Shirakawago Private Tour Guides

Contact a private tour guide to plan your Shirakawago itinerary and Book Online.

Popular Shirakawago Tour Guides

Yuriko S.

4.94 / 5
(50 reviews)
Japan

I am Yuriko from Gifu Prefecture. I was an assistant English teacher at junior high school. I started to work as a National Certificate tour guide in 2019. I'm very interested in kimono, tea ceremony and Japanese castles. I sometimes guide in kimono. There are so many nice places to visit in Gifu and Nagoya! I also guide around Takayama, Shirakawago, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka and Kanazawa if you pay my transportation fee from my hometown. Let's enjoy Japan with me!

Yoshie K.

5.00 / 5
(33 reviews)
Japan

Hi, I am Yoshie. I am a national government licensed English speaking Guide. I used to work for multinational companies and served as an interpreter for several years and travelled around Japan with coworkers. I love plants, nature, travelling as well as finding out good places to eat! I am also a communicative person. After lived in Tokyo for some decades, now I live in my home town, Fukui where you can have a great experience of Zen buddhism in the head temple of the Soto Zen sect, Eiheiji which was founded in 1244. There is also a thrilling sightseeing spot named Tojinbo Cliffs which are as high as 25 meters extending a peninsula. For those who are in interested in dinosaurs, there is one of the three world's largest dinosaur museums. I have been travelling Kanazawa since my high school age so I know well about the town to show you around as well as Shirakawago, a day trip from Kanazawa. I am excited to meet you and coordinate what you are really interested in to make you the happiest memories in Japan. I look forward to guiding you soon!

Fujio N.

4.79 / 5
(14 reviews)
Japan

Born and having spent most of my life in Kanazawa, I went into the export business for a major high-speed and automatic loom maker, where I worked for 38 years. When I was a university student in Kyoto, I occasionally worked part time as an English speaking guide. I have guided foreign tourists in Japan especially in my hometown for over 13 years starting soon after my retirement. I joined Kanazawa Good-will Guide Network in 2000 and had been its coordinator for six years from 2002, currently being its senior adviser. Furthermore, I organized Kanazawa Home-visit Association in 2003 that has received over 8,000 visitors from overseas, among whom 1,900 enjoyed experiencing Japanese culture in my own home. In 2012, I established the group for the interpreter guide with my friends and currently I am its coordinator. I am therefore very familiar with historical, cultural and industrial backgrounds of Kanazawa and its surrounding regions. My hobby is golf and my current official golf handicap is 15. Tour Guide Services: Sightseeing tours with explanations of historical and cultural backgrounds of Ishikawa prefecture including Kanazawa city and Noto peninsula, and the surrounding prefectures such as Gifu (with Takayama city and Shirakawa village), Toyama (with Gokayama village) and Fukui (with Eiheiji Zen Temple) Sample Itineraries: Model Plans in Kanazawa: Full-day tour (7~8h) Higashi Chaya (Geisha) District including gold-leaf shops → Kenrokuen Garden and Kanazawa Castle Park → 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art → Nagamachi Samurai District → Omicho Market Half -day tour (4~5h) Higashi Chaya (Geisha) District including a gold-leaf shop → Kenrokuen Garden and Kanazawa Castle Park → Nagamachi Samurai District Other popular optional spots are also available: Myoryuji (Ninja) Temple, D. T. Suzuki Museum, Oyama Shrine, Kaga Yuzen Traditional Industrial (silk kimono) Center, Nishida Family Garden (Gyokusen-en), Kazuemachi Chaya (Geisha) District, Ohi Pottery Museum, Kutani Porcelain Kiln, etc. Home-visit (2 hours) Visit a local home to enjoy talking with the host family over tea and to learn the distinctive Japanese lifestyle firsthand, where you might experience traditional culture such as a tea ceremony, flower arrangement, kimono dressing, calligraphy and paper- folding. Model Plans of one-day round trips by highway bus from Kanazawa 1. Noto peninsula (world agricultural heritage site with Wajima Morning Market, Wajima Lacquerware Center, Wajima Kiriko (gigantic festival lantern) Art Museum, Senmaida Terraced Rice Fields, Sojiji Zen Temple, Ganmon and Chirihama Beach Driveway), etc. 2. Takayama city (old merchant town), Shirakawa-go and Gokayama villages (world cultural heritage site with thatched-roof farm houses)

Takashi M.

4.71 / 5
(17 reviews)
Japan

I was born and brought up in Kanazawa, and live in Kanazawa. So,I know every corner of this town. I am a national licensed tour guide. I started operating tour guide business in 2004 after retired from the local government office. I enjoyed hobbies when I found my spare time. In my twenties and thirties, I walked along many peaks of Northern Japan Alps during the summer mountain season. I travelled many places domestic and abroad. I also enjoyed skiing while I was in my forties and fifties. I have offered tour guides to over 1,000 tourists since I started tour guiding. I explain local history and culture, religion, traditional arts and crafts, and food, etc. I try my best to have customers' satisfaction, and make your tours enjoyable and memorable.Hokuriku Shinkansen bullet trains started operating between Tokyo and Kanazawa on March 14, 2015. It takes about 2 and half hours. You will be able to make one-day tour to Kanazawa from Tokyo. I look forward to having your application.

Tetsuji Y.

4.87 / 5
(39 reviews)
Japan

Hello everyone. I am Tetsuji. I worked as a public servant in the local government for 35 years. I belonged to the department of Redevelopment, Town-Landscaping, Preserving historical areas and Architectural Guidance. (I have a national 1st-class architect license.) I devoted myself to revitalizing the city by making plans and improving infrastructure for citizens. Gifu is located in central Japan near Nagoya. As just being the crossroads of the West and the East, there are many unique attractions that are hard to discover in hectic big cities like Tokyo or Kyoto. I had a hand in restoring and preserving some of them throughout my career and want to introduce them to tourists from abroad. That’s why I became a guide-interpreter in Gifu. I also enjoyed traveling around the world. My favorite part of each trip was walking around the city and talking with local residents. Traveling has taught me lots of things during my lifetime. Now, I would like to help others have similar experience in Japan. Shall we enjoy fantastic journey in Gifu?

Mika S.

4.96 / 5
(26 reviews)
Japan

My interests include art, architecture, food, sake, wine, and sustainability. In the past, I had the opportunity to visit destinations around the world. My passion for traveling and experiencing other cultures helped me recognize the beauty in my own culture, and inspired me to become a tour guide. I’m a fun, energetic, and passionate guide who’s ready to show you an unforgettable time in Japan, whatever your interests may be! Hida is a beautiful region tucked away in the Northern Alps, and its location helped preserve Takayama’s old town constructed by local master carpenters. On your tour, I’ll give you tips on what you should look for to appreciate traditional Japanese architecture. If you’re a sake lover, Hida is the place for you because the cold climate makes it suitable for brewing quality sake. I’m a licensed Sake Sommelier, and I’d love to take you to the breweries in town and give you some recommendations. I’ve also been trained to host art tours. If you’re interested in contemporary Japanese art, I recommend visiting Kanazawa, where you can find inspirational creativity in every corner! My goal is to help you discover the authentic Japanese way of life while feeling comfortable like a local rather than standing out like a tourist. Please let me know what kind of experience you’re looking for, and I will happily tailor a unique experience just for you. Fun facts about me! I was sponsored to travel around the world twice I was a torch runner in the 1998 Nagano Olympics I grew up in nature, eating wild plants and seeing many wild animals

Yoko T.

5.00 / 5
(17 reviews)
Japan

Hi! I am Yoko, a friendly regional Licensed Guide Interpreter. This area is my home! This is why I've been sharing beauties of this prefecture with my guests from around the world. This area is great fun: local, historical, culturally important, sometimes mysterious and beautiful! If you are already in love with Japan, then let me personalize your experience here. Visit the best places, venues, spots and locations with me. You will enjoy neighborhood full of hidden local treasures. I am a mother of two girls. I'd be happy to welcome families and I can arrange a tour depending on your situation. Please feel free to ask me any. I also translate and teach English. And I am a host of an Internet radio show. I like meeting people and all these experiences allow me to be good at communicating as a guide. I look forward to exploring this beautiful culture with you. Thank you!

Yuichi W.

4.53 / 5
(15 reviews)
Japan

Hello, I'm Yuichi, an English tour guide in Hokuriku region. If you are thinking about traveling to historical places such as Kanazawa, Shirakawa-go and Takayama, I am willing to offer a tour. I can bring you to those popular destinations from my base, Toyama city. These are the examples of my tour: Kanazawa - Shirakawago - Takayama Takaoka - Gokayama - Shirakawago - Takayama Toyama - Tateyama Kurobe Alipne Route - Omachi (Nagano Pref.) During the tour I like to provide simple explanations about Japanese history, and small tips for using the Japanese language on your request. My interests are food, cooking, sake and wine as well as Japanese novels and movies. It would be possible to add those tastes to our tour including a visit to local wineries, movie scenes, etc... Finally, I will do my best to give you a pleasant stay. Looking forward to seeing you in Hokuriku!

Reviews

A

Alison R.

5 / 5
Sep 1, 2024

Excellent Time and Tour with Taro

Taro is the ultimate tour guide. Kind, insightful, knowledgeable and flexible, Taro made our (family of 5) tour of Tokyo simply amazing. Taro knows Tokyo inside and out, and he took us to the most amazing sights in the city. He knows all of the vintage areas as well as the major destinations and provided us with historical context as well. Vintage shopping is super cool in Japan and Taro has insider knowledge and knows where to go. He is also very flexible as we had to modify our tour due to a typhoon hitting Japan which delayed our arrival. But it was no problem for Taro, and he made the necessary adjustments. He took us to the most incredible Wagyu beef restaurant for lunch—a meal we will not forget. He is interesting to talk to and knows the music industry thoroughly. Taro responded quickly to my questions when I was initially setting up the tour and made great itinerary suggestions. Anyone looking for an insightful, fun and dynamic tour, Taro is your guy! I highly recommend him.

Taro S.

I truly appreciate your wonderful review. Unfortunately, we experienced a typhoon during your visit, but I’m so happy to hear that you still enjoyed the tour. It was a pleasure to see your interest in our culture, and I had such a great time discussing our history and traditions with you. As a tour guide, it’s an honor to be a part of your travel experience. You and your family are amazing—so kind and heartwarming. Thank you so much again. I look forward to seeing you again sometime soon!

K

Kim R.

5 / 5
Sep 1, 2024

Fabulous wine tour in Yamanashi

Chinami guided us on a very nice tour through Yamanashi, where we visited several wineries. She went far beyond what we had expected in finding good wineries, both showing small local wineries, and finding the more high end larger producers. She also had extensive knowledge of the region and gave a lot of great information along the way. Thank you for making it a sunny day even though the rain was trying to drown us at times :-)

L

Lorretta S.

5 / 5
Sep 1, 2024

A great day in Sasebo

We spent a wonderful day with “Hero” in Sasebo. He was an excellent driver and shared with us his in depth knowledge on the places we visited. We highly recommend Hero to anyone when you have the chance!

Yukihiro (Hero)行博

Hi Lorretta, Thank you very much for the great comments to my guidance, I am so glad to hear that. I hope to see you somewhere some day again. Take care and have a great tour. Hero

M

Massimo R.

5 / 5
Sep 1, 2024

Exceptional Nikko Tour with Kahoko

Our day exploring Nikko with Kahoko was the highlight of our Japan trip. From the moment she picked us up in Tokyo, it was clear that we were in for a special experience. Kahoko’s meticulous planning and attention to detail ensured that every aspect of our day was seamless and enjoyable. She organized everything with great care—from booking the train and arranging a special taxi to guiding us through breathtaking lakes, waterfalls, and stunning temples and shrines. Her deep knowledge of Japanese culture and history was evident as she shared fascinating stories and insights about her homeland. The day was perfectly rounded off with a beautiful lunch, which was not only delicious but also an excellent representation of local cuisine. Kahoko’s passion for her country and commitment to providing a memorable experience truly set this tour apart. If you’re looking for a personalized and enriching journey through Nikko, I can’t recommend Kahoko highly enough. She goes above and beyond to ensure an unforgettable experience.

Kahoko K.

Thank you very much for the kindest review! It was very encouraging for me and gave me another motivation for this job. Regarding our Nikko tour, I had been concerning for a week watching weather forecast. Still, thanks to an Italian lucky guy, there was no rain throughout the tour. Also, the typhoon vacancy made our tour enrich from Imperial summer villa to 200 steps to the tomb. It might have been a tough tour physically, but I enjoyed every moment with charming and promising young guys. As a mom of 3 kids, I found all of your presents' great job to produce such pleasant and splendid people. Here again, I appreciate from bottom of my heart you choosing me as a guide for your precious occasion. I just hope you safely arrive Hakone today and spend another joyful time there. I wish I will be able to see you again!

The best tours and activities

With a real local of your choice

The option to personalize your tour

Just contact your favorite local

Only private tours!

So no group tours with strangers

Local Tour Guides in Shirakawago

Our local guides are ready to help you plan, customize and realize your ideal tour in Shirakawago. All GoWithGuide guides are real locals who know the area on a deep and personal level, and they can’t wait to share their knowledge with you. When traveling, everyone wants to get the most bang out of their buck. How to do that? Ask the right person to be your tour guide, of course! As opposed to fixed itineraries that are too formal and geared towards large groups, arranging a trip with the help of a local guide will mean the trip will be about what YOU want to see and do. Go ahead and send a message to one (or several!) of our local guides. They would love to show you their Shirakawago!