Day trip to Shirakawa-go (and Takayama) from Kanazawa

Shirakawa-go is one of the most iconic images of rural Japan: a village of peaked thatched houses, known as gassho-zukuri, declared a World Heritage Site and especially magical when covered in snow in winter. This full-day bus trip from Kanazawa takes you to this valley in the Japanese Alps without complications and usually combines it with the historic centre of Takayama, with its Edo-period streets and traditional markets. The tour includes free time to stroll through the village, climb to the viewpoint with the classic panorama of the village and eat mountain specialities. The tour starts at around 9.000 ¥, accompanied by English-speaking staff, and departs from and returns to Kanazawa station. The duration is around ten hours. Bring comfortable shoes and warm clothing, especially in winter. It is advisable to book in advance because it is one of the most popular trips in the region. It is the most efficient way to see two of the great treasures of central Japan in a single day if you do not want to deal with rural bus timetables.