[Access] How to go to Shirakawa-go by bus?

How to go to Shirakawa-go by bus

In this article, I am going to introduce how to take buses from the central (Chubu) cities to Shirakawa-go, and except introducing the locations of bus stations in each city, I will also give you some tips of taking bus in Japan.

As the previous article mentioned, there are four different bus routes to go to Shirakawa-go running by different bus company. Please see the map below.

The Bus routes information

Route A: Kanazawa←→Shirakawa-go←→Takayama Time tableＡ，part of the buses need a reservation in advance. The most frequent route, running by Nohi bus and Hokutetsu bus company. Route B: Toyama←→Shirakawa-go←→Takayama Time table A，need reservations Running by Nohi bus and Toyama Chihou railway, 4 buses a day. Route C: Nagoya←→Shirakawa-go Time table B, need reservations Running by Gifu bus, it’s a direct bus departure from Nagoya, 4 buses a day. Route D: Takaoka←→Gokayama←→Shirakawa-go Time table D, non-reserved bus The world heritage bus running by Kaetsuno bus, departure from JR Takaoka and New Takaoka to Gokayama and Shirakaza-go. 5 buses for weekday, 9 buses for weekend.

*The time able C that didn’t mention is the route between Shirakawa-go and Hirase Onsen, 1 bus a day to go to Hirase Onsen (departure at 17:35), 2 buses to go to Shirakawa-go (8:30 and 9:30), need to make a reservation in advance.

Transportation time and fees

Time tables

I have made the simplify time tables of five different bus routes, please click the links below.

1. Kanazawa←→Shirakawa-go
2. Takayama←→Shirakawa-go
3. Toyama←→Shirakawa-go
4. Nagoya←→Shirakawa-go
5. Takaoka←→Shirakawa-go

Departure from Kanazawa to Shirakawa-go (reservation required)

(Route A: Kanazawa←→Shirakawa-go←→Takayama)

• Takes about 75-85 minutes
• Single ticket is 1,850 yen, return ticket is 3,290 yen
• You may purchase tickets at Hokutetsu ticket office and take the bus at bus stop No.2 which just in the front of east exit of JR Kanazawa station.

*Maps resource: Takayama Hokuriku pass

Time table

Departure from Takayama to Shirakawa-go 

(Route A and Route B, part of buses are reservation required)

• Takes about 50-57 minutes
• Single ticket is 2,470 yen, return ticket is 4,420 yen
• You may purchase tickets and reserve seats at Takayama bus terminal

*Maps resource: Takayama Hokuriku pass

Time table

＊The bus highlighted by blue need to reserve seats in advance, and the one highlighted by orange do not running during weekend.

Departure from Toyama to Shirakawa-go (reservation required)

(Route B: Toyama←→Shirakawa-go←→Takayama)

• Takes about 80 minutes
• Single ticket is 1,700 yen, return ticket is 3,080 yen
• Come out from the South exit of JR Toyama station and you can purchase tickets at Toyama Chihou railway ticket office. Please take the bus at bus stop No.2.

Time table

Departure from Nagoya to Shirakawa-go (reservation required)

(Route C: Nagoya←→Shirakawa-go)

• Takes about 3 hours
• Single ticket is 3.900 yen, return ticket is 7,000 yen
• Access:

Time table

The world heritage bus departure from Takaoka to Shirakawa-go

(Route D:Takaoka←→Gokayama←→Shirakawa-go) Non-reserved bus

• Takes about 115-130 minutes
• Single ticket is 1.800 yen, return ticket is 3,500 yen
• Access:

1. From JR Takaoka station, please come out from the North exit and take the buses at bus stop No.7.

2. From Shin-Takaoka JR station (Shinkensen), please come out from the South exit and take the buses at bus stop No.4.

*Map resource: Hokuriku Takayama pass

Time table

*The bus highlighted by blue color only running during weekend

Hope you enjoy your trip, have fun in Shirakawa-go.