1-Day Takayama Tour: Explore Scenic Takayama and Shirakawago
Overview
Available languages
9 hours
Mobile ticket
Hidden high in the mountains of central Japan, far from the hustle and bustle of metropolises like Tokyo and Osaka, lie the quaint and well-preserved townscapes of Takayama and Shirakawa-go. Once a direct land holding of the Shogun, Takayama will enthrall you with its beautiful woodwork and traditional streets that offer a more relaxed beauty than cities such as Kyoto and Kanazawa. Shirakawa-go, on the other hand, offers a great example of the village-life experienced by Japanese farmers of ages past, and still experienced today by those lucky few who call it their home. Led by a locally-based and English-speaking guide, this experience will enthrall you with visions of life in Japan during an era very different from our own.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
English speaking guide
Entrance to the Takayama Jinya
Transportation between all destinations
Guided walks at both Takayama and Shirakawa-go
Lunch
What To Expect
Takayama Jinya
Tour the inside of the Takayama Jinya, a beautiful centuries old government outpost built for the Shogun’s representatives, and learn about the history and industry of Takayama.
Sanmachi Suji
Explore the traditional “Sanmachi” district in the heart of Takayama. Lead by your knowledgeable tour guide, you will have a chance to see some of the woodwork this region is famous for and take in its scenic streets.
Options
Start and end at Takayama City
Start and end at Takayama: Start and end the tour at Takayama Station
End the tour at Kanazawa St
Start the tour from Takayama and end at Kanazawa Station
Reviews
89 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Takayama and Shirakawa-Go Tour
Stephen E,
Jun 9, 2025
- Viator
5.00It was fantastic! Yoshi our guide was so well informed and broad in his knowledge. Very easy to be with and he looked after us so well - we had a great time! Would highly recommend him and this tour!
Great sites but disappointing tour
David W,
Apr 23, 2025
- Viator
3.00The attractions visited were very good and the guides knowledge was excellent. However the day seemed rushed and there was little time to enjoy the environs or buy souvenirs . Almost 2 hours at Takayama Jinya was not required and this resulted in the tour of Shirakawago being rushed and disjointed. It was only a small group but the guide allowed the day to be dominated by an American guest who turned it into her private tour to everyone else’s exclusion.
Takayama and Shirakawago tour
Debra M,
Apr 16, 2025
- Viator
5.00Our local guide Yoshi was extremely knowledgeable and I learnt so much about Takayama from him. I had been staying in Takayama for a couple of days before the tour and after Yoshi’s recommendations, I tried lots of new food and saw new things in the town I wasn’t aware of. Loved visiting Shirakawago, it was a highlight.
Wonderful Day, Accommodating Tour Company
Gregory C,
Jan 13, 2025
- Viator
5.00So set tours can certainly simplify and improve travel to popular destinations as Takayama and Shirakawa-go, but the depth of the experience is so vastly different with a knowledgable and friendly guide like Yoshi. Interesting to understand Takayama's place in Japanese history and the Meiji era, what life was like in Shirakawa, and even get some outstanding advice on where to eat dinner in Takayama after the tour. I would also like to commend this tour company on their flexibility. We've had other tours where the operator was shockingly inflexible, but in this case they went out of their way to help us overcome a misunderstanding we had when scheduling our tour. We will actively search for available Snow Monkey Resorts tours on our next Japan vacation.
Worth it
Richard D,
Nov 15, 2024
- Viator
5.00Yoshi was an excellent, informative and personable guide. His in-depth knowledge and command of English made the tour worthwhile
Related Experiences
![Departing from Takayama [Regular sightseeing bus] World Heritage Sites Shirakawago and Gokayama Ainokura](https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/attractions-splice-spp-720x480/11/22/87/00.jpg)
Operated by Snow Monkey Resorts Tours (Machinovate Japan Ltd.)