Shirakawa-go and Metal-Casting Craft Experience Day Trip from Kanazawa
- Ishikawa, Japan
- 8 hour tour
- Private tour
- English speaking guide
- Instant Confirmation
Why Choose MagicalTrip's Chartered Private Tours?
Private vehicle with hotel pickup
Travel in comfort with a private, air-conditioned vehicle and hotel pickup.
Dedicated tour guide with you throughout the tour
Unlike typical tours with just a driver, our dedicated guide enriches every stop with insightful commentary, multiplying your enjoyment tenfold!
All-Inclusive Tours No hidden costs
Forget about hidden fees; our tours cover everything from transportation to meals, unique experiences, and beyond, ensuring a worry-free adventure.
Private vehicle with hotel pickup
Travel in comfort with a private, air-conditioned vehicle and hotel pickup.
Dedicated tour guide with you throughout the tour
Unlike typical tours with just a driver, our dedicated guide enriches every stop with insightful commentary, multiplying your enjoyment tenfold!
All-Inclusive Tours No hidden costs
Forget about hidden fees; our tours cover everything from transportation to meals, unique experiences, and beyond, ensuring a worry-free adventure.
What makes this tour unique
- Day trip from Kanazawa to UNESCO World Heritage Shirakawa-go with a local guide
- Craft your own tin sake cup (guinomi) in Takaoka’s historic metal-casting town
- Enjoy local doburoku sake using your handmade cup — or choose another drink
- Taste Hida beef hooba miso and soak in Japan’s beauty through every season
Tips and recommendations by our official guides
Discover the best of tradition, taste, and scenery on this full-day guided trip from Kanazawa to the UNESCO World Heritage village of Shirakawa-go. Travel comfortably with a professional guide and driver as you journey through scenic mountain roads to one of Japan’s most picturesque regions. Along the way, stop in the historic city of Takaoka to try your hand at making a tin sake cup (guinomi)—a centuries-old craft still alive today. Later, use your handmade cup to enjoy doburoku, Shirakawa-go’s locally brewed unfiltered sake, or choose from other drinks if you prefer.
Each season paints a new picture here: snow-covered rooftops in winter, blooming fields in spring, and fiery foliage in autumn. You’ll also savor Hida beef grilled with hooba miso, a beloved regional dish, with vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and halal options available.
Rooted in Japan’s snow-country heritage, Shirakawa-go showcases a lifestyle shaped by cooperation and ingenuity, while Takaoka reflects the creative spirit of the Kaga domain since 1611. This tour beautifully connects both places, letting you experience living traditions through craftsmanship and cuisine.
Perfect for travelers who want to go beyond sightseeing — to make, taste, and truly connect with Japanese culture. Whether you’re a family, a couple, or exploring solo, everyone is welcome, and your handmade guinomi will be a lasting memory of your journey.
With English-speaking guides, door-to-door transport, and full support throughout, all you need to do is relax and enjoy the beauty and warmth of Japan’s heartland.
Official guide
What's included
Craft Your Own Tin Sake Cup in Takaoka
Start your day with a warm welcome from your guide in Kanazawa before heading to Takaoka, Japan’s historic casting town. Join local artisans at the renowned Nousaku foundry and experience hands-on craftsmanship as you mold and polish your very own suzu (tin) sake cup. Learn why tinware softens flavors and enjoy a scenic drive through the majestic Tateyama mountain range, where nature and craft have coexisted for centuries.
Taste Hida’s Flavors & Sip Doburoku in Shirakawa-go
Bring your handmade cup to Shirakawa-go and toast with doburoku—a rich, unfiltered sake loved since ancient times. Compare its smooth taste between ceramic and tin cups and discover why locals cherish this tradition. Savor hooba-miso grilled with premium Hida beef, a comforting regional dish born from life in harsh winters. Then take in the breathtaking view of the thatched-roof village from the scenic observatory once used as a mountaintop castle.
Step into the Living Heritage of Shirakawa-go
Follow your guide through the UNESCO-listed village where time seems to stand still. Visit the stately Wada House, the serene Myozen-ji Temple, and the revered Shirakawa Hachiman Shrine—home of the lively Doburoku Festival. Wander between gassho-style homes warmed by glowing irori hearths, discover cozy cafés and handmade sweets, and cross the graceful Deai Bridge over the Shogawa River before your peaceful return to Kanazawa.
Pickup Area Zone
Accomodations within this area zone are eligible for vehicle pickup.
Please enter in your accomodation at checkout.
Itinerary
- Meet your guide and start the tour with hotel pickup
- Hands-on tin sake cup (guinomi) crafting at NOUSAKU Foundry, Takaoka
- Arrive in Shirakawa-go and enjoy panoramic views from the Ogimachi Castle Ruins Observatory
- Local Hida beef lunch in Shirakawa-go near cozy Irori restaurant
- Stroll through the UNESCO village — Gassho-zukuri houses, Wada House, Shirakawa Hachiman Shrine, Deai Bridge, and more
- Take a café break or enjoy light local snacks along the village streets.
- Scenic drive back to Kanazawa with gentle mountain views
- A confirmation email will be sent immediately after booking.
- Out of respect for all participants, the tour will start on time. Guests arriving late cannot join, reschedule, or receive a refund.
- This tour is suitable for most travelers. However, it is not recommended for guests with mobility issues, as some areas in Shirakawa-go are not accessible by wheelchair or stroller.
- We will visit Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines—please wear respectful clothing.
- Please wear comfortable shoes suitable for walking and uneven terrain.
- You will be required to remove your shoes frequently when entering traditional houses. Some interiors do not provide slippers, and floors can be cold—especially in winter—so warm socks are recommended.
- Please bring rain gear in case of light rain; the tour will proceed unless conditions are unsafe.
- During winter, heavy snowfall may cause road closures or delays. In such cases, the itinerary may be significantly shortened or canceled for safety reasons. Refunds or discounts cannot be offered if the tour proceeds under these conditions.
- The workshop involves handling molten tin and metal tools; please follow the instructor’s safety guidance at all times.
- For safety reasons, please do not wear open-toed shoes, sandals, or flowing clothing during the workshop.
- The experience includes making a small tin sake cup (guinomi) to take home as a souvenir.
- Minor differences in color or texture are part of the handmade process and make each piece unique.
- Please inform us of any dietary restrictions at the time of booking.
- Vegetarian, vegan, halal, and gluten-free meals can be arranged with advance notice.
- While we will do our best to accommodate your preferences, some dishes may still contain ingredients prepared in shared kitchens.
- The guide’s food and drinks are covered and do not require any additional payment from you.
- Please bring some cash if you wish to buy additional snacks or souvenirs in Shirakawa-go, as some local shops may not accept credit cards.
- The tour will proceed as scheduled, and refunds will not be provided for limited visibility due to weather.
- The itinerary may be adjusted or canceled depending on weather or traffic conditions.
- If shrines, temples, or other facilities are closed on the day of your tour, alternative locations will be visited instead. Cancellations or refunds will not be provided due to such changes.
- For a full refund, cancel at least 48 hours before the tour start time.
- Free date/time rescheduling up to 48 hours before the tour start time (subject to availability).
