Route Magome to Takayama

What is the best route from Magome to Takayama on public transport? I'm seeing you can take a local bus from Magome to Nakatsugwa, then to Kashima, then Gero and finally Takayama. But 4 buses is a lot as we travel with 2 children. The second option I have found is bus to Nakatsugwa, then train via Tajimi and Minoota. But this is still a long journey (4 hours by train). Any advice on other routes with approx. costs and time of journey would be helpful. Thanks

The most comfortable (small number of easy transfers) and most expensive is to travel via Nagoya.

All you options are outlined here:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5908.html?aFROM=5900_6075

Thank you for the information on the option of the most comfortable but expensive. What would be the best journey route by bus that you'd recommend? We are travelling with 2 children but they have also spent 12 hours on a bus in China so they are good travellers.
I'm interested to know shortest time by bus.
Thank you, Dirk

Shortest time by bus is the route you first listed. It is also listed on the page that Uji linked for you as "By bus through the mountains".

You could also take the bus down from Magome to Nakatsugawa, a train to Matsumoto, and a bus over the mountains to Takayama.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5908.html?aFROM=5900_6050