| Tour Type | Shared tour |
| Transportation method | Transfer from meeting point |
| Departure Time | Late Departure (After 9 am) |
| Minimum participant requirement | 20 travelers |
| Meal arrangement | Breakfast included, With dinner, Arrange yourself |
| Accommodation type | Hotel |
| Room type | Double room, Quadruple room |
| Family-friendly | Free for children under 2 (no seat) |
| Seasonal | Winter Snow Exclusive |
| Sightseeing type | Natural sights, Historic site tour, Bus tour |
| Transport | Bus tour |
[Travel conditions]
Departure and destination: Osaka, Gifu, Toyama. Travel days: 2 nights and 3 days. Transportation: Chartered bus. Bus company: Minami Hida Sightseeing Bus. Meal conditions: 2 breakfasts, 0 lunches, 2 dinners.
Available accommodation:
First night: Gero Onsen Tourist Hotel Yumotokan [Guest room] Japanese-style room / No bath / No shower booth / Toilet included
Second night: Hida Takayama Onsen, Mercure Hida Takayama [Guest room] Western-style room (single, double, twin) / no bath, shower booth, toilet included *You may be assigned a room without a bath for both nights (with a shower booth for the second night) *Even if you book a room for four people, you will be divided into two rooms for the second night *There are no rooms available for three people
Minimum number of participants: 20
Tour conductor: 1
Guide: 0 (Guidance will be in Japanese) *No guide-interpreters will accompany the tour
[Travel planning/implementation]
Company name: CLUB TOURISM INTERNATIONAL INC
Address: 1-9-6 Edagawa, Koto-ku, Tokyo
Registration number: Travel Agency registered by the Commissioner of the Japan Tourism Agency No. 1693 Travel Association: Full member of the Japan Association of Travel Agents
[Consignment sales]
KKDAY JAPAN Inc.
2nd Floor, WESTALL Yotsuya Building, 1-22-5 Yotsuya, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0004 Japan Tourism Agency Commissioner's Registered Travel Agency No. 2045 Member Organization: Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA)
A minimum of 20 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 21 day(s) before the departure date
This course will take you to the special nighttime illumination of Minkaen, a part of Shirakawa-go. It is different from the event where the entire Shirakawa-go area is lit up (which will be held for only four days in 2026).
Check-in on the first day is after 3pm and check-out is at 10am.
If there is an odd number of people on the bus or train, men and women may be seated together. On the train, even if you are in a group, your seats may be separated.
The order of the itinerary may be changed.
The snow scenery may not be visible depending on weather conditions.
For the second day, due to the Minka-en light-up and dinner, hotel arrival is scheduled for around 9:00 pm. Please note that dinner will start late, around 7:30 pm to 8:00 pm.
Departures are limited to February 7th, 14th, and 21st. Seats for the Gero Fireworks will not be available. The event may be canceled due to weather conditions. In such cases, no refunds will be given.
The price for children (elementary school students) is the same as the adult price. The travel price for children aged 3 to 5 (preschool children) is a flat rate of 25,000 yen.
You may be assigned a room without a bath for both nights (there may be a shower booth on the second night). Please use the large public bath for bathing.
If you are traveling with an infant, they will not be counted in the number of people in the room type. (For example, if you are traveling with "2 adults and 1 infant," please select a room for 2 people, and if you are traveling with "3 adults, 1 child, and 1 infant," please select a room for 3 people.)
The infant fare includes the actual costs of bus seats, facility fees, admission fees, etc., but does not generally provide hotel beds or meals (with the exception of some tours such as buffets). Also, if traveling by train, seats will not be guaranteed.
Shirakawa-go is renowned for its unique gassho-zukuri (praying hands) farmhouses, characterized by steeply pitched thatched roofs designed to withstand heavy snow and provide attic space for sericulture. This architectural style and the village's deep preservation of traditional Japanese rural culture, lifestyle, and landscape earned it UNESCO World Heritage status, offering visitors a glimpse into an authentic historical setting.
The name 'Shirakawa-go' translates literally to 'White River Village.' 'Shirakawa' (白川) refers to the Shogawa River that flows through the valley where the village is situated, often appearing white from its clear waters or snow. 'Go' (郷) simply means a village or district. The name reflects its geographical location and natural surroundings.
Shirakawa-go is nestled in the mountainous region of northwestern Gifu Prefecture, Japan. It is situated in a remote valley surrounded by peaks, specifically within the Shogawa River basin. Its isolated location contributed to the preservation of its distinctive gassho-zukuri architectural style and traditional way of life.
Visitors to Shirakawa-go can explore the charming village, step inside preserved gassho-zukuri houses to learn about their history and daily life, and enjoy local cuisine. The area offers beautiful day and night views. Special events like the Shirakawa-go Folk Houses Garden nighttime illumination allow visitors to experience the village in a unique, enchanting light, deeply experiencing Japan's original landscape.
Gero Onsen is celebrated as one of Japan's three most famous onsens. Its water is known for being highly alkaline, which leaves the skin feeling exceptionally smooth and soft, often referred to as 'water for beautiful skin.' The onsen town features numerous traditional ryokans, public bathhouses, and footbaths, offering a deeply relaxing and therapeutic experience amidst a charming atmosphere.
When visiting Gero Onsen, it's customary to cleanse your body thoroughly by showering before entering the main bath. Traditionally, guests bathe naked, and swimwear or underwear is not permitted in the communal hot spring pools. Long hair should be tied up to prevent it from entering the water, and loud conversations or boisterous behavior are typically avoided to maintain a peaceful environment for all.
Gero Onsen offers a profoundly relaxing escape with its high-quality, skin-beautifying waters, making it an ideal spot to unwind. Beyond the therapeutic baths, the charming onsen town provides a taste of traditional Japanese culture with its ryokans, local shops, and cuisine. On specific dates, like February 7th, 14th, and 21st, visitors can also enjoy special fireworks displays, adding to the unique experience.
The name 'Gero' for Gero Onsen does not have a special meaning directly related to frogs, despite the Japanese onomatopoeia 'gero gero' often used for a frog's croak. The name of the town originates from historical regional naming conventions. Its fame stems from its hot springs, which have been recognized for their quality for centuries.