|
How to travel between Shirakawa-go and Tokyo
By Nohi Bus via Takayama
Read first on how to travel between Tokyo and Takayama.
Nohi Bus operates 8-9 buses per day between Takayama and Shirakawa-go (see timetable). The one way trip takes 50 minutes and costs 2400 yen. A round trip ticket is available for 4300 yen. The Japan Rail Pass is not valid on these buses.
By Gifu Bus via Nagoya
Read first how to travel between Tokyo and Nagoya.
Between Nagoya (Meitetsu Bus Center near Nagoya Station) and Shirakawa-go there is one bus per day. The bus is operated by Gifu Bus and runs only from April through November. The travel time is roughly three hours, and the fare is 3500 Yen one way. The Japan Rail Pass is not valid on this bus.
Above fees and schedules are subject to change. For the current Yen exchange rate, click here.
Orientation
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 easily accessible by public transportation. Ainokura and Suganuma are the nicest villages in Gokayama, but are more difficult to access.
Ogimachi is the region's transportation hub, with buses from Takayama, Kanazawa, Nagoya and Takaoka stopping there. Shirakawa-go IC on the Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway is located just outside of the village.
The Gokayama region is located along the bus route from Ogimachi to Takaoka in Toyama Prefecture. However, only four round trips per day are operated along this route, making a rental car the recommended means for getting around. From Gokayama IC on the Tokai-Hokuriku 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.
| 
