[Shirakawa-go & Kanazawa 2-Day / 1-Day Tour] Shirakawa-go, Takayama, Omicho Market, Kenrokuen Garden, Kanazawa Castle, Higashi Chaya Street | Departing from Nagoya

— Attraction Highlights —

• Shirakawa-go
  

The Ogimachi area of Shirakawa-go is famous for its gassho-zukuri farmhouses. Together with Gokayama and other villages with unique landscapes, Shirakawa-go was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in December 1995 as the "Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama." Located at the foot of Mount Haku in northwestern Gifu Prefecture, Shirakawa-go is a quiet mountain village surrounded by mountains, rice paddies, and rivers, with more than 110 gassho-zukuri houses (with steep thatched roofs) standing together. At the open-air museum Shirakawa-go Gassho-zukuri Minkaen, 25 gassho-zukuri houses once used across Shirakawa-go have been relocated and preserved, alongside a temple, a watermill hut, a charcoal hut, and a stable that recreate an old farming village. Demonstrations of traditional crafts such as dyeing and weaving are held, and visitors can try them too. The Gassho-zukuri Minkaen in the Ogimachi area charges admission, and you can visit it at your own expense during free time.

• Takayama

Journey to Takayama, a charming castle town established in the 16th century. Immerse yourself in the town's well-preserved wooden architecture, showcasing the exceptional craftsmanship of Hida carpenters. Discover the legacy of Hida's woodworking artistry, renowned throughout Japan for its exquisite techniques. Witness the enduring traditions that have shaped Takayama's cultural heritage, as Hida artisans were historically summoned to construct imperial palaces and temples in Kyoto and Nara. Stroll through the town's enchanting streets, where the ambiance of ancient Japan lingers. Uncover a treasure trove of historical sites, including temples, shrines, and bridges, each exuding the essence of Kyoto's timeless charm. Experience the unique allure of Takayama, a destination that captivates visitors with its unparalleled blend of history, culture, and natural beauty.

• Omicho Seafood Market

Where to eat seafood in Japan? Omicho Seafood Market in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture is a top choice!

Kanazawa may not be as busy as Tokyo or Osaka, but it blends the modern and the traditional perfectly. Located in central Kanazawa, Omicho Market has no fishy smell even though it is a seafood market. Its 170-plus shops mainly sell fresh food and daily goods, and there is also a community plaza. If you want to buy fresh produce as gifts, ice packing is available; every kind of seafood is on offer, some stalls provide on-site preparation, and the ingredients are fresh and reasonably priced. All kinds of seafood from the Sea of Japan are waiting for you!

• Kenrokuen

The foremost of Japan's three great gardens, Kenrokuen was begun in 1676 and opened to the public in 1871. Originally the garden of the lords of Kanazawa Castle, it was renovated and expanded by successive lords into a beautiful strolling garden. Its name comes from the Luoyang Mingyuan Ji (Record of the Famous Gardens of Luoyang) by Song-dynasty writer Li Gefei: the garden combines the six attributes of a perfect garden he described (spaciousness, seclusion, artifice, antiquity, water features, and panoramic views), hence the name Kenrokuen, the "garden combining six." The most celebrated sight in Kanazawa, the 110,000 m² garden near the city center features ponds, fountains, waterfalls, and streams, with pine, maple, plum, and cherry trees, orchids, chrysanthemums, irises, and lawns, plus pavilions and teahouses. Together with Koraku-en in Okayama and Kairaku-en in Mito, it is one of Japan's "three great gardens," bringing together the finest scenery of snow, moon, and flowers, and it is designated a Special Place of Scenic Beauty by the Japanese government. Kenrokuen's winter-only yukitsuri snow ropes are a seasonal highlight unique to Kanazawa and an unforgettable sight. The yukitsuri can be seen from November 1.

• Higashi Chaya Street

In Kanazawa, three preserved teahouse districts, Nishi, Higashi, and Kazue-machi, showcase Edo-era architecture with distinctive crimson latticed windows and second-story rain shelters lining cobblestone streets that evoke old Japan's elegant atmosphere. Visitors can find soba restaurants, sweet bean shops, renovated teahouses serving food and drinks, and various stores that provide an enjoyable stroll. Among the three, the largest, Higashi Chaya Street, established in 1820, now designated as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings, features rows of teahouses along its flagstone pavements, exuding the past prosperity of upscale dining streets. Kanazawa, renowned for gold leaf production—including the gold leaf on the World Heritage Site, Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) in Kyoto—invites visitors to indulge in gold leaf-covered ice cream and experience gold leaf facial treatments while exploring Higashi Chaya Street.