Tokyo- Kamiikachi..Shirakawa go

Hi we are visiting Japan in mid-Oct and have a very specific query. Starting from Tokyo, we would like to cover both Kamikachi and Shirakawa go but due to tight time budget, we have only two days ( and have to move on to Kyoto - Osaka-Hiroshima after that..) Is it possible to cover both. e.g can we reach Kanajawa around 10.30 fm Tokyo, take half day tour to Shirakawa-go. stay in Kanajaea and then make a day trip to Kamikachi? Or can we choose another base instead of Kanajawa?

If not, we have to probably move to Nagono / nearby places ( kindly suggest) and make a trip to Kamikachi.

Many thanks for any suggestion..

The next bus from Kanazawa to Shirakawago leaves at 11:10.
http://www.hokutetsu.co.jp/en/en_highway-takayama
http://www.hokutetsu.co.jp/highway-bus/takayama0701
The last bus from Shirakawa-go departs at 17:30.
Reservations are required for the bus.

If you go to Kamikochi the next day, I think it would be better to stay at Takayama or Hirayu Onsen and go the next day.
Bus from Shirakawa-go to Takayama
https://www.nouhibus.co.jp/route_bus/takayama-shirakawago-line-en/
Bus from Takayama to Hirayu Onsen and bus from Hirayu Onsen to Kamikochi
https://www.nouhibus.co.jp/route_bus/kamikochi-line-en/
I will go to Matsumoto on the way back.
Bus from Kamikochi to Matsumoto
https://www.alpico.co.jp/en/timetable/kamikochi/r-matsumoto-kamikochi/
Although not frequent, there are buses from Kamikochi to Nagano, as well as buses to Shinjuku, Tokyo Station, and Shibuya.
https://www.alpico.co.jp/en/timetable/kamikochi/r-nagano-kamikochi/
https://www.alpico.co.jp/en/timetable/kamikochi/r-shinjuku-kamikochi/
https://www.alpico.co.jp/en/timetable/kamikochi/r-tokyo-kamikochi/
https://www.alpico.co.jp/en/timetable/kamikochi/r-shibuya-kamikochi/
In this case, you cannot go sightseeing in Kanazawa because you will not return to Kanazawa.
If you want to explore Kanazawa, return to Kanazawa from Shirakawa-go and take the Shinkansen to Nagano the next day.
There is one bus from Nagano to Kamikochi, so please take it.
https://www.alpico.co.jp/en/timetable/kamikochi/r-nagano-kamikochi/
Alternatively, travel from Nagano to Matsumoto by train and take a bus.
There are many buses from Matsumoto.
https://www.alpico.co.jp/en/timetable/kamikochi/r-matsumoto-kamikochi/

If you want to visit Kamikochi and stay in Kanazawa on day 2 you must go back to Kanazawa from Kamikochi, which will take 4.5-5 hrs. Hirayu or Takayama on day 1 will save you about 2 hrs (time required to go from Kanazawa to Takayama). In any case this itinerary will include substantial backtracking.

How about go to Matsumoto (from Tokyo or Shinjuku) and then to Kamikochi and stay 1 night there? Kamikochi is very special place in Japan and you will enjoy staying there and see the quiet atomosphere. On day two, go to Takayama and then Shirakawago and then Kanazawa.

Dear all
Many thanks to all.
As I understand, there are two options from Tokyo to complete both Sirakawa go and Kamikachi in two days.

1. Go by train to Nagano or other cities. Make a day trip to Kamikach. Come back and spend night in base city. Next day go to Kanajawa. Make half day trip to Sirakawa go.


2. Same as above but in reverse order i.e spend first night in Kanajawa and second night in Nagano / other city

One issue in both options is that being 60+ ( but generally fit) . we would prefer coach trip to Kamikachi but it seems all the coach trips ( viator / getmyguide etc) are 12 hours to Kamikachi and back. Probably, they will leave before 9 a.m but bullet train from Tokyo / Kanajawa will reach around 8.30 only so it will be too tight

Even if we travel by train and bus from Nagano after reaching and check in there, shall we have sufficient time to reach Kamikachi and come back.?

Another point.. shall we get some local transport/ tour after reaching Kamikochi or we have to walk? ( 1- 1.5 hrs with rest is ok)

Thanks again

There is no public transportation in Kamikochi.
It's all walking.
You can go to the bus terminal by bus.
If you have that time and physical strength, we recommend getting off the bus at Taishoike bus stop, walking to Kappabashi, and returning to the bus terminal from there.
However, 1 to 1 hour and 30 minutes is a very short stay!
If you stay at least half a day, you can enjoy Kamikochi.
I went three times in my 20s to 30s, but my mother in her 60s is physically fine, so it shouldn't be a problem.
The route from Kappabashi to Myojinike is not flat, so a little more physical strength is required. But that age is fine as long as you don't have health problems.
Unless it's the day after you arrive in Japan.
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6040.html
https://www.kamikochi.or.jp/enjoy/walking/
If you're short on time, you can also focus on either Kamikochi or Shirakawa-go.

You will go from Tokyo to Kanazawa and want to visit Kamikochi and Shirakawa-go, right?

You should first understand the geometrical (or, more importantly traffic) relationship among them.

Tokyo-2.5h-Matsumoto-2h-Kamikochi-2h-Takayama-1h-Shirakawago-1.5h-Kanazawa.

Do you want take bus tours to Kamikochi and Shirakawago? I would recommend to take public transportation (train and bus) since your destinations are quite popular and prepared for (foreign) tourists. You should do some "homework" but travel by yourself is not so difficult. If you travel by your own, you should make many (I guess 7 times) transfer, so I recommend you to send your luggage from your hotel in Tokyo to your hotel in Kanazawa. The hotel clerk will assist you sending luggage happily.

One model plan is as follows.

Shinjuku 7:00 (Express train) 9:38 Matsumoto

https://world.jorudan.co.jp/mln/en/?p=0&xpd=1&from=Shinjuku&to=Matsumo...

Matsumoto 10:10 (train and bus) 11:55 Kamikochi

https://www.alpico.co.jp/en/timetable/kamikochi/r-matsumoto-kamikochi/

Next day

Kamikochi 9:00 (transfer at Hirayu Onsen) 10:28 Takayama bus center

https://www.nouhibus.co.jp/route_bus/kamikochi-line-en/#timetable

Takayama bus center 10:50 11:40 Shirakawa-go
Shirakawa-go 15:10 16:35 Kanazawa station

https://www.nouhibus.co.jp/highwaybus/kanazawa_en/

For the hotel in Kamikochi, I would recommend Nishi-Itoya Mountain Lodge which is 10 mi walk from Kamikochi bus center.

http://www.nishiitoya.com/en/

I am also considering a similar itinerary, except I will have a little more time.

Regarding luggage--you were given the right advice. Don't bring big luggage or any suitcase with you to Kamikochi and Shirakawago. Have it delivered from Tokyo to Kanazawa.

Just take your day packs.

Thanks to all. Now the options are very clear
I think we shall travel by bus to kamikochi, spend a night there and come back to Kanajawa via Shirkawa go.

Official guide for train and bus from Matsumoto to Kamikochi.

https://www.alpico.co.jp/en/travelog/post/getting-to-kamikochi-from-ma...

Buy train/bus ticket at Matsumoto station (outside of the ticket gate). As far as I know you cant use IC card (maybe cash only). This is just a "commuter" type train/bus so you dont need to (and cant) reserve the seat.

Map of Kamikochi

https://www.alpico.co.jp/en/assets/2019ph3/pdf/guide/kamikochi_guide_m...

You may better get off the bus at Taisho Pond bus stop, as suggested by haro1210. It will take 1 hour (4 km) by foot to Kappabashi, near the Kamikochi bus terminal. You can go further to Myojin pond, which by itself is not so interensting in my opinion. What Kamikochi makes it special is clear water. You can see clear water everywhere. Of course mountain scenery is very nice. So you may better walk slowly and see many creeks.

If you stay Nishiitoya, they will provide vegetarian menu upon request (must contact by e-mail beforehand).

Next morning, buy bus ticket to Takayama at the ticket booth at the Kamikochi bus terminal (no reservation). I think you can buy it beferehand, but I am not sure.

At Takayama bus terminal, buy ticket to Shirakawago. From Takayama to Shirakawago to Kanazawa, some buses require reservation (some do not). You can reserve from here.

https://japanbusonline.com/en/CourseSearch/11900040002

Note that reservation starts one month before.

Official guide for train and bus from Matsumoto to Kamikochi.

https://www.alpico.co.jp/en/travelog/post/getting-to-kamikochi-from-ma...

Buy train/bus ticket at Matsumoto station (outside of the ticket gate). As far as I know you cant use IC card (maybe cash only). This is just a "commuter" type train/bus so you dont need to (and cant) reserve the seat.

Map of Kamikochi

https://www.alpico.co.jp/en/assets/2019ph3/pdf/guide/kamikochi_guide_m...

You may better get off the bus at Taisho Pond bus stop, as suggested by haro1210. It will take 1 hour (4 km) by foot to Kappabashi, near the Kamikochi bus terminal. You can go further to Myojin pond, which by itself is not so interensting in my opinion. What Kamikochi makes it special is clear water. You can see clear water everywhere. Of course mountain scenery is very nice. So you may better walk slowly and see many creeks.

If you stay Nishiitoya, they will provide vegetarian menu upon request (must contact by e-mail beforehand).

Next morning, buy bus ticket to Takayama at the ticket booth at the Kamikochi bus terminal (no reservation). I think you can buy it beferehand, but I am not sure.

At Takayama bus terminal, buy ticket to Shirakawago. From Takayama to Shirakawago to Kanazawa, some buses require reservation (some do not). You can reserve from here.

https://japanbusonline.com/en/CourseSearch/11900040002

Note that reservation starts one month before.

When heading to Matsumoto by train from Tokyo, it is faster to head from Shinjuku to the limited express Azusa because you don't have to change trains at Nagano. (Because it depends on the departure time, please check the route search in advance)
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2323.html
You can check the schedule for the day here.
https://traininfo.jreast.co.jp/train_info/chyokyori.aspx
https://traininfo.jreast.co.jp/train_info/shinkansen.aspx
By the way, I have stayed at Kamikochi Onsen Hotel and Lemeiesta Hotel.
I think these are the only two hotels in Kamikochi that have natural hot springs.
I like the Lemeiesta Hotel.
https://www.lemeiesta.com/
I think Myojin Pond is also mysterious and good, but the course from Tashiro Pond to Kappa Bridge is more open and recommended for first-time visitors.

Thanks again. As I said in the last post. I have decided to go to Kamikochi from Tokyo via Mstsumoto., spend a night there and come back to Kanajawa next day.
As I get into details, couple of small doubts

1 While going ttrain reaches Matsumoto at 9.40 and bus to Kamikochi at 10.10. How far is the bus station from.train station? Walkable.?
2 While coming back from Komikachi to Kanajawa via Shirkawa go. there are too ma ny bus changes ( 4 I think) . Will it be easy to handle especially as we do not speak Japanees.

3 Shirkawa go can be seen on our own or we need guide? Also, where and how do we get bus to Kanajawa?

Thanks for any response. All of you have been very helpful

As I get into details, couple of small doubts

Fine!

1 While going ttrain reaches Matsumoto at 9.40 and bus to Kamikochi at 10.10. How far is the bus station from.train station? Walkable.?

Actually you will take train (not bus) from Matsumoto to Shin-shimashima where you will take bus to Kamikochi. The train is not JR but a private railway Matsumoto Dentetsu. Matsumoto station of Matsumoto Dentetsu is adjascent to the JR Matsumoto station (of course it is walkable).

This is the station map of Matsumoto prrovided by JR East.

https://www.jreast.co.jp/e/stations/e1444.html

Azusa limited express will arrive in the 1F platform 3 or 4 (I am not sure). There are an elevator and escalater which will take you to the 3rd floor. You must get out from the ticket gate. The (combined) ticket to Kamikochi is sold at the ticket vending machine on the 3rd floor.

To buy and get on the train, please read the explanation by Matsumoto Dentetsu.

https://www.alpico.co.jp/en/travelog/post/getting-to-kamikochi-from-ma...
Read "How to buy and reserve a ticket (from Matsumoto to Kamikochi)" section. Skip "By direct bus (National Park Liner)" section since you will travel "By train and bus". The vending machine has touch panel so first choose "English menu" and tap the green tub of "Alpico Discount Ticket" and then "Kamikochi". This is the combination ticket for Matsumoto-(train)-Shin Shimashima-(bus)-Kamikochi.

With the ticket in hand, enter the ticket gate (I'm sorrry I dont know whether you must go throu the manned ticket gate) and walk to the 7th platform on the 1st floor. Most of the tourist will take the bus at Shin-Shimashima (just outside of the train station) so you don't need to worry about the transfer.

2 While coming back from Komikachi to Kanajawa via Shirkawa go. there are too ma ny bus changes ( 4 I think) . Will it be easy to handle especially as we do not speak Japanees.

Yes, it is easy. Many foreign tourists are comming to Japan and many of them do not speak or understand Japanese. Though many Japanese do not understand or speak English fluently, we are happy to assist foreign tourists. If you say Hirayu at Kamikochi bus terminal, the Japanese will understand you want to go to Hirayu, since Hirayu in Japanese is also Hirayu. Anyway, Kamikochi, Hirayu, Takayama are rather big bus terminal and many tourists are waiting their bus. You can find English speaking tourists quite easily.

3 Shirkawa go can be seen on our own or we need guide? Also, where and how do we get bus to Kanajawa?

Oh, it's Kanazawa, not Kanajawa. By the way, Shirakawa go is a small village along the river and you can enjoy on your own.

https://shirakawa-go.gr.jp/wp/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/332fc38451fc1...

I visited some Gassho-dukuri houses such as Wada house, Kanda house, and the observatory (by bus) and the Heritage Museum which has many Gassho Dukuri houses.

https://shirakawa-go.gr.jp/en/faq/5/

Shirakawago bus terminal is rather small, but at least it has a roof.

https://www.vill.shirakawa.lg.jp/1469.htm

Bus from Shirakawago (Ogimachi) to Kanazawa requires reservation.

https://www.nouhibus.co.jp/highwaybus/kanazawa_en/

https://japanbusonline.com/en/CourseSearch/11900040002

Frog1954 / others
You have really taken pains to answer my query in details, thanks a lot.

I am now thinking not to attempt both Kamikochi and Shirkawa go in two days which will be bit hectic. Can skip Shirkawa go and move on to Kyoto on the 3rd day.


However, there is another option. I have allocated one day earlier for a day trip to Nikko from Tokyo. I can drop Nikko and utilise the extra day for Shirkawa go.
I understand Nikko is similar to Kamikochi which I am visiting in any case
What is your view?
Thanks

I wouldn�ft say that Nikko and Kamikochi are similar. Nikko is a small city with famous and beautiful shrines (plus an old summer house if the emperor) while Kamikochi is a mountain valley.
There is some mountain landscape close to Nikko at OKU Nikko (scroll down to that section) but as a daytrip you can really only do one thing. Nikko or a bit of OKU-Nikko.
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3800.html

You could obviously scrap all together the Kamikochi / Shirakawago leg and do a 2 day trip to Nikko , then take a late train from Nikko to Kanazawa ( 3 trains). I personally would probably even do 2 nights in Nikko to see Nikko itself, OKU- Nikko and some more. There are also great onsen there if you are interested.

But your original plan to see Kamikochi on the way to Kanazawa is also okay.

Thanks a lot for your valuable input