The fastest connection between Tokyo and Shirakawa-go is by Hokuriku Shinkansen and bus via Toyama: Take the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo to Toyama (130-170 minutes, around 13,000 yen one way) and transfer to the bus to Shirakawa-go (90 minutes, 2,400 yen one way, see timetable).
Slightly slower is the journey by shinkansen and bus via Kanazawa:
1) How to travel between Tokyo and Kanazawa
2) How to travel between Kanazawa and Shirakawa-go
Take the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo to Shin-Takaoka Station (3 hours, about 14,000 yen one way, covered by the Japan Rail Pass) and transfer to the Kaetsuno Bus for Shirakawa-go (2 hours, 1800 yen one way, not covered by the Japan Rail Pass, see timetable). This approach is recommended to tourists visiting Gokayama, as the bus also stops at Ainokura and Suganuma villages along the way.
Above fees and schedules are subject to change. Be sure to check current yen exchange rates.
Shirakawa-go and Gokayama are two formerly remote regions in the mountains of Gifu Prefecture and Toyama Prefecture respectively. These days, the Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway has brought them to within an hour of the nearby cities of Kanazawa, Toyama and Takayama.
Both regions cover a large area of mountainous terrain with a few small villages here and there. Among the villages, Ogimachi has the largest number of old farmhouses and is most easily accessible by public transportation. Ainokura and Suganuma are the nicest villages in Gokayama, but a little bit more time-consuming to access.
Ogimachi is the region's transportation hub, with bus connections to Takayama, Kanazawa, Nagoya, Takaoka and Toyama. The Shirakawa-go IC on the Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway is located just outside of the village.
The Gokayama region is located in Toyama Prefecture along the bus route that connects Takaoka with Ogimachi. Bus service along this route has much improved in recent decades; nevertheless, a rental car can still provide more flexibility and convenience for getting around, except during winter when driving can be hazardous. From Gokayama IC along the expressway, Suganuma is only two minutes by car, while Ainokura can be reached in about 15 minutes.
Ogimachi, Suganuma and Ainokura are all small enough to be explored on foot. Coin lockers are provided at the Shirakawago bus stop in Ogimachi.
Many tickets and passes are offered to tourists for accessing and exploring Shirakawago, Gokayama and surrounding destinations. Below are some of them:
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