A private tour provides a different atmosphere from offered group tours, as you can truly enjoy this intimate time with your party to enjoy these amazing locations with no interruptions or unexpected happenings.
You will first arrive at Shirakawa-go, and start at the famous look-out point from which the whole town of Shirakawa-go may be seen at once. Your guide will then lead you down the road, descending into the rice paddies and quaint streets that make up the village. Next you will be brought through the town of Shirakawa-go and introduced to its highlights.
Once the guided portion is complete, you will have around 1 hour of free time – if you choose – to explore at your own pace, and revisit places you want a better look at. During this time, you may also eat lunch, enter into those farm houses which allow you to do so, or sample some of the snacks that are sold along the high street. Your guide will be around to answer any questions you may have.
Once this time is up, you will meet your guide at the centre of the village. From there, you will begin your journey to Takayama. Taking roughly 1 hour, this drive will not be boring as there is scenery of great beauty just outside the window for almost the whole ride.
The second part of the tour will be a 1-hour guided experience inside the Jinya where your guide will explain about the history of the building and the city of Takayama itself. The Jinya includes both rooms for official business as well as rooms that were used by high-ranking officials for their own relaxation. You will also have a chance to see a beautiful Japanese garden, and experience the simplistic beauty of traditional Japanese design.
The Jinya also houses a number of artefacts, including art, books, and tools, from its heyday in the 17th through 19th centuries. Unlike a visit to a typical museum, at the Takayama Jinya you will be able to enjoy viewing these pieces of history in a building that is as old as the items on display!
Afterwards, you will be heading to the traditional city centre of Takayama, known as the “Sanmachi”, for a 30-minute guided walk, wherein your guide will show you around the area and make sure you don’t miss any scenic views. This portion of the tour will conclude at the entrance to the Miyagawa Morning Market, where your guide will give a brief introduction to the market and its place in Takayama culture.
You will then have around 1 hour and 30 minutes of free time, where you may peruse the market, return to the Sanmachi to get a closer look at some of its shops, or head to some local restaurants to enjoy the delicious food of the Hida region.
Finally, you will meet up again with your guide at 17:00 to conclude the tour and start your trip back to Kanazawa, a journey which will take roughly 1 hour. You can expect to be back in Kanazawa around 19:00. Guests who wish to stay in Takayama may of course do so and end the tour in Takayama at 17:00.
