Many visitors to Takayama do a tour to Shirakawago. However, many of them miss another treasure, Gokayama. It takes time from Takayama. Many people may think “Oh, Gokayama is just a small version of Shirakawago”. Gokayama is preserving their own culture and lifestyle more, while Shirakawago has been developed touristically somehow.

If you like to visit both Suganuma and Ainokura Villages in addition to Shirakawago, you need one full day (9 hours) with your own transportation. We prepare a private car for your group to cover Shirakawago and Gokayama (Suganuma and Ainokura) for you. This tour is provided upon request.
An English-speaking guide accompanies your group. If you need a car only without a guide, we can arrange a car for you. Driver may or may not speak good English, though.
Typical itinerary
from Takayama to Shirakawago and Gokayama 8 hours by car
A standard Shirakawago and Gokayama tour takes 8 hours.
Model itinerary for a Shirakawago-Gokayama tour
Itinerary is subject to change especially during the winter.
Especially, Ainokura Village is inaccessible during winter time due to heavy snow.
09:00 Meet with our guide at Takayama Station or your hotel.
09:00-10:00: Takayama – Shirakawago by car
10:00-13:30: Tour in Shirakawago (stop at a view point is available only when road condition allows)
13:30-14:00: Shirakawago – Suganuma
14:00-14:30:
Tour in Suganuma
14:30-15:00: Suganuma – Ainokura
15:00-15:30: Tour in Ainokura
15:30-17:00: Ainokura-Takayama Station or your hotel
Pricing of the Shirakawago and Gokayama tours by car
Prices are just rough estimates and subject to change according to admissions, meals, guides, types of cars, and season. Quotation will be prepared for each inquiry. 10% tax is included. If the car driven by the guide is available, the price can be cheaper.
Size of group (person) | Car type | Estimated price (yen) |
---|---|---|
1-3 | Sedan (hired taxi) | 130,000 |
1-6 | Toyota Alphard | 150,000 |
1-9 | Toyota Hiace Wagon | 150,000 |
If a car driven a guide is available, then the price for the same tour will be 100,000 JPY. But this service is not available in winter.
For 10 pax or over, a bus and an English-speaking guide are required. Please contact us for the detail.
[…] We provide one day tour by car for Gokayama. Tours by public bus company are also available but they usually visit either Suganuma or Ainokura, while our tour may visit both. See this page for our Shirakawago and Gokayama tour. […]