GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!
GoWithGuide
GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!
Toyama Private Tour - Sho River
Sho River
Toyama Private Tour - Shirakawa-go from observatory
Shirakawa-go from observatory
Toyama Private Tour - Snow-covered Gasho Village
Snow-covered Gasho Village
Toyama Private Tour - Snowcapped Thatched roof
Snowcapped Thatched roof
Toyama Private Tour - Shirakawa-go
Shirakawa-go
Toyama Private Tour - Iwana char and Hida beef sushi
Iwana char and Hida beef sushi
Toyama Private Tour - Try on a traditional straw raincoat
Try on a traditional straw raincoat
Toyama Private Tour - 4 X 4 Kei Jeep for winter exploration
4 X 4 Kei Jeep for winter exploration

【Private Car Tour】Winter Magic: The Shogawa River Cruise & Shirakawago World Heritage Site

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

Joined 2025

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

A scenic day trip by private car from Toyama Station, combining a breathtaking River Cruise on the Shogawa River in Gokayama with a visit to Shirakawa-go or Gokayama - famous thatched roof house villages, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This experience focuses on natural and cultural immersion, allowing you to explore the traditional Japanese gasshō-zukuri village and savor authentic local cuisine.

Itinerary

This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!

08:30 AM

Meeting Point

Toyama Station

- JR Toyama Station (at the Ainokaze Line ticket machines)

10:00 AM

Komaki Port

Arrive at the cruise ticket office and purchase tickets for the ride.


Cruise from 10:20 - 10:45

Lunch

Lunch at Restaurant Iwana


You can choose from a variety of local dishes to try.

01:00 PM

World Heritage Site (Shirakawa-go, Suganuma or Ainokura)

Explore one of Japan’s pristine thatched-roof villages. Walk up to the observatory to take in a panoramic view of the entire historic settlement. Afterward, stroll through the village at your own pace and choose to step inside one or two traditional farmhouses to see their unique interiors. Along the way, your guide will share fascinating historical stories about the local culture and heritage.

03:40 PM

Head for Toyama

Ending Point

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 (3-door model)

What‘s not included

Cruise fare: JPY 1,500 per person for Shō River 25-minute cruise

Lunch: JPY 1,500 to JPY 2,500 per person


Gokayama (Suganuma Village)

Parking Fee: 1,000 JPY (Suganuma parking lot).

Entrance Fee: 400 JPY for a combined ticket to the Folk Museum and the Ensho Saltpeter Museum.


Gokayama (Ainokura Village)

Parking Fee: 1,000 JPY (Ainokura parking lot).

Entrance Fee: 300 JPY for the Folk Museum and the Traditional Industry Museum.


Shirakawa-go

Parking Fee: 2,000 JPY (Seseragi-koen parking lot).

Historic Residences: Approximately 600 JPY per person for entry into the museum homes.

Observatory Shuttle Bus: 300 JPY per person each way (Please note: this bus only accepts cash).


*Guide Expenses: Please note that the guest is responsible for covering the guide’s cruise fare, lunch and entrance fees.

*Gratuities: In accordance with industry custom, a gratuity is at your discretion but greatly appreciated if you are satisfied with the tour.

Tour Important Information

* This tour involves some walking, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes.

* This tour is conducted during the winter time, so make sure to wear warm clothes.

* Please let me know in advance if you have any food allergies or other dietary restrictions.

*In case of heavy snow or hazardous road conditions, the tour (including the cruise) may be cancelled for safety reasons. We will notify you via message starting 2 days before the tour regarding the possibility of cancellation. If cancelled, we will either offer an alternative tour or provide a full refund/cancellation.

Important message from the supplier

I can guide you in Takayama and Shirakawago, Gifu if you pay my transportation fee.

I can make flyfishing trip during the fishing season: March 1st to September 30th.

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
(6 reviews)
Identity Verified
Interview-Based Quality Checks

About Tour Guide Naoto K.

Hello! I’m Naoto, and I’m thrilled you’re considering the Hokuriku region for your journey.


After living across the globe and spending decades in the fast-paced energy of Tokyo, I realized something important: the most authentic, soulful experiences in Japan are found right here in my hometowns of Toyama and Kanazawa. This region is a "hidden gem" where ancient traditions and pristine nature remain untouched by the crowds.


My goal is to take you beyond the guidebooks. Whether we are:

Exploring the samurai history and gold-leaf crafts of Kanazawa.

Discovering a secluded restaurant tucked away in the mountains.

Hiking or fishing along Toyama’s dramatic coastline and peaks.

Diving into manga, anime, or local festivals known only to residents.


Because I spent years overseas, I understand the curiosity of international travelers. I don’t just show you the sights; I help you translate the culture. Every tour is 100% customized to your pace and passions.


Let’s step off the beaten path together.

Please reach out, and let’s start planning your one-of-a-kind Japanese adventure!


[Qualifications]

In addition to the government licensed guide interpreter (English),


*Certified General Travel Services Manager

(A comprehensive national license covering both domestic and international travel administration.)

*Advanced Language Proficiency

EIKEN Grade 1 (Test in Practical English Proficiency - Top Level)

TOEIC: 985

TOEFL iBT: 108

*The Historical Proficiency Test (Japanese History, Grade 2)

(Demonstrating deep academic knowledge of Japanese history to enrich your touring experience.)

Reviews

Amazing tour guide!

We truly enjoyed our tour today with Naoto. His English is excellent, and he has an impressive depth of knowledge. Even though the journey was quite long, it felt enjoyable and engaging because Naoto shared so many fascinating stories about Toyama and Japan — from history and geography to local food and fun facts. Our route today included the Shōgawa Gorge Winter Cruise and Shirakawago. We also stopped at a beautiful scenic viewpoint and visited a lovely paper crafts shop, which made the experience even more special. Naoto also took us to a delicious restaurant for Hida beef and katsu, which was absolutely amazing. We’re still thinking about how good it was Highly recommended tour guide!

Laras N.

Naoto K.

Thank you so much for your kind words! I am thrilled to hear that you enjoyed our journey to the Shōgawa Gorge and Shirakawago. It was truly a pleasure sharing the stories of Toyama’s history and geography with you—it makes the long drives feel much shorter when I have such engaged guests! I’m especially glad you enjoyed the paper crafts shop and that the Hida beef lived up to the hype. It was a highlight for me as well. I hope to see you back in Japan again soon!

A perfect day thanks to our guide Naoto

We had an absolutely wonderful experience with our guide, Naoto, during our trip to Japan. He took us to Shirakawa-go and Shogawa Yuran, and the entire day was perfectly organized and unforgettable. Naoto is not only an incredibly knowledgeable guide but also a safe and professional driver. He shared fascinating insights about the history, culture, and local traditions of Shirakawa-go, making the visit even more meaningful. He was punctual, friendly, and very attentive to our needs throughout the trip. We felt comfortable and well taken care of the entire time. If you’re looking for a reliable, knowledgeable, and kind guide in Japan, we highly recommend Naoto. He made our trip extra special, and we would happily tour with him again!

Diana C.

Naoto K.

Diana and your beloved husband, Thank you so much for joining my tour to the Shogawa River cruise and Shirakawa-go. It was a true pleasure to guide such Japan enthusiasts, especially those who appreciate "off-the-beaten-track" destinations. I also want to thank you for the wonderful review. Your kind words are a great encouragement to me as a guide. If you ever want to explore more hidden gems in Japan, I would be happy to show you around again. Enjoy the rest of your holiday in Japan!

Wonderful memorable day with Naoto

My husband and son and I had a wonderful day with Naoto! From the moment I booked with him, he was responsive and flexible. He was also full of great information not just for the logistics around our tour but also for getting to and leaving the Kanazawa area as well as plans for our follow on time at Kaga Onsen. He was a pleasure to work with and I really appreciated his help as I put my plans together for this time in general. For the tour itself, it was our first day in country and he picked us up and brought us cheerfully on a gorgeous tour of Kanazawa. Showing us the beautiful Samuari district and most memorable garden, the Keroku-ken as well as the market and historical geisha district. We had a wonderful time trying a gold leaf experience which was lots of fun as well as tasting gold leaf ice cream. He was an excellent guide explaining many details of the gardens we saw and architectural features and cultural heritage. He found a wonderful and traditional lunch spot for us on a 2nd floor of a non descript building where we were able to try several regional city specialties which were excellent. We would never have found that on our own. I would recommend working with him hands down. We found him easy to work with, knowledgable and easy to understand and communicate with. He found a way to engage each of us with our own personal differences in age and interests. Thank you Naoto for the time we spent together!

Amely W.

Naoto K.

Dear Amely, thank you so much for your kind words! It was truly a pleasure to help you and your family navigate Kanazawa and Kaga Onsen. I am so glad you enjoyed the gold leaf experience and our local lunch. Knowing that everyone in the family had a good time means a lot to me. I hope to see you all again someday!

Want to Personalize?

$381/ per group

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