Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO World Heritage village in the Japanese Alps, is famous for its historic Gassho-zukuri farmhouses with steep thatched roofs, built to withstand heavy snow and preserve traditional mountain life.
Shirakawa-go offers a special winter Light-Up event, held on only 4 nights in 2027: January 11, 17, 24, and 31. The Regular Tour does not include the Light-Up event. If you wish to attend, please book the Shirakawa-go Light-Up Tour.
Regular Day Tour: Focus on cultural discovery. Explore Takayama, known as “Hida Little Kyoto,” and Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and experience their rich history and traditional culture.
Detailed Itinerary
Regular Day Tour
8:30 AM |Meet at Nagoya Station Shinkansen North Gate and depart.
10:30 AM | Takayama Old Town (120 mins): Explore Sanmachi-dori, the town’s preserved main street lined with wooden machiya (merchant houses). Visit the morning market (if open) to sample Hida beef skewers and pickled vegetables, or wander craft shops selling hand-carved woodenware and Hida wool textiles.
1:00 PM | Lunch break (30 minutes)
Optional Hida beef or vegetarian meal. The meal may vary slightly depending on the restaurant. Without the meal option, you may dine at your own expense near the attraction.
2:00 PM | Shirakawa-go Gassho Village (120 mins): Dive into the heart of this UNESCO site. Step inside Wada House, a 300-year-old Gassho-zukuri farmhouse, to learn about its nail-free construction and how families once lived off the land (growing rice, sericulture).
4:00 PM–6:30 PM | Return to Nagoya: Depart Shirakawa-go
Special Light-Up Tour (2027: Jan 11/17/24/31 ) adding the evening light-up—snow-capped roofs glowing with warm lights (no observatory access).
• 10:00 AM | Meet at Ministop Meieki Tsubakicho Store and depart.
• 12:30 PM | Takayama Old Town (120 mins): Stroll Sanmachi-dori’s historic streets, admire Edo-era wooden buildings, and browse local craft shops for traditional Hida handicrafts.
• 3:30 PM | Shirakawa-go Gassho Village(120 mins): Arrive and continue your cultural exploration—wander the snow-dusted lanes, photograph the Gassho-zukuri houses, and learn about the village’s history before settling in to wait for the light-up.
• 5:30–7:30 PM | Shirakawa-go Light-Up (120 mins): Witness the seasonal highlight—warm lights illuminate the snow-capped thatched roofs, casting a soft glow over the historic village (no observatory access).
• 7:30 PM–10:00 PM | Return to Nagoya: Depart Shirakawa-go
Only vehicles with up to 9 seats are allowed to enter Shirakawa-go, so each vehicle can carry a maximum of 9 participants. During the light-up event, participants will be divided into small groups and travel in separate vehicles. One English-speaking guide will lead each group of up to 27 participants (generally one guide for every 3 -4vehicles).
