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Best of Takayama & Shirakawa-go Expedition
Joined 2017
Start your day with a trip to Takayama's morning market, one of the 3 largest markets in Japan. Then, take a relaxing stroll through the old town, beautifully preserved for 300 years since the samurai period. In the afternoon, you will take a trip to Shirakawa-go and see its traditional thatched roof houses, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Please let me know your special interests, and I will happily customize the tour for you, especially activities or food you'd like to try!
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
At your hotel lobby or anywhere in central Takayama
Morning market
One of the three largest markets in Japan with a history of over three hundred years. I'll show you some of the best stalls for fresh local produce, Hida-style pickles, and more!
Takayama's old town
Takayama's beautifully preserved old town is known as Gifu Prefecture's "Little Kyoto."
11:20 - 12:00 Take the bus to Shirakawago
Shirakawa-go
Shirakawa-go is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. While strolling through the idyllic village with traditional thatched-roof houses, you'll feel as if you've time traveled to ancient Japan!
Enjoy an authentic Japanese lunch at Shirakawa-go
We will continue exploring the beautiful village after lunch. You can try some street food or enjoy picking out unique souvenirs!
Take the bus back to Takayama
We will arrive at Takayama Station at 16:05
Ending Point
Takayama Station
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
Guide fee
Hotel pick-up in the central area of Takayama
Transportation for you and the guide (Round fare: 5,200 JPY / person)
Entrance fees (300 to 1000 JPY / person, depending on the sites visited)
Lunch (you and the guide)
Tour Important Information
・Transportation will be by public bus. The round-trip bus fare between Takayama and Shirakawa-go (5,200 JPY) is NOT included in the Guide Fee. You can pay for the transportation (for you and the guide) on-site.
・This is your private tour and I'm always open to making arrangements for your unforgettable experience! Please contact me if you'd like to include sake tasting at a local brewery during the tour (subject to availability).
・Please note that I cannot take responsibility for any accidents that occur during the tour. I highly recommend getting travel insurance before you come to Japan.
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 2017
About Tour Guide Mika S.
My interests include art, architecture, food, sake, wine, and sustainability.
In the past, I had the opportunity to visit destinations around the world. My passion for traveling and experiencing other cultures helped me recognize the beauty in my own culture, and inspired me to become a tour guide. I’m a fun, energetic, and passionate guide who’s ready to show you an unforgettable time in Japan, whatever your interests may be!
Hida is a beautiful region tucked away in the Northern Alps, and its location helped preserve Takayama’s old town constructed by local master carpenters. On your tour, I’ll give you tips on what you should look for to appreciate traditional Japanese architecture. If you’re a sake lover, Hida is the place for you because the cold climate makes it suitable for brewing quality sake. I’m a licensed Sake Sommelier, and I’d love to take you to the breweries in town and give you some recommendations. I’ve also been trained to host art tours. If you’re interested in contemporary Japanese art, I recommend visiting Kanazawa, where you can find inspirational creativity in every corner!
My goal is to help you discover the authentic Japanese way of life while feeling comfortable like a local rather than standing out like a tourist. Please let me know what kind of experience you’re looking for, and I will happily tailor a unique experience just for you.
Fun facts about me!
I was sponsored to travel around the world twice
I was a torch runner in the 1998 Nagano Olympics
I grew up in nature, eating wild plants and seeing many wild animals
Reviews
Thierry A.
Sake Sensations: an Exclusive Tasting with a Sommelier
“Exciting Sake Tour in Takayama”
Thank you for the tour of the sake brewery. Your knowledge and passion made this tour really enjoyable.
Mika S.
Thank you for the kind review, Thierry. I was pleasantly surprised by your extensive knowledge of sake! It was a pleasure sharing my passion for sake with you, and I'm thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the tour.
“A Wonderful Half-Day with Lovely Mika”
We enjoyed strolling and learning about Takayama with Mika. We went thru the market, visited the local shrine and most fascinating was visiting the historic house. Mika was obliging and helpful and a great companion.
Mika S.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! I’m delighted to hear that you enjoyed our stroll through Takayama. It was a pleasure showing you the market, local shrine, and historic house. I’m glad you found them fascinating. I enjoyed being your companion for the day and am happy to have been of help. I hope to see you again on another tour in the future!
Ying sing L.
Takayama Half-Day Tour & Sake Sensations
Customized
“Thank you Mika!”
We did the Takayama and sake sensation tour combined with Mika. It was snowing heavily that day and Mika was very patient with us as my toddler was throwing tantrums due to the unexpected snow and rain at the same time. The most interesting part was the sake knowledge that has imparted to us during the tour. Lunch planned was delicious and Takayama morning is beautiful! Amazing tour highly recommended!
Mika S.
Thank you for the gracious review, Ying! I’m delighted that you enjoyed the tour despite the chilly weather. Your baby was absolutely adorable, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to be a part of his time in Takayama! Also, sake is essential in local Takayama culture, and it was a pleasure to share about it with you and Jun Lee. I look forward to welcoming you back on your next trips to Japan!
$506/ per group
More tours by Mika S.
Sake Sensations: an Exclusive Tasting with a Sommelier
Thanks to its ideal climate, Takayama boasts a wide variety of local sake brewed at multiple private breweries. Each brewery has a different philosophy; understanding them will give you insight into how to enjoy the local masterpieces. Your guide will take you on an exquisite and culturally rich tasting experience at one of the breweries. Indulge in the world of sake with your guide, an International Sake Sommelier, and get detailed tips on how to enjoy Japan's national drink!
Takayama Highlights Tour of Must-Visit Gems
This is the ideal tour for first-time visitors looking to discover Takayama's history, authentic culture, and natural beauty with a local guide! The basic itinerary includes some of the best experiences, such as the morning market, the old town, and a local sake brewery. Please let me know your interests, and I will happily arrange a customized tour just for you!
Takayama Foodie Tour
Do you want to explore Takayama like a local? Maybe you aren’t sure where to find the best eats or quality Japanese cooking utensils and vessels. On this private tour, you can take a culinary adventure and get the best of Takayama’s unique food culture! The cold climate is ideal for making miso, pickles, sake, and many other traditional Japanese food. Get ready to go on a delicious journey where you can learn about Takayama through its authentic cuisine.
Other Popular Day Trip Tours in Takayama
Wondeful one-dayTakayama tour from Nagoya
Takayama is located in the north of Gifu, central Japan. It takes about 2 and half hour from Nagoya by highway-bus. While bus riding, you can enjoy beautiful mountainous scenery, especially in winter, the snow-covered landscape from the bus window is wonderful!! Takayama is an old castle town, I am sure you will have a wonderful time while walking through the nostalgic town street!! Takayama also has a lot of high quality craftsmanship, you can experience such a skillful art by yourself!!
Casual tour in Takayama
I'll guide main part of Takayama and local place. We'll go old town, morning market, sake breweries, shrines and temples area, also good cafes or eateries. Also I can arrange a plan where you want to go like to see cherry blossom, to walk in country side.
Takayama ( old merchant town ) and Shirakawago ( UNESCO World Heritage site ) tour from Kanazawa
In the Edo period, for the first 107 years Takayama was ruled by the fuedal lord Kanamori. For the latter 177 years the Tokugawa Shogunate directly ruled Takayama. Takayama flourished as a merchant town since the Tokugawa ruling. Old merchant houses remain in Sannomachi district. The latticework windows are painted black Bengara color. Shirakawago villages was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1995. A Gassho farmhouse is difined as a thatched farmhouse with big slanted roofs. The name Gassho means the gesture when people bring their hands together in prayer. The shape of the roofs resemble the Gassho style. Most Gassho farmhouses have about 200 years history. There are 60 Gassho farmhouses in Shirakawago village. These houses are still used by owner family for their daily living. In the morning, we visit Shirakawago village. In the afternoon, we visit Takayama city.
