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 14,500 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 5760 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 several daytime highway bus round trips per day between Tokyo (Busta Shinjuku) and Takayama operated by Keio and Nohi Bus. The one way trip takes 5.5 hours and costs 6,500 or 7,000 yen depending on the date of travel. During some periods of the year, there is also an overnight bus. Online reservations can be made through Willer.
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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 3410 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 3100 yen. A round trip ticket costs only 5400 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 bus
Takayama and Shirakawa-go are connected with each other by hourly buses (see timetable). The one way trip takes 50 minutes and costs 2600 yen. A round trip ticket is available for 4600 yen. Some but not all buses require seat reservations. The Japan Rail Pass is not valid on these buses. Reservations can be made via Japan Bus Online.
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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 3500 yen one way. A round trip ticket costs 5800 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 around 11,000 yen.
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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 1600 yen, while travelling from Takayama to the Shin-Hotaka Ropeway takes about 90 minutes and costs 2200 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 4190 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 2000 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, 990 yen), limited express train (45 minutes, 1650 yen for a non-reserved seat) or bus (85 minutes, 1060 yen) to Gero, transfer to a bus to Kashimo Sogojimusho-mae (Áqê±O, 35 minutes, 1080 yen, one bus every 1-2 hours), and transfer to another bus to Nakatsugawa Station (one hour, 1370 yen, one bus every 1-3 hours).
From April through November, Nohi operates one bus round trip per day between Takayama, Gero Onsen, Magome and Tsumago. Along the way, the buses stop almost two hours at Magome and/or Tsumago for tourists to view the towns. The one way fare is 3000 yen, while a round trip ticket costs 5000 yen.
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How to travel between Takayama and Fuji Five Lakes
By direct highway bus
Nohi Bus operates direct highway buses between Takayama and the Fuji Five Lake region (Kawaguchiko Station, Fujisan Station and Fujikyu Highland) via Hirayu Onsen in the Okuhida Region. The one way ride between Takayama and Kawaguchiko Station takes around 4.5 hours and costs 5000 yen. Online reservations can be made through Willer.
By train and bus via Kofu and Matsumoto
Take a Fujikyu bus from Kawaguchiko Station to Kofu Station (90 minutes, 1500 yen, one bus every 1-2 hours) and transfer to a limited express train (75 minutes, 3560 yen one way) or a local train (120 minutes, 1980 yen) to Matsumoto. Finally, take a bus from Matsumoto to Takayama (2.5 hours, 3500 yen, one bus every 1-3 hours). The entire journey takes around seven hours.
By train and bus via Nagoya
This route is recommended to Japan Rail Pass holders: take a Fujikyu bus from Kawaguchiko Station to Mishima Station (100 minutes, 2300 yen, one bus per hour, see timetable), and then take the JR Tokaido Shinkansen to Nagoya (100 minutes, multiple connections per hour). From Nagoya take the Hida Wide View to Takayama (160 minutes, 1 departure/1-2 hours). The Japan Rail Pass covers the train section of the trip, but not the bus. Without a rail pass, a one way ticket for the train costs around 12,000 yen.
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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 14,500 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 5760 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 several daytime highway bus round trips per day between Tokyo (Busta Shinjuku) and Takayama operated by Keio and Nohi Bus. The one way trip takes 5.5 hours and costs 6,500 or 7,000 yen depending on the date of travel. During some periods of the year, there is also an overnight bus. Online reservations can be made through Willer.
