1 Day Tour from Kanazawa Tedori Gorge White Road and Shirakawa Go

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. 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!

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.