Osaka: 2-Day Bus Tour to Hida-Takayama, Shirakawa-go and Tateyama's "Snow Corridor"

Leave Osaka for a 2-day journey through mountain villages and Tateyama in spring

Set out from Osaka by bus to visit Hida-Takayama and Shirakawa-go, then spend the night in Toyama Prefecture. The next day, you head to the Murodo area of Tateyama, at an altitude of 2,450 m.

Historic townhouse streets, a village of gassho-zukuri farmhouses, and snowy mountain scenery. This itinerary combines travel and an overnight stay to take you through three places, each with its own character.

On Day 1, you explore the town and village at your own pace. On Day 2, you get up close to the Snow Corridor. From mountain village to the Northern Alps, enjoy the changing scenery along the way.

Day 1 begins in the old town of Hida-Takayama

Your first stop is Hida-Takayama. During free time, wander the old town, taking in lattice-fronted townhouses and shop signs hanging under the eaves.

Peek into shops that catch your eye, or hunt for local specialties such as Hida beef nigiri and Takayama ramen. Beyond the atmosphere of the town itself, finding your own discoveries is part of the charm of free exploration.

Plan around meals and shopping, choose the streets you most want to walk, and enjoy your time in Takayama.

Next, Shirakawa-go: a village of great thatched roofs

Leaving Takayama, you continue to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Shirakawa-go. Surrounded by mountains, the village is lined with gassho-zukuri houses topped with steeply pitched thatched roofs.

During free time, start by noticing the size and thickness of the roofs. If you step back and look over the rows of houses, you can also enjoy the classic Shirakawa-go scenery formed by the buildings, the surrounding mountains and the fields.

In a village where people still live today, spend time in the mountains while soaking up the character of the houses and the look of the changing seasons.

Day 1 night in Toyama Prefecture, with dinner as part of the fun

After exploring Takayama and Shirakawa-go, head to your hotel. Drop off your bags, catch your breath and look back on the scenes you found along the way.

With a plan that includes a dinner buffet, you can look forward to seafood such as crab and sweet shrimp. Choose your favorite dishes and build anticipation for Tateyama the next day.

Please check your booked plan for the hotel, room type and meal details.

Day 2: Tateyama, and a close-up experience of the "Snow Corridor"

The next day, you head to the Murodo area of Tateyama. You normally travel by bus up to 2,450 m and enjoy the snowy landscape that remains on the mountain.

Waiting for you here is the "Yuki-no-Otani" (Snow Corridor), a highlight from spring to early summer. You can view the high walls of snow, revealed by road clearing, up close from the walking section.

Standing beside walls that tower above you, you can feel the sheer amount and power of the snow in a way photos can't convey. It is a very different scene from the old streets and mountain village of the day before: spring in the Northern Alps.

The height of the snow walls and the area you can walk vary depending on snowfall, weather and whether the event is held that year.

FAQ

■ Can I see the Snow Corridor at any time? The Yuki-no-Otani Walk is a limited-time event held from spring to early summer. Please check the latest information for the current year regarding the event period and tour dates. The height of the snow walls also varies by year and time of visit.

■ How do we get up the mountain? You normally travel by bus to the Murodo area. After arriving, you walk along the designated walking section to enjoy the snow walls. Please bring warm clothing and comfortable shoes with good grip.

■ What languages are offered, and where do we meet? Plans are available with English, Chinese and Japanese guidance. Please check your preferred language and departure point when booking. For the meeting place and time, check the booking page and the information sent before departure.

■ Are the hotel, meals and room arrangements fixed? The itinerary includes one night at a hotel in Toyama Prefecture. Please check your selected plan for the hotel name, whether dinner and breakfast are included, and the meal details. Even if you join with others, you may be assigned a single room per person, so check the room type as well.

■ What happens in bad weather? Depending on road conditions, additional fees may be charged for the trip to Murodo, or the itinerary may be changed to sightseeing in Kanazawa. If only the Yuki-no-Otani Walk is cancelled, some conditions may not qualify for a refund, so please check how itinerary changes, additional fees and refunds are handled before booking.

What to check before booking

• Tour dates, the meeting point in Osaka, time and guidance language
• Accommodation, room arrangements, meal details and luggage limits
• Warm clothing and comfortable shoes with good grip for Murodo
• Itinerary changes, additional fees, refunds and cancellation conditions in bad weather

The itinerary may change depending on traffic and weather conditions. Before booking, please check the latest information on the booking page.

Summary

Find your favorite local flavors in Takayama and look up at the great thatched roofs of Shirakawa-go. The next day, find yourself surrounded by Tateyama's walls of snow.

The atmosphere of a historic town, life in a mountain village, and spring in the Northern Alps. Why not set out on a 2-day getaway where the scenery changes with every move?

For details, please check the latest information on the booking page.