Takayama

Local food tours

Discover the mountainous city of Takayama and the village of Shiragawa-go, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on this full-day trip from Nagoya. Explore the markets and try local specialties in Takayama, then admire the picturesque landscapes in Shiragawa-go. To begin the tour, make your way to the meeting point, meet your guide, and board your transportation. Then, drive to the mountainous Hida region in the Gifu Prefecture to reach the beautifully preserved city of Hida Takayama. Upon arrival, take a walk along Sannomachi Street, taste local delicacies like Hida beef and Takayama ramen, and see the work of local craftsmen. Head to one of the morning markets — Miyagawa Market or Jinya-Mae Market — and get a taste of local life. You will also receive recommendations for the best spots to have lunch (not included). After lunch, head to Gasyomura in Shiragawa-go and take in the scenery of mountains, paddy fields, and trickling rivers. Come to understand why Shiragawa-go is known as the kingdom of forests and streams, and see why the origin of the name Shirokawa-go means "the white river." Head to the Ogimachi Castle Site Observatory to enjoy the beautiful views of Gassho-mura village and Mount Hakusan. Have some time to pop into the Ochiudo cafe, famous for its big dogs, decorative coffee cups, and snacks. Afterward, the tour returns to Nagoya.

Experience Edo-period Japan in Takayama and the UNESCO-listed Shirakawa-go village. This journey offers a glimpse into the rich history and culture of Japan, complemented by a sumptuous meal at Koshiyama, where you can savor top-tier Hida Beef and an Oden set (exclusive for those who choose the meal plan). Your adventure begins at the Nagoya VIP Liner Bus Stop. From here, you will embark on a comfortable, air-conditioned bus ride towards Takayama and Shirakawa-go. As you travel, enjoy the scenic views of the Japanese countryside. Upon reaching Takayama, you will have the opportunity to explore this captivating town, often referred to as the gateway to the Japanese Alps. Known for its well-preserved Edo-period streetscapes, Takayama's Sanmachi Suji District is a must-see. This district, comprising three streets in the heart of the town, is filled with traditional houses, shops, restaurants, sake breweries, and cafes. At your own expense, you can delve into the charm of this historic area, experiencing the ambiance of old Japan. After exploring Takayama, the adventure continues to Shirakawa-go. This village is renowned for its ancient gassho-zukuri (thatched-roof) style houses. These unique structures, with their steeply pitched thatched roofs, are designed to withstand heavy snowfall and have been preserved as part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Nestled amidst serene rice paddies and surrounded by mountains, Shirakawa-go offers a picturesque and tranquil setting. A highlight of your visit to Shirakawa-go is a delectable Japanese-style teppanyaki set lunch at the renowned Koshiyama restaurant. Here, you can indulge in the local specialty, 'Hidagyuu' beef, known for its exquisite flavor and tenderness. Alternatively, you can opt for the Oden lunch, a traditional Japanese dish that features a variety of ingredients simmered in a flavorful broth. Both options showcase the authentic flavors of the region, providing a culinary experience to remember. Winter Note: During the winter months, snowfall may occasionally lead to road closures to Shirakawa-go. In the event of such closures, the tour will seamlessly transition to a captivating substitute journey. Instead of Shirakawa-go, you will visit the picturesque town of Gujo Hachiman, often referred to as the 'Little Kyoto of Gifu.' This charming town is known for its historic streets adorned with traditional buildings and its beautiful castle town. Immerse yourself in the unique ambiance of Gujo Hachiman, exploring its quaint shops and enjoying the serene waters that flow through the town.

Depart from Nagoya to head to your stop, Gujo Hachiman. Located in the center of Japan in Gifu Prefecture, the streets of Gujo Hachiman have retained an atmosphere unchanged since the Edo period. See the rows of old houses that have been selected as a group of important traditional buildings by the national government. Explore the town known for its waterway that runs past the eaves of the houses. Your second tour stop is Hida Takayama, a castle town from the Edo period. Enjoy local gourmet food and shopping while strolling through the old streets, including traditional Hida handicraft stores and candy stores. The third and final stop of your tour is the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama Gassho-Zukuri. These villages are known for their gassho-zukuri (steep thatched-roofed) houses of various sizes. Admire the building's unique architecture surrounded by stunning mountain landscapes before returning to Nagoya.

Discover Takayama’s well-preserved old town and jinya, and visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Shirakawa-go on a full-day trip. Take guided walking tours at both spots along with free time to explore, eat, and shop on your own. Meet your guide at Takayama Station and be escorted to the 300+ year-old Takayama Jinya, a local governor's office from the Edo period. Enter the jinya for a guided tour and learn all about the history of the building and the city of Takayama itself. See several artifacts, including art, books, and tools, from its heyday in the 17th through 19th centuries. Unlike a visit to a typical museum, the Takayama Jinya offers pieces of history in a building that is as old as the items on display. Afterward, head to the downtown of Takayama, known as the “Sanmachi”. See as your guide points out the highlights of the area. Enjoy scenic views and conclude this part of the tour at the entrance to the Miyagawa Morning Market. Next, enjoy 1 hour and 30 minutes of free time to walk around the market, return to the Sanmachi for a closer look at the shops, or savor the food of the Hida region at a local restaurant. You can treat yourself to a sake tasting, or feast on sushi made with wagyu beef from local ranches. Then, meet your tour guide to continue your journey to Shirakawa-go. Sit back and soak in the scenery on your bus ride. Then, begin the second half of your tour. Go up to the famous lookout point for a breathtaking view of the town of Shirakawa-go. Follow your guide down the road, descending into the rice paddies and quaint streets that make up the village. See the largest hamlet of gassho-zukuri-style houses in Japan. Get introduced to the highlights of Shirakawa-go, learning more about the town. After the tour, explore the town on your own, and revisit places you want a better look at. During this time, you may also grab lunch, head to a traditional mountain farmhouse, or sample snacks sold along the main street. Finally, start your trip back to Takayama to conclude the tour.

Located in Gifu Prefecture on the main island of Honshu, Takayama (or Hida-Takayama) is filled with historic charm and is also renowned for its natural beauty. Explore this ancient city with a local guide and see the best of what it has to offer on a private walking tour. Below are some things included as part of a typical itinerary that can be customized based on your wishes. Sanmachi Street has many houses and stores that date back to the Edo period (1603-1868). The area is lined with shops carrying local specialties and has a lively atmosphere with many people stopping to shop and eat here. Hida Folk Village 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 and were relocated from their original places to create the museum in 1971. The Takayama Jinya 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. Hida-Takayama Miyagawa Morning Market is held daily in Takayama between 7:00 AM (8:00 AM in winter) and 12:00 AM. The Miyagawa Market along the Miyagawa River in the old town and the Jinya-mae Market in front of the Takayama Jinya sell local crafts, snacks, and produce. Takayama Festival Floats Exhibition Hall shows key aspects of the Takayama Festival. The festival takes place for two days each spring and autumn and, along with Kyoto's Gion Matsuri and the Chichibu Yomatsuri, is considered to be one of Japan's three most beautiful. Hida Kokubunji Temple is a Buddhist temple. Its iconic three-storied pagoda was constructed in 1820. A Buddhist statue thought to have been made in the Heian period is enshrined in the main building. Be sure to check out the huge gingko tree on the grounds. It is over 1260 years old. Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine in Takayama is the venue for the Takayama Festival in the autumn. Next to the shrine is the Takayama Festival Floats Exhibition Hall, or Yatai Kaikan, where four of the actual floats used in the festival are on display. The Kusakabe Folk Museum is a historic private residence that has been opened to the public. The building was constructed during the Meiji period in an Edo architectural style. The entire building is designated important cultural property of Japan.

Travelers to this region will be welcomed and will visualize the natural beauty, and traditional Japanese culture by visiting The Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go, Ogi-machi Castle Old Site Observatory, following Takayama towns’ must-see attractions and learn more about their culture and history along the way. We have a well-trained and organized English-speaking driver as guide. As Shirakawa-go is world heritage site and if visiting Kanazawa so just allow us to make it smooth and comfortable for you rather than joining the bus groups it's always good to move at your own pace.

Embark on a full-day journey from Nagoya to explore the hidden gems of Takayama and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Shiragawa-go. Takayama Tour Dive into the preserved town of Takayama, known for its rich history and vibrant markets, and stroll along Sannomachi Street, where local craftsmen showcase their skills, and indulge in culinary delights like Hida beef and Takayama ramen. For lunch, you will get expert recommendations for the best local spots to savor these culinary delights. Next, you can Immerse yourself in the authentic atmosphere of Miyagawa or Jinya-Mae Market to witness the pulse of local life and explore stalls offering a variety of goods. Explore Shiragawa-go Next, visit the enchanting village of Shiragawa-go. Here, you will get to feast your eyes on the UNESCO-listed landscapes, where traditional houses stand as timeless testaments to Japan's rich history along with serene mountains, lush paddy fields, and trickling rivers that define this region, earning it the name "the white river." Your adventure will be hassle-free with convenient transportation and a knowledgeable guide. Don't miss the chance to visit the Ogimachi Castle Site Observatory for stunning views of Gassho-mura village and Mount Hakusan. Plus, take a moment to unwind at Ochiudo Cafe, famous for its unique atmosphere.

Discover Japan at your own pace with our self-guided tours and audio guides in several languages. Immerse yourself in the fascinating culture and beauty of this country while exploring historical monuments, sacred temples and breathtaking landscapes - don't miss this unique opportunity to experience Japan through your own eyes and ears! The complete tour of Japan includes the following destinations with audio guide (multilingual), with about 300 points of interest to get to know this beautiful country: - Tokyo (115 points of interest), with sections such as Minato, Central Tokyo, East Tokyo, Shibuya, Shinjuku and Taito. - Kyoto (78 points of interest), with sections such as: North Kyoto, South Kyoto, Higashiyama, Arashiyama, Gion and Kyoto Must-sees. - Nara (10 points of interest) - Takayama (13 points of interest) - Kanazawa (23 points of interest) - Nikko (15 points of interest) - Osaka (19 points of interest) - Koyasan (21 points of interest) Our tours are designed to introduce you to Japan's most iconic sights, from vibrant Tokyo to historic Kyoto. Each tour includes a multilingual audio guide that will provide you with detailed information about the places you visit. Our tours are ideal for: - People traveling alone or as a couple. - People who want to save money. - People who want to get to know Japan at their own pace. Book your tour today and start your trip to Japan.

Get an insider’s view of Takayama’s most vibrant neighborhoods on a walking tour of the Old Town alongside a local guide. Begin your urban walking adventure by meeting your guide in the city center. Make your way through the Old Town and learn about the local people's lifestyle and culture from your local guide. Discover why Takayama was listed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage site. Turn the corner towards Nakabashi bridge and snap photos with this famous red bridge. Stroll to Takayama Jinya, the former government office. Witness the hustle and bustle of the Jinya morning market and grab a bargain with the help of your guide. As you stroll, your friendly local guide will tell you interesting facts and anecdotes about the city’s past and the people who have lived here.   Finally, arrive at Yamazakura shrine, your last stop, where you can learn about Japanese religion. Your guide will be happy to point you in the direction of the nearest subway station or bus stop. Or feel free to ask them for local recommendations on great places to eat or drink nearby.This is normally English tour but if you need other languages like Chinese, Italy, French, etc. please let us know.

This exclusive package is tailored for distinguished guests who prefer the convenience of door to door service. Your driver/guide will collect you from your hotel lobby at an agreeable time.  Shirakawa-go (Shirakawa Village) registered as a World Cultural Heritage site. Shirakawa-go is part of the Hida region and is famous for the gassho-zukuri village found there. The houses were built using a traditional style of the minka (non-samurai houses), and have a thatched, peaked roof that looks like two hands in prayer (gassho). The upper floors of some of the houses were used for silk farming (sericulture), as they had a large space available to store silkworms and mulberry leaves. Shirakawa is a must-see area if one would like to grasp the rich contrast of life in this region. Gokayama, the World Heritage Site is nestled in the tranquil and rustic landscape. Gokayama is in the city of Nanto, also a drive from Kanazawa. It was an extremely secluded village, so modern times bypassed the area. While cities and towns in other parts of Japan were built new, with modern buildings, many of the wooden and thatch houses in the gassho hamlet of Gokayama are over 300 years old, and some are 400 years old. The Japanese prince, Fumihito (Prince Akishino) has said: "One of the three places I like most in the world is Gokayama".  Takayama, Located in the heart of mountainous Central Honshu, Takayama is the gateway to the Japan Alps and the storehouse of Japan's inland culture. Takayama became what it is today in the 1500s, and developed its own unique culture due to its seclusion and high altitude. It is famous for its traditional carpentry expertise, and its carpenters have worked on the Kyoto Imperial Palace, and other nationally important shrines, temples and palaces. It is known locally as Hida-Takayama, and visitors there can enjoy great food, tradition views, and a feeling of "traditional town-life in Japan". Don't forget to try the Hida Beef while you are there.