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Best of Takayama & Shirakawa-go Expedition
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!
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?
- Our tours can be customized according to your needs and preferences
- Click below to tell us what you are looking for:
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.
Important message from the guide
I will guide in the Ishikawa and Aichi areas if you can pay for my transportation fee. In the case that I need to stay a night prior, please note that the hotel cost is need to be paid by customers. For Kanazawa, it is about 8,000 JPY for the transportation cost. For Aichi or Nagano, it costs around 6500 JPY, depending on where you want go.
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
Takayama Tour Reviews
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.
(24 reviews)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!
“Mika was an outstanding guide for us to Takayama & Shirakawa”
Mika was an outstanding guide for us to Takayama & Shirakawa showing us all of the little out of the way things & her knowledge was excellent. With us not knowing anything her recommendations were awesome. She helped us book our train tickets & a place to eat that night in Takayama where the food was excellent. The coffee shop was also an excellent recommendation. Would book her again as a guide in a heartbeat. 100%
Mika S.
(24 reviews)Thank you for such a kind review, Bryan! It was a pleasure hosting the tour for you and your lovely family! You had a keen interest in the local culture and I’m so happy I could help make memorable experiences during your time here. I had so much fun sharing the wonders of Takayama and Shirakawago. I hope to see you again on your next visit to Japan!
Melanie T.
Full-Day Takayama Tour for Foodies & Sake Lovers
Customized
“Best tour of our vacation!”
Our day with Mika in Takayama was a wonderful adventure! Mika's english is FLAWLESS, and she knows everything about everything!! :-) We got a beautiful tour of the town and got to try some sake. She is an expert on sake, so it was great to learn all about the process and try many different kinds. She tailored the day to exactly what we wanted to do, and had so much wisdom to share with us. She also went at a pace that we were comfortable with. Make sure you book a tour with Mika! You will have an amazing day and get to spend it with an amazing person! We loved our day with Mika and you will too!
Mika S.
(24 reviews)Thank you, Melanie! I truly appreciate your thoughtful review! It was a delight guiding you and Jeff through Takayama, and I'm so happy that you enjoyed the experience as much as I did. Sharing the unique sake and food culture of Takayama with a fellow sake lover and foodie was an absolute pleasure. Thank you for the wonderful time and I hope to see you in Japan again one day! :)
