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If you’re planning to visit Nagoya, you may also be hoping to see the iconic Praying Hands Village. However, traveling from Nagoya to the Praying Hands Village is not straightforward. If you do this trip independently, it is likely to take several days and can be quite expensive (trains are not cheap in Japan).
In this article, we’re going to show you how to book a one-day trip to visit the Praying Hands Village from Nagoya. Taking a one-day tour is a great way to save money and time in your Japan itinerary, so please read this article carefully. A little time and research now can save a lot of time and money later.
BOOK IT ON KLOOK – Book your Praying Hands Village Day Tour on KLOOK
What Are the Praying Hands Villages?
The “praying hands” villages, or “Gassho-zukuri” villages, in Japan are charming and picturesque hamlets that seem like they’re straight out of a fairy tale. They’re located in the mountainous regions, mainly in Shirakawa-go and Gokayama.
What makes these villages so unique are the traditional thatched-roof houses called “Gassho-zukuri.” The name “Gassho” actually means “praying hands.” The steep triangular roofs look like hands pressed together in prayer! These houses were designed with the heavy snowfall in mind, so the steep roofs help the snow slide off easily. Inside, they’re super cozy and often have multiple floors, with the upper floors used for silkworm farming back in the day. Wandering through these villages feels like stepping back in time. The residents have done an amazing job preserving their history and culture. Many of the houses are now set up as museums, so you can explore the inside and see original artifacts and exhibits.
LEARN MORE – Shirakawa-go Praying Hands Village – Full Guide
Praying Hands Village One-Day Tour from Nagoya
One of the best ways to visit the Praying Hands Village is to take a one-day trip from Nagoya. This trip normally departs around 7 a.m. and returns to Nagoya by 6 p.m. This day trip is relatively affordable:
- Adults (12 years and older): £40 or $50
- Children (4 to 11 years old): £35 or $40
- Infants (0-3 years old): Free of charge
What Do You Do on the Praying Hands Tour?
The Praying Hands tour starts with a visit to the beautiful village of Takayama, situated in the Hida Valley. This is a beautiful village with historic old streets and heritage buildings. You can take a stroll along the Takayama Miyagawa Morning Market.
This is a very scenic morning market alongside the river where you can buy art and crafts. You can also try some local street food (don’t miss the Tamaten, which is a very unique and tasty Japanese sweet prepared from egg white and sugar). The tour also takes you into Takayama Heritage Street. If you pay a little extra, you can include a Hida beef lunch (£17 or $20 per person). Alternatively, there are a lot of shops, cafes, and restaurants, so you can find your own food in Takayama.
After visiting Takayama, you will then be taken to the Praying Hands Village (the journey takes around 1 hour by bus). When you get there, you can explore the UNESCO Shirakawago Praying Hands Village (around 1.5 hours). This part of the tour may feel a little rushed, but there is enough time to take some beautiful photographs and explore a house museum or two. You can also try barbecue beef skewers and local Hida milk ice cream.
What Is Included in the Cost of the Day Trip?
- All admission fees
- Lunch
- Round trip transfers (from the meetup location, which is at the Nagoya Station VIP Liner Bus Stop)
They also offer free cancellation up to 48 hours before departure.
Top Tip: This tour will only proceed if a minimum of 10 people book on your chosen date; otherwise, you will be given a refund. If it is very important to you to see the Praying Hands Village, we recommend that you have a backup plan in the event that your trip is canceled.
Stay in Takayama vs Day Trip from Nagoya
Is it better to travel to Takayama and visit the Praying Hands Village independently, or is it better to take a day trip from Nagoya? This all depends on your own budget, needs, and preferences. If you only have a short time in Japan, we recommend taking a day trip to visit the Praying Hands Village. However, if you have longer in Japan, you may want to stay in Takayama and explore the area.
STAY IN TAKAYAMA – If you want to stay in an affordable traditional Japanese Guest House in Takayama we highly recommend the beautiful and cozy Hostel Murasaki Ryokan. This lovely property is warm, friendly and it has great facilities. You really can get the authentic Japan experience and it is one of the most affordable places in the town!
Taking a day trip to the Praying Hands Village may well be a cheaper option. If you wish to stay in Takayama, you will need to consider the cost of transportation and accommodation in Takayama. The train from Nagoya to Takayama costs 6,300 yen each way (around £32 or $40). From Takayama, you will need to take a bus to get to the Praying Hands Village. This costs 2,600 yen each way (from the bus station next to Takayama train station) – around £13 or $15. If possible, we recommend that you reserve a day in advance. This will enable you to get an earlier bus (if you do not reserve a bus, you may need to wait until space is available on the later bus).
The main advantage of visiting the Praying Hands Village independently is the additional amount of time. Unfortunately, the day trip is quite rushed. In contrast, if you plan your own transportation and travel from Takayama, you can spend an entire day exploring the village at your own pace. The whole experience is less rushed. It costs 200 yen to explore a museum house (this is around £1 or $1.20).
CONSIDERING GOING SOLO? Don’t miss this Free Self-Guided Walking Tour of Shirakawa-go Village
