Direct highway buses connect Takayama and Kanazawa via Shirakawa-go every 1-2 hours (see timetable). The one way trip takes a little over two hours and costs 4200 yen. Seat reservations are mandatory. The Japan Rail Pass is not valid on these buses, but the Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass is. Online reservations can be made through Japan Bus Online.
Train service between Takayama and Toyama resumed on May 30, 2026, after having been suspended for several months.
With a favorable connection at Toyama, the one way journey between Takayama and Kanazawa takes just over two hours and costs around 6500 yen by limited express train and shinkansen. It is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass.
Above fees and schedules are subject to change. Be sure to check current yen exchange rates.
Kanazawa's city center is defined by Kanazawa Castle Park. All of the city's main attractions are located within a two kilometer radius of the castle park, making it possible for good walkers to explore most of the city on foot. Buses and taxis are also readily available.
Kanazawa Station is not located centrally, about two kilometers or a ten minute bus ride northwest of the city center. A dense network of buses, operated by the local Hokutetsu train and bus company, connects the station with the city center and all of Kanazawa's main tourist attractions. Regular city buses cost 220 yen per ride in central Kanazawa.
A useful bus for tourists is the Kanazawa Loop Bus, which connects Kanazawa Station with most sights of interests. There is a clockwise (Right Loop) and counter-clockwise (Left Loop) bus, covering slightly different routes They each operate every 15-20 minutes and cost 220 yen per ride. A 1-day bus pass for 800 yen allows for unlimited use of the loop buses as well as most other local buses in central Kanazawa. In addition, the day pass also provides discounted admission to several designated local tourist attractions. It can be purchased as a digital ticket or as a paper ticket at the Hokutetsu ticket offices on both sides of Kanazawa Station.
Furthermore, there are some JR buses, which connect Kanazawa Station with Kenrokuen and the Higashi Chaya District. The buses are covered by the Japan Rail Pass, JR Kansai Hokuriku Area Pass and JR Hokuriku Area Pass, as well as by the above-mentioned 1-day bus pass. There are 1-3 buses per hour, and the ride costs 210 yen without a rail pass.
IC cards, including Suica, Pasmo and Icoca, can be used on the Kanazawa Loop Bus and JR buses, but they cannot be used on other city buses.
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