(Winter Only) 1-Day Tour from Nagoya: Snow Day in the Japan Alps & Shirakawago

This exciting one-day tour combines a visit to the famous thatched roof village, Shirakawago, with a morning of fun in the snow of the Japan Alps! Visit a highland farm, enjoy sledding or playing in a field of Japan's famous powder snow, and step inside the historic houses of Shirakawago. This tour is the perfect fit for families or groups looking for a balance of winter fun and idilic locations.

Highlights

• Enjoy a morning of snow, sledding, beautiful views, and fun at a pastoral farm high in the Japan Alps. 
• Tour a thatched-roof house at UNESCO World Heritage site Shirakawa-go as your guide shares the history (and dramas) of Edo-era life in this remote mountain village.
• Taste premium wagyu beef or any number of local delicacies as you set off to explore the town or shop for souvenirs during a free time in both the pastoral farm and Shirakawa-go.
• Utilize the luggage storage and relax as you are driven on our private tour bus from Nagoya, taking in the breathtaking views along the way.

*For those looking to join the tour from Tokyo, please see the FAQ Section.

Description

This tour will start at Nagoya Station at 9:00 A.M., where your guide will meet you in front of the Silver Clock tower near the Shinkansen Gates. You will have the opportunity to store your belongings on our tour bus if you feel the need.

Your guide will provide you with a brief history of the region and set the scene as we depart Nagoya JR Station via our private tour bus towards our first destination, a pastoral farm high in the Hirugano Highlands of the Japanese Alps. Before reaching the Hida Highlands, we will make a brief stop to stretch our legs and get fitted with any snow boots, snow pants, or winter jackets you have requested to rent for playing in the snow.

Located over 1000 meters above sea level, this picturesque pastoral farm offers sweeping views of the surrounding mountains and plenty of fresh snow to enjoy! Here you will have time to enjoy playing in the snow, feeding and petting the farm animals, or savouring a warm meal at the farm's restaurant.

Your guide will provide each group with a rental sled which you can use on the sledding hill. Additional sleds and other snow toys (snow tubes, snow ball makers, shovels, etc) will also be available for rental/purchase at your own expense.

The farm is also home to an assortment of horses, goats, sheep, alpacas, and more. You are welcome to feed the animals, sample locally made ice cream, shop for souvenirs, or just relax enjoy the wintery beauty of the Japanese Alps.

After lunch, we will make our way to Shirakawa-go.

Your guide will lead you through the rice paddies and quaint streets that make up this UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will have the opportunity to enter one of the famed thatched-roof houses where your guide will explain the architecture as well as the history (and drama) of life in Edo-era Shirakawa-go. Your guide will be on hand to take photos to make your friends and family back home jealous of your time in Japan.

You will also have some free time to explore at your own pace or sample some of the snacks that are sold along the main street.

From here, we will return to the Nagoya Station via our tour bus and say our goodbyes there. Guests wishing to end the tour at Shirakawa-go, Takayama, or Kanazawa will be able to do so (please read the FAQ for more information). Feel free to ask the guide for dinner recommendations or instructions back to your hotel.

Meetup Points

NAGOYA STATION @ 9:00 A.M.

The meetup point is at the base of the SILVER clock tower near the Shinkansen gates inside Nagoya JR Station. 

If you are arriving via Shinkansen, the clock tower should be located directly in front of you as you exit the gate.

If you are arriving via a JR line, please look for signs directing you towards the Taiko-Dori Gate. The silver clock is located inside the station just before the Taiko-Dori exit.

For those coming from outside the station, you will most likely be entering through the Sakura-Dori gate (the side with the gold clock). In this case, please walk straight through the station towards the Taiko-Dori Gate. The silver clock is located inside the station just before the Taiko-Dori exit.

You may wait nearby there until the tour begins at 9:00 A.M. Be sure to look for the guide holding a SNOW MONKEY RESORTS tour sign. We highly recommend arriving early as Nagoya station can be quite crowded. 

Notes

Included

• (Your choice of) English or Chinese speaking guide
• Transportation during the tour
• Entry fee into the pastoral farm village
• Entry fee into a thatched roof house in Shirakawa-go
• One snow sled per group to use for 1 hr of sledding
• Snow gear including winter jacket, snow pants, snow boots (if requested)*

*Please note that due to limited supplies, we not be able to guarantee availability and sizing of snow gear.

Excluded

• Lunch
• Additional snow equipment/activities
• Accommodation
• Transportation to/from Nagoya Station before/after the tour

Other Information

• This tour involves several hours of walking 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 raincoat if necessary.
• Winter temperatures drop below freezing, and may not exceed -5℃ (~20℉) on some days. Please wear warm clothing and footwear appropriate for snowy and icy conditions.
• There will be free time along the way for guests to purchase souvenirs to remember their trip.
• If snow conditions are inadequate to conduct the tour, we will endevour to notify guests in advance of the day and provide the option of switching to our 1-Day Tour from Nagoya: Hida Takayama and World Heritage Site Shirakawa-go.

Tour Availability Disclaimer

All listed events, rentals, 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.

What To Bring

• Please be dressed in warm, waterproof clothing and boots for snow activities. If required, clothing including snow jackets, snow pants, and snow boots can be rented if requested in advance. Please note that there is limited availability for snow outfits, so if you have waterproof, warm clothes fit for snow activities, please bring these with you on the day of the tour. 
• Snow play activities also require guests to be of reasonable fitness and mobility to enjoy. If you have concerns about your or a member of your group's ability to handle the conditions, please contact us to discuss prior to booking.