Top Gifu Prefecture Sightseeing Tours in 2026

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.

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.

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.

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.

Experience the timeless beauty of **Takayama** after dark on a guided walking tour through its beautifully preserved historic district. Wander along lantern-lit streets lined with traditional wooden merchant houses, discover the fascinating history of **Takayama Jinya**, and hear captivating stories that bring the city's Edo-period heritage to life. Away from the daytime crowds, the tranquil evening atmosphere offers a unique perspective of one of Japan's best-preserved old towns. The softly illuminated streets, historic architecture, and charming alleyways create exceptional opportunities for stunning nighttime photography, making this an unforgettable cultural experience.

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.

Experience Takayama’s nightlife on a private tour, immersing you in the city’s unique atmosphere and flavors. Night Walking & Dinner Option Start at Takayama Jinya with an overview of the tour. Stroll through the Sanmachi Suji district, including Nakabashi Bridge, East Mountain Trail, and Dekonaru Yokocho, while capturing the night views. Afterward, enjoy a 2-hour dinner at a local izakaya, savoring Takayama’s specialties. Your guide will share insights into the city’s drinking culture, providing a memorable experience of Takayama’s vibrant nightlife. Barhopping Tour Join us for a unique Takayama barhopping experience, starting with a meet-up at your hotel. Enjoy a cozy local bar, sampling Takayama’s signature drinks and snacks. Head to a second venue to explore more of the city’s nightlife. Your guide will introduce local drinking customs and must-try dishes. The tour is offering a deeper appreciation of Takayama’s hidden bar scene and nightlife culture.

Explore the peaceful morning atmosphere of Takayama on this 2.5-hour tour designed to introduce you to local culture and everyday life. Begin at Sakurayama Hachiman Shrine and learn about its connection to local festivals while observing early morning worship. Continue along the Higashiyama Walking Trail, where you’ll discover quiet residential areas, local industries, and scenic photo spots. The tour finishes at the lively Miyagawa Morning Market, offering opportunities to meet friendly vendors and explore traditional local products. Perfect for culture lovers and early risers wanting an authentic look at Takayama’s morning rhythm. A 4-hour option is also available, adding visits to the Takayama Festival Float Exhibition Hall and the Jinya-mae Morning Market.

This is not just a sightseeing tour—it’s a fully immersive journey into the world of Higurashi When They Cry, set in the real-life village that inspired it. Walk through Shirakawa-go with a guide who connects each location to the story, revealing how the village’s geography, history, and deep-rooted community traditions shaped the unsettling yet captivating atmosphere of the series. Rather than simply visiting photo spots, you’ll explore the meaning behind them—from the role of shrines and ancestral beliefs to the close-knit social structure that mirrors the tension and harmony depicted in the anime. As you move through the village, the line between fiction and reality gradually fades, offering a deeper understanding of both the story and the culture that inspired it. Designed for true fans, this tour lets you experience Higurashi not just as an anime, but as a living world grounded in real history and human connections.

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.

Step into Japan's rural past with a guided tour of Gero Onsen Gassho Village, a unique open-air museum showcasing authentic thatched-roof houses. Nestled above the famous hot springs, this village highlights the traditional lifestyle of the Hida region, where gassho-zukuri homes flourished in snowy climates. Your knowledgeable guide will lead you through the village, explaining the significance of its architecture and the customs of the local people. Discover the ingenuity behind the steep roofs designed for heavy snow and learn about farming and daily life in mountain communities. - Explore the historic Gero Onsen Gassho Village, an open-air museum - Guided tour with insights into traditional Hida culture and architecture - View authentic gassho-zukuri houses relocated from Shirakawa-go - Gain knowledge about local customs, tools, and the rural way of life

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.

If you’re interested in learning how sake is made, then this is the tour for you. In the company of an English-speaking guide, you'll visit the historic Tenryo Sake Brewery, one of the oldest sake breweries in the Hida region. A sake brewer will show you the step-by-step process of making sake, and take you on a behind-the-scenes tour. A highlight is being able to taste different sakes; all tastings are included in the tour cost.

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.

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.

Kitsuki, often referred to as a "Little Kyoto," invites you to discover its captivating history and unique landscape. This walking tour explores beautifully preserved samurai districts and the bustling merchant valley, where every stone and lane tells a story. Visit several magnificent samurai residences to understand the lives of feudal lords and their retainers. Experience tranquility with a traditional tea ceremony at a local tea shop before concluding your journey at a cozy samurai castle, offering stunning views of the sea. Immerse yourself in the authentic culture of the samurai era with insights from your personal expert guide. - Discover Kitsuki, a town renowned for its samurai history and architecture. - Visit historic samurai residences to learn about feudal life. - Participate in a serene tea ceremony at a local tea shop. - End your tour at Kitsuki Castle, the smallest castle in Japan.

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.

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.

Explore Shirakawa-go, Hida no Sato and Takayama on a private tour with an experienced local driver.!

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.

Discover the flavors and history of Takayama on this 4-hour private walking tour with a government-licensed local guide. This tour follows a fixed itinerary and visits three of Takayama's most iconic attractions. Depending on your hotel location or meeting point, the order of the visits may vary. Sanmachi Suji, the beautifully preserved old town lined with traditional merchant houses, sake breweries, and local specialty shops. Takayama Jinya, Japan's only remaining Edo-period government office. Hida-Takayama Miyagawa Morning Market, one of Japan's most famous morning markets, where you can browse fresh local produce and regional specialties. As this is a private tour, you can enjoy the experience at a relaxed pace with your own group while learning about Takayama's history and culinary traditions from your knowledgeable local guide. Please note that food, drinks, sake tastings, and admission to Takayama Jinya are not included and will be at your own expense.

Magome is easy to explore independently, but its stone streets reveal much more when you understand why they were built and how the Nakasendo actually worked. On this private 90-minute tour, look beyond the picturesque townscape and discover Magome as part of the transportation network that once connected Edo and Kyoto. Learn how travelers found food, accommodation, horses, and information while crossing the mountainous interior of Japan. Your guide explains details that are easy to overlook, including the purpose of the masugata bends, the former official notice boards, the organization of the town around the highway, and the rules imposed on people traveling during the Edo period. Unlike a full-day hike between Magome and Tsumago, this compact experience focuses entirely on understanding Magome. It is ideal for travelers who are visiting independently but want historical context without committing to a long-distance walk.