Shirakawago Private Tours & Local Tour Guides
Discover Things to Do and Plan a Trip to Shirakawago, Japan with a Local Guide
Popular Shirakawago Tour Guides
Tetsuji Y.
Hello everyone. I am Tetsuji. I worked as a public servant in the local government for 35 years. I belonged to the department of Redevelopment, Town-Landscaping, Preserving historical areas and Architectural Guidance. (I have a national 1st-class architect license.) I devoted myself to revitalizing the city by making plans and improving infrastructure for citizens. Gifu is located in central Japan near Nagoya. As just being the crossroads of the West and the East, there are many unique attractions that are hard to discover in hectic big cities like Tokyo or Kyoto. I had a hand in restoring and preserving some of them throughout my career and want to introduce them to tourists from abroad. That’s why I became a guide-interpreter in Gifu. I also enjoyed traveling around the world. My favorite part of each trip was walking around the city and talking with local residents. Traveling has taught me lots of things during my lifetime. Now, I would like to help others have similar experience in Japan. Shall we enjoy fantastic journey in Gifu?
Yoshie K.
Hi, I am Yoshie. I am a national government licensed English speaking Guide. I used to work for multinational companies and served as an interpreter for several years and travelled around Japan with coworkers. I love plants, nature, travelling as well as finding good places to eat! I am also a communicative person. After having lived in Tokyo for some decades, now I live in my hometown, Fukui where you can have a great experience of Zen buddhism in the head temple of the Zen sect, Eiheiji which was founded in 1244. Fukui Dinosaur Museum is very popular regardless of age. It is one of the world's three largest dinosaurs. Echizen is also well known for Japan's handmade crafts including kitchen knives, washi paper, lacquer wares, Tansu chests and pottery. Seeing craftsmen's work right in front of you makes you excited and impressed. I have been travelling Kanazawa since my high school age so I know well about the town to show you around as well as Shirakawago, a day trip from Kanazawa. I am excited to meet you and coordinate what you are really interested in to make you the happiest memories in Japan. I look forward to guiding you soon!
Yoji K.
Hello, I'm Yoji, based in Kanazawa. I spent my formative years in Kanazawa and pursued my master's degree in the United States. Having lived in Washington D.C. and California for six years, I then resided and worked in China and various Southeast Asian countries. My passion lies in exploring new destinations and connecting with people worldwide. Now, it's my turn to extend the same hospitality I've received to you. I specialize in crafting personalized tours tailored to your interests and preferences. If you're a food enthusiast, you've come to the right place. For those seeking to delve into Japan's rich history and culture, I highly recommend joining my full-day tour in Kanazawa. Additionally, I offer tours to Shirakawago and Takayama. Let's embark on an unforgettable journey together.
Yuichi W.
Hello, I'm Yuichi, an English tour guide in Hokuriku region. If you are thinking about traveling to historical places such as Kanazawa, Shirakawa-go and Takayama, I am willing to offer a tour. I can bring you to those popular destinations from my base, Toyama city. These are the examples of my tour: Kanazawa - Shirakawago - Takayama Takaoka - Gokayama - Shirakawago - Takayama Toyama - Tateyama Kurobe Alipne Route - Omachi (Nagano Pref.) During the tour I like to provide simple explanations about Japanese history, and small tips for using the Japanese language on your request. My interests are food, cooking, sake and wine as well as Japanese novels and movies. It would be possible to add those tastes to our tour including a visit to local wineries, movie scenes, etc... Finally, I will do my best to give you a pleasant stay. Looking forward to seeing you in Hokuriku!
New Shirakawago Tour Guides
Lee S.
Welcome to Hokuriku! I’m based in Kanazawa and would love to show you around not just the famous sights, but also the everyday beauty and hidden corners that make this region special. I also provide winter tours and have a logistics team for your expedient comfort needs and convenience. Whether you're strolling through samurai districts, sampling fresh seafood at a local market, or soaking in the peaceful atmosphere of mountain villages like Takayama, Shirakawa-go or Ainokura among many more, I’ll help you experience Japan in a way that feels personal, relaxed, and real. I grew up in BC Canada with friends from all over the world, and now call Japan home. I speak conversational Japanese and understand both the traveler’s curiosity and the local rhythm of life. That means I can help bridge the gap, so you feel comfortable and connected wherever we go. Every tour is flexible—if the weather shifts or something catches your eye, we can adapt. My goal is to make your time here smooth, engaging, and full of insight. Let’s explore Hokuriku together, one story, flavor, and moment at a time.
Jorge S.
Originally born in Mexico City, where I spent the first eight years of my life, I grew up in Montreal, Canada, for 22 years. Fascinated by Japanese popular culture and history—I have a minor in Japanese history and am a history buff—I participated in the JET Program Canada, where I was placed in Shirakawa-go for three years as an ALT. Currently, I live in Kanazawa with my Japanese wife and son. As a tour guide in Kanazawa, I specialize in history, hidden gems, culture, shopping (especially Japanese popular culture products), and food. I strive to provide an excellent customer experience. Fluent in English (Native), French (Native), Spanish (Native), and a good grasping of Japanese. I can communicate effectively with a diverse range of guests. Thanks to my North American background and my extensive experience living in Japan, I offer explanations that are easy to understand for Western guests, enriching their understanding of Japan as a vibrant and unique living space. Additionally, I am currently studying to become an official National guide in Japan, further enhancing my expertise and ability to provide exceptional tours.
Kyohei Y.
Hi, Thank you for visiting my page! I am Kyohei. I was born and raised in Takayama, and learned English in Canada. Due to its seclusion from other cities, Takayama has developed a unique culture and history, and its residents have lived here for a long time relying on the region's abundant mountain and natural resources. I am looking forward to sharing the true Hida Takayama that can only be conveyed by a local resident. Thank you!
William P.
I was born and raised in the USA, but have lived and worked in Japan for more than half my life. I am a naturalized citizen, and have made my home in Hida Takayama for more than fifteen years now. Pairing the knowledge of a local with the perspective of an outsider, my tours focus on places and insights that nobody else will show you. Feel free to contact me for custom tours at any time of the year. In addition to standard walking tours, I do night-time, food and sake-tasting tours.
Popular Shirakawago Private Tours
One-day-tour of Shirakawa-go
One-day-tour of Shirakawa-go
Explore UNESCO World Heritage Site of Shirakawa-go with a Former Shirakawa-go School Teacher
Explore UNESCO World Heritage Site of Shirakawa-go with a Former Shirakawa-go School Teacher
KANAZAWA ITINERARY (A Day Trip From Kanazawa) Shirakawago 4H
KANAZAWA ITINERARY (A Day Trip From Kanazawa) Shirakawago 4H
Shirakawago half day tour
Shirakawago half day tour
Day Trips from Shirakawago
Shirakawago Tour Reviews
Sage S.
“The Best Guide! ”
You won’t find a better tour guide—Jorge is a tourist’s dream. With his unique and inspiring background, he offers a rare dual perspective: the critical eye of an outsider, and the lived experience, respect, and connections of an insider. Add to that his broad scholarly knowledge and deep curiosity, and you’ve got a guide who can speak insightfully on everything from history to daily life to shopping. From the start, Jorge listened closely to what we wanted and tailored the day to match. He checked in with us throughout, making sure the pace, content, and focus were right. Whatever you're looking for, he can make it happen. Our only regret is that we didn’t hire him to guide (or plan) our entire Kanazawa visit—or our whole trip to Japan. Jorge lived in Shirakawa for three years (so if you’re headed there, don’t even consider anyone else), but he told us his best tour is of Kanazawa. We believe it. We only had one day with him, but he filled it with insight, conversation, flexibility, and generosity. He gave us extra time at both ends, never rushed us, and shared knowledge that went far beyond the typical tour script. He truly went above and beyond in every way! Make the most of your time in Japan: hire Jorge. You won’t regret it.
Jorge S.
Dear Sage-san, It was a real pleasure bringing you to Shirakawa-go and I am very grateful for your kind words and for choosing my tour! It is of the utmost importance for me to provide all my guests with experiences that suit their needs and wants. That being said, your words warm my heart, especially my knowledge and curiosity that matched your own knowledge and great curiosity! I am a walking nerd and I deeply enjoyed sharing my experiences living in Shirakawa-go and I hope that I will be able to guide you through Kanazawa in the near future and share with you my deep love for this city and its inhabitants!
Thomas S.
“Excellent guide”
Yoshie is a very knowledgeable, easy to deal with and fun guide. She tailored made both tours according to our interests and wishes. We enjoyed the days a lot with her. Will definitifely book her services again to explore more of Japan with her. Arigato kozaimas
Yoshie K.
Hi Thomas, thank you very much for your generous review. I am so pleased to hear that you had a good time visiting Shirakawago and Ainokura of Gokayama. You all liked Ainokura, a cute village. There are many other beautiful places in the Hokuriku region. I hope you come to visit again. Thank you. Yoshie
Robert B.
“Fantastic Guide - Great Day!”
Jogi communicated extremely well in setting up this tour and then communicating how to meet up with us in the port. The day was perfect for the four of us. Great tour of Shirkagowago and Takayama. Showed us unique places and even helped pick out some unique food items to try. Great conversation in the car and tour about a variety of subjects. He spoke excellent English. I highly recommend Yogi as a tour guide.
Yoji K.
Thank you very much for such a great review and comment. I had a wonderful time with you all yesterday. The conversation in the car was the most fun part to me. I personally had great time with you yesterday. Cherry blossoms in Shirakawago was perfect! Again, thank you for giving me such a great opportunity. Have a wonderful time in the rest of your journey.
Shirakawago Private Tour Guide
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