
I prefer to stay in many cities and feel different atmosphere. But I understand that some of you do not agree. Because you will travel with the huge luggage and it may be issue for you.
Thus the day trip is a prefect solution. When you stay in Kansai area, there are many places to see, such as Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Kobe, Himeji, Mt. Koya and many more places. But can you believe that you can visit Kanazawa and Shirakawago from Osaka or Kyoto as one day trip?
I would like to show you the sample itinerary of this day trip in this post.
From Osaka/Kyoto to Kanazawa
Osaka 6:30 / Shin-Osaka 6:34 / Kyoto 6:59 – (The Limited Express Thunderbird 1) – Kanazawa 9:13
The limited express Thunderbird takes you to Kanazawa directly.
I recommend you to see Kanazawa first. The next bus leave for Shirakawago at 9:40. You can catch this bus easily in 30 minutes. But if you go to Shirakawago first, you come back Kanazawa around 15:00. It is a bit late to see this town because some of attractions are closed around 17:00. If you focus on Shirakawago more, you can go to Shirakawago right after you arrive in Kanazawa. Please find the timetable of the bus to Shirakawago in Nohi bus official site:
You cannot do anything in Kanazawa for one hour. You can spend whole morning in Kanazawa and take the bus to Shirakawago after lunch time.
Return trip to Shirakawago
Kanazawa 13:10 – (Nohi Bus) – Shirakawago 14:25
Shirakawago 17:30 – (Nohi Bus) – Kanazawa 18:45
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 13:10 is 14:40 departure from Kanazawa and arrival Shirakawago at 15:05. This is still okay. It depends on which place you want to see more. You can adjust as you like.
Go back to Osaka or Kyoto from Kanazawa
The last Thunderbird to Osaka leave Kanazawa at 20:47. There are some more trains before this. You can pick which departure you like. Please find the timetable of the limited express Thunderbird in the link below:
Due to COVID-19, it may be operated on a schedule different from the normal timetable. Check the train schedule on Hyperdia.
Hyperdia perfect guide, train timetable and route search engine
So if you want to eat dinner in the restaurant, you can take the last train. You will have two hours. There are many restaurants in Kanazawa station building.
If you want to go back to Osaka or Kyoto as soon as possible, take earlier departure. You can grab some foods at Kanazawa station and eat on board. On board sales is not available in the limited express Thunderbird. Don’t forget to grab it before getting on the limited express Thunderbird.
Suggested deal
Takayama Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass is most recommended. This pass is valid for 5 days. Even if you use this pass just for this day trip, you can get the worth of it. This pass covers all part of your trip.
If you have JR Pass or Kansai Hokuriku Area Pass or Hokuriku Arch Pass, you can use the pass to get Kanazawa by the limited express Thunderbird. But Nohi Bus to Shirakawago is not covered by these passes.
Other rail passes in Kansai area, like Kansai Area Pass, Kansai Thru Pass, Kansai Wide Area Pass are not recommended for this itinerary. Those deals do not cover most part of this itinerary.
Don’t forget to check the timetable before you go
The above sample itinerary is built by the timetable of September 2019. When you use this sample itinerary, please check the updated timetable.
Comments
Hi,
We are family of 3 and plan for the following route in Nov. Please help if its feasible and shall we buy JR pass?
D1 – reached Osaka late nite
D2 – Osaka – Namba
D3 – Karazawa – Shirakawa-go (day trip)
D4 – Karazawa – Takayama, Alpine route (day trip)
D5 – Karazawa/ Osaka
D6 – Osaka – Nara (day trip)
D7 – Osaka – Kobe (day trip)
D8 – Osaka – Hiroshima (day trip)
D9 – Osaka – Universal Studio
D10 – Osaka – Umeda
D11 – Osaka
D12 – Osaka
D13 – Osaka/ Kyoto
D14 – Kyoto
D15 – Kyoto
D16 – Kyoto – Kansai airport
Thank you in advance.
jac
Hi Jaclyn,
Your itinerary is feasible. I don’t see any issues.
You can use JR pass 7 days from day 2 to 8. It covers trip to Kanazawa and Hiroshima. But the bus to Shirakawago is not covered by JR Pass.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-get-shirakawa-go-%E7%99%BD%E5%B7%9D%E9%83%B7.html
Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is not covered either. You can use Tateyama Kurobe option ticket.
http://www.jrtateyama.com/e/
You can go through this route to Nagano. And you can take Hokuriku Shinkansen from Nagano to Kanazawa. This is covered by JR pass.
In Osaka and Kyoto, you can use subway or/and bus deal. If you have a few trips only in the day, such as trip t Universal Studio, single ticket is okay.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/how-to-choose-discount-railway-ticket-and-pass-in-kansai-area.html
Haruka discount ticket is available for back to KIX from Kyoto.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/icoca-and-haruka-ticket-very-flexible-and-good-deal-for-tourist-who-stay-in-kansai.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
I will go to Osaka this mid November for 8 days 7 nights. I wish to cover Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Kobe and Shirakawago. May I know how to plan is the best.
Hi SS,
All places are covered in 8 days. You can visit all places from Osaka as day trip. But if you have extra time, I recommend you to stay one night in Kanazawa or Shirakawago.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi San,
I plan to go to Shiwakarago from Kyoto/Osaka. And I plan to stay at Shiwakarago 1 night. Can you help me to arrange the itin and tranport and price (we dont use jr pass)
Thanks.
Lusi
Hi Lusi san,
You may use the itinerary above. Just add stay in Shirakawago. All resources, such as the way to check the timetable, are shown in the post above. Actually I don’t make an itinerary personally as I mention above comment section.
Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass is recommended for this trip and it’s cheaper than single fare.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi San,
I plan to go Japan for 8 days. I will fly in to Tokyo and fly out from Osaka. I plan to go the following places.
Tokyo Disney Land
Mount Fuji and Hakone
Shirakawa-go
Kyoto
Osaka Universal Studio
Where I suppose to stay so I safe our journey to transfer.
Thanks.
Lee
Hi Lee san,
Fuji and Hakone can be day trip from Tokyo.
https://jprail.com/destinations/chubu-area/fuji-hakone-access-guide-by-train-and-bus-from-both-tokyo-and-osaka-kyoto-nagoya.html
Shirakawago can be day trip from either Tokyo and Kyoto, Osaka.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/1-day/sample-itinerary-of-day-trip-to-kanazawa-and-shirakawago-from-tokyo.html
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/1-day/sample-itinerary-of-day-trip-to-kanazawa-and-shirakawago-from-osaka-or-kyoto.html
Otherwise you can drop by on the way to Osaka from Tokyo.
And basically you can stay at both end, Tokyo and Osaka/Kyoto.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Need your advice on our first trip :
Reach Tokyo 6pm, plan to go Takayama direct, overnight Takayama
Day 1 Explore Takayama , travel to Toyama overnight
Day 2 Explore Toyama, travel to Kanazawa
Day 3 Explore Shirawago, overnight Kanazawa (join day tour or go on own by bus?)
Day 4 Travel to Namba, explore Kobe/Osaka/Himeiji, overnight Namba
Day 5 Continue explore Osaka/Kobe, travel to Kyoto, overnight Namba
Day 6 Continue to Kyoto, overnight
Day 7 Travel to Shinjuku overnight
Day 8 Explore Shinjuku, night flight back
JR pass better deal? Is above plan feasible considering the travelling time?
Hi May,
First of all, you cannot make Takayama on arrival day. If you take a train. 19:43 departure from Nagoya is the last one to get Takayama. It takes 2 hours from Tokyo to Nagoya. And you will spend one hour to clear custom and immigration after arrival. And also you will spend 30 minutes from Haneda or 1 hour from Narita to downtown Tokyo. So it’s impossible.
So you have to leave early morning in Tokyo on day 1 of your plan. You will be Takayama around noon. You can get Toyama after sightseeing in Takayama. And you can catch up with your original schedule.
On day 4, it’s very tight. you can do only Himeji and Kobe. You can explore Osaka after arrival your hotel in Namba in night time if you like.
Other part of your trip is okay. And JR Pass 7 days pass is the best choice for day 1 to 7. You can use subway pass or single fare on day 8.
https://jprail.com/destinations/kanto-area/tokyo-kanto-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-tokyo-how-to-choose-the-best-deal-and-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
It’s so good to see this site. My wife and I have been searching for a trip going to Mt. Fuji. I would like to ask you an itinerary from Osaka, where we are, going to Mt.Fuji – roundtrip on the second day.. Can you tell us also how much fare are we going to pay if we take the Bullet Train? Also, can you give us an advice what hotel is the cheapest to check-in for 2 days and 1 night in Mt.Fuji area. We are planning to see the place on July 7 to 8, 2016. Please give us a great deal and what places aside from Mt.Fuji that we can see during our 2 days stay..
Thank you very much, Takeshi.
Sincerely,
Marc
Hi Marc,
Please find the fare and timetable of Shinkansen at Hyperdia:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/hyperdia-perfect-guide-train-timetable-and-route-search-engine.html
I think you need to ride Shinkansen to Mishima or Odawara. Please see the link below to find more info about Fuji.
https://jprail.com/destinations/chubu-area/fuji-hakone-access-guide-by-train-and-bus-from-both-tokyo-and-osaka-kyoto-nagoya.html
I cannot tell you about the accommodation in Fuji. There are huge number of accommodation. My experience is not enough to talk about it.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Thank you for your speedy response to my queries. Your site is truly helpful to all of us who wanted to see the beauty and exquisite place in Japan.
Cheers,
Marc
No problem, Marc.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
I have been trying to locate the Nohi online reservation for the day trip bus from Kanazawa to Shirakawago as per your iterary above fir the day trip
We are a group of 10 pax taking Thunderbird from Kyoto to Kanazawa .
Please advice as I can only find telephone no at their website and even if I can, there might be communication problem.
Thanks
Hi Kerry,
Unfortunately online reservation is not available. Online reservation accepts sightseeing tour only.
https://japanbusonline.com/CourseSearch/12102010001%2c12102010002
But these tours are Takayama to Takayama. It does not fit your plan.
Only phone reservation is the way to book. They speak English.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san,
May I check with you which pass is better for my plan below.
Day 1 : Osaka (KIX) to Kanazawa (day trip), then from Kanazawa to Shirakawago. 1 night in Shirakawago.
Day 2 : Shirakaway go to Takayama, 1 night in Takayama.
Day 3 : Takayama to Kyoto.
Day 4 : Kyoto to Himeji (day trip), back to Kyoto in the afternoon
Day 5 : Kyoto to visit Arashiyama & Kinkakuji
Day 6 : Kyoto to Osaka (visit around Osaka Namba & Shisaibashi Area)
Day 7 : Osaka to KIX Airport
For my itinerary, should I buy Kansai-Hokuriku Area Pass for the 7 days trip or Takayama-Hokuriku Area Pass (5 days) + Haruka ICOCA (1 way)
Thank you!!
Hi Joanne san,
I recommend you to use Kansai Hokuriku Area Pass. Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass is very nice but it does not cover Himeji. ICOCA and Haruka one way is available for KIX to Osaka/Kyoto only. You cannot use it for other direction. So even though you have to pay bus fare for Kanazawa-Shirakawago-Takayama on top of the pass, Kansai Hokuriku Area Pass is better choice.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san,
Thank you for your suggestion. So if I dont go to Himeji then Takayama Hokuriki Area Pass will be a better deal. If that is the case means I will just need to buy ICOCA card for me to travel from Osaka City to Airport on my last day?
Am I right that ICOCA Card is the best solution I have?
May I check with you which pass is better for my plan below.
Day 1 : Osaka (KIX) to Kanazawa (day trip), then from Kanazawa to Shirakawago. 1 night in Shirakawago.
Day 2 : Shirakaway go to Takayama, 1 night in Takayama.
Day 3 : Takayama to Kyoto.
Day 4 : Kyoto
Day 5 : Kyoto to visit Arashiyama & Kinkakuji
Day 6 : Kyoto to Osaka (visit around Osaka Namba & Shisaibashi Area)
Day 7 : Osaka to KIX Airport
Thank you!!
Hi Joanne san,
If you remove Himeji, Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass is the best deal. In Kyoto, this deal allows you to just stop by. You cannot get other places in Kyoto by JR train. Even though Arashiyama can be accessed by JR train, this pass does not cover it. So you can use this pass from day 1 to 3 only. The pass will be valid for day 4 and 5. But it’s useless.
You can use ICOCA for day 6 and 7. But there are lots of deals from Osaka to KIX on day 7. Please see the link below:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/how-to-choose-the-deals-for-access-tofrom-kansai-airport.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Thanks for the info!
As I will be going to Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto. Which do you think is the best route or shortest/ convenient way to go Shirakawago?
Thank you!
Liyan
Hi Liyan,
Kyoto is the closest. And you can follow the route in the post above.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi!
I will be taking the Ltd. Thunderbird from Kanazawa to Shin-Osaka before continuing to Kansai Airport. I just want to ask you if the green class seats will be available on 27 of December for 4 people since it is in end of the year and I cannot book the seat in advance.
Thanks
Hi Sandy,
It’s hard to say. It will be busy period but 27th is not the busiest day and not busy direction either.
You may find the availability at the link below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/how-to-find-seat-availability-of-trains-jr-cyber-station-guide.html
It’s in Japanese but it’s only way to find the availability.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com