Top Gifu Prefecture How to Get Around

Embark on an enchanting exploration that combines the thrill of the Shinhotaka Ropeway, and the serene beauty of Kamikochi. Our ‘Alpine Splendor’ tour is a captivating journey from the heights of the Northern Japan Alps to the tranquil depths of Kamikochi, with a unique stop to witness the majestic bears at Okuhida. This full-day experience from Takayama is a perfect blend of awe-inspiring landscapes, wildlife encounters, and serene nature walks, offering an immersive journey into the heart of Japan’s alpine wonders. Ideal for nature enthusiasts and those seeking a diverse outdoor experience, this tour presents the opportunity to admire Japan’s alpine grandeur from above, interact with fascinating wildlife, and explore one of the country’s most pristine natural areas.

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).

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.

Craft Your Own Damascus Knife and Discover Seki’s Blade Culture In Seki, Gifu—one of Japan’s most historic blade-making cities—you will complete your own Damascus kitchen knife, enjoy a local Japanese lunch, and discover the culture behind Japanese blades. Working with a master craftsman with more than 50 years of experience, you will take part in polishing, hand-drawing your own design, etching, sharpening, and test cutting. Instead of simple engraving, hand-draw your own name, message, symbol, or small artwork directly onto the blade. Your design is then revealed together with the beautiful Damascus pattern. 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.

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.

Avoid the stress of navigating remote mountain roads and infrequent public transport service with this bus tour to Shirakawa-go and Gokayama Ainokura from Takayama. Visit the UNESCO-listed villages, known for their unique gassho-style houses, with a guide who shares insights into local history, food culture, and traditions that you'd miss on your own.

Walking tour with expert guide and multifacedet artist: I am the only foreigner expert guide living in Japan for almost 20 years, and living in Takayama for almost 10 years. I speak Italian, English and Japanese. More than 20 years in customer service and hospitality. Where and what: Takayama's downtown Sanmachi Suji, the old town of Takayama, with the traditional houses since Edo period and much more... I will present to you the best of this city within 30 minutes, from different aspects: Geography Economy Art & Culture History Local crafts, focal foods For the guide and the dear guests: All the expences such as drinks, food, tickets etc., must be covered by the dear guest, tour guide included. All expences other than the tour reservation fee, are considered as extras and are not included in this service. Help the guide improve, tips are welcome!

Enjoy a comfortable journey from Takayama to Kyoto, featuring a short stop at Kanazawa and a 2.5-hour self-guided stop at the charming mountain village of Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. ●Explore Kyoto's vibrant and historical sites. ●Experience the unique beauty of Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO World Heritage site ●Seamless bus transportation from Takayama to Kyoto with a stop at Shirakawa-go ●Convenient and stress-free travel experience Itinerary Time Table: Takayama (Dep. 8:20) → Shirakawago (Arr. 9:20, Dep. 11:50) → Kanazawa (Arr. 13:10, Dep. 13:20) → Kyoto (Arr. 17:40) *Please note that times may vary due to traffic conditions. **Please arrive at the station 10 minutes before the departure time.

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.

Explore the village of Shirakawa-go, located in the Gifu mountains and a designated UNESCO World Heritage site for its distinctive architecture. This private tour from Takayama is exclusively for your party and can be fully customized to your interests. You'll have the chance to wander around the unique village, stroll through historic streets, and soak up stunning mountain landscapes.

Get a taste of the ancient Nakasendo Trail that runs between Kyoto and Tokyo on a guided five-hour walk through the Kiso Valley. Walk between two scenic medieval towns without the risk of getting lost as your guide will keep you on the right path. Learn more about local culture and traditions while enjoying the landscapes along the way and getting some exercise.

Explore the rural and historic Hida region on a small-group e-bike tour. Pedal around the Maze village with ease on your electric bike and enjoy the passing views of the Japanese countryside, without any tourists around. Learn about the history, culture, and daily life in the Japanese countryside. This tour is ideal for those who want to escape touristic areas and be truly immersed in the local region.

Step back in time as you explore Takayama, a city shaped by centuries of tradition, craftsmanship, and cultural heritage. Nestled in the Japanese Alps, Takayama offers a unique blend of natural beauty and historical charm, where ancient temples, well-preserved streets, and feudal history tell the story of a bygone era. This immersive walking tour takes you through the city's most significant sites, providing a deeper understanding of its rich past and architectural wonders. Designed for history enthusiasts, culture lovers, and travelers who enjoy walking through picturesque settings, this tour offers a perfect mix of storytelling, scenic landscapes, and local insights. Whether you're a first-time visitor eager to discover Takayama’s hidden gems or a returning traveler looking to experience the city from a fresh perspective, this guided walk will leave you with a newfound appreciation for its enduring legacy.

Discover the charm of Takayama’s historic old town on this immersive 2-hour walking tour with a knowledgeable local guide. The journey begins at Takayama Jinya, the last remaining government building of its kind from the Edo period, where you'll gain unique insights into its historical significance. Next, wander through Sanmachi Suji, the heart of Takayama’s old town, with its atmospheric streets lined with traditional wooden buildings. Enjoy opportunities for memorable photos and explore local shops offering handcrafted goods, miso, and fragrances. The experience concludes with a sake-tasting session at a historic brewery, where you can savor the rich flavors of locally brewed sake. Whether you're a history enthusiast, a cultural explorer, or a lover of traditional Japanese craftsmanship, this tour offers a perfect blend of heritage, culture, and authentic local experiences—all guided by a local expert to deepen your understanding of this timeless town.

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.

Discover Kamikochi on a small-group day trip from the Takayama area with an English-speaking guide. Along the way, you’ll enjoy beautiful alpine scenery while learning about Japan’s nature, history, and local culture. Unlike a standard sightseeing trip, this experience is designed to be flexible: we keep the pace relaxed, stop at scenic viewpoints for photos, and adjust the walking route based on your group, the season, and the weather. Seasonal transportation is included and may be by public bus and/or company vehicle depending on operating conditions. Please wear hiking shoes or sturdy walking shoes. Chinese-speaking guide requests are available subject to availability.

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.

You can experience History and culture of Takayama. You can see more than 5 temples with local guide. This is walking tour around Higashiyama walking course. You can change our start time. If you need other language guide, please let us know. If you wanted to private tour let us know. Not less than 2 person.

Experience Takayama’s spiritual heart on this private walking tour. Begin at Daiou Temple, a serene spot perfect for reflection. Continue to Koryuzan Sogenji Temple, where Zen gardens invite calm contemplation. Visit Myogenzan Tensho and Joeizan Hokke Temples, discovering historical artifacts and tranquil surroundings. Stroll along the Higashiyama Promenade, lined with temples and seasonal landscapes. Conclude at Zennoji Temple, where lush gardens and peaceful grounds provide the perfect moment for meditation. This private tour offers a quiet, immersive experience, blending Takayama’s history, spirituality, and scenic beauty.

Gujo Hachiman is famous for its pure, natural water and summer obon dance called the Gujo Odori, which has been held for over 400 years. You will experience the waterways by walking through the town and visiting the many canals and springs that are still in use today. In this tour, your knowledgeable licensed local guide will accompany you on your journey features an atmospheric townscape, an old fashioned castle town whose culture continues to thrive like the waters of the nearby river. Let us know what you would like to experience and we will customize your four-hours special 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.

Learn more about traditional Japanese sake on a brewery tour in Takayama. While the city is home to several sake breweries, you’ll visit the oldest, which is also the largest. See how the alcoholic drink is made, and learn some of the tricks that go into making it. This is a great rainy or snowy-day activity in the mountains.

Experience life like a local by embarking upon a bicycle tour in the Japanese countryside. In the company of a small group of no more than eight, pedal a mostly flat course as your guide shares insights into the history and culture of the Hida region. Along the way, you make several stops at locals-only places, missed by most visitors and also have the chance to meet some of the locals.

Get access to stunning landscapes off-limits to vehicles—and observe daily life in the Japanese countryside—during this scenic bicycle tour through the farming village of Hida. Tours are timed to begin in the morning, when rural Japan shakes off its slumber and springs to life. You’ll get to see traditional wooden houses, sprawling rice paddies, and rolling mountains, covering more sights in less time on your own set of wheels.