Takayama is one of the most popular destinations for overseas travelers. Especially spring and fall seasons are very popular since the festivals are held. This city is also known as the gateway to UNESCO World Heritage Site, Shirakawago.
I would like to tell you about the access to Takayama in this post.
Overview
Takayama is a small town but it is one of most popular tourist places in Japan in these days. The old preserved district is busy in all season. Please watch the movie below about this charming old town:
This town is located in the middle of Nagoya, Toyama, Kanazawa and Matsumoto.
Nagoya is most common gateway station to get Takayama. But there are some more ways to access to Takayama, such as Kanazawa, Toyama and Matsumoto. I would like to show you the ways to get Takayama.
Access from Tokyo, Nagoya and many other cities by the limited express Wide View Hida
Nagoya can be reached by the Shinkansen from Tokyo, Shin-Yokohama, Kyoto, Shin-Osaka and many more stations on the Tokaido Shinkansen easily and directly. This route is fully covered by JR Pass.
Most of travellers take the limited express Wide View Hida from Nagoya to Takayama. Travel time is 2.5 hours to get Takayama from Nagoya. This train departs from Nagoya almost every one hour. Please see the post, below to find more information about the limited express Wide Veiw Hida:
And you can get more information about Nagoya station in the link below:
Access from Osaka by the limited express Wide View Hida
There is only one round trip to Takayama from Osaka directly. Please find the timetable 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
If you can catch this train, it is convenient. But it is only one round trip a day. Most of travelers take the Shinkansen to Nagoya and transfer to the limited express Wide View Hida.
Access from Toyama by the limited express Wide View Hida
If you travel in Hokuriku region, you may get on the limited express Wide View Hida from Toyama. Travel time is 1.5 hours. However there are only 4 round trips a day. There are local trains too. But there is no local trains that connects Toyama and Takayama directly, And also it is very slow. Please check the timetable 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
Access from Kanazawa or Toyama via Shirakawago by Nohi bus
This route is not a train trip and is not covered by JR Pass. But Takayama Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass covers this bus service. This is very popular route because Shirakawago is located on the way. If you have a plan to go to Shirakawago, you may consider about visiting Shirakawago and Kanazawa. Please see the link below to find the timetable and the fare of Nohi bus:
The following posts also may help you to build your trip plan:
How to access to Shirakawago from Takayama, Kanazawa, Takaoka and Toyama.
How to access Kanazawa from Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya, Yokohama, Hiroshima, Hakata and many more places. Which route is the fastest and the cheapest?
Access from Matsumoto by bus
This route is not a train trip and is not covered by JR Pass either. But if you want to access to Takayama from Nagano or Matsumoto, you may use this route. This bus service is also operated by Nohi bus:
This route is not covered by Takayama Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass either.
I traveled from Matsumoto to Takayama via Shin-Hotaka by this bus. Please find my trip report in the movie below. You can find the interior of the bus, the scenery and the bus stops on the way.
Takayama station and Takayama bus terminal
Both the station and the bus terminal are located side by side.
Takayama station is very small. It has only two platforms and three tracks. The station building is very small and it has only one ticket gate.
Please watch the movie below to see whole Takayama station and the bus terminal:
There are many bus services from Nohi Bus Takayama bus terminal. You can catch the bus to Shirakawago, Kanazawa, Matsumoto, Shin-Hotaka at this bus terminal.
I hope this post helped you to build your trip plan to Takayama.
Comments
Hi Takeshi:
Can you please help us see which JR pass and which Shinkansen line is best for our trip on Dec. 30-Jan 1 ? We will be a family of 6. and will be coming from Tokyo:
Dec 30- depart Tokyo for Takayama (via Nagoya)
pm take bus to Shinhotaka Okuhida Onsen-go (is the bus covered by the JR PASS?)
DEC. 31-Bus to Takayama. Late morning depart for Shirakawago. Then proceed to Gokayama. Then Takaoka, Matto, to stay in an onsen. Kanazawa ryokans are all full so we were booked in a small village outside Kanazawa. Is this accessible by bus?
Jan 1 late afternoon Shinkansen to Tokyo from Kanazawa
Hi Maricris,
You can take Tokaido Shinkansen from Tokyo to Nagoya and take Wide View Hida to Takayama. JR Pass does not cover any bus services around Takayama. And you may also take Hokuriku Shinkansen from Kanazawa to Tokyo.
Sorry but I have no idea about the access to your accommodation near Kanazawa. Please ask your accommodation about access.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thank you Takeshi. I gather from your reply that individual tickets are more advisable for us than trying to get a JR Pass?
Just want to say, that your website has been of invaluale help to me and I would imagine to all travelers to Japan.
Hi Maricris,
Actually JR Pass may be cheaper even though it does not cover any bus. Train fare from Tokyo to Takayama via Nagoya and Kanazawa to Tokyo is almost same as JR Pass 7 days pass. You can take a train in Tokyo before/after trip to Kanazawa and Takayama. I think JR Pass gives you better value.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi san,
Good day to you.
My plan trip to Takayama and stay there for one night on 10/12/2015 and the next day going to Shirakawa-go, can i know whether there is snow falling on that period?
Thank you,
Yew
Hi Yew san,
May be. But it’s mother nature. Nobody can find it.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
I am traveling with my friends from Tokyo and want to see Takayama, Shirakawago and Kanazawa. We allotted 4 days for the these cities and I couldn’t really figure out which city to go first and stay in order to take advantage of our JRpass and not to move from lodging to lodging every night. We will leave the area to Kyoto afterward. Please help and thank you very much.
Hi Ida,
You may take Shinkansen to get Nagoya and transfer to limited express Wide View Hida to Takayama. You may stay there for two nights. And then take Nohi bus (JR pass does not cover) to get Shirakawago from Takayama. After visiting Shirakawgo, take Nohi bus again to get Kanazawa. You may stay one night and next going to Kyoto.
If you don’t like to visit Shirakawago with luggage, you can make a day trip from Takayama. When you move to Kanazawa, you can take train to Kanazawa via Toyama. There are luggage storage in Shirakawago but this is one of you choices.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi
I would like to get your guidance on whether I should obtain the JR East pass and the Hokuriku area pass for my travel itinerary below or just purchase single fares along the way.
My total stay in Japan is 16 days consisting of the following travels:
Day 1 : Narita to Tokyo
Day 4: Tokyo to Takayama
Day 7: Takayama to Nozawa Onsen
Day 13: Nozawa Onsen to Tokyo
Day 16: Tokyo to Narita
I have looked into the various train options I can take and it seems I can travel to Takayama via Nagoya or Nagano, however the Nozomi train is not covered in the pass, I believe? As I will be travelling to Nozawa Onsen after Takayama, am I better off taking the Hokuriku Shinkansen route option? I understand this is only valid for 5 days so I am not sure how to go about maximizing my pass for my entire trip, as I am staying in Nozawa Onsen for 6 nights before heading back to Tokyo.
Your advice and guidance on which option I should take is very much appreciated!
Kind regards, Ching
Hi Ching,
The best choice for your trip is JR East Pass. You can get Takayama from Matsumoto by Nohi bus at half price. When you go to Nozawa Onsen, take same bus to Matsumoto and take a train to Nagano. And then take Hokuriku Shinkansen.
And also you don’t need to use this pass 5 consecutive days. You can use any 5 days in 14 days. But you have to get other deals or single fare for day 1 or 16. One of these days will be out of 14 days. There are lots of deals from Narita to Tokyo. So I recommend you to use other deal for arrival day and use JR East pass for the last 14 days.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/jr-east-pass-flex-5-days-unlimited-travel-within-14-days-in-eastern-japan.html
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/narita/the-list-of-deals-for-access-to-downtown-tokyo-from-narita-airport.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi,
We are planning to go to Takayama on December 20.
To get to Takayama should reach Nagoya first.
To get to Nagoya, would it be faster from Shin Osaka or from Tokyo ?
Hi Johan,
Shin-Osaka is closer to Nagoya than Tokyo. You may find it at Shinkansen timetable.
http://english.jr-central.co.jp/info/timetable/_pdf/eastbound.pdf
http://english.jr-central.co.jp/info/timetable/_pdf/westbound.pdf
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi,
I am planning to go to the following places in Japan for 12 days and I hope you could give comments on the rail passes:
Chibu airport to Nagoya
Nagoya to Takayama (1 day) – shoryudo highway bus ticket
Takayama to shirakawago -> Takayama (1 day) – shoryudo highway bus ticket
Takayama to Nagoya (1day) – shoryudo highway bus ticket
Nagoya to Kyoto (4 days) – 5 days Kintetsu pass or kodama per trip ticket
Kyoto to Nara – 5 days Kintetsu Pass
Nara to Osaka (1 day) – 5 days Kintetsu Pass
Osaka to Hiroshima- JR Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass (1 day)
Hiroshima to Kobe to Osaka – JR Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass
4days) –
Osaka to Kansai airport – JR Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass or Nankai rapid per trip
Are the above suggestions of rail passes viable or are there better options to cut down our traveling time between Nagoya and Kyoto and from Kyoto to Osaka or Osaka to Kansai airport?
Thank you
Hi May,
You are very organized and have done a great planning!
I think you have picked up the best and most affordable choice. I cannot find any other better options.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi,
Thank you for your feedback! I have enjoyed reading your website and my planning includes the valuable information you have provided in the website.
Regards.
No problem, May.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi,
I would like to know how can i get to Shirakawa-go from Takayama.
My plan is as follow:-
Morning i will leave from Kanazawa to Takayama to check in and deposit my luggage. And from there, i will do walk around takayama and shirakawa-go. At night, i will go back to the hostel to rest for a night before i hit tokyo the next day.
I check the bus and it is quite expensive (is it the cheapest way?) and i cannot use JR pass.
Hi Rachel,
I think you saw Nohi Bus timetable and fares.
http://www.nouhibus.co.jp/english/shirakawago_kanazawa.html
This is only public transportation to get Shirakawago. Unfortunately this bus is not covered by JR Pass.
If you use JR pass, you may take trains from Kanazawa to Takayama via Toyama. These train trips are covered by JR pass.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-San,
I would like to have your guidance for our coming trip to the following places:
To arrive Japan on Wed, 25 Nov
Tokyo
Mount Fuji (plus Gotemba)
Takayama and
Shirakawa-go
How should we plan for our itinerary?
Should we start directly from:
Nagoya (Chubu airport) or
Tokyo (Narita airport)
to reach Takayama for 1 night rest.
Or would it better we stay 1 night in Tokyo first and then , start next day to Takayama.
These are our intentions to cover the places :
Tokyo :
Disney SEA
Tokyo Sea Life Park
Mount Fuji
Gotemba factory outlet
Takayama main town
Shiragawa-Go
Can these plan work :
Plan A:
Narita to Tokyo: 1 night (arrival early morning 0800)
Tokyo out to Takayama : 1 night
(Via either Hokuriku Shinkansen or
Tokaido Shinkansen )
Takayama to Gotemba : 1 night
(Please advise the best route to go about)
Gotemba to Tokyo: 3 nights
Or any other better plan B itinerary that I should follow.
I would love to hear from you soon…
Many thanks in advance,
Li
Singapore
Hi Lily,
Your plan is okay. You can use 7 days JR pass to cover your trip.
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
Tokaido Shinkansen route to Takayama is more convenient because trains run much more frequent. But you need to take this route on the way back via Fuji. So if you want something different, you can take Hokuriku Shinkansen route on the way.
Mishima is the nearest station to get Gotemba. Please see the link below:
https://jprail.com/destinations/chubu-area/fuji-hakone-access-guide-by-train-and-bus-from-both-tokyo-and-osaka-kyoto-nagoya.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san,
We have an upcoming trip to Nagoya in December. We are arriving noon time on the 20th and planning to go to Takayama the next day. Can we still get reserved seats Hida Limited Express Train tickets when we buy on the afternoon of the 20th for a morning travel on the 21st? Thank you.
Hi Riley san,
I think you will make it. But if you really want to see the availability, you can find it 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
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thank you Takeshi san!
No problem, Riley san.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi,
I would like to check out the following should I buy single fare or getting JR pass
Osaka- 2 days
Hiroshima- 3 days
Mt Fuji- 1 day
Tokyo- 3 days
Hi Nicole,
You can use JR Pass 7 days. Your plan is very similar to my sample. Please see the following link:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/sample-itinerary-tokyo-to-osaka-in-just-7-days-by-japan-rail-pass-7-days.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com