Shirakawago, the stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its gassho-zukuri (thatched-roof) farmhouses, is a must-see destination in Japan. While the village feels remote, getting there is easier than you think! This guide breaks down the most efficient transport options, whether you are traveling via Shinkansen, express bus from hubs like Takayama and Kanazawa, or planning to drive. Find the best route and tips to make your Shirakawago trip smooth and unforgettable.
How to Get to Shirakawa-gō by Public Transport
Shirakawago can only be accessed by bus. To get to Shirakawago from other parts of Japan, you might need to transit at different stations depending on where you are coming from.
- How to Get to Shirakawa-go from Tokyo
- How to Get to Shirakawa-go from Takayama, Kanazawa, Nagoya, and Toyama
- How to Get to Shirakawa-go from Osaka
- How to Book Your Seat on Buses to Shirakawago
- Combine Your Visit With Other Nearby Popular Destinations and Save on Transportation
- Discover What to Do in Shirakawagō
How to Get to Shirakawa-go from Tokyo
There are two ways to get to Shirakawago from Tokyo.
- From JR Tokyo Station (東京駅): Take Hokuriku-Shinkansen (北陸新幹線) to JR Toyama Station and change for bus services to Shirakawa-go Bus Terminal.
- From Shinjuku Bus Terminal, take the express bus to Shirakawago Bus Terminal.
How to Get to Shirakawa-go from Takayama, Kanazawa, Nagoya, and Toyama
- From JR Nagoya Station (名古屋駅): Direct bus to Shirakawa-go Bus Terminal departs from Meitetsu Bus Centre (名鉄バスセンター). Travel time is around 2.5 hours. You can also take an express train – Wideview Hida (特急ワイドビューひだ) to JR Takayama Station.
- The total travel time for this option is approximately 3 hours and 10 minutes (excluding waiting time).
- From JR Kanazawa Station (金沢駅): There are direct bus services that will bring you to Shirakawa-go Bus Terminal (白川郷バスターミナル).
- The travel time is approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes.
- From JR Toyama Station (富山駅): There are direct bus services that will bring you to Shirakawa-go Bus Terminal (白川郷バスターミナル).
- The travel time is around an hour and 20 minutes.
- From JR Takayama Station (高山駅): There are direct bus services that will bring you to Shirakawa-go Bus Terminal.
- The travel time is around 50 minutes.
- From JR Takaoka Station (高岡駅): There are direct bus services that will bring you to Shirakawa-go Bus Terminal.
- The travel time is around 2 hours and 10 minutes.
Note that the number of bus services departing from JR Toyama Station and JR Nagoya Station is a lot less than those departing from JR Takayama Station and JR Kanazawa Station.
How to Get to Shirakawa-go from Osaka
- From JR Osaka Station (大阪駅): Take the express train – Thunderbird (サンダーバード) to JR Tsuruga Station and change for the bullet train to Kanazawa Station. From Kanazawa, take a bus to Shirakawa-go Bus Terminal.
How to Book Your Seat on Buses to Shirakawago
- You can book your seat on buses to Shirakawago by calling the bus companies:
- You can also book your seat on buses to Shirakawago by visiting a bus center.
- Online booking through Japan Bus Online is the easiest way to secure your seat on a bus bound for Shirakawago before you get to Japan.
Cancellation charges apply once an online booking has been made (110 yen). Please follow each company’s refund policy if you choose to book via phone call or at a bus center.
Important: If you are holding one of the free passes that cover this bus journey, such as Takayama-Hokuriku Area Pass, you may not be able to book online. Also, the return trip discount may not be available for online booking either.
Tip: There are quite a few discounted tickets that cover Shirakawagō. Check it out HERE in our article on the Chūbu region’s transportation before you make a booking!
Combine Your Visit With Other Nearby Popular Destinations and Save on Transportation
For more details about the ticket, please refer to our Chūbu region transportation article HERE (=ﾟωﾟ)ﾉ.
Discover What to Do in Shirakawagō
Now you know how to easily get to the popular world heritage site, it is now time to add some attractions in the Shirakawago gassho village to your Shirakawago itinerary.
Refer to our article Shirakawago article to find out where the photo to the right was taken. The article also includes various tips including the best time to visit Shirakawago village.
