Private day trip · Day trip from Tokyo
From Tokyo: Shirakawa Barrier & Ramen Customizable Tour
Stand at the Shirakawa Barrier where the poet Basho entered the north, walk Nanko Park and Komine Castle, and eat Shirakawa ramen. About 10 hours.
Private · your group only◆10 hours◆Up to 6 guests◆Pickup included
Road-day snapshot
This is your private tour, so the route is flexible: tell us if you want to skip a stop, stay longer somewhere or add a place nearby.
The experience
A private journey, thoughtfully paced
Shirakawa in Fukushima was the old gateway to the north of Japan. In 1689 the poet Matsuo Basho passed through the Shirakawa Barrier on his famous journey, The Narrow Road to the Deep North. This day trip follows him to the barrier, then shows you a castle, an old garden park and the town's famous ramen. The whole tour takes about 10 hours.
Your driver-guide picks you up at your hotel in central Tokyo in the morning and drives north on the Tohoku Expressway, with rest stops. The drive takes about 3 hours.
Your first stop is the Shirakawa Barrier Ruins, a quiet site in a forest of tall trees. Poets wrote about this gate for over 1,000 years. You walk the paths, see the small shrine and old stone poems, and your guide tells the story of Basho's journey. Next you eat Shirakawa ramen for lunch. The noodles are flat and chewy, made by hand, and served in a clear soy sauce soup.
In the afternoon you walk around Komine Castle. Its white three-storey tower was rebuilt in wood using old plans, and its high stone walls are impressive. Then you visit Nanko Park, said to be one of the oldest public parks in Japan. It was made in 1801 by the lord Matsudaira Sadanobu, for people of every class to enjoy. A large pond, pine trees and a teahouse garden make it a calm place to rest.
In the late afternoon you drive back to your Tokyo hotel.
This is a private tour. Only your group. One van, 1 to 6 guests, never shared with strangers. Your driver-guide speaks English, and also Hindi and Urdu. If Komine Castle is closed on your date, you can take a full refund of your booking, guaranteed. If you prefer, we can instead walk the castle grounds and stone walls from outside.
Choose with confidence
Is this the right journey for your group?
Excellent fit if
- Walk the Shirakawa Barrier where Basho entered the north
- Eat hand-made Shirakawa ramen for lunch
- See the wooden tower and stone walls of Komine Castle
- Rest by the pond of Nanko Park, made in 1801
- Hear the story of The Narrow Road to the Deep North
Said plainly
This tour takes about 10 hours, with about 3 hours of driving each way Shirakawa ramen soup is made with pork or chicken stock. Halal food cannot be guaranteed. Dietary needs can be added in the booking form If Komine Castle is closed or cancelled on your date, you can take a full refund of your booking, guaranteed. If you prefer, we can instead walk the castle grounds and stone walls from outside Wear comfortable shoes. The castle has steep wooden stairs
Your day
Suggested itinerary
Times are approximate. Your driver-guide adjusts the order for traffic, weather, opening hours and the best light.
Walk the Shirakawa Barrier where Basho entered the north
Eat hand-made Shirakawa ramen for lunch
See the wooden tower and stone walls of Komine Castle
Rest by the pond of Nanko Park, made in 1801
Hear the story of The Narrow Road to the Deep North
What is covered
What you see is what you pay
Ours — included
- Private van and English-speaking driver-guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in central Tokyo
- All parking, fuel and road tolls
- Komine Castle entry
- Shirakawa ramen lunch
Yours — paid on the day
- Meals and drinks unless listed as included
- Gratuities, which are never expected in Japan
- Optional souvenir purchases
Good to know
Before you book
Languages
English, Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi
Pickup
Pickup and drop-off at your Tokyo hotel or accommodation (23 wards).
Group and vehicle
Private for up to 6 guests. Enter adults, children, infants and child seats separately at booking.
Dietary and mobility needs
Halal, vegetarian, allergy, walking or other practical requests go in your booking notes and are planned before the day.
Questions
Frequently asked
Can we change the route on the day?
Yes. It is a private tour in our own van, so your driver-guide can skip, extend or add stops where time allows.
Is the price per person?
No. The price is for your whole private group of up to 6 people, including the van, fuel, tolls, parking and your driver-guide.
What is the cancellation policy?
Cancel at least 24 hours before departure for an automatic full refund to the original payment method. Within 24 hours, contact us directly so we can help. If a typhoon or official weather warning stops the trip, we offer a new date or a full refund. For a GetYourGuide booking, the terms shown on that booking apply.
Somewhere else in mind?
Any destination in Japan
If this route is not exactly what you need, tell us the destination, dates and group. We confirm the plan and the exact price before any payment is taken.
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From¥106,000
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