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【Car Tour】The Gokayama World Heritage, Iwana Trout Sushi & Washi Art
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Joined 2025
A scenic day trip in a convenient car from Toyama Station to Gokayama Ainokura, a UNESCO World Heritage site, focusing on cultural immersion and local cuisine. The trip involves exploring a traditional Japanese village, savoring local dishes, and engaging in a hands-on paper-making experience.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
JR Toyama Station
Ainokura Village
World Heritage Exploration: Discover Ainokura Village, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and marvel at its distinctive Gassho-zukuri farmhouses. Capture stunning photos from various viewpoints within the village.
Lunch at Iwana Restaurant
Unique Culinary Experience: Enjoy a delicious lunch at "Iwana" restaurant, renowned for its fresh char (iwana) dishes. Don't miss their specialty iwana sushi and fried iwana.
Gokayama Washi no Sato
Traditional Washi Paper Making: Participate in a hands-on washi Japanese paper making experience, learning traditional processes and creating your own unique paper items like postcards or bookmarks.
Ending Point
JR Toyama 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
Gasoline fee
Toll fee
Car type: Suzuki Jimny
Parking lot fee for Ainokura: 1,000 JPY
Entrance fee for Ainokura Museum : 150 - 300 JPY (Child - Adult)
Lunch: 1,500 yen to 2,500 yen per person
Fee for washi making experience is 800 yen per person. (available every day)
As an option, you can also enjoy a Kokiriko Bushi dance performance, the oldest folk dance in Japan, after your meal. The fee for this is ¥15,000 per group, plus the admission fee. Please note that you need to book this at least one week in advance. If you choose this option, your itinerary will be delayed by one hour, and your return to Toyama Station will be at 6:00 PM.
*Guide Expenses: Please note that the guest is responsible for covering the guide’s lunch and entrance fees.
*Gratuity (optional)
Tour Important Information
1) What To Bring
Cash: you may pay by cash as you have to pay for admission fee, restaurant lunch, experience fee)
Sunglasses: you may want to use sunglasses in Ainokura if the sun is strong.
Rain gear: you may need to use an umbrella or wear a rain jacket in Ainokura if it is rainy.
2) Food: if you have any preference or restrictions, please advise us in advance.
3) Vehicle: Based on the group size, I will arrange a private car upon request. Please contact me in advance, as the tour's total price and related car costs will be adjusted
4) Excursion: If you arrive at a port in Toyama, this tour can still be arranged with a port pick-up for an additional $60.
You will be kindly required to sign the consent form to be passengers for the guide tour vehicle before boarding it.
Important message from the supplier
*Availability: To avoid any scheduling conflicts, please contact me via chat to confirm availability before making a direct booking. I appreciate your cooperation!
*Extended Areas: In addition to my regular guiding areas of Toyama and Kanazawa, I also offer customized tours in the Takayama and Hida areas of Gifu Prefecture. Please feel free to contact me for a personalized offer if you are planning to visit these regions.
*Flexibility: The tour itinerary may be subject to change due to weather conditions, traffic, or unforeseen circumstances. My priority is your safety and ensuring you have the best possible experience, so I appreciate your flexibility.
*Pick-up: Available from Toyama/Kanazawa stations or hotels. Please specify your location when booking.
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 2025
About Tour Guide Naoto K.
Hello! I’m Naoto. Born and raised in Toyama, with Kanazawa as my backyard, I welcome you to Hokuriku—Japan’s sanctuary of culture, nature, and gastronomy.
My roots run deep into Takayama, Gifu. I even spent part of my childhood in a traditional thatched-roof house, giving me a lifelong connection to the heritage and craft of Hokuriku and Hida.
After living abroad and spending decades in Tokyo, I returned to curate tailored journeys into authentic Japan, far from tourist crowds.
In Hokuriku, you experience history through all senses. With my private vehicle, I offer door-to-door comfort to extraordinary places tour buses cannot reach.
What Makes Your Journey Extraordinary:
Food as Living Culture: From "jewels of the sea" along Toyama Bay (Iwase/Himi) and samurai cuisine to mountain retreat dining, every meal is curated to your tastes.
Samurai Legacies & Crafts: Walk through samurai districts and connect with artisans, from Kanazawa’s gold leaf to Inami woodcarving and Gokayama Washi paper.
Majestic Nature: Experience contrast—from the Northern Japan Alps to UNESCO-listed villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama.
Immersive Experiences: Craft workshops, culinary sessions, or quiet river excursions with a local insider.
Having lived abroad, I act as your cultural translator, bridging the gap between a visitor and local Japan. Every itinerary is 100% customized to your pace. Let’s create an unforgettable journey tailored for you.
[Qualifications]
Government-Licensed Guide-Interpreter (English)
Certified General Travel Services Manager
Historical Proficiency Test (Japanese History, Grade 2)
English: EIKEN Grade 1 | TOEIC: 985 | TOEFL iBT: 108
U.S. Graduate Degree; 3+ Years Abroad
Certified in CPR and AED (Basic Life Supporter) by the Japanese Red Cross Society
Reviews
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Sonia R.
“Half day tour of Kanazawa ”
We had a pleasant day with Naoto in Kanazawa. He was punctual, friendly, helpful, and very responsive to our messages both before and during our tour. He was easy to communicate with and made sure our day went smoothly. We appreciated his flexibility and willingness to accommodate our interests and needs. Thank you, Naoto, for helping us enjoy our time in Kanazawa!
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Naoto K.
Dear Sonia and Michael, Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a kind review! It was a true pleasure to meet both of you and share the history and atmosphere of Kanazawa. I am delighted to hear that you enjoyed our time together and felt comfortable throughout the tour. I hope you had a wonderful visit to the Toyama Glass Art Museum and are enjoying the rest of your trip through Takayama, Gifu, and beyond! Wishing you both safe travels and many more wonderful memories in Japan. Warm regards, Naoto
Adam S.
“Perfect Day in Kanazawa”
Naoto was an excellent guide. He was super kind, friendly and very attentive to what we wanted to accomplish during our time in Kanazawa. He knew all of the best places to go and understood our level of interest for each spot. I will be recommending him to my friends who will also be traveling here soon!
Naoto K.
Dear Adam, Thank you so much for taking the time to leave such a wonderful review! It was an absolute pleasure guiding you, your wife, and your friends around Kanazawa. I am thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the itinerary, the local spots, and our time together. Helping you create great memories in Kanazawa was a highlight for me as well. Thank you also for recommending me to your friends—I would be delighted to welcome them whenever they visit! Wishing you all safe travels for the rest of your time in Japan and a wonderful journey back home. Warm regards, Naoto K
Manfred K.
“A wonderful day in Kanazawa with Naoto”
We had the pleasure of spending a wonderful, exciting, informative and lovely day with Naoto. Naoto’s knowledge of Kanazawa and his skills as a tour guide are excellent, and we can highly recommend him. Thank you once again for this unforgettable day in Kanazawa. Manfred and Sarah
Naoto K.
Dear Manfred and Sarah, Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a wonderful and thoughtful review! I am deeply touched by your kind words. Guiding you both through Kanazawa was a true highlight for me as well. I’m so glad we could share such an informative and fun day together—from talking about fishing at Omicho Market to finding the Pokéfuta cover and exploring the historic districts. I hope the rest of your 3-week journey through Shirakawa-go, Takayama, the Kiso Valley, and Tokyo is filled with equally unforgettable moments and great memories. Wishing you both safe and wonderful travels throughout Japan! Warmest regards, Naoto
$399/ per group
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Kanazawa Must-See Tour: Geisha, Kenroku Park, Samurai Houses and Omicho Market
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【Car Tour】World Heritage Shirakawago & Scenic Shogawa Gorge
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Escape the summer heat for the cool breezes of the peak, or witness the mountain slopes ablaze with autumn colors. This efficient 8-hour round trip from Toyama Station offers a generous 3-hour stay at Murodo for scenic hiking. Accompanied by a knowledgeable local guide, you will enjoy the stunning landscapes of the Japanese Alps. We utilize seamless Alpine Route transport to reach the highlands. Optional extension: Customize your tour to include a round trip to the spectacular Kurobe Dam!
Tateyama Alpine Route Private Tour with Licensed Guide
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