Shirakawa-go 2-Day Tour | Limited 4-Day Winter Light-Up 2026｜Takayama Heritage & Winter Illumination（Including tour guide）

Recommended by 97% of travelers

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Shirakawa-go, Takayama

Shirakawa-go 2-Day Tour | Limited 4-Day Winter Light-Up 2026｜Takayama Heritage & Winter Illumination（Including tour guide）

+9

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2 Days 1 Night

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Max People : 4-8

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Limited to 4 Days in 2026

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Pickup: Hotel in Osaka city

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English Guide

You are welcomed to book the tour from 1 participant. The minimum number of participants for this tour to operate is 4.

After your reservation is submitted, our tour operator will contact you as soon as possible to confirm tour availability, regardless of any automated confirmation email you may receive.

For safety and communication purposes during the trip, a reachable phone number is required for each participating group.

Cancellation Conditions：Free ≥30 days; 15–29 days: 30% charge; 7–14 days: 50% charge; ≤6 days: 100% charge.

For individual special needs, we will do our best to accommodate; but it is not guaranteed. After your booking being confirmed, please contact us for further details.

Child age 6 and under requires to use the car seat during the trip. We recommend to bring your own car seat/booster. Please contact us if you need help.

Overview

Highlights

Itinerary Details

Important Information

Overview

Experience the ultimate winter journey with our 2-Day Shirakawa-go Light-Up Tour — an exclusive trip available only four days per year. Departing from Osaka or Kyoto, this premium route takes you through Takayama’s historic streets and into the fairytale village of Shirakawa-go, glowing under snow and lantern light. Enjoy private transfers, small-group comfort, and limited access to the official Light-Up event. Stay overnight in an onsen hotel, indulge in Hida beef lunch and kaiseki cuisine, and immerse yourself in Japan’s authentic winter culture through local sake tasting or a handcraft experience.

Our highlights are

Key highlights

Exclusive Shirakawa-go Light-Up access (only 4 nights in 2026)

Private round-trip transfer from Osaka/Kyoto

Onsen hotel stay with kaiseki cuisine

Including Hida beef lunch, sake brewery tour/handcraft experience

Small group, cultural immersion, and professional guide

What's Included

English-speaking guide

Private charter vehicle

Onsel hotel in Takayama (kaiseki dinner & breakfast included)

Entry Permit to Shirakawa-go Light-Up event

Day 2 selectable activity (Takayama sake brewery tour OR Sarubobo handcraft experience)

Day 1 lunch (Hida beef)

Hotel Pick-up & Drop-off within Osaka/Kyoto City

Entry to observatory

Any personal expenses or expenses

Travel insurance or accident insurance

Itinerary Details

Day 1

Shirakawa‑go Light‑Up

Private Transportation

Onsen hotel stay

Lunch at local restaurant & Dinner at hotel

<em>07:30</em> Depart from Osaka hotel (private car charter pick-up) *There will be snow in Shirakawa-go, please dress warmly and wear non-slip shoes for your safety.

07:30 Depart from Osaka hotel (private car charter pick-up) *There will be snow in Shirakawa-go, please dress warmly and wear non-slip shoes for your safety.

<em>07:30–12:30</em> Transfer to Takayama Old Town (approx. 5 hours, with pit stop rest during the way)

07:30–12:30 Transfer to Takayama Old Town (approx. 5 hours, with pit stop rest during the way)

<em>12:30–13:30</em> 【Lunch】Hida-Beef Lunch

12:30–13:30 【Lunch】Hida-Beef Lunch

<em>13:30-14:30</em> Transfer to Shirakawa-go (approx. 1 hour)

13:30-14:30 Transfer to Shirakawa-go (approx. 1 hour)

<em>15:00–17:00</em> Visit Shirakawa-go (You will need to exit the village by 17:00 once and re-enter before the Illumination Event starts)

15:00–17:00 Visit Shirakawa-go (You will need to exit the village by 17:00 once and re-enter before the Illumination Event starts)

<em>17:30–18:30</em> Immerse in Shirakawa-go Light Up

17:30–18:30 Immerse in Shirakawa-go Light Up

<em>18:30-20:00</em> Transfer back to hotel in Takayama (approx. 1.5 hours)

18:30-20:00 Transfer back to hotel in Takayama (approx. 1.5 hours)

<em>20:00~</em> Enjoy Kaiseki Dinner at hotel

20:00~ Enjoy Kaiseki Dinner at hotel

Day 2

Takayama Old Town

Private Transportation

Selectable cultural experience

Breakfast at hoel

<em>09:00</em> Check-out and depart from Takayama hotel

09:00 Check-out and depart from Takayama hotel

<em>09:00–10:30</em> Pick either the Sake Brewery Tour or the Sarubobo, traditional doll handcraft experience

09:00–10:30 Pick either the Sake Brewery Tour or the Sarubobo, traditional doll handcraft experience

<em>10:30–13:00</em> Walk around the Takayama Old Town, 【Lunch on your own】

10:30–13:00 Walk around the Takayama Old Town, 【Lunch on your own】

<em>13:00-18:00</em> Drive back to Osaka (Approx. 5 hours)

13:00-18:00 Drive back to Osaka (Approx. 5 hours)

Important Information

We will contact you via your provided contact information 2 days before your departure. If you do not receive any information, please check your email spam folder. If you still do not receive anything one day before the trip, please do not hesitate contacting us.

We only offer hotel pick-up and drop-off within the city area (Tokyo/Osaka/Kyoto), if your hotel is out of the area, we are happy to drop you off at a terminal station or where you request within the city area (need to be informed in advance).

All travel itineraries do not include travel insurance. Outdoor activities involve certain risks and dangers. The company is not responsible for any physical damage or injury caused by accidents or unforeseen factors. We highly recommend to purchase your own insurance in advance.

Please arrive at the meeting location 10 minutes before the departure time. The bus will depart according to the schedule and will not wait for late arrivals. You cannot join the tour midway.

If your group does not meet the minimum participants, you will enjoy the tour with other guests. We will contact you in advance if it occurs. If the minimum participants are still not met by 14 days before the scheduled departure, the tour may be cancelled.

Please note that weekends, holidays, and event days may experience heavy traffic. The itinerary is for your reference and may be adjusted or shortened depending on actual conditions; also, there may be delays in arrival time due to traffic or other factors.

Refunds will not be provided if there is no-show. If the tour is cancelled due to a natural disaster, such as a typhoon, a full refund will be issued.

Please be aware that any belongings left on the bus when the tour ends will be disposed of, and you are responsible for your valuables.

Kobe Beef & Seafood Course

A luxury 2-day winter escape featuring exclusive Light-Up entry, private transfer, onsen ryokan stay, kaiseki dining, and cultural experience.

Go to order

Shirakawa-go 2-Day Tour | Limited 4-Day Winter Light-Up 2026｜Takayama Heritage & Winter Illumination（Including tour guide）

Price:

$919.00

/ Person

Choose Tour Date

Free cancellation up to 30 days before the
experience starts (local time)

Reserve Now and Pay Later - Secure your spot while
staying flexible

Partial cancellation 15–29 days: 30% charge; 7–14 days: 50% charge; ≤6 days: 100% charge.

Kobe Beef & Seafood Course

A luxury 2-day winter escape featuring exclusive Light-Up entry, private transfer, onsen ryokan stay, kaiseki dining, and cultural experience.

Go to order

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Why Choose Us

Official qualifications

Officially licensed by the Japan Tourism Agency and accredited by JATA & IATA, ensuring safe, reliable, and internationally recognized services.

20+ years of experience

Over 20 years of inbound and ground-handling experience with a dedicated inbound division specializing in overseas groups and luxury tailor-made tours, supported by multilingual staff (English, Spanish, Chinese).

Multilingual tour guides

Serving premium markets in Europe, North America, and Asia with multilingual guides and globally attuned standards; expanding into incentive travel, business delegations, and educational programs.

Small, high-quality tour groups

Exclusive small-group tours (4–12 pax) avoiding the rush of large bus tours, with flexible transportation (private cars, minibuses, luxury vans) and immersive, relaxed experiences.

Tailor-Made Luxury Travel

Personalized itineraries for families, honeymooners, and incentive groups, combining Michelin dining, luxury ryokans, and cultural experiences, with full professional support from planning to execution.

Seamless Ground Handling

Comprehensive one-stop service integrating hotels, transport, dining, and ticketing; nationwide hotel partnerships (Okura, Marriott, JR, Kintetsu); and exclusive dining collaborations including Michelin sushi, Kobe Wagyu, and kaiseki cuisine.

FAQs

Q1. Are all tours guided by an English-speaking guide?

A: Not all.
At Japan Local Journeys, some tours are guided by professional English-speaking guides, while others are operated as driver-only private transfers.

Our driver-only tours are designed for travelers who prefer privacy and flexibility — you’ll have a private car and driver, while our operation team provides real-time English assistance via WhatsApp.
Please check each product page to see whether an English-speaking guide is included.

Q2. What is a “driver-only private tour”?

Q3. Can the driver speak English?

Q4. Can I add an English-speaking guide to a driver-only tour?

Q5. What type of travelers choose driver-only tours?

Shirakawa-go 2-Day Tour | Limited 4-Day Winter Light-Up 2026｜Takayama Heritage & Winter Illumination（Including tour guide）

Overview

Our highlights are

Itinerary Details

Important Information

Popular Destinations

Popular Products

Why Choose Us

FAQs

Reviews

Customer Reviews