Since the expansion of the Hokuriku Shinkansen in 2015, Kanazawa has established itself as the perfect place to spend some time in Japan, especially as an alternative to Kyoto and its often-overcrowded attractions. The coastal city has become so popular, in fact, that it is considered part of the "New Golden Route" around Japan. The city has rich history, preserved even through World War 2, a variety of traditional arts and crafts, access to nature and great museums. If you'd like to read more about Kanazawa, you might be interested in our "30 Things to Do Around Kanazawa", "Events and Festivals Around Kanazawa", and "Kanazawa's Famous Foods" guides!
Kanazawa is a great area to settle for a few days as you explore the city, then use it as a convenient hub to access some of Japan's more rural sightseeing spots. Most prominent of these is Shirakawa-go and Gokayama, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its thatched-roof houses and beauty that has lived in harmony with the mountain valley for more than 300 years. Getting to the villages can be difficult, however, so this guide will show travellers how to get from Kanazawa to Shirakawa-Go and back. You will find the following information on this page:
Where is Shirakawa-Go?
Shirakawa-go and Gokayama – often referred to just as ‘Shirakawa-go’ – is the collective name of a grouping of villages afforded World Heritage status in 1995. There villages – Ogimachi, Suganuma and Ainokura – make-up the grouping with Ogimachi being the largest and main village. Located high in the North Alps, Ogimachi lies 75KM / 70-minutes' drive to the south-east of Kanazawa, 85KM / 80-minutes drive to the south-west of Toyama, and 50KM / 50-minutes drive to west of Takayama. As such, most visitors heading to Shirakawa-go do so from Kanazawa Station, Toyama Station or Takayama Station where bus services run to the villages. Lying close to the historic old town of Takayama, many visitors combine their visit to the two famous destinations with the option of also heading further into Central Japan and onto Kamikochi, Matsumoto and Nagano.
Directions to Shirakawa-Go from Kanazawa
If you've rented a car and are looking to get to Shirakawa-Go directly, the route is very simple and takes around 75 minutes. You can follow our Google Maps directions from Kanazawa Station to Shirakawa-Go here.
For those renting a car for the first time in Japan, please prepare yourself for any differences in traffic laws compared to your home country. Remember that Japan drives on the left side of the road. Non-residents must have an International Driving Permit to rent a car in Japan.
Accessing Shirakawa-Go via Kanazawa
Kanazawa is one of the easiest places to get to Shirakawa-go and so a variety of options are available to you. Included below is information for getting to Shirakawa-go directly by bus, taking the train to Takayama and then the bus from there, our curated tour to Shirakawa-go and Gokayama, our private tour to Shirakawa-Go and Takayama and, finally, our chartered bus service.
How to get to Shirakawa-Go from Kanazawa: By Bus
The Hokutetsu Bus company operates regular services between Kanazawa Station and Ogimachi (with some additional services during the peak period from March until November). The bus departs from the West Exit of Kanazawa Station. You can find more information on our "Express Bus Timetable From Takayama to Shirakawa-go / Kanazawa" page. Tickets can be reserved online, or you can try to get them on the day at the West Japan JR Bus Kanazawa Ticket Center just outside the east exit of Kanazawa Station. They can also be bought at the Hokuriku Railroad Ticket Office on the West side of the station (it operates both buses and trains).
- Price - Adults JPY 2600
- Time - 75 - 85 minutes
Note: As only a few buses run to Shirakawa-Go every day, reservations can fill up quite quickly. The busiest times to visit Shirakawa-Go are from April - early June and September - early January. For these periods, the reservations can fill up weeks to months in advance, so please plan your trip accordingly.
How to get to Shirakawa-Go from Kanazawa: By Train
Shirakawa-Go is inaccessible directly by train. However, some guests may choose to take the more regular buses from Takayama Station. Here's how to get from Kanazawa Station to Takayama Station:
- Take the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Toyama Station (JPY 2880) for 25 minutes, or use the IR Ishikawa Railway (JPY 1290) which takes an hour.
- Change to a Limited Express Hida train to Takayama (JPY 3860) for around 2 hours to Takayama Station.
- From Takayama Nohi Bus Center (just outside the station), take a bus to Shirakawa-go (JPY 2,800) for around an hour. The bus runs every 40 minutes.
How to get to Shirakawa-Go from Kanazawa: Take a Tour
Snow Monkey Resorts is one of the leading tour companies offering guided tours to Shirakawa-Go from Kanazawa. Our tour takes you to the famous village, while also taking you to the hidden gems of Inami, a world-renowned village of wood carvers, and a tranquil mountain village historically known for its paper making called Ainokura in Gokayama. This tour runs all year round and offers so much more than just getting dropped off by public transport and being left to your own devices.
Highlights
- Walk through the charming streets of a wood-carving village, filled with hidden carvings of cats, and find inner peace at a temple with 700 years of history.
- Use techniques passed down for 1200 years to make washi, traditional Japanese paper.
- Get a guided tour around the UNESCO World Heritage Site Shirakawa-Go, contextualising the beautiful village with its history and unique parts of its culture.
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1 Day Tour from Kanazawa: Shirakawa-go, Gokayama and Wood Carving Village
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How to get to Shirakawa-Go from Kanazawa: Private Tour
If you'd prefer to have a more personal tour around Shirakawa-Go, you might be interested in our Private Tour to Shirakawa-go and Takayama. On this tour, we spend more time in Shirakawa-Go, heading down into the village from its famous viewpoint. Your guide will regale you with the history of the village and take you into one of the thatched-roof houses before you have some free time to explore for yourself. Of course, if you'd like your guide to help you do some shopping or to show you around more of the village, they'll be happy to help!
Once you leave the village, you'll make your way to the historic town of Takayama. Your guide will take you into its most unique building: the Takayama Jinya. This sprawling estate was once home to the head samurai of Takayama, personally appointed by the Tokugawa Shogun and served both as the samurai's residence and the municipal center for the town. It features massive bedrooms, studies, rooms for the servants and even a torture chamber. The Jinya is the last of its kind in Japan, so being able to experience it is something special.
After that, it's time to walk through the historic streets of Takayama! Your guide will lead you through the Sanmachi Shopping District, filled with shops and cafes in houses preserved for more than 200 years. As with before, you are welcome to take some free time here to explore to your hearts' content, but your guide will be happy to help you however they can.
How to get to Shirakawa-Go from Kanazawa: Charter Bus
Of course, we also offer private tours and transport in and around the Kanazawa area, and other regional destinations. We can also arrange for both custom tours with an English-speaking guide or a private charter.
Our drivers and vehicles are fully certified, allowing us to transport you to and from your preferred destinations in combination with any activity that suits your schedule. All vehicles are well-maintained and in good condition, allowing you to relax and enjoy your ride to wherever you are going.
With door-to-door service, we can pick you up from where you are and take you to where you want to go anywhere in Central Japan and the neighboring regions.
For more information, please check our standard charter rates or contact us for a custom trip. We’d love to be part of your adventure in Japan and help you discover even more!
Shirakawa-Go General Information
Ogimachi (more commonly known as just "Shirakawa-Go") is the largest of several villages included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site Shirakawa-Go and Gokayama. Although people have lived in this mountainous area for more than 1000 years, the village as we see it today began to form in the 18th century.
The village marked the boundary between two of the most powerful samurai clans: the Tokugawa clan, the military dictators (called Shogun) who directly controlled the region surrounding Takayama; and the Maeda, who controlled most of what is now known as the Hokuriku region.
If you'd really like to dive deep in the area, we recommend reading our "Shirakawa-Go and Gokayama" page for more information! You may also want to have a look at our "Things to Do in Shirakawa-Go" page to best plan your route through the village. As around 1100 people still live there, the village has a strict rule about closing to visitors from 17:00 so, unless you're staying the night, make sure you use your time well!
Tours and Charters Around Kanazawa
We are proud to offer a number of tours in the Kanazawa area, as well as charter services to bring you wherever it is you would like to go, including to destinations such as Fukui, Takayama, and Nagano. Please read on below for more information about our tours operating from Kanazawa.
On this walking tour, you will see the best of Kanazawa in one day, all on foot! This tour will take you through the historic streets of the Nagamachi Samurai District, you'll drink the finest matcha in a traditional tea house, see the sprawling grounds of Kanazawa Castle, stroll through one of Japan's greatest gardens, and see one of the largest geisha districts in the country. This tour is all you need to see the best of Kanazawa!
Kanazawa Walking Tour: Experience Gold Leaf, Japanese Sweets and Ninja Stars
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If you're the type interested in crafts or just like getting your hands dirty, this is for you! On this tour, we'll sample some of Kanazawa's traditional crafts. You'll decorate items with gold leaf and make wagashi, traditional Japanese sweets! This tour is perfect for couples or families! Be careful, though! You might unlock your inner shinobi when you try your hand at throwing ninja stars at the Kanazawa Ninja Weapons Museum! You'll come home with wonderful memories and souvenirs to match!
1 Day Tour from Kanazawa: Eiheiji Temple and Fukui City Castle Town
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This tour will take you to the often-overlooked city of Fukui. Once a place of vital strategic importance, Fukui has faded from the forefront since the end of the samurai era, but its rich history and proximity to nature remain. We'll visit the remains of Fukui Castle before stepping into Zuigenji Temple, which used part of the (now-destroyed) Fukui Palace for extensive repairs in the 1860s. After that, we'll visit the historic Eiheiji Temple in the mountains. The temple was founded 800 years ago and is one of the head temples of Soto Zen Buddhism. People who visit Eiheiji always say walking through this beautiful temple, surrounded by all of the nature, is one of their highlights of Japan.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is Shirakawa-Go worth visiting?
Shirakawa-Go is absolutely worth visiting. To many travellers in Japan, Shirakawa-Go provides a welcome contrast to the busy cityscapes of the "Golden Route" (Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka). The peaceful village is nestled in nature and, although it is busy in the peak season, the crowds don't compare to the busiest places in Japan like Fushimi Inari Taisha, Meiji Shrine or Shinjuku Station.
I want to go to Shirakawa-Go tomorrow but there are no buses, what can I do?
Our Shirakawa-Go tour runs all year round and is a convenient alternative to public transport.
When is the best time to visit Shirakawa-Go?
Shirakawa-Go is genuinely beautiful all year round, but we recommend visiting in the fall foliage period from October to late-November. As the village sits in a valley, the surrounding views are some of Japan's best.
What is the easiest way to get from Kanazawa to Shirakawa-Go?
The easiest way is taking the public bus, but many people prefer taking our guided tour. Leave it all to us and enjoy a day driving through the Hokuriku region's most beautiful sights! Along the way, we'll stop at Ainokura, a village in Gokayama that most travellers miss out on. The village usually ends up as people's favourite part of the day as it is a little smaller and has a much more "authentic" vibe to it.
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1 Day Tour from Kanazawa: Shirakawa-go, Gokayama and Wood Carving Village
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