Hida Takayama & Shirakawa-go Gassho Village One-Day Tour

Itinerary 

The following itinerary is for reference only. The specific attractions, visiting order, and duration may be adjusted according to actual conditions on the day of travel.

Meeting & Departure

08:30 | Nagoya Station Departure

Meet at MINISTOP Tsubaki-cho Store (Taiko-dori Exit, Nagoya Station) and begin your beautiful journey.

Meeting Point:
MINISTOP Tsubaki-cho Store
5-10 Tsubakicho, Nakamura-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 453-0015, Japan

Please arrive at the meeting point on time and wait for the driver.
As this is a shared transfer tour, late arrivals will not be waited for or refunded.

11:00 | Hida Takayama (150 mins, including free lunch time)

Hida Takayama Old Town Walking Tour

Located in northern Gifu Prefecture, Takayama preserves the historical streetscape of a castle town and merchant district dating back to the Edo period, earning it the nickname “Little Kyoto of Hida.”

Stroll through the famous Sanmachi Suji District, where beautifully preserved wooden townhouses from the Edo, Meiji, and Taisho eras line charming streets with flowing canals, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of Japan 400 years ago.

Enjoy local specialties such as:

• Hida Beef
• Takayama Ramen
• Traditional crafts showcasing the craftsmanship of Hida artisans

Must-Try: Hida Beef Sushi

Trying Hida Beef Sushi is one of the highlights of visiting Takayama Old Town.

Recommended Popular Shops

① Hida Kotte Ushi (Recommended)
Specialty Hida Beef Nigiri Sushi
Address: 34 Kamisannomachi, Takayama, Gifu 506-0846
Hours: Daily 10:00–17:00
Menu: 3-piece Hida Beef Sushi Set – ¥1,000
Cash only

② Sakaguchiya
Address: 90 Kamisannomachi, Takayama, Gifu 506-0846
Hours: 11:00–15:00 (Closed Tuesdays)
Menu: 2-piece Hida Beef Sushi – ¥900
Cash only

Restaurant Recommendations

Ajikura Tengoku
A JA-operated restaurant known for premium Hida beef.

Address: 4-147 Hanasato, Takayama
Hours: 11:00–14:00 / 17:00–21:00 (Closed Tuesdays)
Budget:
Lunch ¥3,000–3,999
Dinner ¥4,000–4,999
Tel: +81-577-37-1129
Reservations available on weekdays only (book 1 week in advance recommended).

Maruaki Hida Takayama Store
A designated Hida beef specialty restaurant offering yakiniku and set meals.

Address: 6-8-1 Tenmanmachi, Takayama
Hours: 10:00–22:00
Budget:
Lunch ¥2,000–2,999
Dinner ¥6,000–7,999
Tel: +81-577-35-5858
No reservations accepted.

14:30 | Shirakawa-go (90 mins)

Shirakawa-go Gassho Village

Surrounded by mountains, rice fields, and rivers, Shirakawa-go is often called the Kingdom of Forests and Streams.

The village of Ogimachi is the largest among the three UNESCO World Heritage villages:

• Shirakawa-go
• Ainokura
• Suganuma

With 152 traditional houses, it is famous for its unique gassho-zukuri farmhouses, whose steep thatched roofs resemble hands pressed together in prayer.

Shiroyama Observation Deck

Located northeast of Ogimachi Village, Shiroyama Observation Deck offers the most iconic panoramic view of Shirakawa-go and the surrounding Mt. Hakusan area.

This is the best photo spot in Shirakawa-go.

Café Recommendation

Ochudo (落人)
A traditional gassho-style café featured in the popular manga ONE PIECE (Chapter 566).

Known for:

• Traditional irori hearth
• Red bean porridge with rice dumplings
• Vintage coffee cups and cozy folk-house atmosphere

Address: 792 Ogimachi, Shirakawa-mura, Ono-gun, Gifu
Hours: 10:30–17:00
Budget: Around ¥999
Tel: 090-5458-0418

16:00 | Return Journey

Depart from Shirakawa-go and return to Nagoya.

18:30 | Tour Ends in Nagoya

Drop-off and tour dismissal at:

MINISTOP convenience store behind BIC CAMERA (Nagoya Station West Exit)

✅ Price Includes

1. One-way Hakone Ropeway ticket included

2. Vehicle service as specified in the itinerary

3. Fuel costs, toll fees, and highway charges

4. Vehicle service time: within 10 hours (in accordance with Japanese regulations)

5. Driver & guide service fee:

   • 1–13 guests: Small group service

   • 14–45 guests: Bus group service
     (Final vehicle and staff arrangement will be adjusted based on the actual group size on the day of travel)

6. Reference vehicle types (for reference only, subject to availability and group size):

   • 5–8 seats: Toyota Alphard or equivalent

   • 9–14 seats: Toyota Hiace or equivalent

   • 18–22 seats: Mini bus

   • 22+ seats: Large coach/bus

7. Child policy:

   • 0–2 years old: Free if held on lap (no seat required)

   • 3 years old and above: Charged as adults

🧳 Luggage Policy (Day Tour)

This is a one-day tour, and bringing luggage is not recommended.

Each guest may bring one piece of luggage free of charge (no size limit).
If you plan to bring luggage, please inform us at the time of booking.

• Luggage not pre-declared, or more than one piece per person, will incur an additional fee of JPY 2,000 per extra piece, subject to vehicle space availability.

• Children under 3 years old who do not occupy a seat, as well as their luggage, must be declared in advance.

If luggage or passengers are not declared in advance and this results in insufficient vehicle capacity, the driver or guide reserves the right to refuse boarding, and no refund will be provided.

❌ Price Excludes

1. Optional Lake Ashi Pirate Ship cruise (ticket not included)

2. Accommodation, meals, optional activities, and other personal expenses

3. Any other items not explicitly listed in “Price Includes”

Travel Information:

1. Once the order is confirmed, the date cannot be changed. Any losses incurred as a result must be borne by the participant.

2. Please provide complete information at the time of booking (full name, number of participants, phone number, WeChat ID, and pick-up location) to avoid errors that may affect the itinerary.

3. During the trip, please keep your passport and valuables with you at all times. Any loss, theft, or damage shall be borne by the participant.

4. Elderly participants, those with high blood pressure, heart disease, or other cardiovascular conditions, and pregnant women are advised to participate with a family member.

5. This tour does not accept unaccompanied participants under the age of 18. Minors must be accompanied by a guardian when booking.

6. This is a shared fixed itinerary. Participants are required to follow the scheduled stop durations at each attraction and comply with the guide/driver’s arrangements. For more flexible itineraries, please refer to our private charter tour services.

7. No refunds will be provided for non-participation, early departure, or interruption of the tour due to personal reasons, including lateness.

8. Participants who leave the group midway without authorization will be deemed to have forfeited the service. No refunds will be issued, and any resulting personal injury or property loss shall be the participant’s own responsibility.

9. Arrival times may vary due to traffic conditions, weather, holidays, or crowd levels. Delays or cancellations caused by the above or other force majeure factors are non-refundable.

10. Please wear comfortable clothing and suitable footwear for travel.

11. Please comply with all local laws and regulations in Japan. Do not carry items prohibited by Japanese law to avoid legal issues.

12. During free time, please take care of your personal safety and belongings. Any accidents or losses resulting from failure to follow advice will be the participant’s own responsibility.

Itinerary Important Notes:

Due to the unpredictability of traffic conditions, weather, holidays, and crowd levels on the day of travel, arrival times at each destination may vary. According to Japanese law, the maximum working time for drivers is 10 hours per day. To ensure driver safety and stable operation of the vehicle, the itinerary may be adjusted based on actual circumstances, including reducing the time spent at certain attractions or canceling specific stops. We sincerely ask for your understanding and support regarding any adjustments made in the interest of safety.

In the event of the above or other force majeure circumstances, we apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Please understand that refunds cannot be provided under such circumstances. This policy is in place to prioritize the safety of both drivers and passengers and to ensure the smooth operation of the entire group.

We are always committed to providing the best possible travel experience. However, in certain situations, flexible adjustments to the itinerary may be necessary based on real-time conditions. Thank you for your understanding and support.

Force Majeure Includes but Is Not Limited To

• Natural disasters: earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, floods, typhoons, etc.

• Traffic incidents: road accidents, severe congestion, etc.

• Weather conditions: heavy snow, rainstorms, dense fog, etc.

• Government regulations: emergency orders, traffic controls, etc.

• Medical emergencies: sudden illness or injury of a guest or group member

• Social events: strikes, protests, social unrest

• Mechanical failures: vehicle breakdowns or malfunctions

Cancellation & Refund Policy:

• Cancellations made more than 3 days before departure (excluding the departure date): 100% refund.

• Cancellations made 2–3 days before departure (inclusive): 50% refund.

• Cancellations made 1 day before departure or on the day of departure: no refund.