Kanazawa, Takayama, Shirakawa itinerary

Hi all,

We're going to be in Japan this December and are trying to figure out the routing for part of the trip.

We'll be leaving Kyoto on December 26th and needing to end up in Hakuba by December 30th. In between we have 4 nights and would like to spend 2 of them in Takayama and 2 in Kanazawa, with a stop over (or day trip) to Shirakawa.

So the question is whether we go from Kyoto->Kanazawa->Shirakawa (day only) -> Takayama -> Hakuba or Kyoto->Takayama->Shirakawa (day only) ->Kanazawa -> Hakuba

We'll have a JR pass.

Have found various advice online and can't seem to get a definitive answer. Any input appreciated!

Thanks,

Josh

Kanazawa Shirakawago Takayama.

Kyoto to Takayama 192 min
http://www.hyperdia.com/en/cgi/en/search.html?dep_node=KYOTO&arv_node=...

Kyoto to Kanazawa 125 min
http://www.hyperdia.com/en/cgi/en/search.html?dep_node=KYOTO&arv_node=...

Takayama to Hakuba 297 min
http://www.hyperdia.com/en/cgi/en/search.html?dep_node=TAKAYAMA&arv_no...

Kanazawa to Hakuba 184 min
http://www.hyperdia.com/en/cgi/en/search.html?dep_node=KANAZAWA&arv_no...

Kyoto (Kanazawa Takayama) Hakuba 422 min
Kyoto (Takayama Kanazawa) Hakuba 376 min

Bus between Kanazawa and Takayama (via Shirakawago) is not included.
If you start at different time of the day, the result may differ.

I would go Kyoto to Kanazawa then Kanazawa-Shirakawa-Takayama.

I'd do that because we went to Kanazawa from Takayama on about the 28th December a few years back and there were heaps of places shut by about the 29th due to the various holidays and not so much to do, also less choices for restaurants. Also bear in mind it is quite rainy in Kanazawa that time of year, and there is a lot of slush about. Really waterproof boots would be useful, like gum boots.