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Toyama Private Tour - Ainokura World Heritage Site
Ainokura World Heritage Site
Toyama Private Tour - Iwana Sushi
Iwana Sushi
Toyama Private Tour - Fried Iwana Char lunch
Fried Iwana Char lunch
Toyama Private Tour - Washi paper making
Washi paper making
Toyama Private Tour - Ainokura
Ainokura
Toyama Private Tour - Japan's oldest folk dance (optional)
Japan's oldest folk dance (optional)
Toyama Private Tour - My car
My car
Toyama Private Tour - Meeting Place: Lawson Toyama Station North Exit
Meeting Place: Lawson Toyama Station North Exit

【Car Tour】The Gokayama World Heritage, Iwana Trout Sushi & Washi Art

Food & Drink
Car Tour (driving guide)
Toyama Tour Guide - Naoto K.

Joined 2025

Naoto K.
5.00 / 5
(29 reviews)
Identity Verified
Interview-Based Quality Checks
Toyama
English, Japanese (Native)
8 hours
Private tour (only you and Naoto K.)
Up to 2 people

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!

09:00 AM

Meeting Point

JR Toyama Station

10:20 AM

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.

12:00 PM

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.

01:40 PM

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

What‘s included

Guide fee

Gasoline fee

Toll fee

Car type: Suzuki Jimny

What‘s not included

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
Toyama Tour Guide - Naoto K.

Joined 2025

Naoto K.
5.00 / 5
(29 reviews)
Identity Verified
Interview-Based Quality Checks

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

“An Unforgettable Kanazawa Experience with Mr. Naoto”

Visiting Kanazawa without a knowledgeable guide would mean missing so much of what makes this city truly special. Thanks to Mr. Naoto, I was able to gain a deep understanding of Japanese culture, the samurai era, the final years of the Edo period, and the fascinating world of the geisha. Mr. Naoto organized a comprehensive tour covering all of Kanazawa’s most important landmarks and historical sites. His knowledge of the city and its history is exceptional, and his ability to explain the cultural significance behind each location made the experience truly remarkable. Beyond his expertise, Mr. Naoto is incredibly intelligent, professional, and polite. From the very beginning, he made me feel less like a tourist and more like a family member visiting Japan. His warm personality and attention to detail created an experience that was both enjoyable and meaningful. One of the highlights of the tour was discovering places that only locals know about. These hidden gems provided authentic experiences that enriched my trip and allowed me to see a side of Japan that most visitors never get to experience. If you are planning to visit Kanazawa, I strongly recommend doing so with Mr. Naoto. The experience is worth every penny, and I cannot imagine a better way to explore and understand this beautiful city. Thank you, Mr. Naoto, for making my trip unforgettable. I am already planning to return to Japan next year, and I hope to have the opportunity to tour with you again. Valmir Marchiori October 2026

Valmir M.

Naoto K.

Dear Valmir, Thank you so much once again for writing such an incredible and deeply touching review for our Kanazawa tour! I am truly honored and humbled by your kind words regarding the samurai history, Edo period, and geisha culture we explored together. Guiding both you and Fabiana through Kanazawa—from the historic streets of Nagamachi to the unique local spots—was a complete joy. Your genuine curiosity and bright, cheerful personalities made these two days so special and memorable for me as a guide. Hearing that you felt like family visiting Japan is the highest praise I could ever ask for. Knowing that our time together in both Kanazawa and Toyama gave you such authentic and meaningful memories brings me immense happiness. I am thrilled to hear that you are already planning to return to Japan next year! It would be my absolute pleasure to welcome you back and guide you through Takayama or any other region you wish to explore. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for two fantastic days. Wishing you and Fabiana all the very best, and I look forward to seeing you both again next year! Warmest regards, Naoto

“The best tour on my trip”

Outstanding Experience with Mr. Naoto Mr. Naoto is truly an outstanding guide. My tour in Toyama was, without question, the highlight of my entire trip to Japan. His deep local knowledge allowed me to discover places that I would never have found on my own. Every location he took me to was unique, authentic, and absolutely worth visiting. One of the most memorable moments was having lunch at a local farm, where I was able to experience the true flavors of rural Japan and gain a deeper appreciation for Japanese culture and traditions. Beyond his exceptional knowledge, Mr. Naoto is a very safe and considerate driver. Throughout the trip, he made me feel comfortable and welcomed, almost like part of the family. If you are planning to visit Toyama or Takayama, I cannot recommend Mr. Naoto highly enough. Without his guidance, you would miss many of the hidden gems and authentic experiences that make these regions so special. Thanks to him, I learned a great deal about Japan, its people, and its remarkable culture. Thank you, Mr. Naoto, for an unforgettable experience. I will certainly return to Japan, and I look forward to exploring more with you in the future. Valmir Marchiori October 2026

Valmir M.

Naoto K.

Dear Valmir, Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a thoughtful, moving, and generous review! Reading your kind words truly made my day—it is the highest compliment a guide could ever receive. I am absolutely thrilled to hear that our day together in Toyama was the highlight of your trip to Japan. Exploring the peaceful streets of Inami, sharing that unforgettable farm-to-table lunch in Daimon, and discovering the historic charms of Takaoka with you and Fabiana were truly special moments for me as well. Your safety, comfort, and happiness mean everything to me, so knowing that you felt so welcomed and comfortable throughout our drive makes me deeply happy. Thank you again for choosing me as your guide in both Kanazawa and Toyama. I am already looking forward to your next visit to Japan—whenever you are ready to explore Takayama or beyond, it will be my great honor to guide you again! Wishing you and Fabiana all the best, and safe travels until we meet again. Warmest regards, Naoto

Want to Personalize?

$400/ per group

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