6D5N Takayama-Hokuriku Experience Itinerary & Transport Pass Tips HERE!!
Day 1: Half a Day in Gifu, (8 Things to do in) Takayama
Day 2: (8 Things to do in) Takayama, Shirakawa-go
Day 3: Toyama & Shin-Takaoka, Kanazawa
Day 4: Kanazawa, Awara Onsen
Day 5: Awara Onsen, Tsuruga
Get Your 5 Day JR Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass HERE! It covers all transport in our itinerary and NO SURCHARGE! Use Promo Code: KLOOKKBCG to get exclusive discount!
The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Shirakawa-gō is one of the most picturesque, hence most popular destinations in Japan. In the “World Heritage Area”, gassho style houses built from around 1800 still stand to this day. In this area, even now, the people continue going about their daily lives, surrounded by the unique and beautiful scenery.
The best time to be in Shirakawa-go is in winter. The spectacular view of the snow-capped mountains and traditional houses will leave you in awe for weeks.
Takayama-Hokuriku JR Pass
Getting Here:
From Nagoya:
From Nagoya Station, walk to Meitetsu BC Bus Stop.
Buy bus tickets to Shirakawa-go via Gifu Bus.
Alight at Shirakawago BT Bus Stop.
Travel time: 2 hours and 50 minutes.
Bus fare: ¥3900
From Tokyo:
Take the Shinkansen Hokuriku to Toyama Station.
Travel time: 2 hours, 11 minutes.
Fare + Reserved Seat Fee: ¥12,730
Switch to Nouhi Bus and alight at Shirakawago BT Bus Stop.
Travel time: 1 hour, 25 minutes.
Bus fare: ¥1700
Total travel time: 3.5 hours (excluding the waiting time)
Total fare: ¥14,430
From Osaka/Kyoto:
Take the Ltd. Express Thunderbird to Kanazawa Station.
Travel time: 2 hours, 44 minutes.
Fare: ¥7130
From Kanazawa Station, transfer to a Nohi Bus bound for Shirakawa-go. Get off at Shirakawago BT Bus Stop.
Travel time: 1 hours and 15 minutes.
Bus fare: ¥1850
Total travel time: around 4 hours
Total fare: ¥8980
**covered under Takayama-Hokuriku JR Pass (THJR). More info here.
From Takayama
Take Nohi Bus／HOKURIKU RAIL ROAD／Toyama Chiho Railway
Total travel time: 50 minutes
Total fare: ¥2,470
**covered under Takayama-Hokuriku JR Pass (THJR). More info here.
Nohi Bus timetable
The village organizes special illumination events on selected Sunday and Monday evenings in January and February that attract plenty of tourists (4 days in a year). During the light-up event, many of the village’s gassho-zukuri farmhouses are lit up from 17:30 to 19:30. Bus tours like these are available for bookings.
Things to Do:
Visit a Gassho-style House
Kanda House (神田家) is one of the best preserved farmhouse turned museums. From the upper floor, you have a great view of the village. Admission: 300 yen.
Stay in a Gassho-style House
If you truly want to discover the way of life of the locals here, try staying in a Gassho-style house. List of accommodation here.
Shiroyama Observation Deck
To have a clearer view on Shirakawago’s 112 Gassho-styled houses that remain from historic times; I boarded the shuttle bus that took me to the observation deck (200 yen one way). It is about 15 minutes walk from the main village. It is best to take the bus up and walk down afterwards to enjoy the scenery.At the observation deck, there were two professional photographers who offer free service to take photographs for tourists.
One of them took this nice shot for me. They will also take it from their own camera. If you like their work, remember to support them by buying it for 1000 yen.
Explore the Main Street for Souvenir and Restaurants
The village’s main street consists of many souvenir shops and restaurants. Shirakawa-go’s street food, like rice cakes and beef buns, are also worth the try. You will find a lot of these on the main street. There are many omiyage (お土産; souvenir) shops, too, so you’ll never run out of things to buy, try, and taste.When in Shirakawa-go, remember to try out the gohei mochi (miso rice cake, 200 yen). Grilled till slightly caramelised, the rice cake was so soft and warm at the same time.
Other Pictures:
