hope to have Yogi back as our guide, the best 😊
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Pechswier
May 2, 2025
Amazing day! Magical places! - Yogui was our guide during the day, he tooks us to very special places in Takayama (old town, morning market, and several other locations) he gave us super interesting information about the place and Japanese culture. In the afternoon we took a ride to Shirakawa-go (Unesco heritage village) a magical place with more than 700 years of history. Excellent money-value trip, I would recomend every traveler to take a tour with Yogui. We had a great time!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
A5178duchiarag
Apr 29, 2025
Wonderful tour - We had a beautiful day in Takayama and Shirakawa-go. The tour was perfect and the guide was really helpful with a wonderful English. Very good explanation about places and history. She even helped us with some information about our future itinerary like places to go in Tokyo. Really recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Paola
Apr 23, 2025
Recommended experience - Organization and competence of the guide were excellent. Comfort in transport. Absolutely recommended.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
G9576utryans
Apr 17, 2025
Great Tour - This was a last minute booking when my other plans fell through, but it ended up being an amazing choice. Our guide, Yoshi, was great at explaining the various sights, and he answered all of our questions like a true professional.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Moulimoo
Apr 17, 2025
Superb! Not to be missed. - Our tour was amazing. We were expecting a group tour but as we were the only people booked on we had a private tour. Hemi was really knowledgeable and enthusiastic. Did a superb job of distilling much information into key facts and interesting insights. Hemi was all round interesting and full of fun facts. A nice leisurely pace with plenty of free time to do our own thing, which we liked as the past few days had been pretty busy. We learnt a lot about the sites we visited and how various aspects connected to things we had seen elsewhere in Japan. Hemi gave us some good advice and guidance for the next part of our trip. Would more than 100% recommend. Thanks very much, Hemi!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
X3657gkjont
Apr 17, 2025
Marvelous Takayama and Shirakawago - Excellent tour. Hemi was very friendly and knowledgeable. We saw plenty of Takayama and Shirakawago both amazing. Thoroughly recommended
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Debra
Apr 16, 2025
Takayama and Shirakawago highlights! - Loved our day spent with Yoshi, our knowledgeable local tour guide. I learnt so much about Takayama, the history, the food and the culture of the area. The small minibus that drove us between Takayama and Shirakawago was very comfortable and our driver was lovely too. - both offering food lots of food recommendations! Shirakawago was a highlight, Yoshi pointed out the buildings of significance, the best photo opportunities and explained what makes this world heritage listed site so special. Highly recommend this tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Debra_m
Apr 16, 2025
Takayama and Shirakawago tour - Our local guide Yoshi was extremely knowledgeable and I learnt so much about Takayama from him. I had been staying in Takayama for a couple of days before the tour and after Yoshi’s recommendations, I tried lots of new food and saw new things in the town I wasn’t aware of. Loved visiting Shirakawago, it was a highlight.
Review provided by Viator
David_w
Apr 23, 2025
Great sites but disappointing tour - The attractions visited were very good and the guides knowledge was excellent. However the day seemed rushed and there was little time to enjoy the environs or buy souvenirs . Almost 2 hours at Takayama Jinya was not required and this resulted in the tour of Shirakawago being rushed and disjointed. It was only a small group but the guide allowed the day to be dominated by an American guest who turned it into her private tour to everyone else’s exclusion.
Review provided by Viator
From $185
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).