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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.

4.92 / 5

(64 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.

4.92 / 5

(64 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

Matthias W.

5 / 5

Jun 2, 2026

Best Choice for one-day Takayama tour

Jun 2, 2026

Gifu

8 hours 30 mins

“A good day in Takayama and Hida-furukawa ”

we had an enjoyable and interesting day with Tetsuji Y. as our guide in Takayama and Hida-furukawa. Tetsuji-san put together the itinerary according to our preferences and wishes and was flexible enough and abele to adjust during the day to accommodate our wishes. His english language skills are good and allowed easy conversation and so we had a good time together.

Tetsuji Y.

I am really glad that you are satisfied with my tour. Thank you so much for high evaluation. I had also a happy time with you and Andrea. Especially through conversation with you about a variety of matters, I feel stronger affinity with Germany than before. I hope you will be back Japan and spend time with me again someday. Please give my best regards to your wife.

Judy F.

5 / 5

May 22, 2026

Bushido tour of 4 highlights

May 22, 2026

Gifu

10 hours 30 mins

“A Beautiful Rainy Day Experience with Mr. Tetsuji Y”

Yesterday, we were very fortunate to have Mr Tetsuji guide us for the day on his Bushido tour. He's enthusiasm and knowledge of the history of the National treasures and traditions of his country were infectious and wonderful to experience. I thought Inuyama castle complex and the Seki sword museum, would be the highlight of my visit, and both were awesome not to be missed visits... But what was truly breath taking was the exhibit at the Washi Akari Art Museum in Mino. A little off the regular tourist path but it's a not to be missed experience. I highly recommend having Mr Tetsuji as your guide and let him show you those hidden gems of the area. Thank you Mr Tetsuji for hosting us and allowing us to experience the joy and pride you have for your country's beautiful culture and rich history. Best Regards Judy and Craig F.

Tetsuji Y.

I am very glad to know that you are well satisfied with my tour describing a high evaluation. Thank you so much. Actually, I was concerned about whether the weather might make your spirits low. However, you seemed to have been happy enjoying my tour all the way. I love the title 'A beautiful Rainy Days Experience'. I feel happy to have guided such a nice couple and hope to have a trip with you again someday.

Nenu S.

5 / 5

Apr 16, 2026

Best Choice for one-day Takayama tour

Apr 16, 2026

Gifu

8 hours 30 mins

“Wonderful tour ”

Tetsuji Y, was very informative and helpful tour guide. We really enjoyed our tour of Takayama.

Tetsuji Y.

Thank you so much for nice feedback about my tour. I hope you will be back to Japan with your kids and share pleasant time in Gifu again.