1 Day Tour from Kanazawa: Tedori Gorge, Hakusan White Road and Shirakawago Village

The Hakusan Shirakawa-Go White Road is one of Japan's most picturesque autumn driving routes, carving a path through the mountains to the historic thatched-roof village. Over time, this trail has become synonymous with stunning valley views, flowing waterfalls and mountain hikes. On this tour, you will travel to a shrine dedicated to the sacred mountain which has been used for more than 2000 years, travel along the famous White Road and see some of its main highlights before finally stopping in at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Shirakawa-Go.

Highlights

• Visit Shirayama Hime Shrine, which has been used for more than 2000 years to worship Mt. Haku.
• Travel through Hakusan National Park on the world-famous White Road, a 33km stretch with some of Japan's best scenery!
• Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site Shirakawa-Go and go inside the thatched-roof houses for yourself.

*For those looking to join the tour from Tokyo, please see the FAQ Section below
***Note: As there are almost no restaurants through the entirety of the White Road, we recommend guests on the tour bring a bento boxed lunch or other food and snacks.

Description

This tour will start at Kanazawa Station at 9:00 A.M., where your guide will meet you in front of the Information Center near the Shinkansen Ticket Gates. You will have the opportunity to put your belongings in a coin locker at the station as well if you feel the need; however, you can of course store your belongings on the tour bus as well. As there will be limited places to stop for lunch on the tour, it is highly recommended that you bring a bento or something to eat with you. We'll stop at a rest area along the way and eat lunch looking out over the valleys of the White Road.

The tour begins at Kanazawa Station, where you will get on the bus at the bus terminal on the Kanazawa Port side of the station. After boarding the bus, you will ride about an hour south, between the foothills of the mountains and the edge of the city. There are sprawling rice farms that stretch for what seems like forever. The sight of them passing by is the perfect way to start the day!

The tour will arrive at the historic entrance to the shrine, so we have a short walk up this serene path to the entrance. Shirayama Hime Shrine is one of the oldest in Japan, having been used as a site to worship Mt. Haku for about 2100 years.

The shrine itself is famous for its sacred water, its blessings for couples, and being known as the start of the historic pilgrimage to the mountaintop. That pilgrimage was first done nearly 1300 years ago.

Alongside the Shinto goddess of marriage, the progenitor gods Izanagi and Izanami are also enshrined here, so you may wish to pray at the shrine or collect a goshuin to commemorate your visit.

Leaving the shrine, we will take a quick detour to the Tedori Gorge, an 8km stretch first formed more than 23 million years ago. There are two places to get a view of this scenic area: those who brave the 120 stairs down to the riverside can see the waterfall up close, while those who choose to look out over the area have a chance to see Mt. Haku rising up over the river.

It's now time for the main attraction of the day: the White Road. Hopping back on the bus, we'll start our journey through the mountains. As we drive, the rice paddies will turn to mountain roads twisting higher and higher. Keep your eyes peeled as we go, as there's always a chance to see snow monkeys, particularly after a heavy rain.

The White Road has several areas to stop and look around, whose accessibility can be quite weather-dependent. Regardless, we will stop and see the highlights along the way. The most famous of these is Ubagataki, a waterfall said to resemble the face of an old woman.

As we drive through the road, have your camera at the ready. Every moment is as if a painting has come to life before our very eyes. As the fall foliage is the peak season for the road, it may be busy and some parking areas may be full.

We will stop at one of three larger rest areas, which have some seating, to enjoy a lunch break. Once you're finished, you are free to walk around and explore some of the area. Please be careful as the road is narrow at points and there may be many cars!

Finally, we'll stop at the Rennyo Chaya Guest House where, after a short climb, we can look out over the other side of the mountain. From this vantage point, we can actually see our next stop: Shirakawa-Go. You can also see one of Japan's other sacred mountains, Mt. Tate, in the distance if the skies are clear enough.

Once we've taken in all the splendor, we'll head towards Shirakawa-Go. This thatched-roof village has stood for more than 300 years and was an important hub for people travelling between Kanazawa, Nagoya, Takayama and Toyama. The gassho farmhouses are striking figures against the natural backdrop. We'll start from the end of the main street and walk through the historical alleys, taking in the history and the views. We have time to enjoy a small museum and also take some free time around the town to walk around, pick up souvenirs and try some of the local delicacies.

After a long day exploring the region, we'll get back on the bus and start our journey back to Kanazawa. The ride takes a little over an hour, so sit back, relax and enjoy the ride back to the station! If you have any questions about other parts of your trip, this is a perfect time to ask!

Meetup Points

KANAZAWA STATION @ 9:00

The meetup point is outside of the Shinkansen ticket gates, in front of the information center. If you are heading out from the gates, loo The meetup point is outside of the Shinkansen ticket gates, in front of the information center. If you are heading out from the gates, look forward and to the right and you will see four large sumo wrestlers lined up. This is where we will be meeting. For those coming from outside the station, you will find this sign immediately inside of the East Entrance of Kanazawa Station. You may wait nearby there until the tour begins at 9:00 A.M. Be sure to look for the guide wearing a SNOW MONKEY RESORTS tour tag.

Notes

Tour Availability Disclaimer

All listed events, activities, and experiences are subject to availability. Please note that while certain tour options may appear bookable through our platforms, this does not guarantee that every experience can be carried out as scheduled in the tour itinerary. Many activities require direct confirmation with our partner venues, and availability may vary based on the date and other factors. Should any part of your ordered itinerary require adjustment or deviation from the original schedule, or if a specific experience is unavailable, we will contact you promptly to discuss suitable alternatives or amendments.

Included

• Transportation to and from Shirakawa-go and all other destinations
• English speaking guide
• Entry fee to the White Road and museum in Shirakawa-Go
• Guided Tour through the White Road and Shirakawa-go UNESCO site

Excluded

• Lunch
• Accommodation

Other Information

• This tour involves several hours of walking in the outdoors. We recommend that you wear shoes and clothes which are easy to walk in. Please check the weather forecast before you head to the meetup point and prepare an umbrella or rain coat if necessary.

• The White Road closes for winter from November 10. As it approaches that date, temperatures will drop significantly. Some areas of the mountain are exposed to the elements and will be cold compared to other parts of Japan. We recommend bringing warm clothes and even a hat or scarf if you are particularly sensitive to cold weather.
  
• There are no shops for almost the entire stretch of the White Road, so we recommend bringing a bento box or other food with you to enjoy a picnic at one of the stops along the route. You are, of course, also welcome to eat and drink on the bus. There are also places to eat in Shirakawa-Go, but it will be after 2pm when we arrive there.
  
• There will be free time along the way for guests to enjoy the locations at their own pace. However, please make sure that you are at the respective meetup points at the time stated by your guide. If you get lost or need assistance, feel free to call the number which is listed on your tour pass, and our staff will assist you immediately.