Old Towns, Across the Alps.
A castle, two preserved towns and a thatched valley, crossed west in one direction — the trip that answers 'somewhere that still looks like Japan' without leaving the main island.
How long is the Old Towns, Across the Alps itinerary and who is it for?
6 nights. Culture-led clients and photographers, and couples who would rather walk one town slowly than tick four. Works well as a second Japan trip and as an add-on for anyone flying home from Kansai.
Last updated: 13 September 2026
Why it runs in this order.
West across the mountains in a single direction, Tokyo in and Kanazawa out, so nothing is backtracked. The one decision that changes the trip is sleeping in Shirakawa-go rather than stopping there.
The programme.
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Day 1Matsumoto
Limited express from Tokyo in around two and a half hours. The castle is one of a handful of surviving original keeps and its interior is steep wooden stairs, not a museum floor — worth flagging to older clients. Nawate street and the town's soba in the evening.
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Days 2–3Takayama
Over the range by road. The riverside morning markets run early and are finished by lunch, so this is a day that starts before eight or does not happen. Sanmachi's merchant houses at opening, the Hida folk village in the afternoon, and sake cellars that open their doors in the colder months.
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Day 4Shirakawa-go
Under an hour by road. The village is a day-trip destination until the last bus leaves, and then it is a valley of thatched farmhouses with the lights on — which is the entire reason to stay. Inventory is a handful of family-run farmhouse rooms: shared bathrooms, futon on tatami, dinner around a hearth at a set hour.
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Days 5–6Kanazawa
On by road in about an hour and a quarter. Kenroku-en at opening before the tour flags, the Higashi Chaya teahouse district, the contemporary art museum as the deliberate change of register, and Omicho market at its best mid-morning.
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Day 7Kanazawa
Out by shinkansen to Tokyo in under three hours, or south to Kyoto in a little over two if the client is continuing.
What the net rate covers.
- Six nights across Matsumoto, Takayama, Shirakawa-go and Kanazawa
- One night in a thatched farmhouse in Shirakawa-go, booked far enough ahead to actually exist
- Private vehicle and driver for the mountain legs, which public buses cover badly and seasonally
- Licensed English-speaking guiding in Takayama and Kanazawa
- All rail reserved, with luggage forwarded so no case is carried into a farmhouse
- 24/7 duty desk
What it does not.
- International air
- Meals beyond the farmhouse dinner, ryokan half-board where taken, and breakfasts
- Travel insurance
When to ask.
Six to nine months, driven entirely by the farmhouse night — the village has very few rooms and they go first for the winter light-up weekends, which are balloted and capacity-capped.
Old Towns, Across the Alps — what agents ask.
How long is the Old Towns, Across the Alps itinerary?
6 nights. West across the mountains in a single direction, Tokyo in and Kanazawa out, so nothing is backtracked. The one decision that changes the trip is sleeping in Shirakawa-go rather than stopping there.
Who is the Old Towns, Across the Alps programme for?
Culture-led clients and photographers, and couples who would rather walk one town slowly than tick four. Works well as a second Japan trip and as an add-on for anyone flying home from Kansai.
How far ahead does it need booking?
Six to nine months, driven entirely by the farmhouse night — the village has very few rooms and they go first for the winter light-up weekends, which are balloted and capacity-capped.
What does Explera quote for this?
A confidential net rate to the travel agent, which you mark up yourself. We do not publish prices and we do not sell to your client — everything runs white-label under your brand.
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