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.

We had the pleasure of spending a day exploring the beautiful city of Kanazawa with Mrs. Nozomi Kondo as our guide, an unforgettable experience. From the very beginning, Mrs. Kondo impressed us with her professionalism, warmth, and deep knowledge of Kanazawa’s rich history and culture. Mrs. Kondo’s passion for her city was contagious, and her ability to tailor the tour made the experience feel incredibly personal. She is a true ambassador of Kanazawa, and will the tour a special experience.

Really nice small group that allowed a really personal experience. Ian our tour guide was really informative and interactive - followed by a great meal in a very traditional restaurant.

We did the half day tour with Kayo and it was amazing. The best tour we had in Japan on our trip. Kayo was lovely to spend the day with and she has so much knowledge, we were so happy with the tour. We were able to see so much in just half a day and she had plenty of recommendations that were awesome. Will recommend to anyone visiting Kanazawa!

Our family had an amazing full-day tour with Kanazawa Tours, and our guide, Kumiko (Ku), made it unforgettable. She arrived at the arranged time to meet us at our hotel and had prepared an English folder with an extensive itinerary for the day. It was clear that she put a lot of effort into detailing the sites and attractions we would visit. Despite the heavy snow and challenging driving conditions, Ku adapted the itinerary to accommodate our wishes. While we couldn’t complete the full schedule, we still had an incredible experience. The highlight was Shirakawa-go. We were fortunate enough to park directly at the site. We then walked to the observatory for a stunning panoramic view of the village, and Ku pointed out key landmarks along the way. The unique village was even more special due to the volume of snow. After spending some time in Shirakawa-go, we headed to Takayama. There, we were lucky enough to be invited inside a temple by the head priest, who gave us a fascinating explanation of the different types of Buddha statues and their history. We also enjoyed a delicious hot udon meal at a local restaurant and took a leisurely walk through the traditional buildings, picking up a few souvenirs. Ku was not only knowledgeable but also very entertaining and funny. She communicated excellently throughout the day, providing insightful information about the landmarks we visited. Additionally, Ku took candid photos of our family during the day and sent us an online album after the tour. This thoughtful gesture really shows the care and attention she put into making our experience memorable. We highly recommend Ku for anyone considering a private day trip to Shirakawa-go and Takayama. She made the experience both informative and fun, and we truly enjoyed every moment!

Had the best day with Tetsuro; very knowledgeable and very entertaining. And as an added bonus sent us an album of pics he took throughout the day. Would thoroughly recommend this as a day trip from Kanazawa - stunning views and location

Nozomi’s walking tour was absolutely outstanding! Her passion for the area, engaging storytelling, and incredible depth of knowledge made the experience unforgettable. The tour was packed with fascinating stories, historical facts, and personal insights that truly brought the area to life. What impressed me most was how well-curated the experience was—Nozomi even provided top-notch recommendations for dinner and drinks that perfectly complemented the tour. A quick tip: bring extra layers and an umbrella as the weather can get cold and wet. If you’re looking for an entertaining, educational, and expertly guided tour, I highly recommend booking with Nozomi. You won’t be disappointed!

We did the half day (4 hour) tour with Sachiko. Sachiko made everything very easy. She came to meet us at the house we were renting and then led us on a tour though the areas of interest after a discussion of what would be best during our time with her including the Geisha and Samurai districts as well as some additional shrines / temples. Sachiko grew up in Kanazawa and is now raising her family here and was able to share both a deep understanding of the history and background of the areas visited but was also bring everything into the present. She was able to share a lot of information about the area including recommendations for things to see during the rest of our stay, places to eat, etc. She was also very helpful in getting us a great dinner reservation during a very busy period in town. Her english was excellent as well. My family of 5 found her very easy to talk with and any question we asked was answered with both a historical perspective and context for the current lifestyle in Kanazawa. She also showed us the craft shops that she thought were the best to come back to after our tour if we wanted to go shopping for authentic Kanazawa wares. We would highly recommend Sachiko for any tour of the area.

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 🤍

We had an amazing family experience in beautiful Kanazawa, spending four hours visiting the Geisha and Samurai districts. Our guide Nozomi was phenomenal, with perfectly fluent English, and a deep knowledge of Kanazawa, its culture and traditions. She was able to tailor the tour to our interests, and two keep our two children engaged for the full four hours. Her warm personality and stories from her own family gave us a real insight into Japan. She also gave us information that enriched our family visit to Kenrokuen the following day, as well as excellent restaurant recommendations. I can definitely recommend this tour to anyone with only a short time in Kanazawa, or who wants ab introduction to the city and it’s traditions.

Great tour followed by amazing dinner. The guide was very knowledgeable and friendly. Walking in the evening gave a great quiet atmosphere.

Ian was a great guide—very knowledgeable regarding the history of the region. Ian added to our half-day tour a very interesting market where we enjoyed a great lunch. Great job!

Tetsuro-san speaks very good English and was genuinely a pleasure to speak to. As a native Japanese, he has great insights to share!

We had the best time with this tour. Kumiko the tour guide was hands down the best guide! She was very informative, helpful and the most friendly tour guide. She made the whole tour very enjoyable.

We were lucky enough to have Ku as our guide for a private tour around Takayama and Shirakawa-go on Christmas Day, and I cannot recommend her enough. From the moment we met her, Ku’s warmth and kindness made us feel so welcome. She went above and beyond to make the day feel truly special and festive. Ku added personal Christmas touches that brought smiles to all of us – she even sewed a little Santa hat for her panda puppet and made a charming Christmas sign! These thoughtful gestures made the experience feel magical and unforgettable. Her attention to detail was incredible. Ku has clearly put so much effort into crafting her own folder of information about the sites we visited – details that are often hard to find in English. This gave us such a deeper appreciation for the history and beauty of Takayama and Shirakawa-go. What stood out most was Ku’s sincerity and genuine care for everyone on the tour. She gave us plenty of free time to explore, always making sure the tour felt relaxed and flexible to suit our interests. Ku’s passion for sharing her culture and ensuring we had the best possible experience shone through in everything she did. If you are planning a visit to Takayama or Shirakawa-go, I highly recommend booking a tour with Ku. She doesn’t just guide you – she creates memories that you will treasure forever. Thank you, Ku, for making our Christmas one we will never forget!