This tour takes you to a typical Japanese old town, “Takayama” and a rural farming village,”Shirakawa-go”. Takayama is a traditional old town called “Little Kyoto” which is famous for its beautiful and gorgeous “Yamahoko floats festival” held in April and October, being similar to “Gion festival” in Kyoto.
Shirakawago is a historic village deep in the mountains with unique traditional “Gasshouzukuri”farmhouses survive 200 years. Shirakawago is a World Heritage site.
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
At your hotel in Nagoya
Your hotel in Nagoya
I’ll pick you up at your hotel and we will head to Takayama by a highway bus.
JR Nagoya station bus terminal
We will head to Takayama by express bus. Enjoy the fantastic view in the countryside in Japan.
Takayama bus terminal
About 2.5 hours’ bus ride brings you to Takayama.
We will have lunch at a local restaurant.
Takayama Junya
Junya Is the local government office in Hida region during Edo period. You can learn how the rulers govern local people in Edo.
Takayama old merchant town
There are three shopping streets with various kinds of shops on both side, souvenir shops, sake wine breweries, local food restaurants, skewered Hida beef stands. You can enjoy shopping and eating while walking.
The Takayama museum of History and Art
This is a city public museum for free of charge. You can learn about Takayama local history, culture and traditional crafts.
Your hotel in Takayama
You will have Japanese cuisine for dinner at your hotel restaurants.. Enjoy your stay in Takayama.
Breakfast at a your hotel
You will have breakfast during 7:00am〜8:30.
Hotel checking out
Meet up in the hotel lobby and walk to the bus center to take a bus to Shirakawago.
Takayama Nobi Bus Center
Head to Shirakawago by bus arriving there at 10:40.
Shirakawa Castle Keep ruins on the hill(observatory)
Hiking to the Observatory on the hill. You can enjoy the panoramic view of the village.
A local Japanese restaurant “ILORI”
Have local food for lunch at “ILORI”
In the village
Exploring in Shirakawago village; Wada Residence, local shrine and temple and shoppings.
Shirakawago Bus Terminal
Go back to Nagoya by Express bus. Estimated arrival time is 18:16
Your hotel in Nagoya
After arriving at Nagoya bus terminal, your guide take you to your hotel and say goodbye. This is the end of the tour.
Ending Point
At your hotel in Nagoya
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
guide fee during the tour
transportation fee (you and guide) ¥10000 /per person / round trip, lunch (you and guide), accommodation fee (you and guide) ¥10000〜15000 including dinner and breakfast, entrance fee(you and guide) ; Takayama Junya ¥500 / Wada Residence ¥300
This tour is planned for two days, visiting two tourist destinations. If you want to make it one-day trip, I will make an itinerary for you. So please feel free to tell me anything you want. I will be flexible to your request.
I can guide you in Ise in Mie prefecture and in Takayama & Shirakawa-go in Gifu prefecture, if you pay the transportation fee of mine.
Hello, I am Michiko , the same name of Japanese ex-Empress. I am a government certified tour guide.
I have lived in Nagoya ( located between Tokyo and Osaka) for 35 years since I got married.
I worked for JAL as a flight attendant in my 20's. After retiring JAL, I have taught English and Mathematics to junior and senior high school students for 20 years.
I love traveling very much both domestically and abroad and enjoy walking around each city and talking with local people so that I can find out the way how to they live and think about their life. It's quite a fun for me. I also love hiking and mountain climbing in spring, summer and autumn, and skiing in winter.
In the countryside of Japan there still remain those farming and fishery villages where people have been rooted in their land and community, living the way handed down from generation to generation.
You can also enjoy the original Japanese landscape there.
Why don't you get out of the hustle and bustle of your busy life and have a rest rich in nature in the rural Japan enjoying beautiful scenery and local food.
I'm waiting for you!
Tom C.
“Wonderful walk on ancient trail”
Michiko was an excellent and informative guide. She was so enthusiastic and thoughtful and was so fun to talk to. The Nakasando trail was beautiful and peaceful. Highly recommend!!
Michiko N.
Dear Tom Colby, Thank you for choosing me as your tour guide this time and writing an excellent review for me. I’m honored to your comments. I really had a terrific time hiking on Nakasendo with such wonderful people like your party. I thank you all for welcoming me warmly. Hopefully we could meet again in Japan or USA. Thanks again. Kind regards, Michiko Nagasaki
Grant G.
“Very wonderful experience. ”
Michiko was a fantastic guide. She designed the tour based on what we wanted to see. She was a wealth of knowledge and extremely kind. I would highly recommend her to anyone interested in touring the area around Nagoya.
Michiko N.
Dear Grant and James, Thank you very much for choosing me as your guide this time in Hikone and Iga and also for the finest review for me, which encourages me to aim higher as a tour guide. I’m glad that I could be your help during the tour yesterday. Actually, I really had a great time with such wonderful guys like you!! I was astonished by your vast and in-depth knowledge about Japanese history and Ninja. It’s amazing!! I hope the rest of your trip in Japan will be safe and enjoyable. Thanks again. Hopefully we could meet up again in Japan. Thank you for pictures you took yesterday. Best regards, Michiko Nagasaki
Diane M.
“Ise Shima. Mikimoto”
We had an excellent two day tour. Michiko and Hiroshi were our wonderful guides. We stayed at a local resort that had an excellent view. Michiko provided us with a written itinerary of our tour and answered all our questions. We could not have done this without them. We are extremely grateful.
Michiko N.
Dear Diane and Rod, Thank you very much for choosing me as your tour guide in Ise- Shima region. I appreciate your finest review for me. I feel happy to know that I could be your help to make your dream come true. Hiroshi and I had a delightful time with such a wonderful couple like you. I’ll never forget the memorable time with you. I learned a lot from both of you! It’s very educational. Thank you so much. It’s good for you that cherry blossoms in Japan are welcoming you!! I hope you will continue your trip with safe and healthy. Enjoy your journey!! I’m looking forward to seeing you again in Japan. Thanks again. Sincerely yours, Michiko Nagasaki
$349/ per group