USD ($)
Help
Login

Japan
›
Shirakawago
›
Tours
›
Highlights
›
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

(58 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

(58 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

Pascal N.

5 / 5

Oct 29, 2025

Discover Authentic Japan in Tsumago & Magome, Nakasendo

Oct 29, 2025

Gifu

5 hours 30 mins

“Wonderful hike along the historic Nakasendo trail”

We enjoyed another fantastic day with our guide, Tetsuji — this time hiking along the historic Nakasendo trail between the post towns of Magome and Tsumago. Walking through these beautifully preserved villages felt like stepping back in time to the Edo period, surrounded by wooden houses, stone paths, and serene mountain scenery. Tetsuji was, once again, an exceptional guide — kind, knowledgeable, and always attentive to our pace and interests. He shared fascinating insights about the history of the Nakasendo and the daily life of the people who once traveled this route. His explanations made the experience so much richer and more meaningful. Thanks to Tetsuji, we had an unforgettable day full of atmosphere, history, and beauty. We highly recommend him to anyone who wants to experience Japan’s heritage in an authentic and personal way.

Tetsuji Y.

I really appreciate that you and Sandra enjoyed my tour and felt comfortable asking questions, as if you were at home. I’m happy and grateful for your kind words about my work. Your curiosity about Japanese culture became the driving force that helped me naturally give my best performance. I hope you’ll come back to Japan and join my tour again in the near future—before I retire from this job!

Pascal N.

5 / 5

Oct 29, 2025

Best Choice for one-day Takayama tour

Oct 29, 2025

Gifu

7 hours 30 mins

“Great full-day tour with Tetsuji in Takayama”

We had a wonderful full-day tour with Tetsuji in Takayama and Hida-Furukawa. Takayama is a charming city nestled in the mountains, known for its beautiful old town, the Miyagawa morning market, and the peaceful Higashiyama walking course. Throughout the day, we learned so much about the region’s culture and history and experienced the area’s unique atmosphere through seeing, tasting, and exploring. Tetsuji was an excellent guide — very friendly, flexible, and always attentive to our interests. His deep knowledge of Takayama and Hida-Furukawa made every stop more meaningful. He also took us to a wonderful local restaurant, where we shared a delicious meal together in a very pleasant and authentic setting. Thanks to Tetsuji, we spent a truly memorable day filled with new impressions and experiences we would never have had on our own. We can recommend him without any hesitation!

Tetsuji Y.

Marie-eve L.

5 / 5

Oct 10, 2025

Discover Authentic Japan in Tsumago & Magome, Nakasendo

Oct 10, 2025

Gifu

7 hours

“Nakasendo trail”

Nice hiking day along the Nakasendo trail with Tetsuji. The day was well planned and we stopped at key points to have informations or see beautiful scenery. Thank you Tetsuji, we will book another activity with you again on our next trip to japan.

Tetsuji Y.

I am so happy receiving satisfaction message for my tour from you, and grateful for full marks. I am looking forward to seeing you and Francoi again.