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One-day-tour of Shirakawa-go

Through four seasons, Shirakawago shows fantastic scenery for guests

Shirakawago Private Tour - The Observatory on the hill is the best place to overlook the Gassyo-style buildings gathered below in the settlement of Ogi-machi.

The Observatory on the hill is the best place to overlook the Gassyo-style buildings gathered below in the settlement of Ogi-machi.

Shirakawago Private Tour - ,The upper floors of the house was used to sericulture,silk production which was the foundation industry supporting the people of the village.

,The upper floors of the house was used to sericulture,silk production which was the foundation industry supporting the people of the village.

A variety of artifacts and traditional daily life items are on display.

Shirakawago Private Tour - By chance, you might happen to meet the scene villageres are re-thaching roofs. You will learn how unique traditional roofs are preserved for generations.

By chance, you might happen to meet the scene villageres are re-thaching roofs. You will learn how unique traditional roofs are preserved for generations.

Myozenji Temple Museum is within a venerable temple, which consists of main hall, monk's residense and bell tower.

You can see the main hall of Myozenji Temple

The living room of monk's residence (Myozenji Temple). Residents keep often fire in the hearth all through the year.

Shirakawago Private Tour - Shirakawa-hachiman shrine, which was established over 1300 years ago, provides visitors peaceful time off the busy area. A big festival, Doburoku-matsuri, is held on 14 and 15 October in this shrine.

Shirakawa-hachiman shrine, which was established over 1300 years ago, provides visitors peaceful time off the busy area. A big festival, Doburoku-matsuri, is held on 14 and 15 October in this shrine.

One-day-tour of Shirakawa-go

Highlights

Joined 2015

Tetsuji Y.

4.91 / 5

(54 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

Shirakawago

Japanese (Native), English

8 hours

Private tour (only you and Tetsuji Y.)

Up to 8 people

Shirakawa-go is a mountain settlement that is famous for uniquely designed Gassyo-style buildings and registered as one of the World Cultural Heritage sites. In Ogi-machi, over sixty Gassyo-style buildings will welcome visitors. Enjoying the whole landscape of the village from the hill, you will stroll around the village visiting some traditional Gasho-style buildings such as Wada House, Nagase House and Myozenji Temple Museum.

Itinerary

This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!

09:30 AM

Meeting Point

At JR Takayama Station or Shirakawago bus terminal

9:30 JR Takayama station (meeting point)

10:40 Shirakawa-go (Ogi-machi) bus stop

11:10 Observatory

The observation point on the hill provides you the best place to overlook the whole landscape of the village of Gassho-style houses. You will get the best of photogenic view.

12:00 lunch break

You will enjoy a variety of local cuisine such as Hida-beaf, Gohei-mochi and Japanese backwheat noodles etc.

12:40 Wada House

This is the largest three-story Gassho-style house in the village, which was constructed in around 1800. The second floor and some parts of the first floor are open, and a variety of artifacts and traditional daily-life items are exhibited.

13:20 Nagase House

This is one of a few five-story houses and the big thatched roof is impressive. Visitors can see the footage-video of re-thatching roof and learn the details of the process with some documents and pictures.

14:00 Myozenji Temple Museum

The Gassho-style buildings of Buddhist temple are open for visitors as a museum, consisting of three parts; residence, main hall and bell tower gate.

15:00 Tea break

15:30 Shirakawa Hachiman Shrine

This shrine enshrines the general god protecting Shirakawa-go. The site of the shrine is very calm and good place for travelers to take rests, not disturbed by other travelers.

16;00 Shirakawa-go bus stop

17:30 JR Takayama Station

Ending Point

At JR Takayama Station or Shirakawago bus terminal

Want to personalize this tour?

This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.

Inclusions & Exclusions

What‘s included

Guide fee and hotel pick-up

What‘s not included

Transportation(bus) fee about 5,600yen/person for both guests and guide

Lunch & coffee fee about 2,500 yen/person for both guests and guide

Entrance fee about 1,200yen/person only for guests

Tour Important Information

1) If you stay in Kanazawa, it is possible to meet on the Shierakawago and start the tour.

2) If you want, it is possible to arrange plans including visiting Takayama city.

Important message from the supplier

I can guide in Kyoto in case you support transportation fee.

Cancellation Policy

Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time

Joined 2015

Tetsuji Y.

4.91 / 5

(54 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

About Tour Guide 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?

Reviews

Aimee V.

5 / 5

Aug 31, 2025

One-day-tour of Mino & Seki, with watching Cormorant fishing in Nagaragawa river in Gifu

Aug 31, 2025

Gifu

12 hours

Customized

“A full day tailored to our requests with special surprises ”

We spent a full and active day with Mr. Tetsuji, filled with diverse activities and memorable experiences. Communication with him was smooth and efficient, and he worked closely with us to create a detailed itinerary that balanced his expertise with our interests. He even traveled a long distance to meet us at the start of the tour and thoughtfully ensured our departure was taken care of at the end. One of the highlights was a private visit to a knife factory, which Mr. Tetsuji was able to arrange exclusively for us. We were fortunate to enjoy a personal tour with the factory president himself—an extraordinary experience we would never have managed on our own. Although he had already informed us that many shops in Mino would be closed that day, Mr. Tetsuji seamlessly guided us to the main attractions, making sure we still had a rich and rewarding experience. His deep knowledge and professionalism truly enhanced our visit.

Tetsuji Y.

I am very happy to know that you are satisfied with my tour. I can’t find words to express how much I appreciate lots of your thoughtful comments on me. Especially, the last one makes me feel like I am on cloud nine and leads me to challenge any demands from guests to be a better guide. If you have a chance to visit Japan again, I hope that we could share pleasant time. Please give my best regards to Flavio and Luca.

Roxana P.

5 / 5

Aug 19, 2025

Discover Authentic Japan in Tsumago & Magome, Nakasendo

Aug 19, 2025

Gifu

9 hours 30 mins

“excellent guide”

our clients had an excellent tour with Tetsuji and can recommend his guiding services.

Tetsuji Y.

Thank you so much for appraisal for my job. I am happy to hear that your clients seemed to be satisfied with my tour. I hope to accept your next request.

Renee M.

5 / 5

Jul 3, 2025

Best Choice for one-day Takayama tour

Jul 3, 2025

Gifu

8 hours 30 mins

“A great tour that took full advantage of everything Takayama has to offer”

Tetsuji was a wonderful guide! He showed us all that Takayama and the surrounding area had to offer. He was knowledgeable, flexible and enjoyable to be with. With his knowledge we discovered a Takayama that we would not even known existed. Thank you Tetsuji!

Tetsuji Y.

I appreciate an excellent review for my tour. I am happy guiding a nice American couple who are so curious about Japanese culture, especially foods and drinks. Above all, the scene two of you enjoyed tasting Sake in a brewery is impressive. I hope that you will visit central Japan exploring attractive places with my guidance in other seasons.