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Takayama and Kanazawa are two of the highlights of a trip around Central Japan, but what’s the best way to get between them – train or bus? Our guide can help you decide.
Article by Helen Foster. Disclosure: Some links in this post are affiliate links. See our Affiliate Disclosure.
Until recently, I didn’t even register the option to take the train between Takayama and Kanazawa. Then there was some damage to the train tracks, which stopped the service and a lot of people in my Facebook group suddenly had their plans thrown into disarray; they were very pleased to discover that there was also a bus, and I discovered there was an easy train… so, I decided it might be a good idea to compare the two.
Both options take around two hours, but they offer very different experiences.
At a Glance
| TRAIN | BUS | |
| JOURNEY TIME | 2 hours and 5 minutes | 2 hours 26 minutes |
| COST | ¥6440 | ¥4200 |
| FLEXIBILITY | Only 5 depatures a day | ✔ Lots of departures |
| MOST RELIABLE | ✔ | Can be delayed by weather and traffic |
| TRANSFERS | 1 | 0 (unless you choose to sightsee) |
| BEST WITH LUGGAGE | Has space, but needs a transfer | ✔ Although see below |
| LAST MINUTE | ✔ | The buses do sell out |
| SIGHTSEEING | Pretty views | ✔ Offers Shirakawa-go stopover |
That might be enough to help you decide which option is best for you, but if not, here are some more details.
Travelling by Train
Although there isn’t a direct railway between Takayama and Kanazawa, travelling by train is straightforward.
You’ll take the JR Hida Limited Express from Takayama to Toyama (this takes 2 and a half hours), then transfer to the Hokuriku Shinkansen for the short, 20-minute journey to Kanazawa.
However, there are only five departures a day between Takayama and Toyama, so you need to time your journey carefully. Also, note that the earliest that you can arrive in Kanazawa via this route is 1 pm
The Japan Rail Pass and the JR Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass both fully cover the journey if you have one of them – although you shouldn’t buy either pass just to take it, as the journey only costs ¥6440
Pros
- Very reliable – no worries about traffic or weather
- Better at short notice
Cons
- Requires a transfer at Toyama
- More expensive than the bus
- Fewer departures than the bus
- Doesn’t go through Shirakawa-go
Travelling by Bus
For many travellers, the direct highway bus is actually the most convenient way to travel. The service runs directly between Takayama Station and Kanazawa Station several times a day. You stash your luggage underneath, sit in your reserved seat and get off at Kanazawa relaxed two and a half hours later.
The trip also costs around a third less than travelling by train – just ¥4200. If you have the JR Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass, the bus is also covered on this – but read the T&Cs carefully.
It’s also the most flexible choice with nine departures a day – the first leaving Takayama at 7.30 am. If you take the first bus direct, you will be in Kanazawa by 10.05, around three hours earlier than taking the train.
However, you might not want to do the journey in one go as the bus has another major benefit over the train – the chance to see one of central Japan’s prettiest villages. This is the bus’s big selling point, and I’ll cover it in a bit more detail below.
Pros
- Usually the cheapest option
- Direct with no transfers (if you choose to go that way)
- Easy to include Shirakawa-go
- Comfortable coaches with luggage storage
- More departure options
Cons
- Can sell out
- Subject to road traffic – delays can be common during snow season
- Not covered by the Japan Rail Pass
Taking the Chance to Visit Shirakawa-go
One of the biggest advantages of taking the bus is that it travels through the really pretty village of Shirakawa-go, famous for its pointy-topped thatched houses. This was why I hadn’t even registered the train when I did this journey – why wouldn’t you want to stop and see this with minimal hassle? I was catching that bus, no questions asked.
You can jump on an early bus out of Takayama and be in Shirakawa-go in 50 minutes. Spend a few hours exploring the village and then arrive in Kanazawa, after another 85-minute bus ride, ready for your hotel check-in.
However, there are a couple of things to note here. Seat reservations are mandatory for most of the buses and highly recommended for the others. Seats can also sell out well in advance during peak travel periods, which are snow season, autumn leaves season and Golden Week or other busy holiday periods.
Also, while travelling on the bus directly is the best option if you have luggage, if you stop off, I would ship your luggage ahead to Kanazawa; luggage storage in Shirakawa-go is very limited.
Need Extra Planning Help?
Our Japan trip planners can help. You might like our First-Timers Japan Planner, which will help you plan your trip to Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka step-by-step, including tips on everything from picking hotels to sightseeing and dining. Or our super-duper Tokyo Disney Planner makes arranging your park trip MUCH easier. Find them in our Planners store – printable and digital versions are available.
In Summary…
Choose the train if…
- You have an applicable rail pass and want to make the most of it.
- You get motion sick in cars/buses
- You prefer avoiding road traffic
- You are travelling in snow season, and you don’t want to visit Shirakawa-go
Choose the bus if…
- You want the cheapest option
- You want to get to Kanazawa early
- You’d like to stop at Shirakawa-go on the way.
- You’re travelling with lots of luggage.
- You want a simple point-to-point trip.
How to Book
Booking the buses is essential if you are travelling directly to Kanazawa and on most other services to and from Shirakawa-go. The train has a little more leeway, but with so few departures each day personally, I would book the Hida Limited Express.
To Book the Train
Use the JR West website. The route is actually run by JR Central, but they direct you to JR West for bookings. Bookings open 30 days before departure.
To Book the Bus
To book the bus, use the Nohi website.
Bookings open 31 days before departure.
If you get to Shirakawa-go and decide to leave earlier or stay a bit longer, you can change the booking online so long as there is room on another service.
Allow at least two hours to wander around – more if you want to go up to the Observation Deck and/or over the other side of the village. When I did this journey, I did make a few mistakes, so make sure you read my Shirakawa-go guide beforehand to ensure you don’t slip up.
Who Writes This Blog?
My name is Helen Foster, and I’m a journalist and author. My travel articles have appeared in publications including The Australian, Escape, RAC Horizons, Jetstar Magazine, Sainsbury’s Magazine, and more.
I’ve travelled to Japan nine times before – solo and with my partner and visited over 50 towns and cities. My last visit was in April 2026, so everything here is pretty up to date.
