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.”
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.
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.
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.
FAQ's
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.
No pets are allowed.
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.
Yes, The extension fee is 3,500 yen/30 minutes.
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.
Client Testimonials
See What International Tourists Say About Live Nippon
Posted on Google Janice BitanskyTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Had a great day with Areeb even though we didn't see Mt. Fuji!! Interesting day driving in countryside and seeing more of Japan. Thank you Areeb!Posted on Google Suzy RobisonTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Our guide Petteri was amazing! We enjoyed delicious food, history, humor, and a worry free day! We saw a beautiful shrine, Mt Fuji, the 9 lakes, drank water from mt Fuji, rode up to one of the mountain stops, had a speedboat ride, and the best Mexican food! Highly recommend this tour!Posted on Google Nadia ValenzuelaTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. La experiencia estuvo padrisima, la atencion y amabilidad de Antony excelente, nos fue contando de la historia de cada lugar, nos ayudo con recomendacion para comer tacos deliciosos, se comunico en nuestro idioma español, muy recomendado.Posted on Google Tony PhelpsTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Our group from Kentucky (USA) thoroughly enjoyed our guide, Anthony. He was very knowledgeable and did a superb job of interjecting wit and humor while providing us an in depth education of Mount Fuji and the surrounding areas we visited. He was very conscientious of our time and schedule to ensure we made it in time for our train to Kyoto. I would highly recommend him to any group from any country.Posted on Google Patrick CoyneTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Anthony took our group of 10 to Mt. Fuji and surroundings. He gave us several options and everywhere we stopped was interesting and beautiful. Anthony regaled us with local lore and historical context to keep the bus portions interesting. We had a wonderful time!Posted on Google CarlosTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Anthony and the Live Nippon team provided an outstanding Fuji tour experience. Everything was well organized, communication was excellent, and the hospitality was second to none. We originally booked the tour in Spanish for my parents, but when they were unable to join us, Anthony was able to seamlessly switch between English and Spanish throughout the day. His flexibility and professionalism made the experience enjoyable for everyone. Our group had a fantastic time and created memories that will last a lifetime. We highly recommend Anthony and Live Nippon to anyone looking for a personalized and memorable tour in Japan.Posted on Google Alexis ATrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Had an incredible day trip thanks to Pete! He made our time going to Hakone and Mt Fuji seamless, easy and fun! He was always open to changes in plans and customized our day trip perfectly! Thank you for such a lovely timePosted on Google Freedom IncentiveTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. What a beautiful time we had as a family of 18. Anthony, our tour guide did a stellar job keeping us on track for each destination as he was knowledgeable, easy to communicate with and funny. We highly recommend the Private Tour to Mt. Fuji and Hakone. My kids had a blast on the speedboat ride, learning history the shrines and experiencing the spirit of Japan. Thank you for a memorable experience!Posted on Google Cecilia NilarpTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had an amazing day with our Finnish guide Petteri. Could not have wished for a better guide and tour. Fantastic places and tasty food stops.