Kyoto to Gokayama Tour

Kyoto to Gokayama Shirakawa Go Day Tour

12 hours/Itinerary 

Our Journey

Travel from historic Kyoto to Japan’s most beautiful countryside on a full-day tour to Gokayama and Shirakawa-go, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This tour offers a perfect escape from the city, showcasing traditional villages, scenic mountain landscapes, and authentic rural Japanese culture.

Guide Line

Day trip from Kyoto in a private, comfortable vehicle

Visit Gokayama and Shirakawa-go, UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Explore traditional gassho-zukuri thatched-roof houses

Walk through Ainokura Village and Ogimachi Village

Enjoy scenic mountain and river views

Ideal for photography and cultural exploration

The Kyoto to Gokayama & Shirakawa-go Day Tour takes you on a scenic journey from Kyoto into Japan’s alpine countryside. Gokayama and Shirakawa-go are famous for their gassho-zukuri farmhouses, designed with steep thatched roofs to withstand heavy snowfall.

In Gokayama, explore peaceful villages like Ainokura, where life continues much as it has for centuries. Continue to Shirakawa-go, visiting Ogimachi Village, the region’s largest settlement and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stroll through traditional streets, admire historic homes, and enjoy panoramic viewpoints overlooking the village.

This tour is perfect for travelers seeking traditional Japanese architecture, rural charm, and breathtaking natural scenery—all in one memorable day trip from Kyoto.

Inclusions

Private transportation
Commercial Driving permit holder drivers
Green number plates Vehicles
English Speaking Driver Cum Guide

Exclusions

Lunch
Ticket for any activity (ropeway, cruise etc) Entry to any place where tickets required.

Cancelation before 24 hours fully refundable, Cancelation within 24 hours non refundable.

Pay later option, we will send you link for the payment 72 hours before the tour or earlier depend upon customer preferences.

What to bring
  • Comfortable shoes
  • Camera
  • Cash
  • Weather-appropriate clothing
Not allowed
  • Smoking in the vehicle
  • Food in the vehicle
Know before you go
  • The tour involves walking, so comfortable shoes are recommended.
  • The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.
  • Smoking and eating are not allowed in the vehicle.

About this Activity

Free cancellation

Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund

Reserve now & pay later

Keep your travel plans flexible — book your spot and pay nothing today.

Duration 12 hours

Check availability to see starting times.

Live tour guide

English, Japanese

Pickup included

We provide pickup from customer's hotels. Pick up location Tokyo 23 wards is Included. Due to Traffic we can be 30 Minutes Late. For Airports Narita (25000Jpy) Haneda 7000JPY, Ports, Chiba 15000JPY, Kawasaki 20000JPY, and Yokohama 20000JPY Pickup additional charges will apply.

Wheelchair accessible

Private group

Pick up – 8:30 am 

We will pick you up from your location at 8:30 am.

Note:

“30 min could be delay due to traffic no refund and review could be accepted.”

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Gokayama (Ainokura Village)

A tranquil UNESCO-listed village with well-preserved gassho-zukuri houses surrounded by mountains and farmland.

Shirakawa-go (Ogimachi Village)

A picturesque historic village known for its iconic thatched-roof houses and scenic viewpoints.

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Gassho-zukuri Houses

Traditional farmhouses featuring steep roofs, representing centuries-old Japanese rural craftsmanship.

Mountain & River Landscapes

Beautiful alpine scenery offering peaceful views and excellent photography opportunities.

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Drop-off at 5:30pm

There are lots of things to do and see in Kyoto, so it is highly recommended to book a “12 hours One-Day Tour” to visit the Kyoto area.

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FAQ's

When does the tour start and end?

The tours start and end when the driver picks you up from your accommodation in Tokyo and drops you off at the end of the day. In the case of your accommodation being outside of Tokyo 23 Wards, your tour will start and end when the driver departs and arrives in Tokyo at the end of the day.

Can our pets also join the tour?

No pets are allowed.

What does the price include?

The price include toll fees, gas, parking lot fees, tax, etc. It doesn’t include fees for such as: lunch/food/beverage, entrance fee of tourist spots, fee of boats/cable cars, etc.

Is there extra fee if we extend the tour?

Yes, The extension fee is 3,500 yen/30 minutes.

Will there be a refund if we finish the tour earlier than booked?

There will be no refunds in case the tour finishes early. If the tour will finish earlier due to accidents, Bad weather, natural disasters, sudden sickness, etc., please contact us and we can discuss about it.

As it’s a little far from the central area of Tokyo, it is highly recommended that you book a “9h One-Day Tour” to visit the Hakone area. For boarding the Shinkansen, it is possible to conclude the tour at Odawara Station or local hotels in the Fuji/Hakone area. However, please note that the round-trip travel time to Tokyo, totalling three hours, will be deducted from the overall tour duration.

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