Top Gifu Prefecture Culture

Avoid the risk of getting lost in the Japanese Alps when you take a private day hike with a guide. Enjoy a beginner-friendly hike along the Nakasendo Trail between two traditional villages, Magome and Tsumago. Learn more about Japanese history and culture from your guide, and enjoy getting some exercise in the beautiful landscape.

Discover Japan's rich cultural heritage on this one-day tour from Takayama to the UNESCO World Heritage villages of Gokayama and Shirakawa-go. Visit the serene Ainokura village, participate in a traditional papermaking experience, and explore the charming streets of Suganuma. The tour culminates in Shirakawa-go, famous for its unique thatched-roof farmhouses, where you'll get stunning views and enjoy free time to soak in the atmosphere. With an English-speaking guide sharing insights about the area's history and architecture, this tour provides an enriching glimpse into Japan's rural life. - Visit three UNESCO World Heritage villages: Ainokura, Suganuma, and Shirakawa-go - Engage in a hands-on traditional papermaking workshop in Ainokura - Explore Shirakawa-go, with options to enter a farmhouse and enjoy the lookout point views - Tour runs year-round with a 9:00 A.M. start from Takayama Station, returning around 5:30 P.M.

Explore the historic towns of Magome and Tsumago more efficiently with a private guide on this walking tour. Save energy by traveling between the towns by local bus or taxi, and avoid the risk of getting lost by going with a guide. Learn more about Japanese history and culture from your guide and get plenty of time to explore the two historical villages.

Travel conveniently from Takayama to Kanazawa in our air conditioned buses. Along the way, stop for two hours in UNESCO village Shirakawago, famous for its beautiful natural scenery and gassho houses. Finally, arrive at Kanazawa. Avoid the hassle of planning and navigating public transportation, as we take care of the logistics, allowing you to focus on enjoying your trip. Store up to two pieces of luggage beneath the bus, and one carry on item in the bus (per person).

See more of Japan in less time with this guided tour that checks off Takayama and Shirakawago in a day. To save time organizing car rental, transport between sites is included, as well as guided walks to elevate the trip. Places showcased on the route include a morning market, the traditional district of Sanmachi, and Takayama Jinya. Lunch is not included, so plan accordingly.

Experience Japan’s greatest battle at Sekigahara from the perspective of the samurai. A local guide will lead you to key sites like Ishida Mitsunari’s and Tokugawa Ieyasu’s camps, explaining the strategies and stories of the warriors in an easy-to-understand way. Stand at reconstructed camps, memorials, and vantage points to feel the battle’s intensity firsthand. You’ll also visit the modern, multilingual Gifu Sekigahara Battlefield Memorial Museum, designed to help international visitors grasp the full story. This isn’t just sightseeing — it’s a unique chance to truly feel history come alive.

[PRIVATE TOUR] If you're seeking an authentic connection with a local family, this is for you! We are a warm, fun-loving family of four, deeply rooted in Takayama. Here, you won’t just learn to cook Japanese food—you’ll experience how locals live and savor life together. Our 200-year-old wooden townhouse stands on Old Town’s main street, yet stepping inside feels like entering a quiet world where time slows down. Its small quirks remind us of its beauty and history. We’ll welcome you with Japanese tea and snacks before guiding you in preparing a traditional meal in our kitchen. As we cook side by side, we’ll share stories of life in Takayama and living in harmony with nature and the seasons. Hisa and Bob pour their hearts into every class. This is more than a cooking lesson—it’s a moment of connection, culture, and feeling at home far from home. Feel free to write us your request on food or any restrictions, we are happy to accommodate as much as possible!

Pickup at your hotel by your private certified Takayama guide. Enjoy your day with an itinerary that you can discuss and customize from the moment you meet your guide, with their advice on local festivals and weather. Get the most of your time in Takayama and get the experience you want with your personal local guide.

Escape tourist hotspots and spend a day exploring the local culinary scene in Hida. As it’s a guided tour, you won’t have to worry about getting lost, and can concentrate on the delicious food. Try multiple local specialties such as miso, beef croquettes, Japanese sweets, and tea. A highlight is visiting a sake brewery to learn about sake production and enjoy sake tastings.

Step back in time on this 2-hour private guided walking tour of Takayama’s beautifully preserved old town. Your journey begins at Takayama Jinya, the only remaining government office of its kind from the Edo period, where you explore tatami-lined rooms and learn how officials oversaw regional governance under the Tokugawa shogunate. From there, wander into Sanmachi Suji—Takayama’s iconic old town district filled with wooden merchant houses, traditional crafts and atmospheric sake breweries. Enjoy opportunities to photograph the centuries-old streetscapes and learn how the town prospered as a key mountain settlement. To complete your experience, visit a historic brewery for a sake-tasting session featuring locally brewed varieties. Your guide explains how Takayama’s cold climate, clear water and long-standing craftsmanship influence the flavors. Combining history, architecture and food culture, this private tour offers a rich and personal introduction to Takayama.

Discover the city of Takayama your own way by booking this private and personalized tour. Enjoy the flexibility of creating your own customized itinerary to ensure that you only spend time visiting places that you are interested in, such as Sanmachi Suji and Hida-Takayama Miyagawa Morning Market. As you explore the city, your private guide will fill you in on all the city's fascinating history and culture.

Discover the cultural heart of Gero Onsen, a renowned hot spring town in Japan, known for its soothing alkaline waters and rich heritage. This guided walking tour dives into the significant role hot springs play in Japanese culture, history, and daily life. Start in the town center to learn about Gero’s evolution as a healing destination, visit the Gero Hot Spring Museum for insights into the science behind the springs, and hear the enchanting White Heron Legend at Onsenji Temple. Conclude your journey with local onsen street food, bringing a taste of Gero's vibrant hospitality to life. - Explore Gero Onsen’s unique history and cultural significance - Visit the Gero Hot Spring Museum and learn about bathing customs - Discover the White Heron Legend at Onsenji Temple - Enjoy local onsen street food with your guide, embracing Gero's hospitality

We are going to see the morning markets on the Miya river side (Miyagawa river) abundant with plenty of local fruits vegetables antiques and local delicatesse that you can try! The Market is very old more than 300 years and from there we will also experience Takayama's old town the Sanmachi suji road. A great lip into a place where time has almost stopped since 350 years ago.

Embark on a walking tour around Takayama and discover parts of the city you'd likely miss on your own. At a leisurely pace, with plenty of opportunities to stop to ask questions, follow your guide through both the old and new parts of town.You'll see such landmarks as the Yamazakura Shrine and Nakabashi Bridge and learn all about Takayama's unique culture and history.

Takayama boasts a vibrant food scene, but deciphering Japanese characters alone can be challenging. This private food, sake, and culture tour offers a comprehensive introduction to the city and helps you overcome the language barrier and get your bearings with ease. Immerse yourself in Edo-era history as you admire the finer details on foot at your own pace.

What sets this tour apart is its rare blend of intimacy, authenticity, and storytelling. Led by a local guide who knows Takayama inside and out, this experience takes you far beyond the typical tourist spots and into the hidden heart of the town — one bar, one story, one conversation at a time. You won’t just taste local sake or sample delicious dishes — you’ll step into places where locals gather, hear the stories behind each drink, and connect with real people in cozy, welcoming settings. This is more than a bar-hopping tour — it’s a cultural journey through Takayama’s nightlife, offering travelers a chance to feel like part of the community, even if just for one unforgettable evening.

Dive into a day of tranquility and cultural richness with our group tour to Gero Onsen, a haven celebrated for its healing hot springs. This full-day excursion from Takayama offers a harmonious blend of scenic natural beauty, historical insights, and the rejuvenating charm of onsen. Your journey starts with a soothing riverside stroll, setting a peaceful tone. Explore Gero Onsen Gassho Village to witness traditional living, delve into the mystical world of onsen at Gero Onsen Museum, and seek spiritual solace at Onsenji Temple. Cap your experience with a relaxing onsen bath, immersing in the local hot spring culture. This tour is an ideal fusion of relaxation, cultural discovery, and historical exploration, making it a perfect getaway to one of Japan’s most famed onsen towns.

You can experience History and culture of Takayama. This is walking tour around oldtownship in Takayama city. local guide could satisfy you!!! You can make food sample like photo if you want. Please let us know if you want to do it. If no request anything guide will not do this expelience. this tour include food sample of Takoyaki making fee ! but if you want to do this, you need time + 30min. we will do English guide this tour. If you need other language guide, please let us know. If you wanted to private tour let us know. Not less than 2 person. If it's raining possible to do this tour.

Spend time outdoors and explore the rural wonders of Hida—without the worry of getting lost—on this guided half-day tour. Led by an English-speaking guide, ride an e-bike through the Japanese countryside to Maze village and discover off-the-beaten-path sites that you likely wouldn’t find alone. Along the way, hear stories about local life as you pedal past forests, rivers, and rice fields. Note that lunch is not included.

Craft Your Own Damascus Knife in Seki, Japan’s Historic Blade-Making Town This one-day tour offers more than a standard workshop. In Seki, Gifu, a city with a long history of Japanese sword and knife craftsmanship, you will make your own Damascus kitchen knife, enjoy a local Japanese lunch, and learn about Japanese blade making and take home your own knife. Hand-draw your own name, message, symbol, or artwork on a Damascus blade, then finish, sharpen, and test it side by side with a master craftsman with more than 50years of experience. Choose your preferred kitchen knife style from Santoku, Gyuto, Nakiri, or Bunka, depending on availability. One highlight is the sharpness test with vegetable. You might be surprised. This is not a rushed group workshop. Each guest is guided step by step at their own pace, making it comfortable even for beginners. You will leave Seki with a Damascus knife you helped create and a deeper appreciation for Japanese blade craftsmanship.

Embark on a journey to the heart of Japanese culture in Gujo Hachiman, a hidden gem nestled in the mountains. Known for its rich history, traditional crafts, and stunning natural beauty, Gujo Hachiman offers an escape into a world where time-honoured traditions thrive in harmony with nature. This full-day tour from Takayama to Gujo Hachiman will take you through centuries-old streets, into the realms of ancient castles, and the intricate world of Japanese craft making. Wander through this picturesque town and find yourself captivated by its serene beauty, enriched by the legacy of its traditions, and inspired by the craftsmanship that has shaped its identity over centuries. Join us for an unforgettable exploration of Gujo Hachiman’s vibrant history, enduring traditions, and the artistry that makes this town a treasure of Japanese culture.

While many Machiya buildings have lost their original appearance, our house still shows how life was in those days. Machiya architecture follows a certain format, and how each house pursued beauty within that format is quite different. Our townhouse was formerly run as an obstetrics and gynecology clinic. The combination of the main house and the clinic is very unique, and the strange harmony of the two is very beautiful. You will get to know the Machiya architecture and enjoy Japanese tea with seasonal fruits and sweets.

Meet your guide at 9am for this full day private tour of Takayama. You will customize your trip from a long selection of sites and attractions, then go with your guide to each on public transportation (an extra fee). Choose from Sanmachi Street, Hida Minzoku Mura Folk Village, Takayama Jinya, and many more places of interest today.