The pride of Gokayama
Japan’s oldest folk song
Kokiriko
Discover Japan’s oldest folk song
and immerse yourself in the traditional life
of the World Heritage site Gokayama
In Gokayama, a life in harmony with nature has been passed down through generations.
Along with the World Cultural Heritage Gassho-style Village, Kokiriko—believed to be Japan’s oldest folk song—has been faithfully preserved by the locals.
Kokiriko is a song and dance imbued with the heart of the locals and the way of life that has been sustained here.
Come and experience the essence of Gokayama firsthand on this special tour.
Stay in a Gassho-style house and enjoy a traditional Kokiriko performance.
Immerse yourself in the beauty of classic Japanese culture.
Kokiriko:
A dance that prays for
bountiful harvests,
a song that honors the
cycle of life.
About Japan’s oldest folk song
Kokiriko
Passed down through generations in the Gokayama region, Kokiriko is a simple folk song and dance with roots in a performing art called Dengaku, which originated around 1,400 years ago during the Taika Reforms. Believed to be the oldest folk song in Japan, its name appears in many ancient documents.
Kokiriko, a prayer for bountiful harvests, embodies the essence of Gokayama—an enduring wish for the community, nurtured by nature’s blessings, to thrive for generations to come. Just as the cycle of life persists through the beautiful yet harsh embrace of nature, Kokiriko continues to be passed down through the ages.
KOKIRIKO
~The Ancient Japanese Folk Song~
Stay at a World Heritage site where Japanese traditions come to life
Gassho-style houses
that thrive in the depths of winter
Gokayama Gassho-style architecture, found in both Gokayama and the neighboring Shirakawa-go area in Gifu Prefecture, is characterized by steeply thatched roofs designed to withstand heavy snowfall. Two Gassho-style villages in Gokayama, together with Shirakawa-go, form a designated World Cultural Heritage site that remains home to local residents. Ainokura Gassho-style Village, where this tour takes place, features 20 Gassho-style houses, many built in the late Edo to Meiji Periods. A highlight of this tour is the opportunity to stay in one of these historic homes and experience traditional Japanese life firsthand.
Tour Contents
Kokiriko performance and experience by the Folk Song Preservation Society
After enjoying a Kokiriko performance by the local Folk Song Preservation Society, you will have the opportunity to play the sasara, a traditional musical instrument made from bamboo slats, used by the Kokiriko dancers. Join the performers in preserving the spirit of Gokayama.
Discover the roots of Japanese life in a traditional Gassho-style house
In Gokayama, locals continue to live in harmony with nature. Experience a day in the life by staying in a traditional Gassho-style house whose architecture reflects the wisdom needed to thrive in this snow-covered region. Gather around a sunken hearth to enjoy local delicacies, immersing yourself in the ancient ways of Japanese living.
Explore the area with a chartered taxi and local interpreter/guide
This tour includes a basic plan featuring an overnight stay in a Gassho-style house and a Kokiriko performance. You can choose from four options that include round-trip taxi transportation from Kanazawa Station, a sasara (traditional musical instrument) making activity, and a Kokiriko Village Walking Tour with a local interpreter/guide.
Plan Details and Reservations
(A) Chartered Taxi + Kokiriko Village Walking Tour (Round trip from Kanazawa)
JPY90,000～320,000
person
Included in this plan
- Kokiriko experience (folk song performance and musical instrument experience)
- Chartered taxi on the first day from Kanazawa Station to Ainokura Gassho-style Village
- Chartered taxi on the second day from Ainokura Gassho-style Village to Kaminashi Village, and Kaminashi Village to Kanazawa Station
- One night at a Gassho-style house (private rental, dinner and breakfast included)
- Optional tour on the second day (includes interpreter/guide fee, sasara (traditional musical instrument) making experience, visit to a Gokayama Tofu shop, visit to the Murakami House, lunch featuring handmade soba and Gokayama Tofu, etc.)
Please Note
- The tour starts and finishes at the Kanazawa Station East Exit.
- The chartered taxi will depart from Kanazawa Station between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Please let us know your preferred departure time.
- After departing from Kanazawa Station, no stops can be made on the way to the destination.
- An English-speaking interpreter/guide will accompany you only during the Kokiriko Village Walking Tour on the second day.
(B) Chartered Taxi (Round trip from Kanazawa)
JPY70,000～300,000
person
Included in this plan
- Kokiriko experience (folk song performance and musical instrument experience)
- Chartered taxi on the first day from Kanazawa Station to Ainokura Gassho-style Village
- Chartered taxi on the second day from Ainokura Gassho-style Village to Kaminashi Village, and Kaminashi Village to Kanazawa Station
- One night at a Gassho-style house (private rental, dinner and breakfast included)
Please Note
- The tour starts and finishes at the Kanazawa Station East Exit.
- The chartered taxi will depart from Kanazawa Station between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Please let us know your preferred departure time.
- After departing from Kanazawa Station, no stops can be made on the way to the destination.
(C) Kokiriko Village Walking Tour
JPY60,000～240,000
person
Included in this plan
- Kokiriko experience (folk song performance and musical instrument experience)
- One night at a Gassho-style house (private rental, dinner and breakfast included)
- Optional tour on the second day (includes interpreter/guide fee, sasara (traditional musical instrument) making experience, visit to a Gokayama Tofu shop, visit to the Murakami House, lunch featuring handmade soba and Gokayama Tofu, etc.)
Please Note
- This plan does not include a taxi. You will need to arrive at the meeting place on your own.
- The meeting place for the optional tour on the second day is the Gokayama Information Center, which can be accessed by local bus.
- An English-speaking interpreter/guide will accompany you only during the Kokiriko Village Walking Tour on the second day.
(D) Accommodation Only
JPY40,000～190,000
person
Included in this plan
- Kokiriko experience (folk song performance and musical instrument experience)
- One night at a Gassho-style house (private rental, dinner and breakfast included)
Please Note
- This plan does not include a taxi. You will need to arrive at the meeting place on your own.
Please Note
- Number of participants: 1-5 people
- Children under 6 stay free of charge (meals and bedding not included). Children 6 and older are charged at the adult rate. If children’s meals are needed, please let us know in advance.
- Requests for specific Gassho-style houses cannot be accommodated.
- Prices vary depending on the Gassho-style house.
- At the Gassho-style houses, you will experience traditional Japanese culture with futon bedding and meals served on tatami mats.
- Beverages are not included in meal prices.
- This is a request-based plan. We will confirm availability after receiving your inquiry.
- If payment is not received within three days of the availability confirmation, your reservation will be canceled.
- Your reservation will be confirmed once payment is completed. A cancellation fee will apply for cancellations made after payment.
- Payment is accepted by credit card only.
- Tour times and activity durations are subject to change due to circumstances such as traffic and weather.
- Rooms in the Gassho-style houses are separated by fusuma sliding doors and shoji paper screens.
- Rooms do not have private toilets or baths; these are shared facilities.
- The Gassho-style houses, which are between 100 and 300 years old, may have steps and uneven flooring.
- For dinner, gather around a sunken hearth and enjoy traditional Gokayama cuisine such as wild vegetables, char (a type of fish), and Gokayama Tofu.
- Please inform us in advance if you have any allergies or dietary restrictions.
Gokayama:
A village of living
heritage
Gokayama, nestled between Gifu and Ishikawa Prefectures, serves as a hub for exploring some of Japan’s most culturally immersive areas. Recommended destinations include Takayama in Gifu, renowned for its beautifully preserved historic streets; Shirakawa-go, which alongside Gokayama, forms a designated World Cultural Heritage Gassho-style Village; and Kanazawa, a celebrated castle town rich in history.
-
90min
by busKanazawa
Kanazawa, once a prosperous castle town, is filled with opportunities to enjoy Japanese culture. Visit Kenrokuen, one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan, stroll through traditional teahouse districts, and savor fresh seafood from the Sea of Japan at Omicho Market.
-
40min
by busShirakawa-go
Shirakawa-go and Gokayama together comprise the renowned World Heritage Gassho-style Village. While both areas feature Gassho-style houses, each offers a slightly different architectural style and roof shape. Enjoy the historic villages and their rich natural scenery that shifts with the seasons.
-
90min
by busTakayama
The historic townscape, rich in remnants of the Edo Period, is a popular destination for both domestic and international visitors. Stroll through this nostalgic town lined with sake breweries and traditional craft shops, enjoying gourmet food and shopping along the way.
