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 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
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:
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
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:
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.
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
Hi Takeshi-San,
I’m planning to do the Alpine route and Shirakawago in June, my plan is as below, please can you guide me on this. I live in Singapore so my kids have never seen the snow, thought Alpine would be the best place to visit.
20 June
Leave from Tokyo to Nagano via Shinkansen.End Alpine route at Toyama and take the shinkansen to Kanazawa, jump into Nohi bus to Shirakawago, stay overnight at Ryokan in Shirakawago
21 June
Explore the village at Shirakawago and leave for Takayama, take the train to Kyoto via Nagoya.
Please advise if it’s worth staying at a Ryokan in Shirakawago or should I look for something in Kanazawa and head fro Shirakawago on day-2 en route to Kyoto. Any other Ryokan stay with onsen you could recommend?
Hi Murtuza san,
You must take a bus to Shirakawago at Toyama. Please see the link below to find the timetable:
https://www.nouhibus.co.jp/english/highwaybus/shirakawago.pdf
The last bus to Shirakawago from Kanazawa is 16:00. It’s too early and you waste the time because you need to move from Toyama to Kanazawa. You can get 18:55 departure at Toyama. You must book a seat in advance. Reservation is required. Reservation info can be found in the timetable.
If you really want to stay in Shirakawago, that’s okay. But as you see the timetable, arrival time is so late. I recommend you to stay in Toyama and visit Shirakawago next day. It is very hard to move to Shirakawago after visiting alpine route.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello Takeshi, thank you very much for this helpful post.
Are Kanazawa and Shirakawago still nice to see in the first week of April? I am guessing that the plants are not yet blooming. Is it cold during this time and do we need our winter clothes?
We will be arriving from Tokyo in the morning. Do you think it is possible to visit Kanazawa and Shirakawago in
one day, but also have enough time to arrive at a Ryokan in time to eat dinner? We would be interested in going to Osaka the next day. Is this too much rush?
Thank you very much
Hi Mary,
Shirakawago is always nice to visit. In April, it’s transition season. It’s too early to see cherry blossom there. Usually it blooms in late April. Actually even in late April, we see some snow sometimes. So winter cloth is required.
If you leave Tokyo very early morning, you have time to see both in one day.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thank you so much for the information!
No worries, Mary.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
My friends and I plan to have one day trip to shirakawa go from Tokyo and we want to end that trip in Kyoto. Is it possible to do so?
Hi Feri,
It’s possible. You can take Limited Express Thunderbird from Kanazawa to Kyoto. You can find the day trip itinerary from Kyoto in the link below. You can use the last part of this itinerary for your trip from Kanazawa to Kyoto.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/1to3-days/sample-itinerary-of-day-trip-to-kanazawa-and-shirakawago-from-osaka-or-kyoto.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
I just want to know would it be enough to spend only 3 hour in Shirakawago?
I don’t want join any tour package, do you have any recommendation what to do for only 3 hours?
I am planning to go there on January.
Thanks a lot.
Hi op,
3 hours is enough to see whole part of Shirakawago. I have done that in less than 2 hours before.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/trip-report/2016-winter-tohoku-chubu-chugoku/trip-to-tohoku-chubu-and-chugoku-in-2016-winter-part-6-takaoka-to-shirakawago-via-himi-line-johana-line-and-shirakawago.html
This was too quick. But you have 3 hours. It’s enough.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
I am going to travel mostly around Tokyo and Sendai for my next trip, but I also have a friend I am thinking of visiting in Kanazawa. If I buy the JR East Pass (Tohoku) will it also cover the trip to Kanazawa? I am confused because on the JR East website it looks like it’s not covered but the line itself (Hokuriku) is covered?
Thanks in advance!
Jessica
Hi Jessica,
Kanazawa is outside coverage area. If you include Kanazawa, your choice is not JR East pass but JR pass.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/japan-rail-pass-user-guide-how-to-use-jr-pass-to-its-maximum.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello,
I can’t figure out if it’s cheaper to purchase a Tokyo>Kanazawa and Kanazawa>Tokyo return fare if the base fare includes the return? Or is it the same price as 2xone way? I live in Japan so I can’t use the Arch Pass.
Thank you!
Hi Zoe,
Even if you purchase return, it’s same. There is long distance round trip discount. But you need to travel more than 600km for one way. Tokyo to Kanazawa is less than 500km. It’s not applied.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thank you so much for such a quick clear response!!
No worries, Zoe.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
I may need your assistance on which pass should i buy? My travel plans start from Tokyo to Kanazawa to Osaka then back to Tokyo from Osaka. Should i get the JP Rail pass or the JR Osaka-Tokyo Hokuriku Arch Pass? Thanks
Hi Jolene,
Both passes suit your trip plan. Hokuriku arch pass is cheaper but it does not cover Osaka to Tokyo direct route. If you use Hokuriku arch pass, you have to take Osaka-Kanazawa-Tokyo route. You must change trains at Kanazawa and trip time is 5.5 to 6 hours. If you use JR pass, you can take Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka to Tokyo. It takes 3 hours.
The price difference is about 5,000 yen. You can choose whichever you like.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
I am Mariana, and planning to Japan on this December. However, I will have a one day trip to Shirakawayo, could you give me advice for the route? Is it better from Tokyo or Osaka?
Hi Mariana,
You can access to Shirakawago from either Tokyo or Osaka. You can find the route from Tokyo in the post above. The following link shows you the route from Osaka.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/1-day/sample-itinerary-of-day-trip-to-kanazawa-and-shirakawago-from-osaka-or-kyoto.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hey Takeshi,
I am Stephen Sim from Singapore. I am planning to visit Japan from 19-29 Dec. Would like to plan my trip to Tokyo – Kanazawa (2 nights) – Takayama (2 nights) – Nagano (2 nights) – Tokyo (4 nights).
You think this will be the correct route or if you have any advice for better route planning?
Thanks
Hi Stephen,
I recommend you to visit Nagano before going to Kanazawa. You will take Hokuriku Shinkansne from Tokyo to Kanazawa. Nagano is located in the middle of this route.
https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-departure-arrival-stations/stations-in-kanto/tokyo/ueno/hokuriku-shinkansen-direct-access-to-kanazawa-nagano-and-toyama-from-tokyo.html
You may use 7 days JR pass for the first 7 days.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/japan-rail-pass-user-guide-how-to-use-jr-pass-to-its-maximum.html
https://jprail.com/destinations/chubu-area/takayama-kanazawa-and-shirakawago/how-to-get-kanazawa.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-access-to-takayama-by-trains-and-buses.html
In Tokyo, you can add other deal. Please see the link below:
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
Thanks Takeshi.
Just wondering is that better to have day trip to Shirakwago from Kanazawa or from Takayama. Which direction is more convenient.
Any recommendation for ski resort or onsen places around Kanzawa or Takayama?
Will christmas eve in Nagano happening?
Thanks
Hi Stephen,
>Just wondering is that better to have day trip to Shirakwago from Kanazawa or from Takayama. Which direction is more convenient.
Takayama is a bit more convenient because of trip time and more buses. Please see the link below to find the bus timetable:
https://www.nouhibus.co.jp/english/highwaybus/shirakawago.pdf
>Any recommendation for ski resort or onsen places around Kanzawa or Takayama?
Kaga Onsen, Wakura onsen and Gero Onsen are recommended. I’m not familiar with ski resort there:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4275.html
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5990.html
http://www.wakura.or.jp/en/
>Will christmas eve in Nagano happening?
I have no idea. But New Years Eve is more important for Japanese. Christmas is just an event and Japanese do not celebrate.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi mate, really appreciate your help. I am not sure if I should get a 7 or 14 day pass. My trip is like this from july 7 to july 23. Arrive on 7 at night. I want to travel from tokyo to kanazawa, tokoyama. Stay 2 nights and the travel to kyoto. Stay 4 nights in kyoto. Do day trips to hiroshima and second day nara & osaka. Travel back to japan. Day trips to nikko, kamakura, and possible 1 more destination.
My dilemma is if i try to squeeze everything in 7 day pass i might not have enough time in kyoto. Can you please advise if i can get better deal than buying 14 day pass.
Many thanks
Shal
Hi Shal,
Even if you use 14 days pass, you still can get the worth of 14 days pass easily by your trip plan.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com