Tours/Kanazawa/ENGLISH SPEAKING Private Full Day Tour Shirakawago/ Takayama
Viator · Private tour

ENGLISH SPEAKING Private Full Day Tour Shirakawago/ Takayama

5.0(7)Kanazawa1 hour
VIATOR5.0(2)TRIPADVISOR5.0(5)

Description

Experience the charm of Japan’s countryside with a private full-day tour from Kanazawa to Shirakawago and Takayama. Explore the historic village of Shirakawago, renowned for its iconic gassho-zukuri farmhouses and stunning mountain scenery. Then continue to Takayama, a beautifully preserved town known for its traditional streets, local craftsmanship, and regional cuisine. This tour is fully customizable to suit your interests—whether you’d like to focus on history, food, scenic views, or a mix of everything. Travel in comfort with a private vehicle for up to 6 guests, enjoy the flexibility of your own schedule, and take in the breathtaking landscapes of the Japanese Alps at your own pace. The tour lasts up to 8 hours including driving time and is a round-trip returning to Kanazawa. If you wish to finish your tour in Takayama instead, please contact us for a separate arrangement, as luggage space is limited.

Tour Options

Full-day Private Tour Shirakawago & Takayama
  • Toyota Alphard Pickup included

Itinerary

120 min

Travel to the picturesque village renowned for its unique thatched-roof farmhouses, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Stroll through the village, learning about the architectural style designed to withstand heavy snowfall and the lifestyle of its inhabitants. Explore local viewpoints, restaurants and cafes, and gift shops.

120 min

Continue to Takayama, a city celebrated for its well-preserved Edo-period streets. Wander the historic district, where traditional wooden merchant houses, sake breweries, and craft shops line the streets, offering a glimpse into Japan's past.

Highlights

Private Vehicle
English speaking guide
Hotel Pick-up & Drop-off

What's included

Included
Private Vehicle
English speaking guide
Hotel Pick-up & Drop-off
Not included
Meals & Drinks
Personal Expenses and Souvenirs
Optional activities
Admission Fees

Pickup Locations & Times

The guide will pick you up from the lobby of the hotel. The guide will arrive 15 minutes before the departure time. Due to limited luggage space, please let us know in advance if you have any luggage with you. In some cases, we may not be able to fit all luggage in the vehicle.

Traveller Ratings

5.0
7 reviews
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7
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Important Information

  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Reviews(7)

3
395ushmas
July 7, 2026
Full day trip via a private car and English speaking guide to Takayama from Kanazawa

During our recent travels to Kanazawa, I wanted to spend a full day in Takayama. Unfortunately, the standard tour packages offered by most companies were limited to just a few hours. I reached out to Beyond Kanazawa tour company to inquire about customizing a package that would cater to our needs. It was then that I had the pleasure of interacting with Rina, who proved to be an exemplary representative. She was very professional, efficient, and always responsive. As it turned out, Rina not only helped us plan an incredible trip but also accompanied us as our tour guide for a memorable 10-hour excursion. Her extensive knowledge of Japanese history and her infectious enthusiasm made the experience even more enjoyable. Throughout the day, Rina ensured that we proceeded at a comfortable pace, allowing us to fully absorb the sights and sounds of Takayama. She picked us up from our hotel and dropped us back on time. She gave us so many local recommendations that were on point. For anyone traveling to Kanazawa i highly suggest to use this company.

J
jeanieo942
January 5, 2026
Enjoyable, Safe and Highly Recommend!

It was excellent service and support starting from the time when activity was booked right to the end. The team was very helpful and provided service beyond expectations. Meal recommendations at Takayama and Kanazawa was spot on! Food was excellent and of great value and definitely where locals frequented. Pickup was puntual, drive was safe and Rina was an excellent guide. She was cheerful, sincere and knowledgeable. Kudos to Rina! You made our daytrip a memorable one !

P
Pamela_S
December 1, 2025
If you want to see what...

If you want to see what Japanese small villages looked like in feudal era, Shirakawago is the site to see. I had expected Takeyama to be such a place but as charming as some parts are, it does not have the same feel. Yet, I liked it and was pleased that our guide found some shops that were of interest to my husband and others to me. Very good driver. And didn’t talk too much.

D
Dianellefebvre
November 18, 2025
Liam was amazing!

Great tour! Liam, our guide, was friendly, punctual, informative and showed us all around shirakawago and Takayama! We were very comfortably in his vehicle and we learned all about the region as well as his life in Kanazawa…would highly recommend this tour!

Operator response

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We’re glad to hear you enjoyed the tour and had a comfortable, informative day exploring the region. We appreciate the recommendation and hope to welcome you again in the future.

L
Liz222
November 3, 2025
Excellent Tour

We had a fantastic day with Rina! Our private tour started in Kanazawa and ended near Toyama. In between we saw the favorite tourist spots we requested. Rina also suggested some other less crowded spots that we enjoyed even more. We really appreciated Rina’s kind and knowledgeable service on our tour.

Operator response

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We’re glad to hear you had a fantastic day and enjoyed both the main sights and the quieter spots along the way. It’s wonderful that the guidance and service added to your experience. We appreciate your comments and hope to welcome you again in the future.

C
Climber07819335696
October 26, 2025
Amazing tour to incredible sites!

Liam treated us to an amazing day! We had a great experience and loved learning about this magical part of Japan! We loved the lunch in Takayama trying the waygu beef and Liam took us to a fun sake tasting too! Great day! Highly recommend!

Operator response

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We’re glad to hear you had a great day and enjoyed learning more about this part of Japan. It’s wonderful that the lunch and sake tasting added to the experience. We appreciate the recommendation and hope to welcome you again in the future.

A
Anat_S
July 16, 2025
A perfect guide to a beautiful place

We had an amazing day, beautiful places, beyond expectations!! Liam has a lot of knowledge and it was fascinating to hear and travel with. Thank you very much Liam for a fun and lovely day, for doing everything from the heart , and more.

Operator response

Thank you so much for the kind words! It truly means a lot. I'm really glad you had a great day and enjoyed the places we visited, it was a pleasure showing you around and sharing the stories behind each spot. Safe travels, and I hope our paths cross again sometime soon!

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