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A traditional Japanese village with wooden houses and a central pathway. 1
A variety of sushi dishes, including nigiri with fish, egg, and vegetables, served on small white plates. 2
A rural village with traditional houses, a rice field, and autumn-colored trees in the background. 3
A wooden bridge with people taking photos, surrounded by autumn-colored trees and mountains. 4
A couple standing in a rice field with traditional houses and mountains in the background. 5
By JRT Group
Free cancellation available
Price is NZ$96 per adult
See tickets

Features

  • Free cancellation available
  • 1d
  • Mobile voucher
  • Instant confirmation
  • Multiple languages

Overview

    • Discover the “Little Kyoto” of Hida-Takayama and its Edo-period charm
    • Daily Hida Cultural Tour: Shirakawa-go Gassho Village + Takayama
    • Living Heritage: Step into villagers’ daily life, not just sightseeing .
    • Enjoy a worry-free journey with a Chinese/English-speaking driver-guide
    • Enjoy a full-day tour with a multilingual guide and a heated bus ride

Activity location

    • Takayama
    • Takayama, Gifu, Japan

Meeting/Redemption Point

    • 6-6 Tsubakichō, Nakamura Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 453-0015日本 | The guide will be wearing a green vest with the JRT logo and holding a red flag marked with a J+ number. After receiving the email, please check the flag number and add the guide on WhatsApp for easy communication. Kindly arrive at the meeting point 10 minutes before departure; the tour will start on time. Light-Up Dates: January 12, January 18, January 25, February 1, 2026 (only 4 nights annually—book early to secure your spot!) There will be some walking during the tour, please wear comfortable walking shoes.
    • Nagoya, Aichi, Japan

Check availability

8:30 AM at Takayama & Shirakawa-go Gassho Village Day Tour

  • Activity duration is 1 day1d
    1d
  • English

Regular Tour (Daily Available)
Duration: 11 hours
8:30 AM Taikakoji Exit (Shinkansen North Exit), Nagoya

Starting time: 8:30 AM
Price details
NZ$95.65 x 1 AdultNZ$95.65
Total
Price is NZ$95.65
Until Mon, 31 Aug

What's included, what's not

  • Inclusions
    Transport from Nagoya to Takayama and Shirakawa-go
  • Inclusions
    tour guide
  • Inclusions
    Shirakawa-go Light-Up event (Special Tour only)
  • Exclusions
    All meals and personal expenses (e.g., snacks, drinks, souvenirs).
  • Exclusions
    Personal travel and accident insurance (strongly recommended to purchase independently).
  • Exclusions
    Luggage storage fees (if applicable)
  • Exclusions
    Observation Deck Ticket during Shirakawa-go Light-up Period
  • Exclusions
    Paid attraction tickets for children aged 0-3

Know before you book

    • Not allowed: Alcohol and drugs, Drinks in the vehicle, Food and drinks in the vehicle, Smoking
    • Not suitable for: People over 70 years, People with mobility impairments, Wheelchair users

What you can expect

  • Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO World Heritage village in the Japanese Alps, is famed for its historic Gassho-zukuri farmhouses. Built during the Edo period, these steep-thatched roofs were ingeniously designed without nails to shed heavy snow, preserving a traditional mountain lifestyle for centuries.

    While the village shines brightest daily with its rich cultural tapestry, it offers a rare winter highlight: the Shirakawa-go Light-Up, held on only 4 nights in 2027 (January 11, 17, 24, 31). For all other dates, our tour focuses on daytime exploration, letting you dive deep into Shirakawa-go’s history and Takayama’s Edo-era charm.

    Tour Overview
    Regular Day Tour (Daily): Core offering for cultural discovery. Depart Nagoya with a Chinese-English driver-guide; explore Takayama’s “Hida Little Kyoto” and Shirakawa-go’s heritage.

    Detailed Itinerary
    Regular Day Tour
    8:30 AM | Nagoya Station: Meet your driver-guide and depart for Takayama
    11:00 AM | Takayama Old Town (120 mins): Explore Sanmachi-dori, the town’s preserved high street lined with wooden machiya (merchant houses). Visit the morning market (if open) to sample Hida beef skewers and pickled vegetables, or wander craft shops selling hand-carved woodenware and Hida wool textiles—all echoing the town’s 400-year history as a crafts hub.
    2:00 PM | Shirakawa-go Gassho Village (120 mins): Dive into the heart of this UNESCO site. Step inside Wada House, a 300-year-old Gassho-zukuri farmhouse, to learn about its nail-free construction and how families once lived off the land (growing rice, sericulture).
    4:00 PM–7:30 PM | Return to Nagoya: Depart Shirakawa-go

    Special Light-Up Tour (2027: Jan 11/17/24/31 ) adding the evening light-up—snow-capped roofs glowing with warm lights (no observatory access).
    • 10:00 AM | Nagoya Station
    • 12:30 PM | Takayama Old Town (90 mins): Stroll Sanmachi-dori’s historic streets, admire Edo-era wooden buildings, and browse local craft shops for traditional Hida handicrafts.
    • 3:00 PM | Shirakawa-go Gassho Village: Arrive and continue your cultural exploration—wander the snow-dusted lanes, photograph the Gassho-zukuri houses, and learn about the village’s history before settling in to wait for the light-up.
    • 5:30–7:00 PM | Shirakawa-go Light-Up (90 mins): Witness the seasonal highlight—warm lights illuminate the snow-capped thatched roofs, casting a soft glow over the historic village (no observatory access).
    • 7:00 PM–10:00 PM | Return to Nagoya: Depart Shirakawa-go
    Only 9-seater vehicles are allowed in Shirakawa-go. For the light-up, participants will be split into small groups with separate cars, led by an English-speaking guide.
    Driver: Basic communication via translation app available.
    note:Children aged 0–3 may join the tour, but for safety reasons, please consult customer service in advance.

Location

Activity location

  • LOB_ACTIVITIESLOB_ACTIVITIES
    • Takayama
    • Takayama, Gifu, Japan

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    • 6-6 Tsubakichō, Nakamura Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 453-0015日本 | The guide will be wearing a green vest with the JRT logo and holding a red flag marked with a J+ number. After receiving the email, please check the flag number and add the guide on WhatsApp for easy communication. Kindly arrive at the meeting point 10 minutes before departure; the tour will start on time. Light-Up Dates: January 12, January 18, January 25, February 1, 2026 (only 4 nights annually—book early to secure your spot!) There will be some walking during the tour, please wear comfortable walking shoes.
    • Nagoya, Aichi, Japan