Things to do in

Shirakawa-go

This exclusive package is tailored for distinguished guests who prefer the convenience of door to door service. Your driver/guide will collect you from your hotel lobby at an agreeable time.  Shirakawa-go (Shirakawa Village) registered as a World Cultural Heritage site. Shirakawa-go is part of the Hida region and is famous for the gassho-zukuri village found there. The houses were built using a traditional style of the minka (non-samurai houses), and have a thatched, peaked roof that looks like two hands in prayer (gassho). The upper floors of some of the houses were used for silk farming (sericulture), as they had a large space available to store silkworms and mulberry leaves. Shirakawa is a must-see area if one would like to grasp the rich contrast of life in this region. Gokayama, the World Heritage Site is nestled in the tranquil and rustic landscape. Gokayama is in the city of Nanto, also a drive from Kanazawa. It was an extremely secluded village, so modern times bypassed the area. While cities and towns in other parts of Japan were built new, with modern buildings, many of the wooden and thatch houses in the gassho hamlet of Gokayama are over 300 years old, and some are 400 years old. The Japanese prince, Fumihito (Prince Akishino) has said: "One of the three places I like most in the world is Gokayama".  Takayama, Located in the heart of mountainous Central Honshu, Takayama is the gateway to the Japan Alps and the storehouse of Japan's inland culture. Takayama became what it is today in the 1500s, and developed its own unique culture due to its seclusion and high altitude. It is famous for its traditional carpentry expertise, and its carpenters have worked on the Kyoto Imperial Palace, and other nationally important shrines, temples and palaces. It is known locally as Hida-Takayama, and visitors there can enjoy great food, tradition views, and a feeling of "traditional town-life in Japan". Don't forget to try the Hida Beef while you are there.

Explore the world heritage hamlet of Shirakawa-go on a 4-hour package tour with access to a private vehicle exclusively for you and your fellow travelers. Your English-speaking driver will take you to the World UNESCO site of Shirakawa-go. You will be collected from your hotel lobby, before being whisked off to the UNESCO village of Shirakawago. Your morning or afternoon driving tour will be designed for those looking for convenient access to this beautiful but remote mountain village You will have between 1.5 and 2 hours to spend exploring the village. At the conclusion of your tour, your driver will take you back to Kanazawa City in the comfort of your private car.

Enjoy a hassle-free transfer by comfortable bus between Takayama and Kyoto or Osaka. Enjoy the beautiful scenery during the journey, including some free time in the city of Kanazawa. There are 3 transfer options to choose from: Osaka to Takayama Route Depart from Osaka at 7:15 AM. Arrive at the city of Kanazawa where you can enjoy some free time. Take the opportunity to visit the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art and see Leandro Erlich's "Swimming Pool" art installation. Afterward, the bus takes you to the Observation Deck where you can enjoy beautiful views of Shirakawago village. Arrive in Takayama city center at about 6:05 PM. Kyoto to Takayama Route Depart from Kyoto at 8:15 AM. Arrive at the city of Kanazawa where you can enjoy some free time. Take the opportunity to visit the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art and see Leandro Erlich's "Swimming Pool" art installation. Afterward, the bus takes you to the Observation Deck where you can enjoy beautiful views of Shirakawago village. Arrive in Takayama city center at about 6:05 PM. Takayama-Kyoto/Osaka Route Depart from Takayama at 9:00 AM. Stop in the city of Shirakawago and enjoy some free time. After Shirakawago, continue the journey with a stop in the city of Kanazawa. Explore Kanazawa freely until departure time. The bus will reach Kyoto around 7:00 PM and Osaka around 8:00 PM.

Be picked up by your English-speaking guide at your accommodation in Kanazawa and head to the UNESCO village of Shirakawago. Spend 2.5-hours in Shirakawago exploring the village. Walk across the Sho River on the pedestrian bridge and take in the sights of this fairytale village. Head to the canal-lined streets of Hida-Furukawa. Spend 1-hour in Hida-Furukawa exploring the town and enjoying lunch. Hida-Furukawa is famous for its timber craftsmanship and festivals. Your last stop is Takayama. Spend 2-hours in this preserved town famous for carpentry and sake brewing. Takayama village is a preserved village, with buildings dating back to the Edo period. From Takayama, your driver will take you back to your accommodation in Kanazawa.