Shirakawa-go is located in the northwest of Gifu Prefecture, in the approximate center of Japan. Visitors from abroad can travel to Shirakawa-go by public transport or rental car.
If you are using a car or rental car equipped with a navigation system, please search for Shirakawa-go and follow its directions.
If you are staying at accommodation within the village, please use the accommodation’s parking, otherwise, public parking is provided at the village operated “Seseragi Park Parking Area”. If you are visiting in the winter, please ensure that your car is equipped with studless snow tires or snow chains.
Visitors traveling by public transport should refer to the specific instructions below on access from Tokyo, Nagoya, Takayama, and Osaka (& Kyoto).
map
Last Update:October 14, 2016
 

Visiting Shirakawa-go from Tokyo

Example 1

Tokyo Sta Toyama Sta Shirakawa-go

Visiting Shirakawa-go from Tokyo
Total
Boarding time:Approx. 3 hrs 36 min
Prices ¥14690
* Transfer & waiting times not included. * Fares vary depending on season and the type of bus.
Traveling on the Hokuriku Shinkansen
Railway company JR-EAST/JR-WEST
Service name Hokuriku Shinkansen (Kagayaki)
Boarding section From Toyama Sta to Tokyo Sta
Required time Approx. 2 hrs 11 min
Fare ¥12960
Links
* Please understand that the current situation may differ from the above information.
Traveling by bus
Bus company Nohi Bus/Toyama Chiho Railway
Boarding section From Toyama Sta to Shirakawa-go
Required time Approx. 1 hrs 25 min
Fare ¥1730
Reservations required
  • Nohi Bus TEL +81-577-32-1688
  • Toyama Chiho Railway Bus TEL +81-76-433-4890
Links
* Please understand that the current situation may differ from the above information.

Example 2

Tokyo Sta Shin Takaoka Sta Shirakawa-go

Visiting Shirakawa-go from Tokyo
Total
Boarding time:Approx. 4 hrs 53 min
Prices ¥15100
* Transfer & waiting times not included. * Fares vary depending on season and the type of bus.
Traveling on the Hokuriku Shinkansen
Railway company JR-EAST/JR-WEST
Service name Hokuriku Shinkansen (Hakutaka)
Boarding section From Tokyo Sta to Shin Takaoka Sta
Required time Approx. 2 hrs 53 min
Fare ¥13300
Links
* Please understand that the current situation may differ from the above information.
Traveling by bus
Bus company Kaetsunou Bus
Boarding section From Shin Takaoka Sta to Shirakawa-go
Required time Approx. 2 hrs 00 min
Fare ¥1800
Links

Kaetsunou Bus(Only Japanese)

* Please understand that the current situation may differ from the above information.

Example 3

Tokyo Sta Kanazawa Sta Shirakawa-go

Visiting Shirakawa-go from Tokyo
Total
Boarding time:Approx. 3 hrs 46 min
Prices ¥16380
* Transfer & waiting times not included. * Fares vary depending on season and the type of bus.
Traveling on the Hokuriku Shinkansen
Railway company JR-EAST/JR-WEST
Service name Hokuriku Shinkansen (Kagayaki)
Boarding section From Tokyo Sta to Kanazawa Sta
Required time Approx. 2 hrs 31 min
Fare ¥14380
Links
* Please understand that the current situation may differ from the above information.
Traveling by bus
Bus company Nohi Bus/HOKURIKU RAIL ROAD
Boarding section From Kanazawa Sta to Shirakawa-go
Required time Approx. 1 hrs 15 min
Fare ¥2000
Reservations required
  • Nohi Bus TEL +81-577-32-1688
  • Hokutetsu Bus TEL +81-76-234-0123
Links
* Please understand that the current situation may differ from the above information.

Visiting Shirakawa-go from Nagoya

Nagoya Sta Shirakawa-go

Visiting Shirakawa-go from Nagoya

Total

Boarding time:Approx. 2 hrs 50 min
Prices ¥4000
* Transfer & waiting times not included. * Fares vary depending on season and the type of bus.

Traveling by bus

Bus company Gifu Bus
Boarding section From Nagoya to Shirakawa-go
Required time Approx. 2 hrs 50 min
Fare ¥4000
Reservations required EXPRESSBUS Bookings
Links takayama_bus
* Please understand that the current situation may differ from the above information.

Visiting Shirakawa-go from Takayama

Takayama Shirakawa-go

Visiting Shirakawa-go from Takayama

Total

Boarding time:Approx. 50 min
Prices ¥2600
* Transfer & waiting times not included. * Fares vary depending on season and the type of bus.

Traveling by bus

Bus company Nohi Bus/HOKURIKU RAIL ROAD/Toyama Chiho Railway
Boarding section From Takayama to Shirakawa-go
Required time Approx. 50 min
Fare ¥2600
Reservations required
  • Nohi Bus TEL +81-577-32-1688
  • Hokutetsu Bus TEL +81-76-234-0123
Links takayama_bus
* Please understand that the current situation may differ from the above information.

Visiting Shirakawa-go from Osaka (& Kyoto)

Example 1

Osaka Sta Kanazawa Sta Shirakawa-go

Visiting Shirakawa-go from Osaka
Total
Boarding time:Approx. 3 hrs 59 min
Prices ¥9260
* Transfer & waiting times not included. * Fares vary depending on season and the type of bus.
Traveling on the Ltd. Express Thunderbird
Railway company JR-WEST
Service name Ltd. Express Thunderbird
Boarding section From Osaka Sta to Kanazawa Sta
Required time Approx. 2 hrs 44 min
Fare ¥7260
Links

JR-WEST

* Please understand that the current situation may differ from the above information.
Traveling by bus
Bus company Nohi Bus/HOKURIKU RAIL ROAD
Boarding section From Kanazawa Sta to Shirakawa-go
Required time Approx. 1 hrs 15 min
Fare ¥2000
Reservations required
  • Nohi Bus TEL +81-577-32-1688
  • Hokutetsu Bus TEL +81-76-234-0123
Links
* Please understand that the current situation may differ from the above information.

Guide to Parking Areas

When visiting the Shirakawa-go Gassho Style Village World Heritage Site by car, please use the public village-operated Seseragi Park Parking Area.

This parking area is equipped with a tourist information center and public toilets. Part of the parking fee goes towards preserving the World Heritage site. If the parking area is full, staff will direct visitors to the Terao Temporary Parking Area or the Midashima Park Parking Area. From the Seseragi Park Parking Area, cross the Deai Bridge to reach the World Heritage Village.

For visitors traveling by car

Please note that, in order to protect the landscape and ensure visitor safety, vehicle entry to the World Heritage Village is strictly restricted.

The village and surrounding roads may be congested during the “Golden Week” period (end of April to beginning of May) and at the time of the Doboroku Festival (October 14 to 19). Please allow plenty of time when traveling during these periods.

Snow falls in Shirakawa-go from late December to early March. During the winter season, the roads may be covered in snow or ice. If you are visiting by car in winter, please ensure that your vehicle is equipped with studless snow tires, or tire chains.

In the vicinity of the entrance to the Shirakawa-go Gassho Style Village World Heritage Site, there have been attempts at forcefully guiding visitors to privately-managed paid parking areas. We have received complaints about such activity from some visitors, and sincerely apologize for any inconvenience. Please see the information on the public parking areas and park in these parking areas.

Usage Guide

Parking fees Bus/Minibuses ¥3000, Cars ¥1000, Motorcycles ¥200
Hours 8:00-17:00
* Please note that the above information is provided for reference. There may be cases where it differs from current information.