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

June, 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

  • 10:00…Meet at Hotel Wood Takayama
  • 10:10…Hida Kokubunji Temple
  • 10:30…Miyagawa Morning Market
  • 11:00…Takayama Yatai Kaikan
  • 12:00…Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine
  • 12:30…Lunch at "Sakaguchiya"
  • 13:00…Takayama Jinya
  • 14:00…End of guided tour in front of the Jinya

Tour Itinerary in Detail

The itinerary covered …Hida Kokubunji Temple at 10:10, …Miyagawa Morning Market at 10:30, …Takayama Yatai Kaikan at 11:00, …Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine at 12:00, …Lunch at "Sakaguchiya" at 12:30, …Takayama Jinya at 13:00 and …End of guided tour in front of the Jinya at 14:00.

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

As planned, the group met at the Hotel at 10:00, where I explained the day's itinerary before heading to Hida Kokubunji Temple. I began by offering a few celebratory words.

At Kokubunji, the guests were moved by the 1,200-year-old ginkgo tree. I also explained the small Jizo Bodhisattva statue by the ginkgo tree.

They prayed at the main hall, and we took commemorative photos in front of the three-story pagoda. I also touched on the sarubobo charms and the six Jizo statues in front of the temple.

At the morning market, the guests enjoyed feeding the carp.

We passed through the old townscape and headed to the Takayama Festival Floats Exhibition Hall. I explained the fireworks tubes displayed inside the hall, and the guests listened attentively.

One of the guests asked me about the rod held by a mannequin dressed as a samurai, but I did not know the details. I answered that it is probably used during the procession of the festival floats.

At the Inari Shrine within Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine, when I explained that "this shrine is said to bring good fortune for business prosperity," one of the guests prayed earnestly.

We had lunch at a restaurant on Sanmachi Street that I had reserved in advance. It was nearly full. They ordered Takayama ramen. A staff member took a photo for us. One of the guests seemed to like the atmosphere of the restaurant and thanked me, saying, "Thank you for reserving such a nice place."

At Takayama Jinya, one of the guests asked me about the forward-facing rabbit design. I answered, "It is used as a nail-head cover. Because rabbits bear many young, it is also a charm for the prosperity of descendants."

This time it was a tour with many questions from the guests. We were blessed with good weather, and I believe the guests enjoyed themselves.

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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