Gifu in Half a Day: Kusakabe Folk Museum & Jinya — Guide Sho
November, 2024
This is a private guided tour report by Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.), a network of 1,000+ government-licensed, English-speaking local guides across all 47 prefectures of Japan. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.
Tour Itinerary
- 12:55 Meet in the lobby of Hotel Takayama Ekimae
- 13:20 Takayama Festival Floats Exhibition Hall
- 14:10 Kusakabe Folk Museum
- 14:50 Hida Takayama City Museum
- 15:10 Old Town Streets
- 15:45 Jinya
- 16:35 Disband in front of Takayama Station
Tour Itinerary in Detail
Meeting at lobby of Hotel Takayama Ekimae at 12:55, the group explored Gifu until the tour ended at 16:35. The day ran to 3 hours and 40 minutes from start to finish.
The itinerary covered Takayama Festival Floats Exhibition Hall at 13:20, Kusakabe Folk Museum at 14:10, Hida Takayama City Museum at 14:50, Old Town Streets at 15:10 and Jinya at 15:45.
Title: What's a Private Family Walking Tour of Takayama's Old Town Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
I guided a group visiting from North America.
They seemed overwhelmed by the magnificent festival floats at the Yatai Kaikan (Festival Floats Exhibition Hall). They were also interested in the old wooden architecture of the Kusakabe Folk Museum. Along the way, one of the guests bought some Japanese tea. At the town museum, there was a conversation about what the site where Takayama Castle once stood looks like today. In the old townscape, we visited shops selling Shibukusa pottery and Shunkei lacquerware. They seemed to enjoy the traditional Edo-period rooms and the autumn foliage in the garden at the Jinya (historic government house).
The group members supported one another on the stairs and other spots throughout the tour.
Click here for more details: Takayama Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
I majored in civil engineering at a college and am interested in historical infrastructures. I have also guided foreign people around Ishikawa Prefecture, Toyama Prefecture, Gifu Prefecture, and Fukui Prefecture as an international activity of an English circle. I was a volunteer interpreter at the training camp for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in 2021.
Hokuriku region has a lot of sightseeing spots as follows, beautiful landscapes like Kenrokuen Garden and Tateyama, tasty food like traditional Kaga dishes and fresh seafood from Toyama Bay, traditional crafts like Kaga Yuzen dyeing, Takaoka copperware, and Inami woodcarving. I introduce these spots and historical infra tourism such as Kurobe dam and industrial tourism.
I also work as a translator. I translated the Japanese firefly squid tourism pamphlet into English in 2020.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/shoten-sasaki/
May 26, 2026
C4211GUbrittanym
Tripadvisor review: Toyama 6hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Great time in Toyama!
Nice tour, guide was very nice and…
May 26, 2026
C4211GUbrittanym
Tripadvisor review: Toyama 6hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Great time in Toyama!
Nice tour, guide was very nice and knowledgeable. We had a great time!
May 14, 2026
190kariml
Great tour in Kanazawa with Sho
Tripadvisor review: Kanazawa 4hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
We had a wonderful time…
May 14, 2026
190kariml
Great tour in Kanazawa with Sho
Tripadvisor review: Kanazawa 4hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
We had a wonderful time in Kanazawa with our guide, Shoten Sasaki. In 5 hours we covered Nagamachi, the samurai quarter; Lunch at Omicho Market; Oyama Shrine; Gyokusen’inmaru Garden; Kanazawa Castle; and Kenrokuen Gardens. Sho shared detailed knowledge at every stop, was kind and really focused on our having the best experience. We enjoyed our time in Kanazawa and highly recommend Sho for touring Kanazawa!
Jul 24, 2025
Wander60650705961
Delightful experience um Kanazawa
Tripadvisor review: Kanazawa 4hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
We had the pleasure of taking a…
Jul 24, 2025
Wander60650705961
Delightful experience um Kanazawa
Tripadvisor review: Kanazawa 4hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
We had the pleasure of taking a tour around Kanazawa with Mr. Shoten Sasaki, and it was truly a memorable experience. Mr. Sasaki was incredibly kind, attentive, and always ready to answer our questions or accommodate our requests with great care and patience.
He guided us through the stunning Kenrokuen Garden and the historic Kanazawa Castle, where he shared fascinating insights and stories about their history. His deep knowledge and passion for the city made every stop even more special.
We also visited the charming geisha districts, the iconic gold leaf workshop—one of Kanazawa’s most symbolic places—and the museum of the city’s very first tea house. Thanks to Mr. Sasaki, we got to experience not just the sights, but also the soul of Kanazawa.
We’re truly grateful for his guidance and warm hospitality. Highly recommended!
Jul 2, 2025
nuttineeyav
Walking day in Kanazawa
Tripadvisor review: Kanazawa 4hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
The old town was very nice to…
Jul 2, 2025
nuttineeyav
Walking day in Kanazawa
Tripadvisor review: Kanazawa 4hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide
The old town was very nice to walk around. My husband and I walked around the city with
Sho, our tour guide who provides all the details of Kanazawa. It was a fun sunny day in
Kanazawa. I will definitely go back again.