From Nagoya: Hida Takayama & Shirakawago Tour (Small Group)
Overview
Available languages
9 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Hidden deep within the mountains of Central Japan, the historic towns of Hida-Takayama and Shirakawa-go provide an excellent retreat into the scenic countryside and an authentic example of life during Edo-era Japan.
This tour provides you with round-trip transportation from Nagoya with a dedicated guide. The small group size allows you to experience these beautiful locations up close and personal. Plus our unique-connectable tour system allows you the option of ending this tour in Takayama, Kanazawa, or Shirakawa-go.
Step into the past and savor the views of the Japanese countryside as you are led by a friendly and experienced guide on this full-day tour from Nagoya.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
The remaining hours are allotted for the travel time.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Takayama
Arriving in Hida Takayama, your guide will provide you with a tour of the historic Stomach district of Takayama and make sure you don't miss any of the beautiful views. You will then have about one hour of free time to grab lunch, shop for souvenirs, or fill your camera roll with photos of this picturesque town.
Shirakawago
Your guide will lead you through the rice paddies and quaint streets that make up this UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will have the opportunity to enter one of the famed thatched-roof houses where your guide will explain the architecture as well as the history (and drama) of life in Edo-era Shirakawa-go. We will also take a short hike up to a lookout point offering a dramatic vista. Your guide will be on hand to take photos to make your friends and family back home jealous of your time in Japan. You will also have some free time to explore at your own pace or sample some of the snacks that are sold along the main street.
What‘s Included
Transportation during the tour
Entry fee into a thatched roof house in Shirakawa-go
English speaking guide
Lunch
Accommodation
Transportation to/from Nagoya Station
Options
From Nagoya: Hida Takayama & Shirakawago Tour (Small Group)
Reviews
12 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Small group vibes added to the experience
883mattw,,Jan 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Loved the small group vibes on our day out at Takayama and Shirakawa-go. Our guides were amazing, offering lots of historical knowledge about the areas and specific places. It was great learning about the history of the area while taking in the beauty of the historical gasho houses
Best guide and driver from Nagoya
rinis956,,Nov 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our guide Ms Shoko and driver Mr Nakanishi are both excellent. They are very polite, informative and helpful. My husband is having problem with his foot, but they are very attentive. Ms Shoko told us the history of Takayama and Shirakawago which is gery impressive to us. Ms Shoko even recommended some nice places to eat. Basically both of us are very happy. Mr Nakanishi and Ms Shoko are the best assets of Snow Monkey travel. Definitely we will recommend them to our friends and relatives. All th best
Highly recommended
bt903,,Oct 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our tour guide Shokou was fantastic! She was very informative and knowledgeable about both of the places we went. She also had great food recommendations while we were in Takayama.
Amazing tim at Takayama/Shirakawa-go for our family
GrandTour28249929957,,Jun 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We booked a day trip to Takayama /Shirakawa go and it was an absolute amazing one. Our tour guide, Shoko, demonstrates strong communication in English and Mandarin and together with her in-depth knowledge of the area and enthusiasm, has made this trip such a educational and enjoyable one. Though the ride was long, we did not feel bored as she was very engaging. Through her explanation, we can truly appreciate the wisdom of the people who built the Gassho-style houses, their livelihood and culture. Our driver, Iwasaki san, has also made sure our long ride there was a smooth one, checking in to make sure we were comfortable and there were enough restroom break in between. He was accommodative to drop us off at another venue, which was closer to our dining place, though it may be slightly out of the way for him. Overall, Shoko and Iwasaki san have made this day trip such a memorable one for our family.
A very good experience of our tour in Nagoya
hingchuenh,,May 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The guide is very experience, she explained everything very good and interesting. The driver is also very good. We enjoy the tour very much. We will tell oir friend to consider your co. for tour.
Nagano to Takayama and Shirakawa-go private tour
christinavA3143CS,,Apr 26, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We did the Nagano to Takayama and Shirakawa-go private tour with our family, 4 families in total. Both locations were beautiful! The bus was very clean and comfortable. Kim, our guide, was cheerful, funny and very knowledgeable about Japanese history and the areas we drove past and visited. She answered our questions patiently, even the curly ones from the kids! She gave great recommendations on places to eat that were delicious and cheaper than others places. We had sufficient time for toilet stops and stretch breaks, and time to eat lunch and look at some souvenir shops. We ended our tour at Kanazawa. Umematsu-San, our driver, was very kind to drop us off close to both of our accommodations, as they couldn't be easily accessed by bus. It was a wonderful and enjoyable experience!
Great tour
Steven R,,Apr 15, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00I’d rate this a must do tour. Of course that could be said for any UNESCO site around the world. This is a historic site with only 120 or so homes remaining.
Great UNESCO Day Tour
Scubaqwn,,Apr 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great day trip, worth the drive. Comfortable transportation. Relaxed pace. Kim. our tour guide was pleasant and filled with facts and trivia. If you like UNESCO sites be sure to do this tour.
Relaxing day that I will remember!
C3277ILallisons,,Feb 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I had the pleasure to travel with Kim, Shoyko and our driver Iwasaki, the three of them made a great team and I thoroughly enjoyed this one day trip! Everyone is so friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. The other traveler that was suppose to join could not come, so I ended up being the only one on the tour (thanks for accommodating solo travelers instead of cancelling the trip). I think the trip is well planned and it didn’t feel rushed The scenery on the way to Hida Takayama and Shiragawa-go is amazing. Hida beef is a must try! I quizzed Kim and Shinto with lots of questions and they worked so hard to find the answers even if they don’t know. Overall I highly recommend to get out of the city and explore these areas !
Takayama and Shirakawa-go winter trip
869terencey,,Jan 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Wonderful trip , great guide (Kim) she cheerful and great tips for food Great photo advisor.... very good and safety driver with all the snow road (Umematsu)...will get book again with the same team
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Operated by Snow Monkey Resorts Tours (Machinovate Japan Ltd.)