Nagoya Station Departure: Gokayama Gassho Villages & Hida Takayama Day Tour

World Heritage Gokayama Gassho Villages

Gokayama lies deep in the mountains of Nanto City, Toyama, and consists of traditional villages such as Ainokura and Suganuma. It was registered as a World Heritage Site in 1995 together with Shirakawa-go in Gifu. Long isolated from the outside world, it still preserves the look and lifestyle of an old mountain village.

The houses are called gassho-zukuri because their steep thatched roofs resemble hands joined in prayer. They were built to withstand heavy snow, and the spacious attics were once used for raising silkworms. Smaller and quieter than Shirakawa-go, Gokayama lets you walk leisurely among old houses, rice fields and mountains.

Free walk in Ainokura Village (about 1 hour)

Stroll freely through the village of gassho houses and enjoy the traditional architecture and mountain scenery.

Suganuma Village Observation Deck

First head up to the village observation deck to look down on the village at sunset, then explore the village freely.

Hida Takayama Old Town (about 2 hours of free time)

Located in the mountains of northern Gifu, Takayama is called the "Little Kyoto of Hida" for its well-preserved Edo-period buildings and streets. Its signature Sanmachi old streets are lined with old merchant houses, sake breweries, Japanese sweet shops and traditional craft stores. You can also visit Takayama Jinya, where the Edo-period government office still stands, and the Miyagawa Morning Market.

During free time, enjoy local food such as Hida beef, hoba miso, soy-sauce grilled dango, Takayama ramen and local sake.

Local food of Gokayama

• Gokayama tofu: so firm that it is said you can tie it with a rope.
• Salt-grilled iwana char: whole char raised in clear mountain streams, skewered and slowly grilled.
• Gokayama soba: made with clear mountain water, great with wild vegetable tempura.
• Wild vegetable dishes: bracken, bamboo shoots and mushrooms prepared as tempura, simmered dishes or salads by season.
• Red turnip pickles: sweet, sour and crunchy, also a good souvenir.
• Tochi mochi and tochi senbei: traditional sweets made from horse chestnuts.
• In winter you can also taste kabura-zushi, a Toyama specialty of fish sandwiched in turnip and fermented with rice koji.

Ainokura Village Light-up (Feb 20 and 21, 2027 only)

On February 20 and 21, 2027, a limited light-up event is held at Ainokura village. These two days can be booked with the light-up option, and the meeting time is 11:00.

* The order of the itinerary may change depending on road conditions on the day.