From Osaka: A Winter 2-Day Bus Tour to Shirakawa-go and the Hida Folk Village Illumination

Leave Osaka for a journey through gassho-zukuri villages, by day and by night

This trip from Osaka takes you to Shirakawa-go and Hida-Takayama in winter. On Day 1, you will explore the UNESCO World Heritage village of Shirakawa-go during the day. Once the sun sets, you will enjoy the illumination at Hida no Sato (Hida Folk Village) in Takayama. By visiting both places, you can see two very different sides of gassho-zukuri farmhouses.

On Day 2, you will visit the Miyagawa Morning Market and Takayama's old town streets. You will also stop at a knife shop and an outlet mall, with the bus taking care of all the travel. The tour is guided in English, and you will join other travellers in a group.

Start with Omi beef sukiyaki, then head to Shirakawa-go

Day 1 begins with a sukiyaki lunch made with Omi beef in Sekigahara. After your meal, you will head to the UNESCO World Heritage village of Shirakawa-go.

Once you arrive, stroll along paths lined with steeply pitched thatched roofs. As you walk between the houses, look at the shapes of the roofs and how they sit against the surrounding mountains. On snowy days, the white-covered roofs and mountain scenery show off the village's special winter charm.

After dark, see the illumination at Hida no Sato

Next, you will visit Hida no Sato in Takayama. This open-air museum preserves old farmhouses from the Hida region that were moved here from their original locations, and it is lit up during the winter season.

As darkness falls, the thatched roofs and the outlines of the buildings rise out of the light. When there is snow on the ground, the lights spread across the snow too, creating a scene quite different from the daytime. Recall the village you walked through at Shirakawa-go as you take in the gassho-zukuri houses at night.

After enjoying the glowing scenery, you will end the day's sightseeing and head to your accommodation.

The next morning: Miyagawa Morning Market, then a walk through Takayama's old town

Day 2 starts at the Miyagawa Morning Market. Browse the stalls along the river, look for something that catches your eye, or chat with the vendors. After the previous night's illumination, you will see a completely different side of Takayama in the morning light.

Afterwards, you will stroll through the old town. Streets lined with wooden buildings and lattice doors offer scenes at every turn that make you want to stop and look. Enjoy the walk, and keep an eye out for shop signs and storefronts under the eaves.

Next, a knife shop in Seki, and shopping at the outlet to finish

After your walk in Takayama, you will visit Hamonoya Sanshu, a knife shop in Seki. Look at a variety of blades and learn about Seki's craftsmanship. It is a moment to focus on Japanese tools, a change from the scenery and townscapes.

Your trip ends at Mitsui Outlet Park Shiga Ryuo. Browse the shops, do some shopping, and then begin the journey back to Osaka.

FAQ

■ Can I see the night illumination at Shirakawa-go? On this tour, you will explore Shirakawa-go during the day and enjoy the night illumination at Hida no Sato in Takayama. This is different from tours that visit the Shirakawa-go illumination event.

■ Can I choose how many people share a room? Plans are available for 1 person per room, 2 people per room and 3 people per room. The displayed price is per person. Please choose the plan that matches your preferred room occupancy and group size.

■ Is the guide in Japanese? The guide is in English. This is a group tour, so you will travel together with other participants.

■ What should I do about dinner? There are few places to eat dinner near the accommodation, so please check the meal conditions of the plan you book. If you plan to arrange your own dinner, it is a good idea to buy food during the tour.

Before you book

• Check the meeting point and departure time, and arrive at least 15 minutes before departure
• Check the room occupancy, meal conditions and how to arrange dinner
• Bring warm clothing and shoes with good grip. Snow conditions depend on the weather
• Minimum 20 participants required. Check the confirmation conditions and cancellation policy as of 14 days before departure

Itineraries and time at each stop may change depending on traffic and other conditions, so please check the latest information on the booking page before you book.

Summary

By day, you walk through the gassho-zukuri village of Shirakawa-go. By night, you look at thatched roofs glowing in the lights of Hida no Sato. Because you stay overnight, you can enjoy Japan's winter mountain villages at different times of day.

The next morning, go from the Miyagawa Morning Market to Takayama's old town. Omi beef sukiyaki, a visit to a knife shop and a final shopping stop are all included too. Why not venture a little beyond Osaka on a 2-day, 1-night winter trip full of scenery, food and town walks?

Check the details of the Shirakawa-go and Hida Winter Illumination 2-Day Bus Tour.