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

Chubu Area
2010.07.31
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.

2016 winter Japan trip 671

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:

How to access to Kanazawa and Toyama from Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya and Niigata.
Kanazawa is very popular destination in Hokuriku region. Toyama is also well known as the gateway to Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route and Kurobe gorge. In this post, I will show you the access to these cities from Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Nagoya and Niigata.
jprail.com
2011.10.27
How to get to Takayama by a train and a bus
Takayama is very attractive small town. It is very closed to another popular spot, Shirakawago. In this post, I show you how to get Takayama by train and bus.
jprail.com
2020.05.17

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.

Takayama Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass user guide. Perfect deal to travel Takayama, Kanazawa, Toyama, Shirakawago from Nagoya or Osaka
Takayama Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass is very popular and convenient to travel Kanazawa, Takayama and Shirakawago. This post explains you how to use this pass.
jprail.com
2015.05.31

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.

Trip to Tohoku, Chubu and Chugoku in 2016 winter – Part 6, Takaoka to Shirakawago via Himi line, Johana line and Shirakawago
This post is continued from Trip to Tohoku, Chubu and Chugoku in 2016 winter – Part 5, Matsumoto to Takaoka via Toya...
jprail.com
2016.06.04

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

Comments

  1. joe says:
    June 8, 2016 at 9:56 am

    hi Takeshi,
    I still try to work out the HyperDia wed. I search the route from Haneda to shin-osaka, it seems that dosen’t covered by the JR Pass, then I put Tokyo insteaded of shin- Osaka, it came out neither of the routes is fully covered by the pass. Is that right?
    cheese

  2. Joe says:
    June 8, 2016 at 9:27 am

    Hi Takeshi,
    A bit confuse about the sanyo train and the sakura train. Are they covered by the national JR Pass?

  3. Joe Pan says:
    June 6, 2016 at 1:04 am

    Hi Takeshi,
    Good to see the option from Takaoka to Shirakawa via Johana. If I have the JR 21 Day Pass, how to make the most from it to travel for a week in this region?
    I ‘ll coming from Kyoto-Nagoya(will take Shinanon train to Tsumago via Nagiso and back first, does it covered by the Pass?)
    The week stars with Nagayo and places I love to stay are Takayama, Kanazawa, Shirakawa. If I take the cheapest option to Shirakawa, how do I get to Takaoka from Takayama?
    Thank a lot for your help.

  4. Alice says:
    February 29, 2016 at 6:36 am

    Hi Takeshi -san,

    I have booked a return air ticket to Nagoya, I would like to visit Nagoya, Kyoto and takayama.
    Please advice where should I go first and which type of travelling will be the best for me.

    Tks a lot.
    Alice

  5. Kelly says:
    January 31, 2016 at 10:50 pm

    Hi Takashi San
    I’m planning a trip to shirakawa-go. I will be reaching Kansai airport on 30th april morning.
    Wanna direct go to takayama stay for 2 night. I shall go to shirakawago on 1st may and back to takayama again OR I shall stay 2night then with my luggage go to shirakawago (is there any locker to keep my luggage at shirakawago bus station).
    I was think that from shirakawago going to Kanazawa for 1 night stay . Leaving Kanazawa and heading to Osaka.
    May I know what pass shall I get for my trip ? Thanks very much

  6. Katie Ellett says:
    January 16, 2016 at 12:52 am

    Hi Takeshi

    I will be staying in Takayama 13,14,15 April for the Spring Festival. I understand it is a busy time- will I have to make a reservation on the train from Kyoto on the 13th? And then from Takayama back to Omiya on 16th?
    Thanks

  7. Shelly Wong says:
    December 31, 2015 at 6:47 pm

    Hi Takeshi,

    My sister and I will be travelling to Japan in late March/early April 2016.
    We are currently planning on visiting Shirakawa-go from Kanazawa and we then making our way to Matsumato from Shirakawa-go.

    Is there any day tours that we can join in Shirakawa-go to visit Ogimachi village and Gokayama? Or any recommendations/advice would be great on how to access these two places in Shirakawa-go.

    Thanks,
    Shelly

  8. Ching says:
    December 14, 2015 at 7:24 am

    Hi Takeshi,

    I will be staying in Nagano for 5 days and plan to spend a one day trip to Toyama (to taste the famous sushi) and hopefully can make it to visit the World Heritage Gassho Village in Shirakawago too. Is this possible?

    Among the three Gasso Villages in Ainokuraguchi, Suganuma and Shirakawago, which is the most popular to visit?

    I will travel with JR Pass and can you suggest how should I plan it? When is the earliest train to catch from Nagano?
    Thanks.

  9. Rasaya says:
    December 12, 2015 at 6:50 am

    Hi Takeshi,

    I have a group of 7 people going to Shirakawa-go on Feb 2016 and going to stay there for 1 night. So I’m thinking about the best way to go there from Kanazawa station without any trouble. I have 3 choices in mind there are nohi bus, car rental and taxi service. I compared nohi bus and car rental and found car rental is cheaper and more convenient but I have no idea about taxi fare. Could you please give suggestion?
    Furthermore no one in my group ever driving on snow, would it be dangerous?
    Thanks

  10. Carolyn Lee says:
    November 20, 2015 at 12:52 pm

    Hi Takeshi -san,

    Otsuki to Kawaguchiko

    I understood the train from Kawaguchiko is a private train and not cover by JR pass.

    Could you pls let me know how can I book it in advance? And where can I buy it?

    Thanks
    Carolyn

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