Best trip - The view is amazing. Our driver Yuta really nice and helpful. We couldn't make it to Gokayama because of the weather but that's okay we did had lot fun in Takayama

Loved Tetsuro - Loved the tour so much! I have to say that the first town is not as beautiful as the first but I loved both. Plus our guide, Tetsuro, was very helpful and very fun to be around! Thank you!

A great day with Tetsuro-san exploring Shirakawago and Gokayama!! - Tetsuro-san was a great guide and very safe driver. Having grown up in the area he shared stories from his childhood and other experiences. We were introduced to places we would never have found ourselves, including an exceptional place for lunch. I would definitely recommend Tetsuro-san as a guide and driver to help you explore Shirakowago and Gokayama!!

Winter in shirakawa-go - We travelled in winter time with heavier snow thank usual (around 2mtrs high snow). Prepare urselves with proper clothings and shoes. Our driver guide, Yuka, is vy helpful. She even recommended a vy yummy soba place for lunch. My husband accidentally left his wallet in the restaurant, we didnt even realized he has left it until Yuka showed up with the wallet in her hand. Bravooo!

UNESCO World Heritage Sites a must see! - Kumiko was an amazing guide and driver. The UNESCO villages are all doable in a day with time for a relaxing lunch! She consulted us on our choices and was easy going if I wanted to shop or use the restroom. Wonderful driver in winter conditions!!! Great tour!

Was On My Bucket List to Visit - One of the must-see regions in Japan are the remote villages of Shirakawago and Gokayama in Japan’s Alps. These villages are known for a traditional architectural style that included angled thatched roofs which are intended to represent the hands of Buddhist monks pressed together in prayer. The roofs are built at a 60-degree angle. Since the area gets a lot of snow, this type of roof helps the heavy amounts of snow that slide off. The houses are known as gassho-zukuri farmhouses, some of which are more than 250 years old. Gassho-zukuri means "constructed like hands in prayer". No nails or any other metal materials were used during the construction of the houses. Rather the houses were built with the natural resources available such as wood for the structure and straw for the roof. The thatched roofs last for 20 to 30 years before having to be replaced. Wet ropes are tied around the logs of the house. During the drying process, the ropes bind themselves to the logs which helps eliminates gaps and spaces. Because of the construction materials used, the houses are susceptible to fires that cisterns are located close to the houses. All houses face in the same direction to protect them from the strong winds that are common. The houses are not available for sale to outsiders. Instead, they are passed on to generation to generation. The first floor is occupied by the family while the upper floor(s) are used to raise silkworms. A fire is maintained in the central hearth all day to prevent mold from growing on the roof. We visited the Shirakawa-go, the largest village. Since no cars are allowed in the village, visitors must cross the 350-foot Deai Dashi Suspension Bridge that connects the parking lot to the village. From the bridge you have scenic views of the Sho River and the surrounding mountains. It is the bigger of the two villages in that it has more to offer for shopping enthusiasts. There are restaurants, cafes, souvenir shops and tourists but no trash cans so be prepared to take the trash with you. On the other hand, Gokayama is the most remote village in the area and literally means five mountains. The village is surrounded by high mountain ranges and, therefore, was mostly isolated from the rest of Japan. It is not a tourist destination as is Shirakawa-go. Approximately 50 people live here in gassho-style houses made of wood and rope. Homes are shared with two to three generations living together. Some of the homes have been converted into Japanese B&Bs and museums. During the Edo period, the village was a penal colony. For centuries, the only way in and out was through a ropeway with basket carriers. Both villages are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. If you are looking for less crowded and quieter places, then visit Gokayama while Shirakawa-go is more crowded and has more houses and amenities.

Wonderful trip you do not want to miss! - The trip was amazing! Our guide Tetsuro was really good. Thank you for beautiful places, interesting stories, wonderful photos and of course Soba place. Highly recommended 🤍

Great time in snowing shirakawago - Kanazawatours.com is very recomended. Honestly, we make reservation only 2 days before, and they response so quick. Our tour guide sachiko san is very lovely, she is very informative, on time, and friendly. And her english is very good. Thx so mucg kanazawa tours and sachiko san, we are very happy with evrything, and very grateful that we can enjoy snowing time in shirakawago and gokayama village. And also thank you for helping us taking a lot of picture 😄

A magical experience to traditional Japanese villages. - This was a great tour to excellent locations. Tetsuro was an excellent host and guide. He was friendly, had great local knowledge and was generally good company. The villages we visited were magical and in the snow it was an incredibly picturesque and exotic experience for us. The lunch stop Tersuro took us to was also a terrific experience of traditional Japanese food- delicious! I would highly recommended this tour to anyone who wants a really interesting experience in rural Japan.

Serene & picturesque Shirakawa-go and Gokayama - “Today was an unforgettable experience, thanks to our amazing tour guide, Tetsuro! He brought us to Shirakawa-go and Gokayama, two picturesque villages that looked absolutely magical blanketed in snow. He shared fascinating stories about their history, including the unique gassho-zukuri houses with steep thatched roofs designed to withstand heavy snowfall. Learning how these villages have been preserved for centuries as UNESCO World Heritage Sites added so much depth to the visit. The guide’s passion for these places truly brought them to life. My family and I were in awe of the serene beauty and loved walking through the snow-covered paths, taking in the breathtaking scenery. The guide also recommended the best spots for photos, which we’ll treasure forever. He made the entire trip smooth and enjoyable, ensuring we were warm, comfortable, and immersed in the culture. It was such a magical day for us, and we can’t thank him enough. If you’re considering visiting Shirakawa-go or Gokayama, don’t miss out on having a guide like him—you’ll learn so much and create memories that will last a lifetime!”