Chubu Centrair Airport to Gifu, Takayama and Shirakawa-go: Trains, Buses and Transfers
Facts checked against official sources: 2026-10-19
This guide contains affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Chubu Centrair International Airport (NGO), on an island south of Nagoya, is the closest major airport to Gifu Prefecture. No JR line reaches the airport, so your first leg is usually the private Meitetsu railway, a highway bus, or a car. This guide covers the main routes to Gifu City, Takayama, Shirakawa-go and Gero, using figures from the airport, Meitetsu and the bus operators.
Centrair to Gifu destinations at a glance
| From Centrair to | Easiest public route | Time | Adult fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nagoya (base for most trips) | Meitetsu μSKY to Meitetsu Nagoya | From 28 min | ¥1,230 + ¥450 μticket |
| Gifu City | Meitetsu μSKY to Meitetsu Gifu | About 1 hour | Check Meitetsu's fare search + ¥450 μticket |
| Takayama (cheapest) | Meitetsu to Gifu, then Nohi Bus express bus | About 1 hour + 2 hours | ¥4,100 combined ticket |
| Takayama (no transfer) | Direct highway bus listed by Centrair | 165 min | ¥2,980 (per Centrair) |
| Shirakawa-go | Train or airport bus to Nagoya, then highway bus from the Meitetsu Bus Center | About 2 h 50 min from Nagoya Station, plus the airport leg | ¥3,600–¥4,700 for the bus, plus the airport leg |
| Gero Onsen | Meitetsu to Nagoya, then JR Limited Express Hida | Airport leg + Hida | See our Gero guide |
Sources: Chubu Centrair International Airport, Meitetsu, Nohi Bus, Gifu Bus and the Shirakawa-go Tourist Association, as of October 2026. Details below.
How do I get from Centrair Airport to Nagoya?
The airport says the fastest train to Nagoya takes 28 minutes on the μSKY limited express (Centrair, as of October 2026). Centrair's Takayama page lists the μSKY to Meitetsu Nagoya at 30 minutes for ¥1,230 (Centrair).
All μSKY cars are first class, so you also need a μticket (¥450) on top of the regular ticket. You can buy both to the left of the ticket gate at the airport station, and μtickets can also be booked online (Meitetsu, as of October 2026). The Meitetsu Travel Plaza at the airport station is open 7:00–20:00 and accepts credit cards (Meitetsu).
From Meitetsu Nagoya you are next to JR Nagoya Station, where trains leave for Takayama and Gero, and a short walk from the Meitetsu Bus Center, where Shirakawa-go buses leave.
How do I get from Centrair Airport to Gifu City?
Take the Meitetsu μSKY to Meitetsu Gifu, the end of the line. Nohi Bus gives the train time from the airport to Meitetsu Gifu as about 56 minutes (Nohi Bus, as of October 2026), and Centrair lists it as 60 minutes (Centrair). You need the μticket here too. Meitetsu publishes fares through its online timetable and fare search (Meitetsu), so check the current fare there.
For what to do once you arrive, see Gifu City in one day and where to stay in Gifu City.
How do I get from Centrair Airport to Takayama?
There are three practical ways.
1. Combined train and bus ticket via Gifu (cheapest)
Nohi Bus sells a Takayama–Centrair ticket that covers the Meitetsu train between the airport and Meitetsu Gifu and the express bus between Gifu and Takayama. Details from Nohi Bus (as of October 2026, Nohi Bus):
- Price: ¥4,100 for adults, ¥2,100 for children (fare from April 1, 2024)
- Valid: 2 days
- Where to buy: the Meitetsu Tourist Information Center on 2F of the airport, next to the station, open 10:00–19:00. Tickets are sold only during counter hours, may sell out on the day, and are non-refundable.
- μSKY: the ticket does not include the μticket, which you need to ride the μSKY.
- Bus reservation: every bus needs a reserved seat. Reservations open one month before travel, by phone at the Nohi Bus Reservation Center (0577-32-1688, 9:00–17:00).
The Gifu–Takayama express bus takes about 2 hours, runs six times a day in each direction, and leaves from the Meitetsu Gifu (No.6) stop. Departures from Meitetsu Gifu are at 7:40, 10:30, 12:30, 15:20, 17:05 and 19:10 (Nohi Bus, as of October 2026). Plan your flight so you reach Gifu with time to spare before one of these.
2. Direct highway bus from the airport
Centrair's Takayama page lists a highway bus from the Airport Bus Terminal to Takayama Nohi Bus Center, 165 minutes with no transfer, for ¥2,980 (Centrair, as of October 2026). Check the operator's current timetable and booking rules before relying on it, as departures on airport bus routes can be limited.
3. Train via Nagoya
Take the μSKY to Meitetsu Nagoya, walk to JR Nagoya Station, then take the Limited Express Hida, which JR Central says takes approximately 2 hours 20 minutes to Takayama (JR Central). Centrair lists this route from ¥5,830 for the Hida leg (Centrair). It costs more, but it suits rail pass holders. See Nagoya to Takayama for train and bus details.
How do I get from Centrair Airport to Shirakawa-go?
There is no direct public route. Go to Nagoya first, then take the highway bus from the Meitetsu Bus Center:
- Airport to Meitetsu Bus Center: Centrair lists the Centrair Limousine bus from the Airport Bus Terminal to the Meitetsu Bus Center at 80 minutes and ¥1,200 (Centrair). Alternatively, take the μSKY to Meitetsu Nagoya and walk about 5 minutes.
- Meitetsu Bus Center to Shirakawa-go: about 2 hours 50 minutes in total from Nagoya Station, reserved seats only, ¥3,600–¥4,700 for adults depending on the date (Shirakawa-go Tourist Association; Gifu Bus, as of October 2026).
On a long-haul arrival day, it is usually more comfortable to sleep in Nagoya or Takayama and go to Shirakawa-go the next day. See our Shirakawa-go guide, and the 2027 light-up guide if you are visiting in January.
How do I get from Centrair Airport to Gero Onsen?
Take the μSKY to Meitetsu Nagoya, then the JR Limited Express Hida from Nagoya Station to Gero. Our Gero Onsen guide has the limited express charges and what to do once you arrive.
Should I book a private transfer?
A private transfer takes you from the arrivals hall straight to your hotel. It costs more than the train and bus, but it can make sense if you:
- are a family or group, so the cost is shared
- have large suitcases, since buses have limited luggage space
- land late, after the last convenient train or bus
- are going straight to a ryokan outside a town center
Compare vehicles and prices for private transfers from Chubu Centrair Airport on Klook. Check the luggage allowance, meeting point and cancellation terms before you book.
Tips for your arrival day
- Get data before you land. Bus stops, platform numbers and reservations are easier with maps on your phone. A Japan eSIM can be installed before you fly; see our eSIM guide.
- Book bus seats in advance. The Gifu–Takayama and Nagoya–Shirakawa-go buses are reserved-seat services.
- Allow for delays. Immigration and baggage times vary, so avoid tight connections to the last bus of the day.
FAQ
How long does it take from Centrair Airport to Nagoya Station?
The airport says the fastest train, the Meitetsu μSKY, takes 28 minutes to Nagoya (Centrair, as of October 2026). You need a ¥450 μticket in addition to the regular fare.
Is there a JR train from Centrair Airport?
No. JR does not serve the airport. Take the Meitetsu line to Meitetsu Nagoya, which is next to JR Nagoya Station, and change there.
What is the cheapest way from Centrair Airport to Takayama?
Centrair describes the route via Gifu as the cheapest to Takayama. Nohi Bus sells a combined Centrair–Takayama ticket covering the Meitetsu train to Gifu and the express bus to Takayama for ¥4,100 for adults, valid for 2 days (Nohi Bus, as of October 2026). The μticket for the μSKY is extra.
Do I need to reserve the bus from Gifu to Takayama?
Yes. Nohi Bus says all its express buses are reserved-seat only, with reservations opening one month in advance (Nohi Bus, as of October 2026).
Prices, timetables and booking rules change. Check official sources before you travel. Facts last checked: 2026-10-19.
Ready to book?
Private transfer from Chubu Centrair AirportDoor-to-door car from the arrivals hall to your hotel. Compare vehicles and prices on Klook.See transfers →We may earn a commission if you book through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. Disclosure