Written by Alexander Kopp, Sandra Frank, Sophie King
21/08/2025
Rhys Abel, Pexels
Takayama's primary transport hubs are JR Takayama Station and the adjacent Takayama Nohi Bus Center, both conveniently located for access to the city's main attractions.
From Tokyo:
By Train (via Nagoya): Take the JR Tokaido Shinkansen to Nagoya (100-120 minutes), then transfer to the JR Hida Limited Express to Takayama (140 minutes). This journey takes approximately 4.5 hours and costs around 16,000 yen. It is covered by the Japan Rail Pass if using a Hikari train.
By Train (via Toyama): Use the JR Hokuriku Shinkansen to Toyama, then transfer to the JR Hida Limited Express to Takayama (90 minutes). The trip takes about 4-5 hours and costs around 16,000 yen, covered by the Japan Rail Pass.
By Highway Bus: Direct highway buses from Tokyo (Busta Shinjuku) take about 5.5 hours and cost around 8,000 yen.
From Nagoya:
By Train: The JR Hida Limited Express offers a direct route, taking about 2.5 hours with fares ranging from ¥4,600 to ¥6,500.
By Highway Bus: Buses from Nagoya to Takayama take approximately 2 hours and 50 minutes, with costs between ¥2,200 and ¥4,600.
From Kyoto/Osaka:
By Train: Take the Tokaido Shinkansen to Nagoya, then transfer to the JR Hida Limited Express to Takayama. The journey is about 3 hours from Kyoto and 3.5 hours from Osaka, with fares around ¥10,000 from Osaka depending on peak times.
By Highway Bus: Direct highway buses are available and offer a budget-friendly option.
From Kanazawa:
By Highway Bus: Regular services connect Kanazawa Station to Takayama via Shirakawa-go, taking approximately 2 hours and costing around JPY4,000.
Useful Passes:
The Japan Rail Pass covers most train routes to Takayama.
The Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass provides five consecutive days of unlimited travel on JR trains and certain buses, including those to Shirakawa-go, connecting major cities like Nagoya, Osaka, Kanazawa, and Toyama.
The Hokuriku Arch Pass offers seven consecutive days of unlimited JR train travel between Tokyo and Osaka, covering the Hokuriku region.
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