Private Tour
Takayama Full-Day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Overview
Available languages
6 hours
Mobile ticket
This value-packed trip with a government-licensed and experienced multilingual tour guide is a fantastic and efficient way to explore Takayama!
Takayama features an atmospheric townscape, with Meiji-era inns and hillside shrines in a riverside setting. In addition, many museums, galleries and temples make their home in the city's 17th century layout. Be sure to come see the Takayama Festival, held once in spring and once in autumn, but be prepared for the crowds as the festivals attract hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.
Let us know what you would like to experience and we will customize a six-hour tour that's best for you!
Note*1: Please select your must-see spots from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary.
Note*2: National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
Wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
This is a walking tour. Pick up is on foot.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Sanmachi Suji
Sanmachi Street is a popular sightseeing area in Hida-Takayama. As an old town, the area has houses and stores from the Edo period (1603 - 1868). The area is lined with shops carrying local specialties such as Japanese sake, senbei (rice crackers), barbecue yakiniku Hida beef, and croquettes. The area has a lively atmosphere with people shopping and eating. Sanmachi Street is a five-minute walk from JR Takayama Station. Be sure to stop by when you visit Takayama.
Takayama Jinya
Because of its valuable timber resources, the Hida Region around Takayama was put under direct control of the Tokugawa Shogunate in 1692. The Takayama Jinya (高山陣屋) served as the local government office headed by the officials dispatched from Edo (present day Tokyo). The building complex was in official use until 1969, and is now open to the public as a museum. It includes various nicely maintained tatami mat rooms that once served as offices, conference rooms, guest rooms and residential space. There is also an interesting interrogation room. Beside the main building stands a large storehouse built in the 1600s. Known as the biggest traditional rice storehouse in Japan, it now functions as a museum, showcasing belongings and official documents of past feudal lords, old maps of the Hida Region and historic town plans. Admission 440 yen
What‘s Included
Meet up with guide on foot within designated area of Takayama
Licensed Local English Speaking Guide
Customizable Tour of your choice of 3-4 sites from 'What to expect' list
Transportation fees, Entrance fees, Lunch, and Other personal expenses
Private transportation
You cannot combine multiple tour groups.
Guide Entry fees are only covered for sights listed under What to Expect.
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
Takayama Full-Day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Pickup included
Reviews
13 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Good your, great tour guide
Ruben P,,Jan 6, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Akane Ito is a great tour guide. Very knowledgeable with a wonderful personality. She made sure that the tour would cover all of our interests and satisfy our curiosity. She’s the perfect guide to discover Takayama
Great tour of Takayama
meld588,,Nov 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00An excellent tour of Takayama with Yoshi! Great English speaker….very knowledgeable of the area. Highly recommended!
A Fantastic day in Takayama
Rick B,,Nov 1, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00From the time our Guide Yuriko (Lily) met us, it was a wonderful, educational experience. She was so accommodating and went out of her way to make our tour so enjoyable. The restaurant she chose for lunch was fantastic and making sure our transportation to a personal request was right on time. We wouldn’t hesitate using Lily again for a tour in Japan. She was Awesome!
Tremendous Takayama Tour
jonfA1373VZ,,Oct 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Yoshi was a fantastic guide for our trip to see the Autumn festival in Takayama. He came up with an itinerary that allowed us to see all the sights of the festival and catered to the other specific experiences and locations we didn't want to miss! He also took us for a fantastic beef barbecue lunch at a place we'd never have found on our own. He was charming and informative throughout, and we were sorry when our day had to come to an end.
Satisfying
Ria-Soehadi,,Jan 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The place visited was amazing and the guide was extraordinary and really helpfull. The trip was enjoyable for my family.
The best way to see and understand Takayama
Paul B,,Nov 2, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00Elvis was a lovely man who took us on a journey of discovery through the streets of Takayama where we were introduced to the fascinating life and history of Takayama.
What a great day, with Enlish speaking guide
Resort588020,,Jun 17, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Did a full day trip to, Takayama and Shirkawago, our guide was Akira Hishida, he was so informative, and just a great guy to spend the day with, I would highly recommend any tour with Akira.
Excellent option for one day in Takayama
Lautaro d,,Dec 20, 2023
- Review from Viator
5.00This tour was an excellent option to enjoy the town and learn about its history, culture, crafts and gastronomy. Akane Ito was an excellent guide, very knowledgeable of the town's history and the best places to visit. We visited Takayama for one day.
Do not need a guide for this "tour"
Boris N,,Jul 31, 2023
- Review from Viator
3.00You really do not need a tour guide for this tour. Our guide, while very nice, simply walked us around the streets near our hotel. There was nothing unique that the guide was able to add to what we could have easily done on our own and at our own pace. There is nothing to see in Takayama beyond a few nice old streets, so having the guide is pretty pointless, and we were done with the tour in about 5 hours.
Tour was cancelled at the last minute
229RogerM,,Mar 11, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00The tour operator cancelled the tour at 6pm on the night before the tour! Shocking behaviour from Viator.
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Operated by Japan Guide Agency