Kamikochi from Takayama: Bus, Fares, Season and a Day Trip Plan
Facts checked against official sources: 2026-10-20
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Kamikochi is a high mountain valley in the Northern Alps, and Takayama is the closest big town on the Gifu side. You cannot drive in, and the buses only run part of the year, so a little planning goes a long way. This guide covers the bus, fares, season, last buses and what you can walk in a day, using information from Nohi Bus and the Kamikochi Resort Hotel Association.
Takayama to Kamikochi at a glance
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Route | Nohi Bus: Takayama Nohi Bus Center → Hirayu Onsen (change) → Kamikochi |
| Time | About 90 minutes, plus the transfer |
| Adult fare | ¥3,000 one way; ¥5,800 round trip (valid 7 days) |
| Reservations | Not required |
| Season (2026) | April 17 – November 15 |
| Last bus back | Kamikochi → Hirayu 17:30; Hirayu → Takayama 17:30 |
| Cars | Private cars banned; park at Akandana (¥600) or Hirayu and take the bus |
Source: Nohi Bus, Kamikochi line, as of October 2026. Times change with the timetable; check it for your date.
How do you get from Takayama to Kamikochi?
There is no direct bus. Nohi Bus runs it as two legs with a change at Hirayu Onsen (Nohi Bus, as of October 2026):
| Leg | Time | Adult fare |
|---|---|---|
| Takayama Nohi Bus Center → Hirayu Onsen | About 53–58 min | ¥1,600 |
| Hirayu Onsen → Taisho Pond | 16 min | ¥1,500 |
| Hirayu Onsen → Kamikochi | About 25–30 min | ¥1,500 one way, ¥2,800 round trip |
| Takayama → Kamikochi through ticket | About 90 min | ¥3,000 one way, ¥5,800 round trip |
Sources: Nohi Bus, Kamikochi line; Nohi Bus, Shinhotaka line, as of October 2026. Children pay half.
The round-trip ticket from Takayama costs ¥5,800, ¥200 less than two one-way tickets. Buy tickets at the ticket window or vending machine at Takayama Nohi Bus Center or Hirayu Onsen before you board; if both are closed, you pay on board. No reservation is needed (same source). The Takayama bus center is next to JR Takayama Station.
When can you visit Kamikochi?
The Kamikochi line runs from April 17 to November 15, 2026 (Nohi Bus). The Kamikochi Resort Hotel Association also says Kamikochi closes for the season on November 15, and that some facilities close earlier (Kamikochi Resort Hotel Association, as of October 2026). Outside the season, the bus does not run and you cannot visit as a normal day trip. Dates for 2027 had not been announced when we checked.
What time is the last bus?
From the Nohi Bus timetable (Nohi Bus, as of October 2026):
| Direction | First bus | Last bus |
|---|---|---|
| Takayama → Hirayu Onsen | 6:00 | 17:40 |
| Hirayu Onsen → Kamikochi | 5:00 | 17:00 |
| Kamikochi → Hirayu Onsen | 7:00 | 17:30 |
| Hirayu Onsen → Takayama | 6:45 | 17:30 |
Some early departures only run on certain dates, so check the timetable for your day. Note that the last Kamikochi bus arrives in Hirayu at 17:55, after the last listed bus to Takayama (17:30). To get back to Takayama the same day, leave Kamikochi well before the last bus. The Hotel Association warns that last buses in the mountains run early, and that missing one can mean a taxi (Kamikochi Resort Hotel Association). A taxi from Hirayu Onsen to Kamikochi Bus Terminal costs ¥6,000 (Kamikochi Resort Hotel Association).
Can you drive to Kamikochi?
No. Private cars, including motorcycles, are not allowed into Kamikochi (Kamikochi Resort Hotel Association). On the Gifu side, park at Akandana Parking (¥600 per car) and take the bus from there, or park in Hirayu and take the bus or a taxi (Nohi Bus, as of October 2026).
What can you walk in a day?
The Hotel Association lists these routes (Kamikochi walking routes, as of October 2026):
| Walk | Time | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Bus Terminal → Kappa Bridge → Tashiro Bridge → Bus Terminal | 55 min | — |
| Taisho Pond → Tashiro Pond → Kappa Bridge (right bank) | 75 min | 3.8 km |
| Kappa Bridge → Myojin Pond (right bank) | 60 min | 3.0 km |
| Kappa Bridge → Tokusawa and back | 4–5 hours | — |
A simple day plan: take an early bus from Takayama, get off at Taisho Pond, walk past Tashiro Pond to Kappa Bridge (about 75 minutes), then continue to Myojin Pond and back if you have time. Finish at Kamikochi Bus Terminal, 6 minutes on foot from Kappa Bridge (same source), and catch a bus that connects back to Takayama.
Can you combine Kamikochi with the Shinhotaka Ropeway?
Yes. Nohi Bus sells the Kamikochi & Okuhida Value Ticket: from Takayama it costs ¥10,500 for two days or ¥11,000 for three days, and it includes free bus travel between Takayama and Shinhotaka, a Shinhotaka Ropeway ticket and a Hirayu–Kamikochi round trip. Buy it at the Takayama or Hirayu bus terminal on the day you start; it is sold only during the Kamikochi season (Nohi Bus, as of October 2026). See our Shinhotaka Ropeway guide.
A night in Okuhida's hot spring villages makes this much easier than doing everything from Takayama. Compare areas in Gero Onsen vs Okuhida Onsen.
Where should you stay?
- Takayama: the most bus choices, and the bus center is next to the station. See where to stay in Takayama.
- Hirayu Onsen or elsewhere in Okuhida: closer to Kamikochi, so you can catch an earlier shuttle.
For a wider plan around Takayama, see our Takayama 2-day itinerary.
FAQ
How long does it take from Takayama to Kamikochi?
About 90 minutes by Nohi Bus, changing at Hirayu Onsen (Nohi Bus, as of October 2026).
How much is the bus from Takayama to Kamikochi?
¥3,000 one way or ¥5,800 round trip for adults. The round trip ticket is valid for 7 days, and children pay half (same source).
Do I need to reserve the Kamikochi bus?
No. Nohi Bus says reservations are not required on the Kamikochi, Takayama and Hirayu Onsen lines. Buy tickets at the window or vending machine before boarding (same source).
Is Kamikochi open in winter?
No. The Kamikochi bus line ran from April 17 to November 15 in 2026, and Kamikochi closes for the season on November 15 (Kamikochi Resort Hotel Association).
Prices, timetables and season dates change. Check official sources before you go. Facts last checked: 2026-10-20.
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Base yourself near Takayama StationThe Kamikochi bus starts at the Nohi Bus Center next to JR Takayama Station. Compare hotels nearby on Klook.See stays →We may earn a commission if you book through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. Disclosure