・Enjoy the World Heritage Site of Shirakawa-go, a Gassho-style village, both day and night.
・This is a limited-time course available for 4 days only! Reservations are required and only a limited number of buses can enter.
・Depart from Shinjuku on the Azusa Limited Express
・We will also take you to Kenrokuen Garden, famous for its snow hangings in Kanazawa, and Suganuma Lake in Gokayama, a World Heritage Site.
・Hotels with large public baths ・Stay at Kanazawa Manten Hotel Ekimae or APA Hotel Kanazawa Ekimae
・This tour will be conducted in Japanese, but foreigners can also enjoy it (important information such as meeting times will be provided using a translation app).
| Tour Type | Shared tour |
| Departure Time | Late Departure (After 9 am) |
| Minimum participant requirement | 20 travelers |
| Meal arrangement | Breakfast included, Lunch included, With dinner, Arrange yourself |
| Accommodation type | Hotel |
| Seasonal | Winter Snow Exclusive |
| Sightseeing type | Natural sights, Historic site tour, Bus tour |
| Transport | Bus tour |
[Travel conditions]
Departure/Destination: Tokyo, Gifu/Ishikawa/Toyama
Length of trip: 1 night, 2 days
Transportation: JR and chartered bus
Bus company: Alpico Kotsu or equivalent
Meal conditions: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch (box lunch), 1 dinner
Accommodation: Kanazawa Manten Hotel Ekimae/Western-style room (single/twin)
Or APA Hotel Kanazawa Ekimae/Western-style room (single or twin)
Please leave the room allocation and room type of your accommodation to us.
■Room layouts and views from the rooms vary depending on the accommodation facility.
Tour conductor: 1
Guide: 0 (no guide-interpreters will accompany)
[Travel planning/implementation]
Company name: CLUB TOURISM INTERNATIONAL INC
Address: 1-9-6 Edagawa, Koto-ku, Tokyo
Registration number: Tourism Agency Commissioner's Registered Travel Agency No. 1693
Travel industry 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
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 20 day(s) before the departure date
This tour is conducted in Japanese only.
Due to the nature of group tickets, we cannot accommodate requests for specific train departure/arrival times or window/aisle seats. Also, even if you apply for two or more people, you may not be seated next to each other.
Regarding seats on transportation etc.: In order to ensure the smooth running of group tours, we ask that you leave the allocation of seats on transportation (buses, airplanes, trains, etc.) and at designated facilities during the trip to our discretion.
The price for children (ages 6-11) is 3,000 yen off the adult price. The travel price for children aged 3-5 (preschoolers) is a flat rate of 20,000 yen.
Depending on the weather conditions, you may not be able to see the snow scenery, and the illumination may be canceled due to bad weather.
For domestic trips departing on or after May 1, 2025, any changes to meal contents due to food allergies, religious reasons, etc. will incur a fee of 1,500 yen per meal, and any difference in price will be charged at the actual cost. As a general rule, please notify us at least 14 days before your departure date. For changes after that, please contact us.
Accommodation will be at Kanazawa Manten Hotel Ekimae or APA Hotel Kanazawa Ekimae.
Even if you have applied for a room for two people, you may be assigned to two rooms, one for each person.
On the second day, if you would like to go to the observation deck during the day in Shirakawa-go, you can either walk or take the shuttle bus (additional charge applies). However, please note that you may not be able to go to the observation deck if the shuttle bus is full or due to bad weather or snow.
Shirakawa-go is renowned for its unique Gassho-style farmhouses, characterized by steeply pitched thatched roofs designed to withstand heavy snowfall. This architectural style, resembling 'praying hands,' is a distinctive feature. The village, along with Gokayama, is a UNESCO World Heritage site, preserving traditional Japanese mountain village life and culture. Its scenic beauty, especially during winter illuminations, draws visitors seeking a glimpse into a bygone era.
Key attractions in Shirakawa-go include the Ogimachi Village, where most Gassho-style houses are located. Visitors should explore the Wada House and Kanda House, which are open to the public and offer insights into traditional living. The Shiroyama Viewpoint provides a panoramic vista of the village. Also, don't miss Myozenji Temple, a unique Gassho-style temple. During winter, the evening illuminations are a highly sought-after experience.
To fully appreciate Shirakawa-go, a visit of at least 3-4 hours during the day is recommended to explore the main Ogimachi village, visit a Gassho-style house like Kanda House, and enjoy the Shiroyama viewpoint. For those attending the special winter illuminations, additional time in the evening is required, as the atmosphere transforms significantly. A comprehensive visit allows for a deeper understanding of its unique heritage.
Shirakawa-go does not have a train station. The primary way to access the village is by bus. Visitors typically take a train to a nearby city like Takayama or Kanazawa, and then transfer to a Nohi Bus or similar highway bus directly to Shirakawa-go. This makes planning transportation in advance essential for a smooth journey to the World Heritage site.
Shirakawa-go is located in Gifu Prefecture, Japan, nestled in a mountainous region. It is situated in the Shogawa river valley and is part of the Hida region. Its remote, snowy location historically contributed to the preservation of its unique Gassho-style villages. It's often visited in conjunction with other destinations like Takayama and Kanazawa in central Japan.
The Shirakawa-go illuminations are a special, limited-time event that transforms the Gassho-style village into a magical winter wonderland at night. These illuminations are highly significant because they are reservation-only and only a limited number of vehicles are permitted entry, making it a rare and valuable experience. It allows visitors to enjoy the unique architecture and snowy landscape under a different, enchanting light, offering a distinct atmosphere from daytime visits.
Kenrokuen Garden in Kanazawa is celebrated as one of Japan's 'Three Great Gardens' and offers a picturesque landscape throughout the year. Visitors can expect to see exquisite classical Japanese garden features, including ponds, artificial hills, tea houses, and streams. It's particularly famous for its winter 'yukitsuri' (snow hanging) ropes, which protect the trees from heavy snow, creating a stunning visual spectacle.
The Gassho-style houses in Gokayama, similar to Shirakawa-go, are recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site for their unique architectural design and their representation of traditional mountain village life. These distinctive steep-roofed farmhouses are perfectly adapted to the heavy snowfall of the region, and the villages like Suganuma preserve a rare example of traditional communal living and sustainable craftsmanship that has been passed down through generations.