How to access to Shirakawago from Takayama, Kanazawa, Takaoka and Toyama.

Chubu Area
Very popular scene of Shirakawago from Tenshukaku view point
Very popular scene of Shirakawago from Tenshukaku view point

Shirakawago is known as UNESCO World heritage site and it is very very popular destination among oversea tourist in these days. You cannot access to this village by any train services. But there are many bus routes available from many cities around Shirakawago, such as Takayama, Kanazawa and some more.

In this post, I would like to share the information about access to Shirakawago, basic information of this village and some deals to cover the trip to Shirakawago.

Access to Shirakawago from Takayama, Kanazawa, Takaoka and Toyama

There are several gate cities to get Shirakawago. Please see the maps below:

Click to view large
Click to view large

Shirakawago bus stop

Shirakawago bus stop is located other side of river from the village. All bus services that come to Shirakawago stop at this bus stop.

Overview of bus stop in Shirakawago. This photo was taken at the foot of the bridge to the village.
Overview of bus stop in Shirakawago. This photo was taken at the foot of the bridge to the village.

There are some shops and restaurants in the heritage houses around bus parking. The buildings in the photo below are same buildings that are in the photo of bus stop above.

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Shirakawago information center is located just beside bus stop.

Shirakawago information center
Shirakawago information center

This building is not in the photo of bus parking above. It is right side of the parking. It is very closed to the parking and you cannot miss it.

Information center window
Information center window

There are some lockers in the information center building. The staff at the window can hold the baggage at same rate of locker in case of full. The rate is varied by the size from 300 to 800 yen. Of course you can get the map of the village and the updated information at this window.

Takayama – Shirakawago – Kanazawa route

Nohi bus has the biggest network in this area.
Nohi bus has the biggest network in this area.

This is a primary route to access to Shirakawago. Nohi Bus (濃飛バス) has many trips between Takayama and Shirakawago. It connects these places in 50 minutes to 1 hour 10 minutes. This bus company has also many trips from Kanazawa too. The trip time between Kanazawa and Shirakawago is 1 hour 25 minutes. Some of the trips run as “Express Service” between Takayama and Kanazawa via Shirakawago. Please see the timetable and the rate at Nohi Bus official site in the link below.

Nohi Bus official site

Luggage space of Nohi bus
Luggage space of Nohi bus
Interior of Nohi bus motorcoach. It does not equip a bathroom.
Interior of Nohi bus motorcoach. It does not equip a bathroom.

Takayama bus terminal

Takayama bus terminal is just step away from Takayama station.

Takayama station (left / white building) and Nohi bus Takayama Bust Terminal (right / Brown and green sign)
Takayama station (left / white building) and Nohi bus Takayama Bust Terminal (right / Brown and green sign)

Kanazawa bus stop

You can take Nohi bus from bus stop #2 in east side of the station.

Nohi Bus ticket center is located at the ground level of this building. It is just in front of bus bay #2 at Kanazawa station east side.
Nohi Bus ticket center is located at the ground level of this building. It is just in front of bus bay #2 at Kanazawa station east side.

If you need the access information of Kanazawa or Takayama, please refer the links below:

Takaoka – Shin-Takaoka – Johana – Ainokura – Suganuma – Shirakawago route

Exterior of Kaetsuno Bus
Exterior of Kaetsuno Bus

This route is operated by Kaetsuno Bus. And this lines is called “Sekai-Isan Bus” that means World Heritage Bus. Because this bus connects all places in this World Heritage site, such as Shirakawago, Ainokura and Suganuma. Ainokura and Suganuma are much smaller than Shirakawago. But many travelers prefer to visit these village because it is much quieter than Shirakawago. In these days, Shirakawago has been very popular. Some of travelers are tired of this busy village. If you want to visit Ainokura or Suganuma, this bus is your choice anyway.

Suganuma village can be seen through the window when  you are on Sekai-Isan bus.
Suganuma village can be seen through the window when you are on Sekai-Isan bus.

You can catch this bus at several points, Takaoka, Shin-Takaoka and Johana. Takaoka and Shin-Takaoka are located between Toyama and Kanazawa.

From Takaoka to Johana, JR Johana line runs on same route as this bus. If you have rail pass, such as JR Pass, you can take Johana line and save your cost. But actually it is only 100 yen difference between Takaoka or Shin-Takaoka departure and Johana departure. If you want to take train, you can change at Johana station.

JR Johana station is very small. Bus stop is just in front of the station.
JR Johana station is very small. Bus stop is just in front of the station.

Kaetsuno Bus website gives you the information in some language but it is the machine translation system.

Kaetsuno Bus Sekai-Isan Bus information

Japan-Guide.com provides the timetable and the fare information in English. Please see the link below to get the detailed information.

Japan Guide Sekai-Isan Bus information (English)

Otherwise you can get on the bus at Takaoka or Shin-Takaoka. Shin-Takaoka is Hokuriku Shinkansen station. Takaoka can be accessed by Ainokaze Toyama Railway or Johana line only. Probably Shin-Takaoka is more convenient for most travelers.

Shin-Takaoka station bus stops
Shin-Takaoka station bus stops

If you take a bus at Takaoka station, bus depart from bus bay #7 at north side of Takaoka station. If you take a bus at Shin-Takaoka station, bus leave from bus bay #4 at south side of the station.

Kaetsuno bus use same type motorcoach as Nohi bus.

Interior of Kaetsuno Bus
Interior of Kaetsuno Bus

It does not equip a washroom.

Takayama – Shirakawago – Toyama route

Nohi bus also operates the bus service on this route. But the number of trips to Toyama is fewer than trip to Kanazawa . Please refer Nohi bus official site and find the timetable.

Nohi Bus official site

The fleet and the interior of motorcoach is same as the bus of Kanazawa – Takayama route. The bus depart from bus bay #1 at Toyama station south side.

Toyama station south side
Toyama station south side

Suggested deals to visit Shirakawago

There are several deals available.

Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass

This deal includes JR train from Kansai airport to Nagoya via Osaka, Kyoto, Fukui, Kanazawa, Toyama, Takayama and Gifu. You can make trains trips as many as you want in 5 days valid period. It also includes Nohi Bus Kanazawa-Takayama line and Kaetsuno Bus Sekai-Isan Bus. Please see the link below to find the detailed information of this deal.

Shoryudo Bus Pass

This bus pass covers Shirakawago, Takayama, Kanazawa, Toyama, Gifu and Nagoya. If you start traveling from Nagoya, this bus pass may suit your trip plan.

Shoryudo Bus Pass official site

Kaetsuno Bus deals

Kaetsuno Bus sells several kinds of the deal, such as one way ticket from Takaoka to Shirakawago, one day unlimited ride. Please refer Kaetsuno Bus official site.

Kaetsuno Bus Sekai-Isan Bus information

Access to Shirakawago village from bus stop

You have to pass “Deaibashi” bridge from the bus parking to the village area.

Deaibashi bridge from the bus parking side
Deaibashi bridge from the bus parking side
Deaibashi from the village side
Deaibashi from the village side

Once you pass the bridge, it is village area. You may walk and enjoy the scenery.

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In Shirakawago, the scenery from the viewpoint is very popular. You can find the photo at the top of this article. This viewpoint is called Tenshukaku viewpoint. If you visit Shirakawago from late spring to autumn season, you can hike up if you want. But in winter season, road is closed. Shuttle bus runs in all season between village area and the viewpoint.

Shuttle bus to viewpoint
Shuttle bus to viewpoint
Trailhead to the viewpoint. The sign says it is closed due to snow.
Trailhead to the viewpoint. The sign says it is closed due to snow.

If you hike up, it takes 20 to 30 minutes. If you ride the bus, the fare is 200 yen one way. Shuttle bus stop in the village is sometimes changed. Please make sure where it is at the information center.

Reservation

The reservation is required to take most of Nohi bus routes. The online booking is available if you use a regular fare ticket. If you use Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass, you have to make a call at 0577-32-1688 to make a reservation. They speak English. If the seat is available, you can take a bus without booking. But Shirakawago is very popular in these days. It is not recommended to take a bus without reservation.

Kaetsuno Bus does not accept any advanced booking. The seat is first come first serve basis. This is another reason why you should take this bus from Takaoka or Shin-Takaoka, not from Johana.

My trip experience

I have visited Shirakawago in February, 2016. I took a bus from Johana to Shirakawago and Shirakawago to Takayama. The bus was almost full when I got on Sekai-Isan Bus at Johana. There were a few empty seats on Nohi Bus from Shirakawago to Takaoka too. Please see the link below to find my trip report. It may give you some idea to plan your trip to Shirakawago.

I hope this post gives you lots of idea to build your trip plan.

Comments

  1. christine says:

    Hi Takeshi San,

    My planning as below, would like to get your advise if i should go with kansai hokuriku area 7days pass?

    Day 1 – Osaka
    Day 2 – Osaka to Kanazawa by limited express thunderbird
    Kanazawa to Shirakawago by nohi bus (overnight in shirakawago)
    Day 3 – Shirakawago back to osaka
    Day 4 – Osaka to kyoto/arashiyama/nara/kobe back to osaka
    Day 5 – Universal Studio
    Day 6 – Osaka
    Day 7 – Back to kansai airport
    1) Taking Thunderbird from Osaka station to kanazawa
    2) Alighting at Kanazawa at 938am
    3) Taking the Bus at 1110am from Kanazawa
    4) Alighting at Shirakawago at 1225pm

    thanks in advance

  2. Adrian says:

    Hi Takeshi San,

    May I know how often do Japanese trains/buses get cancelled due to Shirakawago weather in jan/feb please? Is there any possibility? Appreciate your advice. Thanks.

  3. Zac says:

    Hi, I plan to take a non-reserved bus from Takayama to Shirakawago.
    Is it easy to get seat for these non-reserved bus on 2 Jan 2020?
    Thanks!

  4. Janet Chew says:

    Hi Takeshi san
    We will be travelling to Takayam on 22nd January and will be staying there for 3 nights. We are planning to visit Shirakawago the next day. May I check should we buy the Nohi bus online or should we book from the bus station when we get there.
    May I know which website I should go to make booking for the Nohi bus. Kindly advise. Thank you.

  5. Liew says:

    Hi Takeshi San

    My family has booked a night stay at Ainokura on Sunday 15th December. The four of us are planning to take the Kaetsuno Bus there from Shirakawa-go. Will we be able to take our luggage with us on the Kaetsuno Bus?

    Thanks
    Liew

  6. Dave Kapin says:

    Dear Takeshi San,

    I will be arrive in Kansai airport on Jan 25 2020, time: 12:30pm. I plan to go to Kanazawa for two nights. Could you please guide me what Train should I take start from Kansai airport and what pass should I buy. As during my stay in Kanazawa I would like to visit Shirakawago and Takayama.
    Thank you so much in advance for your kindly assistance.

    Best regards,
    Dave

  7. Kelly says:

    Hi,

    I am planning to go to Shirakawago as a day trip from Osaka. I do not have a JR pass. Do you think I should buy the JR day pass for this day trip or I should just pay the ticket price as it is? Also, do you think that I should book the train and bus ticket in advance first?

    The route I am planning to take is:
    1) Taking Thunderbird from Osaka station at 7am
    2) Alighting at Kanazawa at 938am
    3) Taking the Bus at 1110am from Kanazawa
    4) Alighting at Shirakawago at 1225pm

    Would gladly appreciate if you could help me with my planning. Thank you so much!

  8. Brendan says:

    Hey Takeshi,

    For the Kaetsuno bus, do I just wait at the bus stop and then pay the bus driver directly? Or is there an office at Shin-Takaoka where I buy a ticket first and then board?

    Thank you!

  9. Trang Nguyen says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    We will visit Kanazawa in Summer 2019 and plan to take a day trip from Kanazawa to Takayama and Shirakawago and staying there couple of hours for each destination. We will purchase JR pass for our trip. How best can we do this?
    For example:
    Departs Kanazawa in the morning by taking JR train to Takayama.
    From Takayama after lunch take bus to Shirakawago
    From Shirakawago after 5pm take bus back to Kanazawa

    For the bus option, do we purchase separate bus tickets from Takayama to Shirakawago and another ticket for Shirakawago to Kanazawa?

    Thank you very much. Regards, Trang

  10. Rosdi Said says:

    Hi Takeshi San,

    I wonder how to buy ticket for World Heritage Bus to Shin Takaoka at Shirakawago? Did they have a ticket counter at site? Should I just queue along at the bus stop at Shirakawago to ride this bus? FYI, I had Takayama Hokuriku Area tourist pass & i believe this bus line covered under this pass. I already booked Nohi Bus for 1 way trip from Kanazawa to Shirakawago on 1st Feb but i had trouble to book return ticket using the same bus due to seats fully book. So, i’m thinking to use Kaetsuno Bus to return Kanazawa via Shin takaoka. Appreciate if you can advise on how to secure seat ( 2 seats actually) for Kaetsuno bus from Shirakawago to Shin Takaoka. Thanks

    • Hi Rosdi san,

      Kaetsuno bus is covered by Takayama Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass. The ticket purchasing is not required. Just show your pass to the driver.
      This bus cannot take a reservation. So basically it’s first come first serve. I’ve heard when the bus is full, the extra bus runs. But I don’t think it’s guaranteed. All I can say just go to Shirakawago bus terminal earlier. If I were you, I go at least 30 minutes before. But I don’t know this is enough or not.

      In worst case, take a bus to Takayama. The last train departs from Takayama to Toyama at 20:55. If you take this train, you still can catch the last Shinkansen to Kanazawa. You can get Kanazawa in very very late night but you still can get there.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

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