From Kanazawa: Shirakawa-go, Gokayama and Wood Carving Village

Name: From Kanazawa: Shirakawa-go, Gokayama and Wood Carving Village
Price: 30600 JPY
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.91 (89 reviews)

Overview

Available languages

English

9 hours

Mobile ticket

Deep in the mountains of Japan lies the quaint villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama, with their beautifully preserved gassho-style houses. These UNESCO World Heritage Sites, some of the buildings are over 250 years old, gives a glimpse into the ways of Japanese traditional farming communities. On the way from Kanazawa to those stunning sites, there are other historic towns such as the woodcarvers of Inami. Being far from the large cities of Tokyo and Osaka, enjoy walking through a town which continues its tradition of woodcarving to this day. On the shops, in the temples and on signs are beautiful examples of this living history. The entire region was once home to many different kinds of local crafts, such as Japanese style paper making, an activity that you can do on this tour. Enjoy a day long bus tour from Kanazawa where you can see expert wood carving, try your hand at paper making and see the UNESCO World Heritage sites Shirakawa-go and Gokayama traditional homes.

Additional Info

Public transportation options are available nearby

Specialized infant seats are available

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

All listed events, activities, and experiences are subject to availability. Please note that while certain tour options may appear bookable through our platforms, this does not guarantee that every experience can be carried out as scheduled in the tour itinerary. Many activities require direct confirmation with our partner venues, and availability may vary based on the date and other factors. Should any part of your ordered itinerary require adjustment or deviation from the original schedule, or if a specific experience is unavailable, we will contact you promptly to discuss suitable alternatives or amendments.

During the New Year's time period (12/28-1/5) many stores in Inami(wood carving) and Gokayama are closed. Shirakawago is mostly open. Therefore, the paper making is not available during that time. We apologize for the inconvenience.

From June 1, the start time of this tour will be 08:30 A.M.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What To Expect

Inami

Arrive at Inami to explore the main street full of wood carvers and their interesting creations throughout the townscape. This will be followed by a walk around Zuizenji Temple to see the place where all the wood carving starting.

2 hours • Admission Included

Gokayama

Arrive at the first stop in Gokayama, the Ainokura Village, where you have a short amount of time to walk around and get some good pictures of the village. Your guide can show you the way to nice photo spot overlooking the the area.

1 hour • Admission Not Applicable

What‘s Included

Guided Tour at the Wood Craft Town Inami and Shirakawa-go UNESCO site

English speaking guide

Entry fee at Zuisenji Temple

Japanese Paper-Making Experience Fee

Transportation to and from Shirakawa-go and all other destinations

Lunch

Accommodation

Options

Kanazawa -> Takayama 08:30

Start Kanazawa, end Takayama: Start the tour from Kanazawa Station and end the tour at Takayama Station.

Start/ End Kanazawa 08:30

Start and End at Kanazawa : Start and end the tour at Kanazawa Station

Start and end at Kanazawa City

Start and end at Kanazawa: Start and end the tour at Kanazawa Station

End the tour at Takayama St

Reviews

4.91

89 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Amazing tour of the area....
Steven W,,Jan 27, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
Amazing tour of the area. I'd added this tour on after my initial experience with the company (Daniel and Mike were the guides if I remember correctly). Ellie was a great guide as well. Solid drivers and guides in both of my experiences. Highly recommended.
A must do if you are visiting Kanazawa
John T,,Jan 11, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
The tour is very full with things to see, traditional shops to buy something historical, artistic and not the usual touristy stuff. Paper making was fascinating. Shirakawa-go was unbelievable. Highlight of my Japan trip. Our tour guide Mohammed was amazing, knowledgeable, insightful and good fun with sense of adventure. I loved how he wants to look after the old craftsman in the villages by asking you to ensure you have cash as some don’t accept credit card. He also provided some insighful sight seeing tips.
Can’t recommend- Tour guide openly hates Japan!
Maria P,,Jan 6, 2026
- Review from Viator
1.00
Our driver was fantastic, however our guide, Mohamed, was not. Throughout the 9 hour tour he expressed disdain for Japanese culture multiple times, including his distaste for the rules. He would also frame things bizarrely negatively, for instance saying that there is “no history” behind the Kanazawa castle or the cat sculptures in Inami. Very little knowledge was shared at Shirawaka Go, except for the 3 famous photo opportunities and a blue koi fish. Time management was also poor. The tours completely focused on photo opportunities- and we weren’t left with any time to enjoy where we are. Overall it was very surface level and negative. Would’ve been better without the “guide” at all. Just transportation to and from the sites by the fantastic driver. We’ve never had such a poor experience so far on any tour. This was incredibly bad. Do not recommend at all.
A Great Day Outside Kanazawa
13PatK,,Dec 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
A fantastic day full of sights, sounds, tastes, and information. Daniel the guide was charming -- he filled the day with details about Japanese architecture, history, religion, and included just enough personal anecdotes to make every moment a pleasure. The villages we visited with incredible. The paper-making provided a memorable side trip and left us with a sweet momento from our wonderful time in the mountains. All-in-all, a great day.
Beautiful Mountain Village Tour
Sydney C,,Dec 29, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Besides the weather trying to work against us (cold and rainy), this tour was worth every penny. You are able to venture into the mountains and see some breathtaking sights of old thatch roof villages and have some delicious udon noodles in a traditional floor seated restaurant.
Fun day trip!
Reebz S,,Dec 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
This was a fun tour! The tour guide Daniel was very knowledgeable and patient. The female bus driver was so friendly and nice. The 3 locations we visited were pretty.
Wonderful trip must try
210yuhengz,,Dec 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Nice trip, nice tour guide, we had a wonderful time here. The trip is well structured and reasonable. Tour guide is amazing!
This day trip to...
Callum D,,Dec 6, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
This day trip to Shirakawa-gō and Gokayama was incredibly well organised and a fantastic way to explore the region from Kanazawa. Meeting the group at Kanazawa Station was simple and convenient, and our group of 14 felt just the right size. Our first stop, the peaceful woodcarvers’ town of Inami, was a real highlight - beautifully quiet, full of character, and home to the stunning all-wooden Inami Betsuin Zuisen-ji temple. We loved spotting the little hand-carved cats tucked around the town. Gokayama was equally special. Our guide recommended a lovely spot for a quick soba lunch, and we had the unique chance to make our own washi paper, which we could take home. Shirakawa-gō, while famous and undeniably pretty, was much busier and more commercial, though visiting the head monk’s home and the adjoining temple was very worthwhile. Although we booked the tour mainly to see Shirakawa-gō, we ended up loving Inami and Gokayama the most - and we never would have discovered them on our own. Highly recommend this tour for a rich and varied day out!
Inami, Gocayama, Shirakawago
juandN7387VI,,Dec 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
It was a great experience, Daniel was a good guide. We enjoyed very much with the explanations and all the villages we visited. Highly recommended!!!
Full tour and great guide
Lupinthe3rd89,,Dec 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
It was a great experience, we visited ainokura , inami and shirakawa go. At each stop there was free time to visit , buy , eat and take a bath break. The guide is very prepared, kind and available for every need.