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.
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
At the lobby of your hotel in Takayama city
At Takayama city
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Guide fee and guide's transportation fares.
Transportation fares for you per person: Kanazawa - Takayama 3,600 yen , Takayama - Shirakawgo2,600 yen. Shirakawago - Kanazawa 2,000 yen. Shirakawago shuttle bus 400 yen. personal expenses.
Entrance fees per person: Takayama Jinya 440 yen. Gassho farmhouse 300 yen. Sorry please pay a lunch for a guide
Notice time for application to this tour is until 2 weeks before your desired tour date.
I was born and brought up in Kanazawa, and live in Kanazawa. So,I know every corner of this town. I am a national licensed tour guide. I started operating tour guide business in 2004 after retired from the local government office. I enjoyed hobbies when I found my spare time. In my twenties and thirties, I walked along many peaks of Northern Japan Alps during the summer mountain season. I travelled many places domestic and abroad. I also enjoyed skiing while I was in my forties and fifties. I have offered tour guides to over 1,000 tourists since I started tour guiding. I explain local history and culture, religion, traditional arts and crafts, and food, etc. I try my best to have customers' satisfaction, and make your tours enjoyable and memorable.Hokuriku Shinkansen bullet trains started operating between Tokyo and Kanazawa on March 14, 2015. It takes about 2 and half hours. You will be able to make one-day tour to Kanazawa from Tokyo. I look forward to having your application.
“Very knowledgeable and helpful”
Murakami-san was an excellent guide. He grew up in Kanazawa so he has a wealth of information about the city's history and culture. The itinerary he arranged was customized to our interests, and he was very attentive to our needs. Unfortunately we had to end our tour a little early due to some minor health issues. He seemed disappointed, so please make sure he knows that it was not because of anything he did--we were very pleased with his services.
Takashi M.
(17 reviews)Dear Jackie, Thank you very much for 5-star rating and wonderful comment to my guide service. It was a fine day, and became cloudy in the afternoon. Overall it was a nice day for the tour. When you had your gold leaf experience at the workshop, the room was noisy because of the private section remodeling construction work of the shop. I am very much happy that you enjoyed the tour with me.. Best regards, Takashi
Peter K.
Kanazawa( old Samurai town ) & Shirakawago (World Heritage site) tour from Kanazawa
“Kanazawa 10 hr Tour”
Takashi was a very good & thoughtful guide. He provided a brochure that was waiting for us at our hotel when we checked in confirming all details. Our tour was amazing, wonderful scenery on bus to Shirakawa-go an amazing world heritage site. Then back to Kanazawa, visited Gardens, Castle & original Samuri area. So much culture & history. Takashi provided much information. Based on our experience we would thoroughly recommend Takashi's services & tour.
Takashi M.
(17 reviews)Dear Peter, Thank you very much for 5-star rating and wonderful comment to my guide service. It was a nice day. A cloudy and moderate temperature. I am grateful to know that you enjoyed Shirakawago-Kanazawa tour. Best regards, Takashi
Mrs. oey dwi P.
Takayama ( old merchant town ) and Shirakawago ( UNESCO World Heritage site ) tour from Kanazawa
“Recommended guide tour”
On time, helpfull
Takashi M.
(17 reviews)Dear Mrs. Thank you for a high evaluation to my guide service. We started the tour behind schedule because of your unsuccessful booking of train seats. So, I had to cancell seats of a highway bus originally booked. Seats of all highway bus after original one were all booked by other passengers. So, we took alternative route from Shin-Takaoka to Shirakawago and Takayama. We were lucky that we were able to vist both Shirakawago and Takayama as we planned. It was cold, cloudy and sometimes snowy day. Thank you again. Kind regards, Takashi
$265/ per group
Reserve