Shirakawa-go One-Day Tour (excluding Observation Deck)

▼Hida Takayama（150 minutes, including free time for lunch）

Strolling through Takayama's Historic Old Town 

Located in the northern part of Gifu Prefecture and at the heart of the Hida region, the centre of Takayama City preserves the complete layout of a castle town and merchant town dating back to the Edo period, earning it the nickname "Little Kyoto of Hida." Visitors can take a leisurely walk through the "Sanmachi" district, which was built during the Meiji and Taisho eras, savour local specialities such as Hida beef and Takayama ramen, admire crafts showcasing the superb skills of Hida artisans, and much more — Hida Takayama is full of charm at every turn. 

Takayama's old town is known as Sanmachi Street, which includes areas such as Ichinomachi, Ninomachi and Sannomachi. Takayama City is also known as "Little Kyoto of Hida," and the historic buildings and streets here inevitably evoke the nostalgic scenery of Kyoto's ancient charm. The machiya townhouses here feature architectural styles commonly seen in the Edo period, and with the gentle streams flowing in front of the houses, it feels as though you have travelled back to the Edo streets of 400 years ago.

And while in Takayama's historic old town, tasting "Hida Beef Sushi" is definitely one of the must‑do activities!

Below are 2 popular shops for Hida beef sushi in Takayama's old town, but if you want to sample the renowned Hida beef sushi, you'll need to be a little more patient!

①Hida Kotte Ushi ‑ Hida Beef Nigiri Sushi Specialty Shop（Recommended~）

Address: 34 Kamisannomachi, Takayama, Gifu 506‑0846, Japan

Opening Hours: Daily 10:00–17:00

Menu: Three‑piece Hida beef sushi platter 1,000 yen (cash only, though~)

②Sakagoya

Address: 90 Kamisannomachi, Takayama, Gifu 506‑0846, Japan

Opening Hours: 11:00–15:00 (Closed on Tuesdays)

Menu: Two‑piece Hida beef sushi 900 yen (cash only, though~)

Food Recommendations:

Ajikura Tengoku

An outlet directly operated by JA (Japan Agricultural Cooperatives), guaranteeing the quality of the beef. It specialises in Hida beef, with a small selection of seafood, pork and chicken as well. The menu is bilingual in English and Japanese, with the last page offering platter options — the Ajikura Moriawase (set platter for 2‑3 people) is the most comprehensive, allowing you to try essentially every cut of the beef.

Address: 4‑147 Hana Sato, Takayama City; Opening Hours: 11:00–14:00, 17:00–21:00 (Closed Tuesdays); Average Budget (JPY): Lunch ¥3,000–¥3,999 Dinner ¥4,000–¥4,999

Tel: +0577‑37‑1129 (no reservations on public holidays; reservations available on weekdays, please book at least one week in advance)

Maruaki Hida Takayama

An authorised specialty store for Hida beef, offering yakiniku (grilled meat) as well as set meals. All the beef is genuine Hida beef that melts in your mouth — a flavour you'll never forget after just one taste. If you come to Takayama, you must have a meal at Maruaki.

Address: 6‑8‑1 Temmacho, Takayama City; Opening Hours: 10:00‑22:00; Average Budget (JPY): Lunch ¥2,000–¥2,999 Dinner ¥6,000–¥7,999

Tel: 0577‑35‑5858 (no reservations accepted)

Hida Kotte Ushi

The most popular beef sushi shop in Takayama City.

Address: 34 Kamisannomachi, Takayama City; Opening Hours: 10:00‑17:00; Average Budget (JPY): 999; Tel: +81‑577‑37‑7733 (no reservations accepted)

▼Shirakawa‑go Gassho‑zukuri Village（90 minutes）

Shirakawa‑go is surrounded by mountains on all sides, with rice paddies crisscrossing the landscape and gentle streams flowing through, earning it the title of "Kingdom of Forests and Streams." The Ogimachi village in Shirakawa‑go is the largest of the three villages registered as World Heritage Sites (Shirakawa‑go, and Ainokura and Suganuma in Gokayama), with 152 households. The great Shirakawa River, which flows from the sacred Mount Haku, turns a milky white when it merges with the Shogawa River — this is the origin of the name Shirakawa‑go (White River Village). Shiroyama Observation Deck is located in the northeastern part of the Ogimachi gassho‑zukuri village in Shirakawa‑go, offering a panoramic view of the gassho‑zukuri village and the sweeping Haku mountain range.

Food Recommendations:

[Oto] ‑ A gassho‑zukuri style traditional farmhouse café that even appeared in the popular manga ONE PIECE

This café housed in a gassho‑zukuri style traditional farmhouse even appeared in Chapter 566 of the globally popular manga ONE PIECE! It is famous for its big dog, the coffee cups decorating the interior, and the sweet red bean porridge served with rice dumplings around the irori (traditional hearth). The author of ONE PIECE, Eiichiro Oda, who visited this shop, kept his promise and featured the shop and its illustration in colour in Chapter 566 of ONE PIECE (Volume 58 of the manga).

Address: 792 Ogimachi, Shirakawa Village, Ono District, Gifu Prefecture; Opening Hours: 10:30–17:00; Average Budget (JPY): 999; Tel: 090‑5458‑0418

Depart and return to Nagoya Station to conclude the tour.

Disband at Nagoya Station (MINI STOP convenience store at the rear entrance of BIC CAMERA, Nagoya West Exit)