Explore Central Japan: Kanazawa・Shirakawa-go・Takayama – RY Marketplace

– 3 days/2 nights exploring Kanazawa, Shirakawago and Takayama

Description

Central Japan is often overlooked by first time visitors to the country, as people will usually pass straight through while on their way to Kyoto or Tokyo. The region is home to some of Japan’s best preserved traditional cultural heritage sites and mouthwatering delicacies. We have put together this fully guided Weekend Adventure to give you a taste of some of the best that Japan has to offer.

Located by the coast of the Japan Sea, Kanazawa is best know for the beautiful Kenrokuen gardens and the historically preserved Higashi Chaya Geisha district. The famous pine trees in the garden are fitted with yukitsuri, an ancient method of protecting the trees from the weight of the snow. Their symmetry and the garden blanketed in white is not a sight to be missed. Winter also happens to be the best season to sample the vast bounty of seafood which is caught just off of the coast, especially the crab!

Shirakawago, a charming little region that was declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1995, is best know for its gassho-zukuri farmhouses that are over 250 years old. Gassho-zukuri translates to “constructed like hands in prayer”, due to the farmhouses roofs looking like the hands of Buddhist monks pressed together. Breathtaking, serene, charming, and a nice respite from Japan’s often chaotic cities, Shirakawa-go is one of central Japan’s best locations to experience its quaint country lifestyle, and a view into times past.

Takayama is a small city nestled at the foothills of the sprawling Japan Alps, and is best known for its historic arts and craft scene, and the famous Hida beef, adored throughout Japan for its marbled texture, tenderness and taste. Takayama also boasts a beautiful historically preserved district, Sanmachi, which is a long street lined with various charming shops, restaurants and sake breweries. Although Osaka might claim to be the kitchen of Japan, Takayama might actually have a stronger claim to the crown, as it is well known not only for its beef and sake, but also its miso and soy sauce, both essential ingredients in traditional Japanese cuisine.

Who This Experience Is Good For

You are someone who wants to explore a less seen side of Japan.

Itinerary

Day 1: Friday
*Meals included: Lunch and Dinner – Meet your guide at Osaka Station- Catch the 9:12 JR express to Kanazawa Station, arrive at 11:58- Lunch- Start of the half day tour of Kanazawa at 13:00- Kenrokuen Gardens- Tea Ceremony- Explore the Higashichaya district

– Dinner at 18:00

Day 2: Saturday
*Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

– After breakfast, checkout of the hotel and catch the 11:10 bus to Shirakawago, arrive at 12:25.
– Lunch
– Explore Shirakawago
– Catch the 16:35 bus to Takayama, arrive at 17:25
– Check in to the hotel
– Dinner (Hida Beef)

Day 3: Sunday
*Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

– Meet your guide at 8:00, start of the half-day tour

– Morning market

– Explore the historically preserved district

– Visit a sake brewery

– Lunch

– Catch the 12:50 bus to Kanazawa Station, arrive at 15:05

– Depart to Osaka on the 16:00 train, arrive at 18:39

What’s Included

– Food
– Public transport
– Entrance fees

What’s Not Included

– Extra food or drinks
– Tips for guide, any other personal expenses

Know Before You Go

– Minimum Needed: 6 people
– Maximum Capacity: 7 people
– Booking Deadline: January 4th
– Weather Dependent: No – there is a good chance it will be snowing, so please dress accordingly
– Special dietary needs are unable to be accommodated.
– Difficulty Level: Easy, but there will be a lot of walking!
– Private rooms will cost an extra ¥12000

What is the refund policy?

For questions concerning refunds, please email [email protected]. Please note most bookings made within 24 hours are fully refundable. Bookings made outside the 24 hour policy are not eligible for a refund. Please keep in mind, we will automatically refund bookings that are disrupted by extreme weather conditions, last minute cancellations from our suppliers or the minimum number is not met by the booking deadline.

What happens if my booking is changed/cancelled due to weather?

We’ll control the weather. Just kidding! Remote Year can’t control the weather or many other factors that go into planning events. In the event of a change due to weather, the City Manager will do their best to provide a make-up option. Due to last minute changes and busy monthly schedules, we cannot guarantee it works for everyone but we’ll do our best! If you are not able to attend the make-up date(s), we will fully refund your booking.

I have a discount or gift code, can I use it to complete my purchase?

Yes, once you add your item to your cart and check out, you will be able to input the code before completing the purchase. If you need help finding your code, please double check your inbox. You received an email from Marketplace with the code.

Can I book for a friend / family member?

Yes! We welcome your friends and family coming to visit you while you travel the world. Please refer to our Friends and Family policy: Friends & Family (visitors of active Remotes and active Citizens) may be granted access to private Remote Year events, Local Experiences, Side Trips, Community Events, Local Amenity and Services at an extra cost determined by the Marketplace or City Team. Remote Year reserves the right to deny access to Friends / Family who are over using Remote Year services. To avoid abuse of services, non-active Citizens, op-out Remotes, or Remotes who have left a Program can not use services as Friends & Family of Active Remotes or Active Citizens.

I haven’t received a booking confirmation email, can you help? If I cannot attend, can I transfer my ticket to someone else?

Yes, you may transfer your ticket to another Remote, Citizen or Family/Friend. Please notify the City Manager as soon as possible to confirm the change. Please note, in the case of special dietary requirements, we might not be able to accommodate special requests on last minute changes. Any bookings that require advanced ticketing linked to an individual’s ID might not be approved.

I’m not currently an active Remote Year participant, can I still book?

As a non-active Remote or Citizen, you forego access to any private Remote Year events including Core Experiences, Local Experiences, Community Events, Local Amenity and Services through the Marketplace. Exemptions will be made on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the City Manager.