1-Day Tour from Takayama: Explore Scenic Old Japan in Takayama and Shirakawa-go

Hidden high in the mountains of central Japan, far from the hustle and bustle of metropolises like Tokyo and Osaka, lie the quaint and well-preserved townscapes of Takayama and Shirakawa-go. Once a direct land holding of the Shogun, Takayama will mesmerize you with its beautiful woodwork and traditional streets that offer a more relaxed beauty than cities such as Kyoto and Kanazawa.  Shirakawa-go, on the other hand, offers a great example of the village-life experienced by Japanese farmers of ages past, and still experienced today by those lucky few who call it their home. Led by a locally-based and English-speaking guide, this experience will enthrall you with visions of life in Japan during an era very different from our own.

Highlights

• Tour the inside of the Takayama Jinya, a beautiful centuries old government outpost built for the Shogun’s representatives, and learn about the history and industry of Takayama

• Stroll through the historic old town of Takayama, and walk down streets lined with wooden buildings from decades and centuries past

• Visit the Miyagawa Morning Market and have a chance to purchase food and goods made by skilled locals

• Learn about traditional Japanese village life in the UNESCO World Heritage recognized town of Shirakawa-go, and maybe even enter into some of its famous thatched roof homes to see for yourself the superb craftsmanship on display

Description

This tour will start at Takayama Station, in front of the ticket gates, at 9:00 A.M. Your guide will greet you there and escort everyone directly to the beautiful, 300+ year old Takayama Jinya.

The tour will begin there, with a 1-hour guided experience inside the Jinya where your guide will explain about the history of the building and the city of Takayama itself. The Jinya includes both rooms for official business as well as rooms that were used by high-ranking officials for their own relaxation. You will also have a chance to see a beautiful Japanese garden, and experience the simplistic beauty of traditional Japanese design.

The Jinya also houses a number of artifacts, including art, books, and tools, from its heyday in the 17^th through 19^th centuries. Unlike a visit to a typical museum, at the Takayama Jinya you will be able to enjoy viewing these pieces of history in a building that is as old as the items on display!

Afterwards, you will be heading to the traditional downtown of Takayama, known as the “Sanmachi”, for a 30-minute guided walk, wherein your guide will show you around the area and make sure you don’t miss any scenic views. This portion of the tour will conclude at the entrance to the Miyagawa Morning Market, where your guide will give a brief introduction to the market and its place in Takayama culture.

You will then have a little over an 1 hour and 30 minutes of free time, where you may peruse the market, return to the Sanmachi to get a closer look at some of its shops, or head to some local restaurants to enjoy the delicious food of the Hida region; during this time, it is recommended that you also eat lunch. For guests who are interested, there are shops offering local sake for taste testing, and even sushi made with wagyu beef from local ranches!

Once this time is up, you will meet your guide at the entrance to the market. From there, you will begin your journey to Shirakawa-go. Taking roughly 1 hour, this drive will not be boring as there is scenery of great beauty just outside the window for almost the whole ride. If you are lucky, you may even spot some pheasants or deer on the way!

You will then arrive at Shirakawa-go, and start the second half of your tour. You will have a chance to go up to the famous look-out point from which the whole town of Shirakawa-go may be seen at once. Your guide will then lead you down the road, descending into the rice paddies and quaint streets that make up the village. Your guide will then lead you through the town of Shirakawa-go, introducing its highlights, during which time they will explain more about the town and answer any questions you may have about the sights you will be seeing.

Once the guided portion is complete, you will have some free time to explore at your own pace, and revisit places you want a better look at. During this time, you may enter into those farm houses which allow you to do so, or sample some of the snacks that are sold along the main street. Your guide will be around to answer any questions you may have.

Finally, you will meet up again with your guide at 16:30 to conclude the tour and start your trip back to Takayama, a journey which will take roughly 1 hour. You can expect to be back in Takayama around 17:30. Guests who have booked to continue onwards and end Kanazawa will do so here too. The drive to Kanazawa similarly takes a little over 1 hour, and you should not expect to be back any earlier than 18:40. Your guide will offer any assistance necessary to make sure you reach your destination, wherever it is, on time.

*Guests who have secured accommodation for the night around Shirakawa-go and wish to end the tour there are free to do so. Please inform your guide, and they will offer any additional help you may need. See our FAQs below for details.

TOUR MEETUP POINT

1 / TAKAYAMA STATION @ 9:00 A.M.

The meetup point is outside of the ticket gates at JR Takayama Station. Once you have left the gates, look to your left to see a walkway and a carving depicting an ornate wagon. You may wait nearby there until the tour begins at 9:00 A.M. Be sure to look for the guide wearing a SNOW MONKEY RESORTS tour tag. There is also a waiting room with benches nearby for guests who have arrived early and would like to sit down; however, please make sure that you have left the waiting room and are in place at the meetup point at 9:00.

NOTES

Included

• Transportation to Shirakawa-go from Takayama, and transport from Shirakawa-go to Takayama or Kanazawa (you may choose)
• Entrance to the Takayama Jinya
• Guided walks at both Takayama and Shirakawa-go
• English speaking guide

Excluded

• Lunch
• Accommodation

Other Information

• This tour involves several hours of walking in the outdoors. We recommend that you wear shoes and clothes which are easy to walk in. Please check the weather forecast before you head to the meetup point and prepare an umbrella or rain coat if necessary.

• In winter the temperatures may drop below freezing, and even during the daytime temperatures may not exceed 1-2 ℃ on some days. Please wear warm clothing and footwear appropriate for snowy and cold conditions. There may also be snow and ice on the road/sidewalk, and so you should take care to not slip by preparing the correct shoes for such conditions.

• There will be free time at both Takayama and Shirakawa-go for guests to enjoy the locations at their own pace. However, please make sure that you are at the respective meetup points at the time stated by your guide. If you get lost or need assistance, feel free to call the number which is listed on your tour pass, and our staff will assist you immediately.