Nagoya Departure Private Charter Day Tour | Explore Takayama, Shirakawa-go & Gero Onsen at Your Own Pace

A Private Charter from Nagoya, With an Itinerary You Design Yourself

This tour is a 10-hour private charter plan that departs from and returns to a hotel or guesthouse in Nagoya, taking you around the Chubu region's sightseeing spots by private vehicle. Popular routes include Takayama, Shirakawa-go, and Gero Onsen, as well as Ise Grand Shrine and Ghibli Park, and the content can be adjusted to your wishes.

Covering both Takayama and Shirakawa-go in a single day usually requires careful checking of bus and train connections and timetables. With a private charter, you can leave all the logistics of getting around to someone else.

The tour has 10 reviews with an average rating of 5.0.

Check availability on the booking page

Takayama's Old Town | Strolling Streets Lined with Edo-Period Merchant Houses

Takayama's old town in Gifu Prefecture is a historic district where traditional Edo-period merchant houses (machiya) still stand. Long-established shops, sake breweries, and craft stores line both sides of the street, making a simple stroll here a destination in itself.

Nearby is Takayama Jinya, once the center of local government and commerce during the Edo period, and the surrounding area is packed with restaurants serving Hida regional cuisine.

Meals are not included in the tour price, but enjoying marbled Hida beef as yakiniku or shabu-shabu is a quintessential Takayama experience.

Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO World Heritage Site | Gassho-zukuri Village Through the Seasons

Shirakawa-go is a UNESCO World Heritage-listed village of gassho-zukuri farmhouses, with more than 100 traditional buildings preserved. The thatched-roof houses combine with the changing seasonal scenery to create views that look almost like paintings.

What makes this place particularly special is that it's not simply a preserved historical site—residents still live here today, and daily life continues in the village.

Combining Takayama and Shirakawa-go into a single route is the classic itinerary for first-time visitors to this region.

Gero Onsen and Other Destination Options | Mix and Match Freely

Gero Onsen is one of the most popular destinations for charter tours departing from Nagoya, letting you build in some relaxed hot spring time. Other suggested destinations include Nagoya Castle, LEGOLAND® Japan, Nabana no Sato, the old town of Mino, Cape Daio-zaki in Shima, and Mitsui Outlet Park Nagashima.

Nagoya Castle was built by Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1612 and is known for its golden shachihoko (mythical dolphin-like ornaments) atop the main keep and its Honmaru Palace. Nabana no Sato is famous for its seasonal flower fields and winter illuminations.

Families traveling with children might choose LEGOLAND or Ghibli Park, while shopping enthusiasts might prefer the outlet mall—you can select destinations to suit your travel companions.

Vehicle Types and Capacity | Choose Based on Your Luggage as Well

Vehicle options range from a 7-seater (Toyota Alphard or equivalent) to a 10-seater, 14-seater, and 22-seater (Toyota Coaster or equivalent). The 7-seater accommodates up to 6 passengers plus 2 standard-size pieces of luggage (without a child seat), while the 10-seater accommodates up to 9 passengers plus 10 pieces of luggage as a guideline.

Standard luggage size is 36cm x 25cm x 53cm, and oversized bags count as two pieces. If your group includes 6 larger-framed passengers, it's recommended to choose the 10-seater for more comfort.

Children and infants also require their own seat. One child seat can be provided free of charge; if additional seats are needed, request them at the time of booking.

Language and Travel Range | Conditions to Check Before Booking

The driver-guide speaks Chinese or Japanese and can provide simple itinerary guidance and spot introductions during the ride. For English communication, translation software will be used.

The travel range covers within 100km of Nagoya city from the departure hotel, and within 300km outside the city. For itineraries that span areas not grouped together, such as combining Shirakawa-go and Takayama, an out-of-area service fee may apply.

Service hours are 07:00–20:00, with a total duration of 10 hours (8 hours if departure and arrival locations differ). If the tour runs over time due to traffic or other factors, an hourly overtime fee applies, with different rates for vehicles seating 10 or fewer versus 14 or more.

What to Check Before Booking

• Preview your desired destinations and how much time each will take
• Departure time (service hours are 07:00–20:00)
• Whether your plan fits within the 10-hour total charter time
• Pickup and drop-off locations must be a hotel or guesthouse within Nagoya city
• Note that the duration becomes 8 hours if departure and arrival locations differ
• Choosing a vehicle that suits your group size and luggage
• The number of child seats needed (one is provided free of charge)
• Whether your itinerary will incur an out-of-area service fee
• The hourly rate for overtime charges
• Timing of driver information contact (from the day before up to 3 hours before use)
• Meeting point is the hotel lobby, 10 minutes before departure
• Cancellation policy, and which costs (meals, admission fees) are self-paid

It's a good idea to consult with customer service about your itinerary before booking, so that the day goes smoothly.

Summary

This 10-hour charter tour departs by private vehicle from your hotel in Nagoya and takes you to iconic spots in the Chubu region, including Takayama's old town, the UNESCO World Heritage site of Shirakawa-go, and Gero Onsen.

Destinations and order can be arranged to your preferences, and you can also add stops like Nagoya Castle, Nabana no Sato, LEGOLAND, or Ise Grand Shrine. A Chinese- and Japanese-speaking driver-guide accompanies you, with vehicle options ranging from 7 to 22 seats.

This is a recommended one-day plan for groups who want to leave the transportation arrangements to someone else while exploring Gifu, Aichi, and Mie at their own pace.