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Nagoya: Hida Takayama & World Heritage Shiragawa-go Day Tour

1. Nagoya: Hida Takayama & World Heritage Shiragawa-go Day Tour

Experience Edo-period Japan in the Takayama and in the UNESCO-listed Shirakawa-go village. You will have your lunch at Koshiyama, where you can enjoy the top 3 Japanese beef--Hida Beef, as well as the Oden set. (Exclusive for whom choose the Meal plan) -Takayama Old Street- You will have the chance to explore the Takayama old street, characterized by traditional buildings made with fine woodwork. Takayama is often nicknamed 'little Kyoto' due to its traditional touch that still remains today. The streets of this district are lined with traditional houses, shops, restaurants, cafes, and sake shops. You can have some free tasting of the local spirits. -Koshiyama- The charm of Shirakawa-go is unique because each of the four seasons, spring, summer, fall, and winter, brings its own distinct beauty.This restaurant named【Koshiyama】is especially representative of the local character. It's also a cozy guesthouse that makes one want to visit again. Taste the famous beef variety from the Hida region of Gifu Prefecture - Hida beef. The characteristic of Hida beef is its marbled fat, which is evenly distributed throughout the muscle. This makes Hida beef steak a delicacy sought after by high-end restaurants and gourmet enthusiasts. -Shirakawa-go Village- The old gassho-zukuri (thached-roof) style houses are spotted around this mountain village. Surrounded by rice paddies, you can breath the atmosphere of rural Japan. The large houses with steeply pitched thatched roofs are some of the very few examples of their kind remaining in Japan.

Nagoya: Shirakawa-go Village and Takayama UNESCO 1-Day Trip

2. Nagoya: Shirakawa-go Village and Takayama UNESCO 1-Day Trip

Discover the mountainous city of Takayama and the village of Shiragawa-go, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on this full-day trip from Nagoya. Explore the markets and try local specialties in Takayama, then admire the picturesque landscapes in Shiragawa-go. To begin the tour, make your way to the meeting point, meet your guide, and board your transportation. Then, drive to the mountainous Hida region in the Gifu Prefecture to reach the beautifully preserved city of Takayama. Upon arrival, take a walk along Sannomachi Street, taste local delicacies like Hida beef and Takayama ramen, and see the work of local craftsmen. Head to one of the morning markets — Miyagawa Market or Jinya-Mae Market — and get a taste of local life. You will also receive recommendations for the best spots to have lunch (not included). After lunch, head to Gasyomura in Shiragawa-go and take in the scenery of mountains, paddy fields, and trickling rivers. Come to understand why Shiragawa-go is known as the kingdom of forests and streams, and see why the origin of the name Shirokawa-go means "the white river." Head to the Ogimachi Castle Site Observatory to enjoy the beautiful views of Gassho-mura village and Mount Hakusan. Have some time to pop into the Ochiudo cafe, famous for its big dogs, decorative coffee cups, and snacks. Afterward, the tour returns to Nagoya.

From Takayama: Guided Day Trip to Takayama and Shirakawa-go

3. From Takayama: Guided Day Trip to Takayama and Shirakawa-go

Discover Takayama’s well-preserved old town and jinya, and visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Shirakawa-go on a full-day trip. Take guided walking tours at both spots along with free time to explore, eat, and shop on your own. Meet your guide at Takayama Station and be escorted to the 300+ year-old Takayama Jinya, a local governor's office from the Edo period. Enter the jinya for a guided tour and learn all about the history of the building and the city of Takayama itself. See several artifacts, including art, books, and tools, from its heyday in the 17th through 19th centuries. Unlike a visit to a typical museum, the Takayama Jinya offers pieces of history in a building that is as old as the items on display. Afterward, head to the downtown of Takayama, known as the “Sanmachi”. See as your guide points out the highlights of the area. Enjoy scenic views and conclude this part of the tour at the entrance to the Miyagawa Morning Market. Next, enjoy 1 hour and 30 minutes of free time to walk around the market, return to the Sanmachi for a closer look at the shops, or savor the food of the Hida region at a local restaurant. You can treat yourself to a sake tasting, or feast on sushi made with wagyu beef from local ranches. Then, meet your tour guide to continue your journey to Shirakawa-go. Sit back and soak in the scenery on your bus ride. Then, begin the second half of your tour. Go up to the famous lookout point for a breathtaking view of the town of Shirakawa-go. Follow your guide down the road, descending into the rice paddies and quaint streets that make up the village. See the largest hamlet of gassho-zukuri-style houses in Japan. Get introduced to the highlights of Shirakawa-go, learning more about the town. After the tour, explore the town on your own, and revisit places you want a better look at. During this time, you may also grab lunch, head to a traditional mountain farmhouse, or sample snacks sold along the main street. Finally, start your trip back to Takayama to conclude the tour.

Takayama: Private Walking Tour with a Local Guide

4. Takayama: Private Walking Tour with a Local Guide

Located in Gifu Prefecture on the main island of Honshu, Takayama (or Hida-Takayama) is filled with historic charm and is also renowned for its natural beauty. Explore this ancient city with a local guide and see the best of what it has to offer on a private walking tour. Below are some things included as part of a typical itinerary that can be customized based on your wishes. Sanmachi Street has many houses and stores that date back to the Edo period (1603-1868). The area is lined with shops carrying local specialties and has a lively atmosphere with many people stopping to shop and eat here. Hida Folk Village is an open-air museum exhibiting over 30 traditional houses from the Hida Region, the mountainous district of Gifu Prefecture around Takayama. The houses were built during the Edo period and were relocated from their original places to create the museum in 1971. The Takayama Jinya 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. Hida-Takayama Miyagawa Morning Market is held daily in Takayama between 7:00 AM (8:00 AM in winter) and 12:00 AM. The Miyagawa Market along the Miyagawa River in the old town and the Jinya-mae Market in front of the Takayama Jinya sell local crafts, snacks, and produce. Takayama Festival Floats Exhibition Hall shows key aspects of the Takayama Festival. The festival takes place for two days each spring and autumn and, along with Kyoto's Gion Matsuri and the Chichibu Yomatsuri, is considered to be one of Japan's three most beautiful. Hida Kokubunji Temple is a Buddhist temple. Its iconic three-storied pagoda was constructed in 1820. A Buddhist statue thought to have been made in the Heian period is enshrined in the main building. Be sure to check out the huge gingko tree on the grounds. It is over 1260 years old. Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine in Takayama is the venue for the Takayama Festival in the autumn. Next to the shrine is the Takayama Festival Floats Exhibition Hall, or Yatai Kaikan, where four of the actual floats used in the festival are on display. The Kusakabe Folk Museum is a historic private residence that has been opened to the public. The building was constructed during the Meiji period in an Edo architectural style. The entire building is designated important cultural property of Japan.

From Kanazawa: Shirakawago, Hida-Furukawa and Takayama Visit

5. From Kanazawa: Shirakawago, Hida-Furukawa and Takayama Visit

Be picked up by your English-speaking guide at your accommodation in Kanazawa and head to the UNESCO village of Shirakawago. Spend 2.5-hours in Shirakawago exploring the village. Walk across the Sho River on the pedestrian bridge and take in the sights of this fairytale village. Head to the canal-lined streets of Hida-Furukawa. Spend 1-hour in Hida-Furukawa exploring the town and enjoying lunch. Hida-Furukawa is famous for its timber craftsmanship and festivals. Your last stop is Takayama. Spend 2-hours in this preserved town famous for carpentry and sake brewing. Takayama village is a preserved village, with buildings dating back to the Edo period. From Takayama, your driver will take you back to your accommodation in Kanazawa.

Takayama Half Day Tour (Private Guide)

6. Takayama Half Day Tour (Private Guide)

Takayama Morning Market: This bustling market is perfect for exploring local produce, crafts, and souvenirs. It's a great opportunity to interact with local vendors and sample regional delicacies. Takayama Old Town (Sanmachi Suji): Takayama's historic district, Sanmachi Suji, is a preserved area that gives visitors a glimpse of traditional Japanese architecture and ambience. The well-preserved merchant houses, sake breweries, and charming streets offer a nostalgic journey back in time. Strolling through the cobblestone streets, visitors can enjoy local crafts, antiques, and traditional sweets. Takayama Festival Float Exhibition Hall: Delve into the artistic and cultural significance of Takayama's festivals by exploring the elaborate floats in this exhibition hall. The craftsmanship and historical context behind these floats are truly captivating.

Takayama Full Day Tour (Private Guided)

7. Takayama Full Day Tour (Private Guided)

Takayama Morning Market: This bustling market is perfect for exploring local produce, crafts, and souvenirs. It's a great opportunity to interact with local vendors and sample regional delicacies. Takayama Old Town (Sanmachi Suji): Takayama's historic district, Sanmachi Suji, is a preserved area that gives visitors a glimpse of traditional Japanese architecture and ambiance. The well-preserved merchant houses, sake breweries, and charming streets offer a nostalgic journey back in time. Strolling through the cobblestone streets, visitors can enjoy local crafts, antiques, and traditional sweets. Takayama Festival Float Exhibition Hall: Delve into the artistic and cultural significance of Takayama's festivals by exploring the elaborate floats in this exhibition hall. The craftsmanship and historical context behind these floats are truly captivating. Higashiyama Walking Course: This walking path takes visitors through the scenic Higashiyama Temple Area, featuring temples, shrines, and beautiful gardens. It's a serene way to connect with nature and explore Takayama's spiritual heritage. Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine: Set on a hill, this shrine offers panoramic views of Takayama and its surroundings. The approach to the shrine is lined with cherry trees, making it a particularly picturesque spot during cherry blossom season. Takayama Jinya: This former government office provides insight into the Edo period's administrative operations. Visitors can explore various rooms, including interrogation rooms and an extensive garden, to learn about local governance during that era. These attractions offer a well-rounded experience of Takayama's cultural heritage, history, and natural beauty, making them ideal for older guests who appreciate a mix of tradition, history, and leisurely exploration.

4D4NOsaka,Shirakawa-go,Takayama Mt.Fuji+Hotel~ 24 Dec 2023

8. 4D4NOsaka,Shirakawa-go,Takayama Mt.Fuji+Hotel~ 24 Dec 2023

Day 1 (24 Dec 2023) : Osaka → Kyoto → Kanazawa 08:00 - Depart from meeting point (umeda area) - guest need to arrange transportation to meeting point at umeda area) Kinkakuji temple Fushimi inari shrine long drive from Kyoto to Kanazawa lunch on the way (on own) Higashi chayagai street dinner (on own) hotel check in acommodation at hotel intergate kanazawa Day 2 (25 Dec 2023) : kanazawa - shirakawago - takayama (including breakfast and dinner at hotel) breakfast at hotel, check out transfer to sightseeing 21st century art museum (NOT watching any exibitions in the museum but . ) depart to shirakawago shirakawago village lunch on own transfer to Takayama City takayama old Townscape and Streets Hotel check in Dinner at hotel accomodation at Hida Plaza Hotel Day 3 (26 Dec 2023) : Takayama→Hirayu Onsen→Okuhida→Lake Suwa→Lake Kawaguchi (including breakfast and dinner at hotel) Breakfast at hotel, Check out Takayama Old Townscape and Streets Hotel check in Transfer to sightseeing Takayama Morning Market Depart to Hirayu Onsen Ashiyu at Hirayu Onsen (Onsen=温泉/Hot Spring) Lunch on own Depart to Lake Kawaguchi Lake Suwa (30mins) Hotel check in, Dinner at hotel accommodation at Tominoko Hotel Day 4 (27 Dec 2023) : Lake Kawaguchi - Mt. Fuji - Tokyo (including breakfast at hotel only) Breakfast at hotel, Check out Lake Kawaguchi (photo stop) before depart to Mt. Fuji Mt. Fuji 5th station (if weather permits) Kawaguchiko Natural Living Center, Oishi Park After lunch (on own), move to Tokyo Hotel check in Note : In the 5th day, breakfast is included at the hotel accomodation at Sunshine City Prince Hotel

Other Sightseeing Options in Takayama

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What people are saying about Takayama

Overall rating

3.8 / 5

based on 17 reviews

Yoko was our guide. She was very knowledgeable, pleasant and accommodating. She tailored the 6-hour tour to what we’d hoped to see and explore around Takayama (including Hida Folk Village) - she also showed us a local ramen place for lunch (her personal favourite) which was divine! Highly recommended, especially if you don’t have a lot of time in Takayama.