2-Day Tour to the World Heritage Site｜Shirakawa-go＆ Hida Takayama＆Kenrokuen in Kanazawa｜Departure from Osaka
- Kanazawa is known as a city that blends history, culture, and food. The rich variety of dishes, such as the "Kanazawa Oden" that has been gaining popularity in recent years, are also worth a try.
- Major attractions include Kenrokuen, one of the three most famous gardens in Japan, Kanazawa Castle Park, which is rich in historical features, and Higashi Chaya District, a unique street area.
- Kanazawa's 'Kitchen', Omicho Market, is a food paradise not to be missed, with many shops offering fresh seafood and traditional Kaga cuisine.
Package Options
Sightseeing Tours
| Tour Type | Shared tour |
| Transportation method | Transfer from meeting point |
| Luggage limit | 1 piece |
| Minimum participant requirement | 8 travelers |
| Meal arrangement | Arrange yourself |
| Shopping Experience | Local Markets |
| Sightseeing type | Traditional markets, Japanese castles |
| Transport | Bus tour |
Product Info
The content of this product is provided by machine translation and may not reflect the actual information, please take this into consideration before booking.
＜Day 1: Hida Takayama and Shirakawa-go＞
There are many historical spots in Hida Takayama, such as the Takayama Jinya, the only site of a magistrate's residence in Japan that retains its main buildings.
Shirakawa-go is famous for its "Gassho-zukuri" roofed villages built to cope with the snowy climate of the region, and is a great place to experience traditional rural style.
＜Day 2: Kanazawa＞
Kanazawa is a castle town of the Hyakumangoku region of Kaga. In the center of Kanazawa Castle Park is the Gyokusen-inmaru Garden, a garden that was loved by the lord of Kaga Domain. The beautiful scenery of the Edo period is reproduced, and the design that combines waterfalls and stone walls is impressive.
If you want to experience modern art, we highly recommend the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa. The unique architecture and creative exhibitions inside the museum will make you linger.
In addition, Kanazawa's nightlife is also worth exploring. You can enjoy a relaxing first night at a specialty bar in the teahouse district or a local izakaya.
Takayama's streets retain the style of the castle town and merchant streets of the Edo period, and still have a strong historical atmosphere. It has been designated as an important national preservation area for traditional buildings.
Takayama Jinya is the remains of the magistrate's office that governed Hida Province during the Edo period and is now designated as a national historic site.
Takayama not only has a rich history and culture, but also has charming food! Food such as Takayama ramen, Hida soba, and grilled soy sauce dango are very popular. In addition, the cute "Monkey Baby" shaped ice cream is also loved by tourists and is worth a try!
In order to adapt to the harsh natural environment of the heavy snow zone, the Gassho-zukuri villages in Shirakawa-go adopt a steep roof design. Its unique architectural style and beautiful scenery are definitely worth seeing with your own eyes.
The second day's journey started slowly in front of the "Drum Gate", which symbolizes the elegant soul of Kanazawa. The majestic drum gate, inspired by the Noh drum that was popular in Kanazawa in the past, carries the city's profound cultural heritage.
Kenrokuen is one of the three most representative gardens in Japan. Whether it is cherry blossoms, red leaves, or snow scenes, the garden is beautiful in all four seasons, making it a place where you can linger all year round.
Gyokusen-in Maru Garden is said to have been the private garden of the feudal lord. The garden here is unique, and the exquisite stone walls are cleverly arranged in the garden, presenting a unique beauty. It is a garden full of sense of design.
The variety of fresh fish and crabs is breathtaking! If you want to take photos, remember to say hello to the store owner first. Let the good memories start with politeness.
The delicious food is all there on the streets of Kanazawa. Among them, Kanazawa's oden is especially recommended. Its exquisite soup stock flavor is both heart-warming and stomach-warming and should not be missed.
Purchase Notice
【Travel conditions】【 Terms 】
Travel origin and destination: Osaka, Gifu/Ishikawa
Travel duration: 2 days and 1 night
Transportation: Chartered bus
Bus company name: Meiko Trading Co., Ltd./Nissan Co., Ltd./Hakuba Transportation Co., Ltd./Essentials Co., Ltd./Japanese Travel Co., Ltd./Naniwa サロンバス Co., Ltd./レインボーウィング Co., Ltd. / サンスターライン Co., Ltd. 五大観光バス Co., Ltd. / Yongda International Co., Ltd. / Yoshizumi Co., Ltd. / Mitsuru Shoji Co., Ltd.
Meals included: Breakfast 0 times Lunch 0 times Dinner 0 times
Accommodation facilities: None
Minimum number of people: 8
Team leader: 1
Tour guide: 0
【Travel planning/implementation】
Operating company name: Torotron Osaka Headquarters
Address: 2-123 Inoget Osaka 10th floor, Umeda 3-chome, Kita-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture, 530-0001
License number: Osaka Prefecture Governor Registered Travel Business No. 2-2181
Travel Association Name: Full member of the National Association of Travel Agents (Osaka Prefecture Branch) Full member of the Zentravel Association (Osaka Prefecture Travel Agents Association) JATA is a cooperating member
Reminders
A minimum of 8 traveler(s) are required for the tour to depart. If the number of participants does not reach the minimum requirement, the tour will be canceled. An email regarding tour cancellation will be sent 14 day(s) before the departure date
Please arrive at the designated location 15 minute(s) before the scheduled departure time, as the tour will depart on time
The bus will depart on time, please be sure to abide by the boarding time. We are not responsible for any lateness.
Please note that we may arrive at the next attraction or end the tour earlier due to closures or time restrictions at various facilities.
Please be aware that the itinerary may be adjusted due to traffic jams or bad weather.
Sometimes the tour must be cancelled due to natural disasters or abnormal weather conditions. In this case, please contact us to confirm the departure status.
The time to visit each attraction is determined by the traffic conditions on the road or the number of participants on the day.
This tour is available in Mandarin and Japanese.
If you are late for transportation or personal reasons and cannot join the trip, it will be considered as an automatic cancellation by the passenger and no refund will be given.
The company will not refund if the passenger abandons the tour due to personal reasons.
During long holidays, the scheduled end time of the tour may be later than usual due to traffic congestion. In addition, if the return time is delayed due to other unavoidable reasons and the passenger has to take a taxi or stay overnight, we will not be able to bear the cost.
Please note that bus seats cannot be assigned, smoking is prohibited, and there is no toilet on the bus.
If the facility is suspended due to force majeure after the tour has started, a partial refund will be made. Please note that we cannot refund the facility admission fee included in the tour price because it is different from the facility's published price.
The tour does not include accommodation. Please arrange your own accommodation in Kanazawa city or surrounding areas.
Cancellation Policy
- Cancellations 11 day(s) (inclusive) before the selected date are allowed. Unused orders can be canceled for free
- For cancellations made 8 to 10 days prior to selected date, a cancellation fee of 20% will apply
- For cancellations made 2 to 7 days prior to selected date, a cancellation fee of 30% will apply
- For cancellations made 1 to 1 days prior to selected date, a cancellation fee of 40% will apply
- Cancellation is not allowed between 0–0 days from the selected date. Orders cannot be canceled or modified, and refunds will not be granted.
- Due to time zone differences, the confirmed cancellation date is based on the supplier’s local time. Please allow 2–5 business days to process your cancellation request, after which the cancellation fee will be charged according to the product’s cancellation policy. Once the cancellation is confirmed, you will receive your refund within 14 working days.
FAQ
Shirakawa-go is renowned for its unique Gassho-zukuri farmhouses, characterized by steeply pitched thatched roofs resembling praying hands. These traditional houses, some over 250 years old, are designed to withstand heavy snowfall and provide large attic spaces for sericulture. The village offers a glimpse into a traditional Japanese mountain lifestyle, perfectly blending with the surrounding natural beauty, making it a culturally and historically significant destination.
To fully appreciate Shirakawa-go Village, it is recommended to spend at least 2-3 hours. This allows time to explore the main street, visit some of the Gassho-zukuri houses (like Wada House or Kanda House), enjoy the scenic viewpoints like the Ogimachi Observatory, and browse local shops. A leisurely pace ensures you capture the serene atmosphere and historical charm of this unique site.
Shirakawa-go is located in the Shogawa River valley in Gifu Prefecture, within the central Honshu region of Japan. It is nestled amidst mountains, close to the border with Toyama Prefecture. This remote, mountainous location historically isolated the village, contributing to the preservation of its distinctive architectural style and traditional way of life.
Key attractions in Shirakawa-go include the Gassho-zukuri Minkaen Outdoor Museum, where you can see relocated traditional houses. Don't miss the Wada House and Kanda House, which are open to the public for insight into local life. The Ogimachi Observatory offers a panoramic view of the village and its iconic roofs. Strolling through the village streets and crossing the Deai Bridge also provide memorable experiences.
Yes, Shirakawa-go village is very walkable. The main area of Ogimachi village is relatively flat and compact, making it easy to explore on foot. Paved paths and pedestrian bridges connect the major attractions. While some viewpoints, like the Ogimachi Observatory, may require a short uphill walk, the core village area is highly accessible for walking.
Shirakawa-go does not have a train station. The primary way to reach Shirakawa-go is by bus. Regular bus services connect Shirakawa-go with major cities like Kanazawa, Takayama, and Nagoya. For visitors, participating in a guided tour often includes convenient bus transportation directly to the village, simplifying the journey from larger hubs like Osaka.
Hida Takayama offers a charming journey back in time with its beautifully preserved old town, known as Sanmachi Suji. Visitors can explore traditional merchant houses, sake breweries, and craft shops. Key historical features include the Takayama Jinya, a former government office from the Edo period, and various morning markets offering local produce and crafts. The town's architecture and atmosphere reflect its rich merchant history as "Little Kyoto."
Kenrokuen Garden, one of Japan's "Three Great Gardens," offers stunning landscapes meticulously designed over centuries. Highlights include the iconic Kotoji-toro lantern by Kasumigaike Pond, the oldest fountain in Japan (operating naturally by water pressure), and diverse walking paths showcasing seasonal beauty. Visitors can also admire the intricate water channels, tea houses, and the picturesque Midori-daki waterfall within the expansive grounds.
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