Shirakawa-go & Takayama from Kanazawa: Car & Driver Only
Kanazawa, Japanby Japan Guide Agency
- 8 hours
- Free cancellation
- Instant confirmation
- Private tour
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
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Overview
Explore the beautiful mountain settlement of Shirakawa-go and Takayama via chartered vehicle exclusively for you. Your English-speaking driver will takes you to the World Heritage Site of fairy-tale village. On this day trip departing from Kanazawa, leave the hustle and bustle of the city behind to wander around a unique village, stroll through historic streets, take in stunning mountain landscapes, and enjoy a lunch made of authentic local ingredients. Shirakawa-go and Takayama is a remote settlement located in the mountains of Gifu Prefecture. As the region receives considerable snowfall in the winter, the farmhouses are well-known for their distinctive architecture featuring steep roofs to easily shed snow. Learn more about this unique villages on a full-day chartered vehicle tour with English-speaking driver. Your driver will customize your fantastic and efficient Full-day tour according to your interests and requests.
What's included
- Private vehicle
- English speaking driver
- Customizable Tour of your choice of 3-4 sites from 'What to expect' list'
- Licensed Local English Speaking Guide
- Entrance fees, Lunch, and Other personal expenses
- You cannot combine multiple tour groups.
Itinerary
- 1
Kanazawa Station
2 hours
Your driver will picks you up at anywhere else as per your request around Kanazawa.
- 2
Shirakawago
1 hour
The Shirakawa-go (白川郷, Shirakawagō) and neighboring Gokayama (五箇山) regions line the Shogawa River Valley in the remote mountains that span from Gifu to Toyama Prefectures. Declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1995, they are famous for their traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses, some of which are more than 250 years old. Gassho-zukuri means "constructed like hands in prayer", as the farmhouses' steep thatched roofs resemble the hands of Buddhist monks pressed together in prayer. The architectural style developed over many generations and is designed to withstand the large amounts of heavy snow that falls in the region during winter. The roofs, made without nails, provided a large attic space used for cultivating silkworms.
- 3
Hida-Takayama Miyagawa Morning Market
30 min
Two morning markets (朝市, Asaichi) are held in Takayama on a daily basis from around 7:00 (8:00 in winter) to noon: the Miyagawa Market along the Miyagawa River in the old town, and the Jinya-mae Market in front of the Takayama Jinya. The stands sell local crafts, snacks and farm products such as vegetables, pickles and flowers. There is typically a pleasant atmosphere around the markets, as tourists and locals alike saunter from stall to stall purchasing goods and food and talking. Read more about Takayama Full-Day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide 2021 - https://www.viator.com/tours/Takayama/Takayama-Full-Day-Private-Tour-with-Government-Licensed-Guide/d25943-92136P110?mcid=56757
- 4
Sanmachi Suji
30 min
Sanmachi Street is a popular sightseeing area in Hida-Takayama. As an old town, the area has houses and stores from the Edo period (1603 - 1868). The area is lined with shops carrying local specialties such as Japanese sake, senbei (rice crackers), barbecue yakiniku Hida beef, and croquettes. The area has a lively atmosphere with people shopping and eating. Sanmachi Street is a five-minute walk from JR Takayama Station. Be sure to stop by when you visit Takayama. Read more about Takayama Full-Day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide 2021 - https://www.viator.com/tours/Takayama/Takayama-Full-Day-Private-Tour-with-Government-Licensed-Guide/d25943-92136P110?mcid=56757
- 5
Takayama
30 min
Because of its valuable timber resources, the Hida Region around Takayama was put under direct control of the Tokugawa Shogunate in 1692. The Takayama Jinya (高山陣屋) served as the local government office headed by the officials dispatched from Edo (present day Tokyo). The building complex was in official use until 1969, and is now open to the public as a museum. It includes various nicely maintained tatami mat rooms that once served as offices, conference rooms, guest rooms and residential space. There is also an interesting interrogation room. Beside the main building stands a large storehouse built in the 1600s. Known as the biggest traditional rice storehouse in Japan, it now functions as a museum, showcasing belongings and official documents of past feudal lords, old maps of the Hida Region and historic town plans.
- 6
Kanazawa Station
2 hours
You will return to Kanazawa station area or nearby hotel with your driver.
Meeting and pickup
Your driver can pick you up in the Kanazawa area.This tour is not for those staying in the Shirakawago area. If you are staying in the Shirakawago area, please arrange for your transportation and tour via your accommodation. This is a tour with an English-speaking driver. It does not include a government-licensed guide. You will be able to reach your driver via phone during the tour only. Please use email for any communication before the tour.
Good to know
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
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- Wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- There are only a limited number of car seats and booster seats. Rear-facing car seats are not available. You must contact us directly if you need them.
- This private tour is with an English speaking driver only. No guide.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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