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 - 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 - Shirakawa-go from observatory
Shirakawa-go from observatory
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

Winter Magic: The Shogawa River Cruise & World Heritage Site Shirakawago

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

Joined 2025

Naoto K.
5.00 / 5
(4 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 AM

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

Parking: JPY 1,000 for the Suganuma parking lot

Entrance fee: JPY 400 for Folk Museum & Ensho Saltpeter Museum


*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
(4 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!

Reviews

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!

Walking Tour of Toyama and Takaoka

My daughter and I had delightful time with Naoto. We planned on meeting at the Toyama train station at 9AM and we were both there 30 minutes early! We got to see the planned highlights of Toyama (Glass Museum, Toyama Castle) and we included detours to the park around the castle and the library. It was lucky, I didn't realize the there was Chihuly glass in the glass museum! In Takaoka, Naoto had made reservations for lunch at a restaurant that served shojin ryori, for us vegans. In Takaoka, we got to see the hits there, as well as some unique things, like kids getting out of school and the old street with the portable shrines. Our weather wasn't prefect, but we made the best of it. Naoto helped find us some nice photo spots. It was a fun day and we got to see many things that I wouldn't have included if I were planning it.

Ben A.

Naoto K.

Thank you for the wonderful review! I am so glad you enjoyed the Toyama and Takaoka tour despite the weather. There was even more I wanted to show you, but since this tour covers two cities in a single day, I did my best to highlight the unique charm of each. I hope you can return someday to explore even more of these beautiful cities.

Fantastic Private Tour & Experience!

We initially contacted Naoto about creating a custom tour, and he exceeded our expectations right from the start! He was incredibly helpful in planning a personalized full day itinerary that fit everything we wanted to experience. Throughout the day, Naoto shared stories about Japan that helped us understand both daily life and the historical significance of the places we visited, while also sharing personal stories from his life and his travels around the world, which helped us feel more connected and have a deeper appreciation! At our first stop, the Shogawa Gorge River Cruise, Naoto shared both the history and pop culture surrounding the cruise, including stories about the secluded onsen it stops at. Afterwards, we continued through the scenic valley, visiting other local attractions as well as stopping for lunch to taste the local cuisine. Our next stop was the Shirakawa-go village, which was incredibly beautiful and rich with history. Naoto brought us inside one of the traditional thatched-roof homes and even shared his own experience living in one for a time, teaching us about industries that helped these villages prosper and the care required to preserve these historic homes. We truly appreciate Naoto for the care he took in curating our tour and for all the insights he taught us about each of the places we visited! We highly recommend Naoto for anyone traveling the Toyama area!

Jesus & aleeza A.

Naoto K.

It was a true pleasure to host you! Thank you for taking the time to leave such a thoughtful review. I am thrilled to hear that you enjoyed our tour. Guiding guests like you is what makes my job so rewarding. I wish you all the best on your future adventures, and I look forward to the possibility of seeing you in Japan again in the future!

Want to Personalize?

$348/ per group

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