Top Gifu Prefecture Nature Walks

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.

Step into one of Japan's most timeless landscapes on a private day tour from Takayama. Walk through Shirakawa-go's UNESCO World Heritage village with your own English-speaking guide, step inside centuries-old thatched farmhouses, and take in panoramic views from above the valley. No coach crowds, no fixed pac. Just your group, your guide, and a village that has changed little in 300 years.

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.

The mountains around Takayama gave the wood. The long winters gave the time. And for over 1,300 years, generations of Hida craftspeople gave the skill, passed from master to apprentice in workshops still working today. On this private full-day tour, you go beyond the showroom and into the world that makes Hida furniture what it is. With your English-speaking guide and a private car, you visit five places across the day. You step inside private workshops not open to the public, meet the artisans, and handle the traditional tools yourself. You visit a museum dedicated to Hida's woodworking heritage, walk through a traditional wooden building still standing centuries later, and stop at the shops of contemporary craftspeople carrying the tradition forward. You also see where the wood itself comes from: the forests and timber yards that feed the region. Lunch is included. Your guide connects what you're seeing: why this town, why this wood, why Hida furniture is collected around the world.

Explore the Yōrō Site of Reversible Destiny, a unique open-air artwork that invites you to engage with art in a profound way. Created by renowned artists Arakawa Shūsaku and Madeline Gins, this immersive park challenges perceptions with its undulating hills, tilted structures, and disorienting pathways. As you walk through this vibrant, interactive environment, each step becomes a reflection on space, movement, and existence itself. With guided insights into the philosophy behind this experimental site, you’ll leave with a deeper understanding of how art and life intertwine. - Experience a 1.5-hour or 2.5-hour guided tour tailored to your schedule - Engage with a unique artistic environment that combines playfulness and philosophy - Learn about the intentions of the artists with an expert guide - Convenient transport included for the longer tour from Ōgaki Station

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.