Top Chubu Bus Tours

Visit two of Japan’s most picturesque UNESCO World Heritage villages in just one day, without the hassle of navigating rural bus schedules or planning a complex day trip. This guided tour combines round-trip transportation from Kanazawa, a local guide's insight, and free time to explore the historic gassho-style farmhouses (a style of traditional Japanese architecture) of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama at your own pace.

Kanazawa is home to stroll gardens, teahouses, and magnificent architecture that dates back to the Edo Period, but understanding the history behind its most notable sites requires a lot of research. Save yourself time, and learn about Kanazawa from a local’s perspective by going on a customized walking tour. You can select the places you visit—such as Kenrokuen Garden and Kanazawa Castle—then a private guide provides fascinating commentary and cultural insights along the way.

Getting to UNESCO World Heritage-listed village of Shirakawa-go and the historic streets of Hida Takayama in one day can be tricky to plan without prior knowledge. Save yourself the hassle of navigating rural transportation on your own, and relax on this handy guided tour from Kanazawa. As you explore, gain local insight into what you see, and take a break to sample an authentic Japanese lunch.

We’ll begin with a visit to the famous Snow Monkey Park, where you can watch wild Japanese macaques enjoying a soak in the hot springs—set in the peaceful mountains of Nagano. After the walk, we’ll head over to the nearby Shibu Onsen area, a beautiful historic hot spring town. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant here, featuring freshly made soba noodles and other regional specialties. After lunch, you’ll have time to unwind in one of Shibu Onsen’s public baths. The mineral-rich waters are said to have healing properties and offer the perfect way to relax. And for a bit of extra fun, there’s the chance to collect stamps from different hot springs using a special towel—a local tradition that adds a playful touch to your visit. Whether you're here to relax, explore, or enjoy good food and drink, this tour offers a great mix of what makes Nagano special. Optional free pick-up support available upon request. Please read the pick-up details before making your reservation.

Enjoy a private, full day walking tour of Niigata with a government-licensed and multilingual guide. Niigata is a beautiful city located on Japan's northwest coast, facing the Sea of Japan. Its perfect climate and verdant landscape helped to make it an agricultural powerhouse, known for its long heritage of rice and sake production. Lets us know your interests and your guide will customize a tour that is made specifically for you.

Beat the crowds that flock to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Shirakawa-go by opting for this morning tour from Kanazawa. You'll arrive at the village bright and early, with plenty of time to explore the surrounding area. Snap photos of traditional houses, listen as your guide provides context and insight, and choose whether to try local foods such as ice cream made with sake, or Hida beef (own expense).

Itinerary Time Table: Kanazawa (Dep. 13:50) → Shirakawago (Arr. 15:10, Dep. 16:40) → Takayama (Arr. 17:40) *Please note that times may vary due to traffic conditions. **Please arrive at the station 10 minutes before the departure time. Please note: This is a transportation service only and not a guided tour. Embark on a captivating journey from Kanazawa to the enchanting UNESCO World Heritage site of Shirakawa-go, a picturesque village nestled in the heart of Japan. Step back in time and marvel at the well-preserved thatched-roof houses, a testament to centuries of traditional craftsmanship and culture. During your 1.5 hour stop, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the village with a self-guided walking tour map given to you by the driver, leading you to a carefully selected viewpoint. Capture stunning photographs, walk along the charming streets, and perhaps visit some of the local shops.

Discover Your Own Kanazawa, With a Local Nurse! Join my private, fully customized walking and bus tour, designed just for you. With over 24 years living in Kanazawa, I know the city’s hidden gems and fascinating stories you won’t find in guidebooks. ✨I’m a Japanese nurse. If you feel unwell during the tour, I can help you. After you book, we’ll chat to create your perfect 5–6 hour adventure. Whether you want to explore Kenrokuen Garden, Castle, Omicho Market, Higashi Chaya District, or HIDDEN GEMS! (The itinerary is just a sample!) We’ll travel mainly by foot and local buses, making it easy and comfortable to see the best of the city. I love meeting new people and sharing conversation, so every tour is a personal experience. Let’s make your Kanazawa visit truly unforgettable-just for you! ☺️ ※Guests are kindly advised that the tour host cannot accept responsibility for any illness to unforeseen accidents occurring during the tour. ※ Families with children are very welcome!

This is the ideal pick for time-tight travelers wanting to discover lots of Atami highlights in a day. A coastal town long famed for its many hot springs, the town has recently reinvented itself as a destination for museum lovers, Japanese culture fans and ocean sports enthusiasts. Atami located at the root of Izu Peninsula and facing Sagami Bay, is area with modern hotels, Japanese inns with historical backgrounds. In Atami, there are plenty of places where you can appreciate the arts and traditional cultural experiences, not only Onsen spots. Your guide will fully support your Atami day trip. We assure you will spend plenty of time at one of the best-known hot spring havens, Atami. Note*1: Please select your must-see spots from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary. Note*2: The National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.

In the Northern Japanese Alps lies a small beautiful onsen town sitting at the entrance of an even more amazing sight, Japanese deepest V-shaped gorge, Kurobe Gorge. On this tour you can experience the great natural beauty of Japan with the small town feel of a popular onsen resort. Your local guide will show you foot baths and healing buddhas, ride on the trolley train across spectacular gorges and finally walk in nature with onsen water rivers. City and scenery, bridges and buddhas, trolley trains and scenic walks, fully enjoy a lesser traveled part of Japan in Unazuki Onsen and the Kurobe Gorge! NOTE: The full trolley train, damaged by an earthquake in 2024, will reopen from October 1, 2026. Until that time, we will compensate for the shortened route by adding a stop at Shomyo Falls, the highest waterfall in Japan.

Nanto city has a lot of historical sites like Gokayama district and Inami district. Ainokura Gassho-zukuri Village was designated as UNESCO World Heritage. You will enjoy traditional Gassho houses in Ainokura Gassho-zukuri Village. You can see wonderful scenery of Inami district and directly see a skillful wood sculptor's workshop. My car is a hybrid compact car, Aqua. So, this car cannot load large baggage. You will find genuine historical sites in local city. I will contact you beforehand. The Itinerary is an example. I can customize this tour for you like a car tour. For example, I pick you up at Fushiki Port or Toyama Shinko Port.

This tour is designed for travelers who visit Nigata City by cruise ship. We will pick you up at Nigata Port or hotels near the port. Nigata City. Niigata is a beautiful city whose northwest faces the Sea of Japan. As one of Japan's leading agricultural cities, Niigata has a beautiful landscape of rice fields, well-known for its sake and rice heritage. Thanks to its abundant nature and perfect climate, Niigata became an agricultural powerhouse and historically acquired a reputation for its plentiful, abundant food output. Let us know what you would like to experience and we will customize a six-hour tour that's best for you! Note*1: Please select your must-see spots from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary. Note*2: The National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.

The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route offers a remarkable journey through Japan's Northern Japan Alps, showcasing stunning alpine scenery and unique transportation experiences. Traverse the route via cable cars, ropeways, and buses, while witnessing breathtaking landscapes that change with the seasons. Highlights include the famous Yuki-no-Otani Snow Corridor in spring, vibrant autumn foliage, and the impressive Kurobe Dam. Each season reveals a different side of this natural wonder, making it a year-round destination for adventure seekers and nature lovers alike. -Take comfortable bus from Nagano/Kanazawa, explore Northern Alps. -Spring-limited "Snow Wall Valley", a spectacular snow wall landscape that you must see once. -Visit world-class engineering marvel, the Kurobe Dam, experience firsthand the magnificent grandeur of Japan's largest dam. -Enjoy unique journey using six different mountain transportation in one day. -Special gift: Hokushinetsu specialty and local cuisine "Sasa Sushi".

It is not just a Tourist Guide, it is an excursion among friends, knowing, laughing, enjoying the places in the Mt. Fuji area, getting closer to history through its inhabitants.

Get the most out of your time in Kanazawa by exploring the city with a private guide. Discover insights about the city that you might not hear otherwise, and benefit from the flexibility of being able to customize the itinerary. Potential places to visit include a traditional teahouse area—the Higashi Chaya District, Myoryuji Temple, Kanazawa Castle, and Oyama Shrine.

Often overlooked when travelers head along the Sea of Japan, Fukui is another one of Japan’s prefectures that has as much history and natural beauty as any other. As the entrance to the Hokuriku region, Fukui has served as a crossroads for many important wars and trade routes throughout Japanese history. This tour will have you walk by the castle and also a temple where buildings form the former castle were moved, get stunning views of the modern city skyline from a hill with over a thousand years of history and dive into one of the head temples of Zen Buddhism in an idyllic mountain setting. Let’s dive deep into lesser traveled area of Japan that leave you wanting to come back to Fukui for more.

Immerse yourself in the special charm of Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and learn about the history and architecture of its iconic gassho-zukuri houses. As it is a self-guided tour, you can enjoy meals and sightseeing at your own pace. Enjoy a hassle-free journey from Nagoya to Shirakawa-go, with non-stop direct bus service. Please select an option with one-way or round trip bus tickets. One-way ticket from Nagoya to shirakawa-go: 6:45 AM from Nagoya 10:35 AM at Shirakawa-go One-way ticket from Shirakawa-go to Nagoya: 2:15 PM from Shirakawa-go Bus Terminal 6:10 PM in Nagoya One-way ticket from Nagoya to shirakawa-go: 9:40 AM from Takayama green Hotel 10:35 AM at Shirakawa-go One-way ticket from Shirakawa-go to Takayama: 2:15 PM from Shirakawa-go Bus Terminal 3:15 PM in Takayama

Head deep inside one of the world’s most under-the-radar natural wonders on this small-group guided expedition through a Japanese ice cave. This site is hard to reach for most independent travelers, but special entry permits are included in the tour. Follow the light of a headlamp into the mysterious, ice-cold cavern, carved by lava eruptions from Mt. Fuji over a millennium ago—a thrilling, out-of-the-box adventure.

Learn about the history of Kanazawa on this guided private tour with a government-licensed and English-speaking guide. Rest assured knowing that you will not have to worry about transportation during this tour as you will have a private vehicle. Enjoy the flexibility of being able to pick a set itinerary, or customize your own. Potential attractions include all Must-See spots in Kanazawa, so please explore at your own pace and visit sights such as Kenrokuen garden, one of the "Three Great Gardens of Japan"; the expansive Higashi Chaya District, a traditional teahouse district founded in the Edo Period; Omicho Market, Kanazawa's largest fresh food market; Nagamachi Samurai district.

Go beyond a simple knife-sharpening or engraving workshop. Create your own full-size Damascus Japanese kitchen knife through polishing, hand-drawn blade design, etching, sharpening, and test cutting with guidance from a master craftsman with over 50 years of experience. Your handwritten name, message, symbol, or small artwork becomes part of the finished blade through the etching process. Your design is revealed together with the beautiful Damascus pattern. In Seki, one of Japan’s most historic Sword Town —you will complete your own Damascus kitchen knife, enjoy a local Japanese lunch, and discover the culture behind Japanese blades. Choose from Santoku, Gyuto, Nakiri, or Bunka, depending on availability. Each guest is guided step by step at their own pace, making the experience suitable even for beginners. At the end, test the sharpness of your finished knife on fresh vegetables and take home both your Damascus knife and a deeper appreciation of Seki’s blade-making tradition.

This full-day tour checks off two fascinating locations in one go—a great way to learn more about Japan's history and culture if you're short on time. Spend your morning exploring the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Shirakawa-go, a village famous for its traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses. In the afternoon, head to Kanazawa to visit the Kenrokuen Garden and Higashi Chaya District. Make and taste traditional Japanese sweets, and watch a craftsperson make gold leaf.

If you only have limited time to discover Japan, then this private sightseeing tour is a smart choice. Maximize your vacation time by checking off multiple dispersed sites in a day in Takayama and Shirakawa-go. Along the way, enjoy plenty of great photo opportunities, with a chance to see Gassho-style houses, Hida Folk Village, and Takayama Betsuin Shorenji Temple.

Skip crowded sightseeing buses and explore Nikko in comfort with this private day tour from Tokyo. With private transportation included, you can relax and focus on the sights, rather than figuring out local bus and train routes. Along the way, visit top attractions such as Toshogu Shrine, Rinno-ji Temple, and Kegon Falls, with a guide to provide local context. The itinerary can also be customized to match your interests.

Embark on an extraordinary journey through Japan's hidden cultural gems with this expertly guided day tour from Kanazawa. Explore the enchanting UNESCO World Heritage village of Shirakawago, where fairy-tale gassho-zukuri farmhouses with dramatic thatched roofs have weathered centuries of mountain snow. Discover historic Takayama, the captivating "Little Kyoto of the Alps," where cobblestone Kami-Sannomachi streets house traditional sake breweries, artisanal miso shops, and charming boutiques selling handcrafted folk art and local delicacies. Marvel at spectacular festival floats at Yatai Kaikan from Japan's most celebrated festivals. Choose either a round-trip return to Kanazawa or a convenient drop-off in Takayama. Your National Government Licensed Guide unveils fascinating cultural secrets throughout this immersive experience.