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This local bus line is the best way to access Gokayama by public transportion. It runs between Ogimachi in Shirakawa-go and Takaoka Station. It also stops at Shin-Takaoka Station along the Hokuriku Shinkansen where you can transfer to trains to Tokyo and Kanazawa.

Along the way, the bus stops at various locations in Gokayama, including the villages of Suganuma and Ainokura. Between Ainokura and Takaoka, the bus also stops at JR Johana Station, the terminal station of the JR Johana Line, where budget conscious Japan Rail Pass holders can transfer to a train to Shin-Takaoka.


Takaoka - Gokayama - Shirakawago Valid as of October 1, 2022
Takaoka StationShin-Takaoka StationJohana StationAinokuraSuganumaShirakawago
A7:107:337:488:25
Z8:108:338:489:25
A8:108:259:059:289:4310:20
A9:359:5010:3010:5311:0811:45
Z11:0511:2811:4312:20
A10:4511:0011:4012:0312:1812:55
Z12:4513:0813:2314:00
A13:2013:3514:1514:3814:5315:30
A16:0016:1516:5517:1817:3318:10
ShirakawagoSuganumaAinokuraJohana Station (arr.)Johana Station (dep.)Shin-Takaoka StationTakaoka Station
A7:007:317:458:158:208:559:10
A9:159:4610:0010:30
Z10:1510:4611:0011:30
A11:4512:1612:3013:0013:0513:4013:55
Z12:5013:2113:3514:05
A13:5014:2114:3515:0515:1015:4516:00
A14:4515:1615:3016:0016:0516:4016:55
Z15:3516:0616:2016:50
A16:0016:3116:4517:1517:2017:5518:10
fare
Shirakawago - Takaoka/Shin-Takaoka1800 yen
Shirakawago - Ainokura1300 yen
Shirakawago - Suganuma870 yen
Suganuma - Takaoka/Shin-Takaoka1200 yen
Ainokura - Takaoka/Shin-Takaoka1000 yen

Several discount passes are available for this bus line:

  • Gokayama Free Kippu (2500 yen)
    Round trip between Takaoka Station and Johana Station and free use of buses between Johana Station and Gokayama, but not as far as Shirakawago. Valid for up to two consecutive days.
  • Gokayama-Shirakawago Free Kippu (3500 yen)
    Round trip between Takaoka Station and Johana Station and free use of buses between Johana Station and Shirakawago, including Gokayama. Valid for up to two consecutive days.
  • World Heritage 1-Day Free Kippu (2600 yen)
    Free use of buses between Shirakawago and Ainokura on a single calendar day. It costs the same as a round trip by regular tickets from Shirakawago to Ainokura, but becomes cheaper if you also visit Suganuma along the way.
  • Takaoka-Gokayama/Shirakawago One Way Free Kippu (2000 yen)
    One way trip from Takaoka Station to Shirakawago with stopovers allowed along the way between Johana Station and Shirakawago. Valid for up to two consecutive days. A similar ticket is available for one-way travel in the opposite direction.

Bus stop locations

Shirakawago
In Shirakawago, the buses stop at the Shirakawago Bus Terminal (see map)
Suganuma
"Suganuma" bus stop is located along the main road at the entrance to the village (see map)
Ainokura
"Ainokura-guchi" bus stop is located along the main road, a five minute walk from the village of Ainokura (see map)

Hotels around Shirakawago & Gokayama

Top rated in Shirakawago & Gokayama
Budget:
    • Shiroyamakan
      Luxury
      Featuring free WiFi throughout the property, Shiroyamakan offers accommodation in Shirakawa, 1.4 km from Shirakawago. Free private parking is available on site. The entire property is non-smoking. The nearest airport is Komatsu Airport, 47 km from the property.
      View on Booking.com
      9.8Booking.com
    • Onyado Yuinosho
      Luxury
      Located in Shirakawa in the Gifu region with Shirakawago nearby, Onyado Yuinosho provides accommodation with free private parking, as well as access to a sauna. Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, a 24-hour front desk and a lift, along with free WiFi throughout the property. Guests can use the hot spring bath and the public bath, or enjoy mountain views. The ryokan will provide guests with air-conditioned units offering a desk, a kettle, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. At the ryokan, all units are soundproof. At the ryokan, every unit includes bed linen and towels. An Asian breakfast is available daily at the ryokan. There is a snack bar, bar and lounge. Hida Minzoku Mura Folk Village is 45 km from Onyado Yuinosho, while Takayama Station is 46 km away. The nearest airport is Toyama Airport, 81 km from the accommodation.
      View on Booking.com
      8.8Booking.com
    • TOYOTA Shirakawa-Go Eco-Institute
      Luxury
      Boasting hot-spring baths, a French restaurant and nature tours, the Eco-Institute is just a 10-minute drive from Shirakawa-Go traditional village, a UNESCO world heritage site. It offers spacious rooms with high ceilings and forest views. All rooms at TOYOTA Shirakawa-Go Eco-Institute are air-conditioned, with an LCD TV, free wired internet and an en suite toilet. Some rooms have a private bathroom, and some rooms have Japanese-style futon bedding and a tatami (woven-straw) floor. The property is completely non-smoking. Gassho-zukuri Shuraku traditional houses are a 10-minute drive away. Shirayumi Ski Resort is a 20-minute drive away, and Shirakawa-go Onsen Hot Spring is a 15-minute drive. Free pick-up is available from Shirakawa-go Bus Stop, a 10-minute drive away. Both indoor and open-air hot-spring baths are on site, and guests can relax on the terrace or at the games room. A playground for children is provided. The institute showcases various environmentally-friendly initiatives. A set breakfast is served at the dining area. Dinner featuring locally grown ingredients can be enjoyed at La Riviere Blanc for an additional fee, but a reservation must be made at least 3 days in advance. Please note that the area does not have other dining options.
      View on Booking.com
      8.7Booking.com
    • CURIO Shirakawago
      Luxury
      CURIO Shirakawago is situated in Shirakawa, within 47 km of Takayama Station and a few steps of Shirakawago. The 5-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with a private bathroom and free WiFi. The property is non-smoking and is located 46 km from Hida Minzoku Mura Folk Village. At the hotel each room includes bed linen and towels. Fuji Folk Museum is 48 km from CURIO Shirakawago, while Yoshijima Heritage House is 48 km away. The nearest airport is Toyama Airport, 82 km from the accommodation.
      View on Booking.com
      8.5Booking.com
    • Guesthouse AntHut
      Budget-friendly
      Guest House Ant Hut is located in Shirakawa-go village, a 20-minute walk from the bus terminal Ogimachi at Shirakawa-go World Heritage Village. Free private parking is available on site. Guests can make use of the free shuttle service offered by the property or take a local bus to access the guest house. The Ant Hut has a shared kitchen furnished with essential cooking appliances. The lounge is fitted with a flat-screen TV and DVD player. The guest house features a bathroom, 2 toilets and a hairdryer. Each bed has a private luggage shelf, power outlet, reading light and a fan. Free WiFi access is available throughout the entire property. The property is situated in a quiet location within walking distance to a convenience store and 2 popular local restaurants. Guests can engage in various activities around the region such as skiing and hiking. Property staff are able to recommend things to do around the village. Complimentary seasonal drinks are offered to guests upon arrival and coffee is provided in the mornings.
      View on Booking.com
      8.5Booking.com
    • Shirakawago Guest House Kei
      Budget-friendly
      600 metres from Shirakawago, Shirakawago Guest House Kei is set in Shirakawa and offers rooms with free WiFi. All rooms feature a kitchen and a shared bathroom. The accommodation provides a shared kitchen and luggage storage space for guests. All guest rooms in the guest house are fitted with a coffee machine. The units will provide guests with a microwave. The nearest airport is Komatsu Airport, 46 km from the property.
      View on Booking.com
      8.4Booking.com