Private Tour
Private Tour of Shirakawago and Gokayama from Kanazawa
Overview
Available languages
7 hours
Mobile ticket
Explore the hamlets of Gokayama and Shirakawa-go on our 7-hour package tour with access to a private vehicle exclusively for you and your fellow travelers. Our English-speaking driver will take you first to the World Heritage site of Gokayama followed by Shirakawa-go
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
If your hotel is not listed, please let us know your hotel name so that we can arrange the pick up
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Gokayama
Our English speaking driver will take you directly to the hamlet of Gokayama, a beautiful Alpine village along the Sho river where you can walk among the Gasho zukuri style(Hands in prayer) thatched roofs. You will spend 90 minutes here exploring the village and houses. Gokayama is more remote than Shirakawago and so receives less than half of visitors. This UNESCO and Michelin rated location is one not to be missed.
The Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go Gassho Style Houses
Next onto the adjacent valley where the UNESCO village of Shirakawa-go is nestled. You will spend 2 and half hours here, exploring the town and taking in lunch. Crossing the spectacular pedestrian bridge across the Sho river, your senses will be filled with the sounds and smells of authentic rural life. This fairy-tale village is bound to inspire you as one of Japans most picturesque sites.
What‘s Included
Hotel pickup and drop-off
All taxes, fees and handling charges
English Speaking Driver
Local taxes
Parking Fees
Private Car
Food and drinks
Lunch
Professional Tour Guide
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
1～9 people
Vehicles for your group size: 1-3 people ... Spacious Sedan class,
4-6 people ... Luxurious Alphard class,
7-9 people ... Comfortable Minibus/Hiace class
Pickup included
Reviews
49 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Wonderful trip
Jeremy B,,Dec 31, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Hugely enjoyable and interesting. Our driver was knowledgeable and courteous, and the visits to the thatched houses unforgettable.
A Pleasant Private Tour of Shinagawa-go!
eslchen,,Dec 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a good time visiting Shinagawa-go and Gokayama with our guide Ian. Ian was great at explaining and sharing insight about the villages. He also shared where we could get great pictures, lookout points, and shops. We enjoyed our time and highly recommend this tour! If you’re thinking about visiting Shirakawa-go, we would also recommend adding Gokayama. It’s a smaller village but there were less visitors. When I was booking, I reached out to the team to ask for advice about which to book and they suggested a shorter tour because it was winter, which we appreciated!
Excellent tour of snowy villages.
bmantravel,,Dec 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent tour of snowy villages. Our guide, Asako, was prompt, efficient, and helpful. We were able to navigate around the crowds to get the most of our tour. She was also flexible to allow us time to dither at some stops and move ahead in items we were less interested.
Fantastic tour with Ian.
Catherine C,,Dec 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a wonderful time in the snow! Ian was friendly and very knowledgeable. The timing of the tour was perfect with enough time in both villages. They were so fascinating and beautiful. A comfortable trip to and from Kanazawa and a fabulous family day we won’t forget!
Best private tour in Kanazawa
524ariefw,,Nov 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Very good service. The tour guide is very professional and experienced Planning and setting of travel time is very good and efficient
Great day out to three very different villages
clairebC721GT,,Oct 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great communication for our booking and our guide was ready and waiting in the hotel lobby. We had a great day - Yuta customised our trip to our interests and was very informative on the areas that we visited.
Beautiful nature
maria l,,Aug 29, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Beautiful experience. The driving was fantastic. After the city a dip in Japanese rural life
Interesting tour with a lot of etnographic information.
grzegorzs255,,Jun 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was an interesting tour providing a lot of etnographic information about traditional life in Japan. Our guide Ian Walker took us to two charming villages. We recommend the tour.
Exceptional guide !
Mkgrn1,,Apr 21, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Our day with Junpei was absolutely perfect ! He was so easy going, knowledge and showed us a great time seeing the beautiful villages ! Thank you ! Highly recommend !
A very good day
lco31,,Apr 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Very well organized, Gokoyama and Shirakawa-go were very nice and interesting: fantastic postcard with the snow and the sun together! A big thank you to our driver and guide Yuta for his professionalism and kindness
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Operated by Kanazawa Tours