How to travel between Takayama and Tokyo
By train via Nagoya
Take the JR Tokaido Shinkansen from Tokyo to Nagoya (100-120 minutes, several trains per hour) and transfer to the JR Hida limited express train to Takayama (140 minutes, one train per hour). The entire one way journey takes about 4.5 hours, costs around 14,000 yen and is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass if using a Hikari train between Tokyo and Nagoya (as opposed to Nozomi trains which are not covered by the pass).
By train via Toyama
Take the JR Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo to Toyama and transfer to the JR Hida limited express train to Takayama (90 minutes). There are only two or three good connections per day that take about four hours one way; otherwise, the journey takes around five hours. The one way ride costs around 15,500 yen and is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass.
By train and bus via Matsumoto
This slower but more direct route through the Northern Alps leads via Matsumoto:
1) How to get from Tokyo to Matsumoto
2) How to get from Matsumoto to Takayama
Holders of a JR East Nagano Niigata Area Pass note that they can access Takayama with a discounted round trip bus ticket (4500 yen instead of 5660 yen) from Matsumoto. The discount ticket can be purchased at Narita Airport, Haneda Airport, Tokyo Station or Matsumoto Bus Terminal. The train ride between Tokyo and Matsumoto is fully covered by the JR East Nagano Niigata Area Pass.
By highway bus
There are six daytime highway bus round trips per day between Tokyo (Shinjuku Bus Terminal) and Takayama operated by Keio and Nohi Bus. The one way trip takes 5.5 hours and costs 6,690 yen. A round trip ticket costs only 12,040 yen, but the return trip has to be made within seven days of the outward journey. During the summer holidays only, there is also an overnight bus.
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How to travel between Takayama and Nagoya
By JR limited express train
Hourly JR Hida limited express trains connect Nagoya and Takayama in about 150 minutes. The one way fare is around 6000 yen and fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass.
By JR local trains
By local trains along the JR Takayama Line, the one way journey between Nagoya and Takayama with good connections takes about four hours and requires at least one transfer of trains. The one way fare is 3350 yen.
By highway bus
Hourly highway buses, operated by JR, Meitetsu and Nohi Bus, run directly between Nagoya and Takayama. The one way trip takes a little over 2.5 hours and costs 2980 yen. A round trip ticket costs only 5140 yen, but the return trip has to be made within four days of the outward journey.
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How to travel between Takayama and Shirakawa-go
By regular bus
Takayama and Shirakawa-go are connected with each other by hourly buses (see timetable). The one way trip takes 50 minutes and costs 2470 yen. A round trip ticket is available for 4420 yen. Some but not all buses require seat reservations. The Japan Rail Pass is not valid on these buses.
By tour bus
Guided English bus tours are available from Takayama to Shirakawago and Gokayama. iSite Takayama operates half-day tours from Takayama to Shirakawa-go and back for only 4400 yen, while Nohi Bus operates full-day tours to both Shirakawago and Gokayama for 6690 yen, including lunch. Advance reservations are required.
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How to travel between Takayama and Matsumoto
By highway bus
There are multiple highway bus round trips per day between Matsumoto and Takayama, taking 2.5 hours and costing 3190 yen one way. A round trip ticket costs 5660 yen, and the return trip has to be made within seven days of the outward journey. Note that JR East Nagano Niigata Area Pass holders can purchase a round trip ticket for only 4500 yen at Narita Airport, Haneda Airport, Tokyo Station or Matsumoto Bus Terminal.
By JR trains
Take the JR Shinano limited express from Matsumoto to Nagoya (2 hours, one train per hour) and transfer to the JR Hida limited express to Takayama (140 minutes, one train per hour). The one way fare is about 10,500 yen for non-reserved seats and about 11,500 yen for reserved seats.
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How to travel between Takayama and Okuhida
Nohi Bus operates hourly buses between Takayama and Shin-Hotaka Ropeway, the last stop at the far end of Okuhida. The buses stop at Hirayu Onsen and the other onsen towns along the way. The one way trip between Takayama and Hirayu Onsen takes about one hour and costs 1570 yen, while travelling from Takayama to the Shin-Hotaka Ropeway takes about 90 minutes and costs 2160 yen.
The "Takayama & Shin-Hotaka 2-Day Free Pass" provides unlimited use of Nohi Buses between Takayama, Hirayu Onsen and Shin-Hotaka Onsen on two consecutive calendar days for 4110 yen.
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How to travel between Takayama and Gujo
Nohi Bus, Meitetsu Bus and JR Tokai Bus operate highway buses between Nagoya and Takayama, which stop in Gujo along the way. The one way trip between Gujo and Takayama takes 80 minutes and costs 1650 yen. Note that the bus stop in Gujo, "Gujo-Hachiman Inter", is located along the expressway outside the town center.
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How to travel between Takayama and Kiso Valley
By train via Nagoya
Take the JR Hida limited express from Takayama to Nagoya and transfer to the JR Shinano limited express from Nagoya into the Kiso Valley. For Magome, get off at Nakatsugawa Station (4 hours, about 8500 yen one way). For Tsumago get off at Nagiso Station (4.5 hours, about 8500 yen, not all limited express trains stop at Nagiso). For Narai, get off at Narai Station (5.5 hours, around 10,000 yen, not served by limited express trains, must transfer to local train). The Japan Rail Pass is valid on all these trains.
By train via Mino-Ota and Tajimi
From Takayama, take the JR Takayama Line to Mino-Ota Station, then take the JR Taita Line to Tajimi Station and then the JR Chuo Line into the Kiso Valley. Although more complicated, travel along this route is usually faster than travel via Nagoya. It is also about 2000 yen cheaper. The Japan Rail Pass is valid on all these trains.
By bus through the mountains
From Takayama, take a local train (80 minutes, 970 yen), limited express train (45 minutes, 1620 yen) or bus (85 minutes, 1040 yen) to Gero, transfer to a bus to Kashimo Sogojimusho-mae (加子母総合事務所前, 35 minutes, 1060 yen, one bus every 1-2 hours), and transfer to another bus to Nakatsugawa Station (one hour, 1340 yen, one bus every 1-3 hours).
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How to travel between Takayama and Tokyo
By train via Nagoya
Take the JR Tokaido Shinkansen from Tokyo to Nagoya (100-120 minutes, several trains per hour) and transfer to the JR Hida limited express train to Takayama (140 minutes, one train per hour). The entire one way journey takes about 4.5 hours, costs around 14,000 yen and is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass if using a Hikari train between Tokyo and Nagoya (as opposed to Nozomi trains which are not covered by the pass).
By train via Toyama
Take the JR Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo to Toyama and transfer to the JR Hida limited express train to Takayama (90 minutes). There are only two or three good connections per day that take about four hours one way; otherwise, the journey takes around five hours. The one way ride costs around 15,500 yen and is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass.
By train and bus via Matsumoto
This slower but more direct route through the Northern Alps leads via Matsumoto:
1) How to get from Tokyo to Matsumoto
2) How to get from Matsumoto to Takayama
Holders of a JR East Nagano Niigata Area Pass note that they can access Takayama with a discounted round trip bus ticket (4500 yen instead of 5660 yen) from Matsumoto. The discount ticket can be purchased at Narita Airport, Haneda Airport, Tokyo Station or Matsumoto Bus Terminal. The train ride between Tokyo and Matsumoto is fully covered by the JR East Nagano Niigata Area Pass.
By highway bus
There are six daytime highway bus round trips per day between Tokyo (Shinjuku Bus Terminal) and Takayama operated by Keio and Nohi Bus. The one way trip takes 5.5 hours and costs 6,690 yen. A round trip ticket costs only 12,040 yen, but the return trip has to be made within seven days of the outward journey. During the summer holidays only, there is also an overnight bus.
Above fees and schedules are subject to change. For the current yen exchange rate, click here.
JR Takayama Station and the adjacent Takayama Hida Bus Center are located about a ten minute walk from Takayama's old town on the opposite side of Miyagawa River.
Most of Takayama's attractions are within easy walking distance in the city center, except for the Hida no Sato open air museum and the Matsuri no Mori festival museum, which can be accessed in longer walks or 10-15 minute bus rides from Takayama Station.
