Gifu in Half a Day: …Hida Kokubunji & …Takayama Jinya — Guide Lily

January, 2025

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

  • 13:00…Meet in front of Takayama Station
  • 13:10…Hida Kokubunji Temple
  • 13:40…Stroll along the Miyagawa River
  • 14:00…Shopping at the souvenir shops
  • 14:20…Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine
  • 15:00…Sanmachi Street (sake tasting)
  • 15:30…Takayama Jinya
  • 16:50…End of the guide in front of Takayama Station

Tour Itinerary in Detail

The itinerary covered …Hida Kokubunji Temple at 13:10, …Stroll along the Miyagawa River at 13:40, …Shopping at the souvenir shops at 14:00, …Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine at 14:20, …Sanmachi Street (sake tasting) at 15:00, …Takayama Jinya at 15:30 and …End of the guide in front of Takayama Station at 16:50.

Title: What Is a Private Walking Tour of Takayama Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

The snow had largely melted and it felt a little warmer. The guests were visitors from Asia, and the tour was conducted in English. The guests both spoke English fluently, and we enjoyed exploring Takayama while chatting in a friendly atmosphere.

In front of the tourist information center, I explained the itinerary and gave an overview of Takayama.

At Hida Kokubunji Temple, the guests actually offered a prayer in front of the main hall. They also drew an omikuji fortune. Since it was written in Japanese, I translated it, saying, "This is lucky. Travel in particular is auspicious." They smiled happily.

The guests were traveling in Japan for this trip, having left family behind at home with a relative to look after things.

While strolling along the Miyagawa River, the guests purchased a pair of chopsticks.

At the Hachimangu Shrine, I explained the two bows, two claps, and one bow, and the guests actually offered a prayer.

We visited three sake breweries along Sannomachi Street, and the guests enjoyed tasting different varieties of sake at each. They also savored Hida beef sushi.

The Takayama Jinya was indeed very cold, so we put on the slippers I had prepared and toured it at a leisurely pace. In the Arashiyama room, while viewing the pine tree in the garden, I explained, "The pine is the most auspicious tree and a symbol of longevity," and the guests replied, "It is the same in our country." I found this interesting.

We returned to Takayama Station, and I recommended a restaurant for dinner to conclude the tour.

Click here for more details: Takayama Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

Tour Report by Lily

Hi, everyone! I’m Yuriko Suematsu, a government licensed tour guide. Please call me Lily, because Yuri means Lily in English.
I like Japanese history, culture, and Japanese castles. Especially, I like tea ceremony in kimono.(I’m also a licensed kimono dresser.)
So, I sometimes guide around Takayama, Shirakawa-go, Kyoto, Kanazawa, Osaka, Nara and Nagoya in kimono.
There are lots of beautiful places to visit in Japan.
Especially, I recommend you to visit Kyoto and Nara if you are interested in Japanese ancient history. Nara and Kyoto are both ancient capital cities over 1000 years ago.
I also recommend you to visit Gifu(Shirakawa-go and Takayama), my hometown if you want to enjoy rural nostalgic atmosphere.
If you’re interested in Japanese castles, I recommend you to visit Himeji, Osaka, Kanazawa and Nagoya. I’m sure you will have a wonderful time to see beautiful castles.
Let’s enjoy Japanese culture and history together!

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