Sample itinerary of day trip to Kanazawa and Shirakawago from Tokyo

shirakawago winter1 to 3 days
2015.09.02
Higashichayagai area is one of most popular spots in Kanazawa. (C) Kanazawa City / JNTO
Higashichayagai area is one of most popular spots in Kanazawa. (C) Kanazawa City / JNTO

If you leave Tokyo very early morning, you can visit Kanazawa and Shirakawago as a day trip.

I would like to show you the sample itinerary of day trip to Kanazawa and Shirakawago in this post.

From Tokyo to Kanazawa

The new fleet, E6 / W6 series run on Hokuriku Shinkansen.
The new fleet, E6 / W6 series run on Hokuriku Shinkansen.

The earliest train on the Hokuriku Shinkansen for Kanazawa is 06:16 departure. You can get Kanazawa at 08:46. There are many trains running between Tokyo and Kanazawa. Please find the timetable of the Hokuriku Shinkansen at JR East official site:

JR East official site – the timetable

I recommend you to see Kanazawa first. Because you can spend your time more efficiently by this order.

You will spend your time in the morning in Kanazawa. After lunch time, you can take Nohi Bus for Shirakawago.

Return trip to Shirakawago

World Heritage Site, Shirakawago (C)Akimasa Yuasa / JNTO
World Heritage Site, Shirakawago (C)Akimasa Yuasa / JNTO

Kanazawa 13:15 – (Nohi Bus) – Shirakawago 14:30
Shirakawago 17:30 – (Nohi Bus) – Kanazawa 18:45

I picked this schedule and you can enjoy 3 hours in Shirakawago. But you can make an adjustment as you like. Please find the timetable in Nohi Bus official site:

Nohi Bus official site

As you see Nohi Bus timetable, 17:30 is the last bus to go back to Kanazawa. You have three hours in Shirakawago. The next bus to Shirakawago after 13:15 is 13:40 departure from Kanazawa and arrival Shirakawago at 15:05. It is okay but it is a bit short to see the village.

Go back to Tokyo from Kanazawa

Kanazawa station was renovated before Hokuriku Shinkansen opened.
Kanazawa station was renovated before Hokuriku Shinkansen opened.

The last train on the Hokuriku Shinkansen is Kagayaki 518 at 21:00.

If you want to eat dinner in the restaurant, you can take this last train. You will have two hours. There are many restaurants in Kanazawa station building.

If you want to go back to Tokyo as soon as possible, take earlier departure Hokuriku Shinkansen. You can grab some foods at Kanazawa station and eat on board. On board sales is available on the train. But the variety of items are limited and the price of on board sales is mostly higher than the shops in the station. I recommend you to get something before boarding.

Suggested deal

Hokuriku Arch Pass is most affordable deal. It is cheaper than round trip fare by the Hokuriku Shinkansen between Tokyo and Kanazawa. Please see the link below to find the information about this pass:

Hokuriku Arch Pass user guide. Clarify valid trains, coverage area and compare single fare and pass
Tokyo, Kanazawa, Kyoto and Osaka are covered by this deal. (C) ©Sue Ann Simon (upper left), Osaka Government Tourism Bu...
jprail.com
2015.12.26

But you need to add single fare to get the bus to Shirakawago.

JR Pass is also recommended. The round trip fare by Shinkansen between Tokyo and Kanazawa is almost same as 7-day JR Pass price. Even if it does not cover bus to Shirakawago, JR Pass still works for this trip.

Nohi Bus to Shirakawago is not covered by either Hokuriku arch pass or JR pass.

Where and How to buy JR Pass: JR Pass user guide, how to use Japan Rail Pass to its maximum.
This posts give you all information about JR pass. You can find much more information than the official Japan Rail Pass site.
jprail.com
2020.07.08

Don’t forget to check the timetable before you go

The above sample itinerary is built by timetable of September 2015. When you use this sample itinerary, please check the updated timetable.

Comments

  1. Ron says:
    December 27, 2016 at 12:09 pm

    hi Takeshi san,
    need your big help, am planning a day trip from tokyo to shirakawago on 20.01.17 , is the nouhibus brings us to “world heritage” shirakawago place ?
    cheers ron

  2. Theresia Kapantow says:
    December 22, 2016 at 7:35 pm

    Hi Takeshi-San,
    I have a plan to go to japan on 12Feb – 20 Feb 2017 (Total in Japan is 8 days) with following itinerary:

    12 Feb : Arrive at Osaka Airport (LaShomon Kobe, Osaka Aquarium, Osaka Castle, Dotonbori)
    13 Feb : Fushimi Inari- Kyoto (Arashiyama) – Kanazawa
    14 Feb : Shirawakago – Toyama
    15 Feb : Nagano (Jigokudane) – Hakone
    16 Feb : Still in Hakone then go to Tokyo
    17 – 20 Feb : Tokyo (Ginza, Ikebukuro, Shinjuku, Harajuku, Shibuya; Tsukiji, Akihabara, Asakusa, Takashimaya; Disney Sea)

    Kindly advise regarding above itinerary, and which one better for transportation

    Best regards,
    Theresia

  3. sisca says:
    December 10, 2016 at 10:25 pm

    Dear Takeshi,

    Thank you for your sample itenerary from osaka to shirakawago.
    We buy the Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass since we’ll stay in Osaka. Could you please help me, if I already have the pass. How do I make the booking for NouhiBus ? Is it cover by the pass ?

    Thank you
    Sisca

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      December 10, 2016 at 11:21 pm

      Hi Sisca,

      You can book it over the phone. You may find the phone number in the link below:
      https://www.nouhibus.co.jp/english/highwaybus/shirakawago.pdf

      Online is not available for pass user.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

      • sisca says:
        December 11, 2016 at 1:45 am

        Hi…

        Thank you for the information.
        I’ll make a call but if there is no seat in the bus from kanazawa to shirakawago. Is there any other way to go there ?
        Can we go to shirakawago from Takaoka or Toyama with Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass ?
        We’ll go there on Dec 29th

        Thank you
        Sisca

        • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
          December 11, 2016 at 10:13 am

          Hi Sisca,

          Takaoka – Shirakawago route is covered. Toyama route is not.
          Reservation is not accepted for Kaetsuno bus, Takaoka – Shirakwago route. So you have to get there earlier because seat is first come first serve. But I have no idea how early you need to be there. If I were you, I go there at least 30 minutes before departure date. But I’m not sure this is enough or not.

          Cheers,

          Takeshi / JPRail.com

          • sisca says:
            December 12, 2016 at 3:07 am

            Hi Takeshi…

            I already called to do the reservation but from Dec 27-31 the seat already full for 1 day trip ( Kanazawa – Shirakawago-Kanazawa ). Just info they can speak English well. So I think I’ll do the way you suggest us, stop at Takaoka early in the morning to catch up the bus.
            Hyperdia said from osaka to kanazawa and change train to Kurikara – Takaoka(Toyama) OR Kanazawa – Toyama ( shinkansen )- Takaoka(Toyama)
            Which one better ?

            Regards
            Sisca

            • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
              December 12, 2016 at 6:38 am

              Hi Sisca,

              It depends on the schedule. You have to pay extra for Kanazawa to Takaoka or Toyama to Takaoka. Shinkansen between Kanazawa and Toyama is covered but other train service in your plan are not covered.

              I forgot one thing. Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass does not allow you to take a bus at Takaoka. It covers only Shin-Takaoka to/from Shirakawago only. You may need to pay extra. But the fare is same between Takaoka and Shirakawgo, and between Shin-Takaoka and Shirakawago. I have actually no idea how much you need to pay. In worst case, you may need to pay full fare for Takaoka to Shirakawago.

              I suggest you to make sure when you exchange the pass in Japan. There is no info about this case.

              Cheers,

              Takeshi / JPRail.com

              • sisca says:
                December 12, 2016 at 7:15 am

                Hi Takeshi,

                > It covers only Shin-Takaoka to/from Shirakawago only.
                From Takaoka(Toyama) I must go to Shin-Takaoka to take the bus to Shirakawago ?
                > How about if I go to Shirakawago from Takayama ? Am I still need to make bus reservation ?

                Sorry if I’m asking to much questions because before I read your article I don’t know that I must make a reservation. Your article is awesome

  4. Joyce says:
    November 29, 2016 at 6:06 am

    Hello! I understand the shops & restaurants at Takayama close early. Any idea what time do they close?

    Any good recommendations for Restaurants serving good Hida beef?

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      November 29, 2016 at 6:44 am

      Hi Joyce,

      There are many restaurants. Closing time depends on the restaurant and shop.
      Actually I have never eaten Hida beef in the restaurant. I have eaten at food stand in preserved area. There are many but it’s not restaurants.
      So basically I have no idea either.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JRPail.com

  5. Linda Leong says:
    November 21, 2016 at 6:08 am

    Hi Takeshi
    My husband and I will be travelling to Tokyo and Hakone 24 – 31 Jan. After reading your site and information on Shirakawago we have decided to plan as follows ;
    D 1 Tokyo – Kanazawa
    D2 Kanazawa – Shirakawago ??
    D3 Shirakawago – Takayama
    D4 Takayama – Kanazawa – Tokyo
    D5 Tokyo
    D6 Tokyo- Hakone
    D7 Hakone – Tokyo
    After reading; I am not certain as to the best pass to buy for the trip. Would it be better to buy the Takayam Hokuriku Pass or Hokuriku Arch Pass or JR Pass.
    Would it be worthwhile to stay at Shirakawago to see the illuminations or are they on only on specific dates.

    Appreciate your advice. Thank you.
    Linda

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      November 21, 2016 at 12:48 pm

      Hi Linda,

      I think JR Pass is the best choice. Because you can take JR trains between Takayama and Toyama, and between Tokyo and Odawara.
      On day 5, you can take JR train to Toyama from Takayama and go back to Tokyo from Toyama if you want. You don’t need to take a bus to Kanazawa via Shirakawago if you want. Bus between Takayama, Kanazaawa and Shirakawago is not covered by either Hokuriku Arch Pass or JR pass. But only JR pass covers train to Toyama from Takayama.

      When you go to Hakone, you can take Odakyu railway from Shinjuku. You can use Hakone Free Pass.
      http://www.odakyu.jp/english/deels/freepass/hakone/

      If you use JR pass, you can take Shinkansen to get Odawara and then use Hakone Free Pass. Especially if you stay in eastern part of Tokyo, like Tokyo, Ueno, Shinagawa, this way is easier. But if you stay in Shinjuku, Odakyu railway takes you to Hakone directly.

      Light up in Shirakawago is usually held some weekend from late January to February. But the dates are not confirmed yet.
      http://lightup.asia/2016/05/post-3.html

      This event is super popular and very hard to get there in this period. You must take a tour if you visit there during this event. Scheduled bus is too early to leave there. Or find the hotel in Shirakawago. But this is super hard to book too.
      https://www.nouhibus.co.jp/english/highwaybus/shirakawago.pdf

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  6. Amy says:
    November 11, 2016 at 4:44 pm

    Hi Takeshi,
    Regarding to the trips to shirakawago depart from tokyo -kanazawa taking the Hokuriku Shinkansen Kagayaki 503 and if im using 7days JR pass is it i do not need to pay extra anymore for the whole routes ? And i checked from hyperdia the results is :
    begin 07:04 SHINJUKU(JR) Station
    07:33,07:46 transfer OMIYA(SAITAMA) Station
    [125 Min]through SHINKANSEN KAGAYAKI 503
    09:51 end KANAZAWA
    [ Arrival track No.14 ]

    Regards,
    Amy

  7. AmyYen says:
    November 5, 2016 at 5:06 pm

    Hi Takeshi,
    I had 7 days in Tokyo which I would like to include 1 day trip to shiragawako and a day trip to hakone. 1st of all is it advisable to buy 7 days Jr pass ? Pls advise .thx

  8. Vivian says:
    October 3, 2016 at 2:35 am

    Hi Takeshi,

    May I know if it’s true that the Nohi buses do not operate from Dec 29th to Jan 3rd?
    Do the buses from Takayama to Shirakawago operate during weekends and public holidays as well?
    Thank you.

  9. Qian says:
    July 9, 2016 at 6:37 am

    Hi Takashi
    May I know if I can buy the bus ticket on the day arrival? Example I arrive Kanazawa 9.50am & I buy bus ticket to shirawakago departing 1pm bus ?
    Thanks,
    QiAn

  10. Allison says:
    July 2, 2016 at 2:00 pm

    Hi Takeshi,

    I would like to confirm if the Nohi bus run on Saturday and Sunday from Kanazawa to Shirakawago?

    Thank you.
    Allison

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