Day trip to Takayama & Shirakawa-go with a local guide

Joanna was professional and well versed in the history and culture. She drove the 6 of us and walked along with us to the market. She recommended us on the food and things to buy. She also brought us to eat Hida Beef. she brought us along Shiragawa and the food to buy. we would not have been able to cover both places and walked around without her help. thanks Joanna

Our family of three took a day trip to Takayama and Shirakawa-go from Nagoya, and the entire experience far exceeded our expectations. Joanna's professionalism and thoughtfulness, in particular, left a deep impression on me. Although the itinerary was packed, it didn't feel rushed. We arrived in Takayama about 2.5 hours after departing from Nagoya. Joanna gave us a detailed introduction to the local history, culture, and customs. While strolling through the old streets, she also recommended famous local specialties like Hida beef, which tasted absolutely wonderful! In the afternoon, we headed to Shirakawa-go Gassho Village. The weather was beautiful, and we overlooked the entire village from the observation deck – the scenery was absolutely stunning. Joanna is proficient in multiple languages, so communication was seamless throughout the trip. She was very attentive to our family's pace and needs, and even helped us take photos. We had a fantastic time on the entire tour. If you're planning to explore the natural scenery and traditional culture of the surrounding areas, you definitely won't regret choosing this day trip. Having a reliable guide made the whole journey much more relaxing!

Eiichi-san was an excellent guide. He made adjustments to accommodate my mom who has limited mobility during the tour. He also gave tips on the best/local favorites for restaurants in Takayama and Shirakawa-go. He also drives very smoothly which will make you feel safe while on the road.

overall tour review.. it was a very wonderful trip!!! the tour is so popular that it was overbooked! This is not an issue, as the tour provided me a private tour instead!! Joanna was my guide, her service was really very good. From hotel pick up to explain many cultures of Japan to me. She recommended me to a very good and reasonable price Yakiniku Hida beef shop in Takayama. I did also drink the milk, taste sake, walked around the streets, their morning market, before heading to Shirakawa-go. I'm Shirakawa-go, she recommended a special pudding, explained the roof and we walked around the small town. I even managed to visit one of the house, which is now museum for people to go in to visit. She is great in taking a lot of nice pictures for me. Overall it was a really enjoyable trip, no rush, weather is good, not very crowded day when I go, it was a Thursday in March. Joanna was very nice and attentive to my needs. feels like going out with a friend, even though is my solo trip!!

Our tour was amazing. We've seen a lot of places before, but this one is top-notch. Our tour guide, Eiichi san, was very informative regarding the tours to both places we visited. The ride to the place was very comfortable, and we were well-informed and educated about the places and local recommendations. We did not get lost and had a valuable time. We hope to see Eiichii san again on our future trips, and we will be coming back to Nagoya at some point in the future because of the tour. Thank you for being so kind and friendly, we felt very safe and comfortable all throughout the trip as you have been checking on us during the trip. you have been very considerate and accommodating! thank you so much! -Eva and Izzy

We visited Shirakawago to celebrate my partner’s birthday, and it proved to be a truly memorable highlight of our travels. This was largely thanks to our exceptional guide, Eiichi-san, whose engaging personality made the entire journey a delight!! He went above and beyond to keep us entertained during the transit with thoughtful trivia and games. His attentiveness to our comfort was remarkable. Furthermore, as it was our first visit, his curated recommendations and detailed maps were incredibly helpful. Eiichi-san’s professionalism and kindness made this trip unforgettable. Highly recommended for anyone visiting the area!!

Thank you very much, Mr. Eiichi, for accompanying us throughout the day. The itinerary today was full of surprises. Along the way, you introduced us to many little-known facts that only locals know, and you also recommended many delicious shops. Although the expressway from Takayama to Shirakawa-go was closed today, we took another mountain road and saw scenery that we couldn't see on the expressway. When we were in Shirakawa-go, Mr. Eiichi accompanied us throughout, saving us the trouble of finding our own way. I sincerely recommend this tour.

My family of five booked the “Local Guide [Limited Time Special Price]” tour, and it was one of the highlights of our Japan trip. Since we were the only guests that day, we enjoyed a private tour in a comfortable Toyota Alphard with our wonderful guide, Bei, and driver, Joanna. We visited Takayama’s Morning Market, explored its charming Edo period streets, enjoyed sake tasting, and had an unforgettable Hida Beef lunch. We then visited the breathtaking UNESCO village of Shirakawa go, tried Hida ice cream and water pudding, toured a traditional farmhouse, and admired the stunning view from the observation deck. Bei was knowledgeable, friendly, and spoke excellent English, while Joanna made every ride smooth and comfortable. They even sent us restaurant and sightseeing recommendations after the tour. Their kindness made us feel like we were exploring Japan with friends. I highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Nagoya.

Thank you, Joanna, for the incredibly detailed explanations and professional commentary during our trip. The pace was relaxed, and we had plenty of flexibility to explore at our leisure. The historical explanations were excellent, and I highly recommend Joanna! She created wonderful travel memories for my family and me today!

Joanna was incredibly nice! The Maruaki yakiniku she recommended in Takayama was delicious, and she took many photos for us at Shirakawa-go Gassho Village. On the way back, she also gave us some travel tips. I highly recommend this trip!