Takayama & Shirakawa-go 2-Day Cultural Immersion Tour | Stay Overnight in a Historic Alpine Town
Tour Duration
Tour Duration
2
Days
Starting From
Starting From
135,000
JPY/person
Size
Size
1-8
Person
Highlights
  • Stay overnight in Takayama for a deeper, more immersive cultural experience in Japan’s mountainous countryside
  • Explore Shirakawa-go’s iconic thatched-roof farmhouses, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that showcases Japan’s rural heritage
  • Discover Takayama’s Edo-period merchant district, home to traditional wooden buildings, sake breweries, and artisan shops
  • Visit Takayama’s famous morning market, where local farmers and craftsmen sell fresh produce, snacks, and handmade goods
  • Enjoy a flexible and stress-free journey, with a knowledgeable guide driver assisting you throughout the trip

Experience the timeless beauty and rich traditions of Japan’s mountainous countryside. Stay overnight in Takayama, a beautifully preserved town known for its Edo-period charm, while also exploring the thatched-roof farmhouses of Shirakawa-go. This extended, immersive tour offers a relaxed itinerary, allowing you to fully appreciate the stunning landscapes, historical districts, and traditional architecture of these cultural gems in Gifu Prefecture.

In Shirakawa-go, admire the UNESCO-listed gassho-zukuri farmhouses, designed to withstand the region’s heavy snowfall. In Takayama, stroll through preserved Edo-era merchant streets, morning markets, and samurai-era residences, experiencing the area’s deep-rooted traditions.

Unlike a one-day trip, this two-day tour offers a relaxed and flexible schedule, allowing for deeper exploration and a more immersive experience, with a knowledgeable English-speaking guide driver who will assist in customizing your experience.

Itinerary

Day 1 – Shirakawa-go & Overnight in Takayama

8:00 AM – Pick-up from Your Hotel or Nagoya Station

Meet your English-speaking guide driver at your accommodation or Nagoya Station’s charter car pick-up point. You’ll travel comfortably in a private vehicle, with scenic mountain views along the way.

11:00 AM – Explore Shirakawa-go Village

Wander through Shirakawa-go’s beautifully preserved farmhouses, built in the gassho-zukuri architectural style. The steep thatched roofs resemble hands pressed in prayer, an ingenious design to withstand heavy winter snowfall.

For a deeper understanding of how life in the mountains shaped this village, consider an optional visit to Wada House – A historic gassho-zukuri farmhouse converted into a museum, showcasing the region’s traditional lifestyle (Admission: 400 JPY)

Enjoy free time for lunch at a local restaurant, where you can try regional specialties such as hoba miso (Grilled Miso on a Magnolia Leaf), handmade soba noodles, or seasonal mountain vegetables (Lunch not included).

2:00 PM – Depart for Takayama

Relax during the scenic drive through the Hida region’s breathtaking landscapes, as your driver shares insights into local culture and history.

3:00 PM – Arrive in Takayama & Explore the Old Town

Stroll through Sanmachi Suji, the charming Edo-period merchant district of Takayama. Here, you’ll find:

  • Traditional sake breweries, some of which have been producing sake for centuries
  • Shops selling local delicacies, including Hida beef skewers and traditional sweets
  • Handcrafted furniture and wooden crafts, made from Hida’s high-quality timber

 

6:00 PM – Japanese-Style Dinner & Stay Overnight in Takayama

Check in at Takayama Ouan or a similar-grade hotel, where you’ll enjoy a traditional Japanese dinner (Drinks not included).

Day 2 – Takayama Cultural Experience & Return to Nagoya

7:30 AM – Breakfast at Your Hotel

Enjoy a traditional Japanese breakfast before setting out for the day.

8:30 AM – Visit the Takayama Morning Market

Browse one of Takayama’s famous morning markets, where local vendors sell:

  • Fresh produce and regional delicacies
  • Handmade crafts and souvenirs
  • Seasonal snacks and sweets

9:30 AM – Discover Takayama’s Historical & Cultural Landmarks

Suggested visit locations:

  • Takayama Jinya – A former Edo-period government outpost where samurai officials once managed the region (Admission: 440 JPY)
  • Takayama Festival Floats Exhibition Hall – A museum showcasing the elaborate, centuries-old floats used in Takayama’s renowned festival (Admission: 1,000 JPY)

12:00 PM – Free Time for Lunch & Final Exploration

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant (Lunch not included) and take some final moments to explore before departure.

1:30 PM – Depart for Nagoya

Relax on the drive back to Nagoya, enjoying the mountain views one last time.

5:00 PM – Return to Your Hotel or Nagoya Station

Arrive back in Nagoya, concluding your two-day adventure in Japan’s scenic and cultural heartland.

Note: The specific places visited in Shirakawa-go and Takayama can be adjusted based on your interests. The locations listed in the itinerary are examples—please consult with your driver to customize your experience.

Meeting Point

At your hotel or Nagoya Station

What's Included

What’s Included

  • English-speaking guide driver
  • Private air-conditioned vehicle
  • Overnight stay at a hotel in Takayama (Western-style room)
  • Traditional Japanese dinner & breakfast
  • Highway tolls & parking fees
  • Travel Insurance

What’s Not Included

  • Food & drinks outside of dinner and breakfast
  • Optional admission fees:
    – Takayama Jinya: 440 JPY
    – Takayama Festival Floats Exhibition Hall & Nikko-kan: 1,000 JPY
    – Wada House in Shirakawa-go: 400 JPY
  • Driver gratuities (optional)
Additional Info

Accessibility & Activity Level

  • This tour is not wheelchair accessible
  • Infants must not sit on laps, and infant seats are unavailable

Tour Operation & Language

  • English-speaking guide driver included.
    A Mandarin, French, Spanish, German, or Korean-speaking guide may be available with an additional cost. Please contact the supplier in advance to check availability and quote.

What to Bring

Some cash for optional admission fees, meals, and personal purchases.

Booking Request

This experience is booked on request. The owner of the experience will respond to the request within 5 days

Booking & Cancellation Policy

Booking Deadline

  • Advance booking is required
  • Cut-off time: 1 week before departure

Cancellation Policy

Cancellation Date Cancellation Fee
No-show or cancellation after tour departure 100% of the tour price
On the tour date 50% of the tour price
1 day prior to the tour date 40% of the tour price
2 to 7 days prior to the tour date 30% of the tour price
8 to 20 days prior to the tour date 20% of the tour price
21 or more days prior to the tour date Free
Reviews
The locations
to visit in this tour

Takayama and Shirakawa-go in Gifu Prefecture (the map above shows the location of Shirakawa-go)
Starting From
135,000 JPY/person