7 Days Central Japan Tour: Hottest Kanazawa Shirakawago Takayama Tour

Konnichiwa(こんにちは)！Welcome to Central Japan! This region is sandwiched between bustling Kanto (Tokyo) and Kansai (Kyoto and Osaka), but is famous for its traditional towns, villages, and stunning Alpine natural scenery. Upon your arrival in Nagoya Chubu Centrair International Airport (NGO) or Nagoya station, our non-English-speaking driver will pick you up and transfer you to hotel for check-in. Have a rest and you will have a healing central Japan tour.

Free Time Idea:

If you have free time, consider a self-guided food tour in Nagoya. Miso Katsu (fried pork cutlet with miso sauce), Hitsumabushi (grilled eel served three ways), and Nagoya-style fried chicken wings are top choices among locals.

Alternatively, head to Midland Square, the tallest building in Central Japan. From the 46th floor, you can admire the shining night cityscape. You'll be captivated by city lights twinkling like stars on the ground.

After breakfast, a 2.5-hour car ride takes you to Takayama. Takayama, during the Edo period, was known as "Hida Province," and Takayama earned the nickname "Little Kyoto of Hida." From a distance, it appears as a tranquil, ancient cultural town nestled in a mountainous region. Spend a full day here to enjoy traditional Japanese culture and heritage.

First, visit Sanmachi Suji District, heart of Little Kyoto in Takayama. It is the city's most iconic historic district. Its three ancient streets—Ichinomachi, Ninomachi, and Sannomachi—have preserved the essence of the Edo to Meiji periods. As you stroll, you'll admire buildings that still retain their original charm: black wooden exteriors, lattice windows, and noren curtains hanging under the eaves.

Take your time to wander and savor Hida beef (Self Pay), which melts in your mouth and rivals Kobe. Sake breweries, sweet shops, and more to check. This area isn't crowded. The ordinary people have lived here for generations. With blue sky overhead and black wooden houses below, you'll be gazing at the same timeless scenery as ancient Japanese people.

Then, 4 minutes walk to Takayama Jinya, the only surviving Edo-period magistrate's office in Japan. Established in 1615, this former Tokugawa Shogunate administrative center for Hida integrated offices, storehouses, a courtroom, and courtyards. Get inside, it's fascinating to observe the wooden structures, bamboo torture instruments, and even exposed nails crafted into rabbit patterns.

Back at Yoshijima Traditional House in Sanmachi Suji District, this representative private residence dates back to the early 19th century. Once home to wealthy merchants, its design is aesthetically meticulous. Inside, the 12-meter high atrium and tall windows soften the light, creating changing shadows throughout the day.Relax indoors for photos or enjoy the beautiful garden view.

Conclude your day at Takayama Matsuri Yatai Kaikan, a dedicated hall showcasing the festival's magnificent, full-sized floats. Lavishly decorated with gold leaf and intricate carvings, you can also admire elements like puppets and kabuki. Four unique floats rotate every four months. It’s a great way to experience them even if you miss the Spring or Autumn festivals.

After the tour, stay at a hotel in Takayama.

Start your morning at 300-year-old Miyagawa Morning Market, one of Japan's three great morning markets. Join locals as they begin their day. This traditional market stretches for about 350 meters along the riverside, featuring over 60 stalls. It's hard to attend this kind of traditional Japanese markets as many others gradually disappear. You can leisurely browse local fruits and vegetables, pickles, crafts, and snacks. Feel the warmth and vibrancy!

Then, leave Takayama and take a 1-hour car ride to Shirakawa-go. Spend the rest time in Japanese traditional village.

Shirakawa-go, famous for its large collection of preserved 17th-century Gassho-zukuri farmhouses, has been a renowned UNESCO World Heritage site since 1995, celebrated for its untouched natural beauty. The thatched roofs of these traditional houses are steeply pitched at a 60-degree angle, resembling hands clasped in prayer—hence the name "Gassho-zukuri" (praying hands construction). Local residents developed this three-story design to withstand heavy snow. The lower floors are for living, while upper levels for storing hay or raising silkworms.

This pristine village shows a clear, beautiful scene that seems to keep worries at bay. Each season offers unique charm, but winter is especially breathtaking. Thick snow blankets the roofs and fields, making the entire village appear like a winding white river flowing through the valley, serene and pure.

Beyond admiring the village from outside, you can visit Wada House, the headman's residence, to check the interior of a Gassho-zukuri home. It's the largest Gassho-zukuri house in the village and offers the best views. The ancient thatched roof keeps the interior warm in winter and cool in summer. As you ascend the stairs, the upper floors display traditional farming tools and old photos of daily life and silkworm farming. From the windows, the mountains and village seem almost within reach.

After exploring the Wada House, head to Ogimachi Castle Observation Deck, the best spot to overlook the entire Shirakawa-go village. A view will likely inspire you to take countless photos.

After the tour, drive 1 hour to Kanazawa for hotel check-in. Kanazawa, a key cultural city in Japan's Hokuriku region, is often called "Little Kyoto." It's famous for its well-kept Edo-era samurai history, beautiful traditional crafts, stunning gardens, Gold Leaf, and its charming, classic "Little Kyoto" feel. Get a good night's sleep. Tomorrow's sights are close together and won't be crowded.

Take a whole day in Kanazawa for its traditional Japanese garden, castle, samurai culture, and golden leaf artisan DIY.

First, explore Kenroku-en, Kanazawa's iconic garden and one of Japan's top three. It shows off the best of Japanese garden art. This garden, built in the 1600s by the Maeda noble family and opened publicly in 1871, blends spaciousness, tranquility, artistry, ancient vibes, water features, and great views along its winding paths. Photographer would love every season, with spring's cherry blossoms and winter's yukitsuri (snow-draped trees) being their best model.

Inside through Mayumizaka Gate, the biggest highlight is Kasumigaike Pond, where you'll find famous Kotojitoro Lantern with one leg in water, one leg on bank. Nearby is unique Neagari-no-Matsu (Root-lifting Pine), with its roots impressively exposed. And, rest at Shigure-tei Tea House, a former noble resting spot, where you can enjoy matcha and sweets. Look back, stunning garden views pour in through its open doors.

Second, head to opposite Kanazawa Castle Park, Kanazawa's historical center. This expansive park encompasses famous Kanazawa Castle, once home to the Maeda family, powerful Edo-period feudal lords. The relics still echoes grandeur of rulers from centuries past.

You will explore key areas like the Hishi Yagura (a rhomboid-shaped watchtower showcasing castle's defense layout and wooden construction techniques), the Gojukken Nagaya (a 90-meter long armory and soldiers' barracks). This is your place to glimpse Edo-era castle and samurai.

Third, have a fresh seafood taste at Omicho Market, Kanazawa’s local kitchen. This top-tier seafood market is surprisingly affordable.

Got a satisfying meal, then, drive to Nagamachi Samurai District. It’s a precious relic of Japan's samurai culture, a core district where upper-ranking Edo-period samurai. Its narrow, rustic streets are lined with shoulder-high earthen walls and wooden buildings. The Nomura House exemplifies samurai life. Here, the house, pond, tree, stone lantern meet in perfect embrace. Sit, listen, or view from the second-floor tea room. An ideal spot to revitalize energy.

After the tour, drive back to hotel in Kanazawa.

Let your day unfold at impressed Jinja, Japanese old street,

After breakfast, drive to Oyama Shrine, a Kanazawa landmark famous for its unique fusion of Japanese, Chinese, and Dutch architecture. It's particularly known for its distinctive main gate: the first level blends Japanese and Chinese styles, while the upper levels once served as a lighthouse with Dutch-style stained-glass windows. The shrine honors Maeda Toshiie, the first lord of the powerful Maeda clan. Many locals choose this spot for weddings and prayers, so feel free to offer one for good fortune, too.

Next, explore Higashi Chaya District, Kanazawa's iconic old street often compared to Kyoto's Gion. Built in the 1800s, this area once hosted samurai enjoying tea and geisha performances, and over 20 original Edo-era buildings still line. You can experience Edo-period high society at Shima Teahouse with tea and sweets, and be sure to try gold leaf ice cream. Then, head to a Gold Leaf Workshop for a fun DIY project. Gold Leaf always ranks No. 1 when it comes to Kanazawa's specialty. Give it a try. You'll pick a mirror or chopsticks, mask it under the helpful of instructors. Create your golden art.

Then, soak in the art at 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art. It is one of Japan's most internationally influential contemporary art museums, often mentioned alongside Tokyo's Mori Art Museum. Interactivity and openness are incredible. This transparent, circular building, with a diameter of 112.5 meters, has no distinct front or main entrance, offering endlessly extending views. Entering from any direction, you become part of the scenery, a companion to the interplay of light, the cherry blossom trees, and even passing clouds. The museum's most famous landmark is the installation art "The Swimming Pool," where you can walk into the bottom of a pool that appears to be full of water.

After the tour, drive back to hotel in Kanazawa.

After breakfast, drive 3-4 hours back to Nagoya. You will have a half day city tour through the hottest shopping street and an ancient Japanese castle.

Close to the city, rush into the local shopping street. Start your Nagoya tour at Osu Shopping Street. It boasts over 400 years of history and is known as Japan's most vibrant shopping street. Flourishing since the Edo period, it centers around the temple approach to "Osu Kannon." Along its over 1,700 meters of arcade, you'll find more than 1,200 shops, one after another. Diverse eateries, clothing, general goods, anime...It combines a popular, down-to-earth atmosphere with a multinational flair, so take your time and wander leisurely.

Next, drive a few minutes to Nagoya Castle, which was built under the orders of Tokugawa Ieyasu.It's one of Japan's three most famous castles and a top symbol of Nagoya. Though this early 17th-century icon was destroyed in World War II, its most important structures—the main keep (Tenshu-kaku) and Hommaru Palace—have been successfully rebuilt. As you pass through the massive gates, the castle feels as grand today as it did centuries ago.

The Tenshu-kaku and Hommaru Palace are the main highlights. You can walk around the deep-green Tenshu-kaku and admire the famous golden shachihoko (a mythical creature with a tiger's head and a carp's body) at its peak, a 1,200kg symbol of power and a prayer for fire protection. You can enter and tour Hommaru Palace, renowned for its shoin-zukuri architectural style. Its interiors are adorned with vibrant Kano-school paintings and gilded folding screens, their soft golden glow reflecting the Edo period's lavish brilliance. In spring, this is a popular cherry blossom viewing spot, with 2,000 cherry trees enveloping the castle in a sea of pink and white. Don't be surprised if you encounter samurai wandering the grounds. Interact with them!

After the tour, stay at a hotel in Nagoya.

This is your final travel day of 7 Days Kanazawa Shirakawago Takayama Tour. After breakfast, our driver will take you to Nagoya Chubu Centrair International Airport (NGO) or Nagoya station for your next destination.

Extend Your Central Japan Tour to Other Destination: Take a Shinkansen to Tokyo (2.5h), Kyoto (34 minutes), and Osaka (49 minutes).

We, Asia Odyssey Travel, are so glad to accompany you for 7 Days Central Japan Tour, and are always prepared to design your destination in Asia. See you again!