Private Tour

Takayama Half-Day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide

Overview

Available languages

Japanese

English

4 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 four-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‘s Included

Meet up with guide on foot within designated area of Takayama

Licensed Local English Speaking Guide

Customizable Tour of your choice of 2-3 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.

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

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.

15 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

Hida Folk Village (飛騨の里, Hida no Sato) is an open air museum exhibiting over 30 traditional houses from the Hida region, the mountainous district of Gifu Prefecture around Takayama. The houses were built during the Edo Period (1603 - 1867) and were relocated from their original locations to create the museum in 1971. In a village-like atmosphere, the museum features buildings such as the former village head's house, logging huts, storehouses and a number of gassho-zukuri farmhouses. These massive farmhouses are named after their steep thatched roofs which resemble a pair of hands joined in prayer ("gassho"). They were moved here from nearby Shirakawago, where gassho-zukuri houses are the reason for the region's World Heritage status. Admission 700 yen (parking: 300 yen)

15 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

Options

Takayama Half-Day Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide

Pickup included

Reviews

4.92

64 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Great tour of Takayama
francescaaU6967TO,
Oct 29, 2025
- Tripadvisor
5.00
Yuko was so lovely and knowledgeable — we really enjoyed our tour of Takayama with her! 4hr were enough to enjoy the city.
Just a great morning
jwroblewsk,
Oct 26, 2025
- Tripadvisor
5.00
We spent the morning with Ito who was a great guide. He spoke good English and had a real passion for providing information about Japan. We wondered around for about four hours, tasted things along the way, exploring some sites, history and culture and generally had a good time. It was a just a great morning, and we walked away much the better for the experience. We could have walked around on our own, but then we would not have learnt anywhere near as much.
Very good tour of Takayama!
Norma A,
Oct 24, 2025
- Viator
5.00
Our guide Yuko gave us a very good explanation of the different temples and streets we traveled with her. His English is good and made our visit to Takayama pleasant and interesting.
We had a wonderful tour...
Sydney N,
Oct 23, 2025
- Viator
5.00
We had a wonderful tour in Takayama with our guide Lily. She had in-depth knowledge of the history of Takayama. Lily gave us a wonderful introduction to our visit to Takayama.
Enjoyable tour of Takayama with an excellent guide.
jsV7033TI,
Oct 16, 2025
- Tripadvisor
5.00
We recently had a half day private tour with our guide Ryo in Takayama Japan. He spoke excellent English, was a lovely person to spend time with and gave us a deeper insight into how life was in Japan. We shared family histories as we walked around Takayama on a very well thought out route, which took us to all the key sights we had been interested in seeing. He led us through the historical parts of town which we would have missed without his local knowledge. It was a great advantage to have him lead the way and give us detailed information about the places we were visiting, which otherwise would have had little meaning. Ryo also helped us to organise our bus tickets to Hida Minzoka Mira Folk Village and also our onward transport for the following day which was so kind of him and so helpful. Thank you Ryo for an excellent day.
Amazing orientation to Takayama
rebeccalU7330IR,
Oct 6, 2025
- Tripadvisor
5.00
Yuko was great! Very knowledgeable and we felt like we got such a great sense for Takayama history and culture. She was always ready to answer our questions (of which there were many)! She gave us great recommendations and even helped us make restaurant reservations. Highly recommend!
Outstanding Experience in Takayama!
Laura M,
Oct 4, 2025
- Viator
5.00
Ito-san was by far the best guide we have had in Japan. At first, we were not sure how he would fill four hours in Takayama, since we thought the town was quite small—but he showed us so much of its charm. He was a wealth of knowledge and brought the city to life with his insights. You can tell he truly loves what he does, as he went above and beyond to share his passion with us. This experience is an absolute must in Takayama. Highly recommended—5 stars and more!
Great tour in Takayama
Grazyna W,
Sep 10, 2025
- Viator
5.00
Our guide, Yuki, contacted us in advance, warned about expected showers and picked us up directly from our hotel. She showed us the Town Hall, Jinya, the old part of the city, the shrine and the float’s exposition. It was very interesting and informative. We learned a lot about the region, its history and culture. Thank you Yuki!
A wonderful experience
D4014EOgiselah,
Aug 23, 2025
- Tripadvisor
5.00
Tatsuya Ito did us a fabulous tour. He was so nice the whole time and explained things very good. We recommend booking with him.
Excellent cultural experience
Compass20503663463,
Aug 3, 2025
- Tripadvisor
5.00
An excellent morning with Yuko. We started off at the morning market and then walked through the stunning Sanmachi area with Yuko explaining the history and culture. Next to the Showakan retro museum, and finally to the Hida folk village. It was a hot day and we really appreciated Yuko’s patience and kindness with our slow pace. Thanks again.