Takayama to Kanazawa by Bus: Timetable, Fares and Stopping at Shirakawa-go

Facts checked against official sources: 2026-10-24

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The bus is the direct way from Takayama to Kanazawa, and it passes through Shirakawa-go, so you can see the village on the way. This guide lists the through buses and fares from the Nohi Bus timetable and explains how to break the journey in Shirakawa-go.

Takayama to Kanazawa at a glance

Source: Nohi Bus, checked October 24, 2026. Timetables change; check the current one for your date.

What time are the buses from Takayama to Kanazawa?

All four need a reservation (Nohi Bus, checked October 2026). The two companies run the line together on one timetable.

What time are the buses from Kanazawa to Takayama?

Same source. All reservation required.

How do you stop in Shirakawa-go on the way?

Buy two separate tickets and pick a later bus for the second leg. The Shirakawa-go Tourist Association suggests 2–3 hours to walk around the village (Shirakawa-go Tourist Association FAQ).

Times from the Nohi Bus timetable, checked October 2026. Other departures from Shirakawa-go to Kanazawa include 10:25, 10:55, 15:55 and 17:30.

Luggage: coin lockers at the Shirakawago Bus Terminal cost ¥500 or ¥1,000 per use and are available 8:00–17:00 (Shirakawa-go Tourist Association FAQ, as of October 2026). Nohi Bus warns that very large items may not fit in the bus trunk, and asks you to keep mobile batteries with you, not in the trunk (Nohi Bus).

For what to see in the village, see Is Shirakawa-go worth visiting? and the full list of Takayama departures in Takayama to Shirakawa-go.

How do you book?

• Online: reserved buses are booked through Japan Bus Online (Nohi Bus).
• By phone: Nohi Bus Reservation Center, 9:00–17:00, or the Hokuriku Tetsudo Reservation Center for the Kanazawa line, 9:00–18:00 (same source).

With a stopover, book both legs: the Shirakawa-go to Kanazawa buses also need reservations.

Does the Takayama-Hokuriku pass cover this bus?

Yes. The JR Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass (¥19,800 for 5 days) includes the Takayama–Shirakawa-go–Kanazawa bus line, but you still need to reserve seats (Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass, as of October 2026). It also covers the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Kanazawa toward Tsuruga and JR onward to Kyoto and Osaka. See our Takayama-Hokuriku pass guide and JR Pass vs Takayama-Hokuriku pass.

Doing Nagoya → Takayama → Kanazawa → Kyoto?The 5-day Takayama-Hokuriku pass covers the Hida, the Kanazawa bus and the Shinkansen. Check price and conditions on Klook.See pass

Winter travel

Nohi Bus warns that delays of two hours or more can happen on this line, caused by traffic waiting to park at Shirakawa-go, heavy snow or expressway closures (Nohi Bus). Avoid booking a tight train or flight connection in Kanazawa on the same day. See Shirakawa-go in winter and the Nagoya–Takayama–Shirakawa-go–Kanazawa route guide.

Before you go: you'll rely on your phone for bus reservations, timetables and maps on this trip. Our Japan eSIM guide explains how much data to get; Yesim's Japan plans start at $4.44 for 1 GB, valid 30 days from first connection (as of October 2026).

FAQ

How long is the bus from Takayama to Kanazawa?

About 2 hours 15 minutes on the through buses, which stop at Shirakawa-go on the way (Nohi Bus, as of October 2026).

How much is the bus from Takayama to Kanazawa?

¥4,200 one way for adults from the Takayama bus terminal to Kanazawa Station (same source).

Can I stop at Shirakawa-go between Takayama and Kanazawa?

Yes. Buy a Takayama–Shirakawa-go ticket (¥2,800) and a Shirakawa-go–Kanazawa ticket (¥2,800), and use the coin lockers at the Shirakawago Bus Terminal for your bags, available 8:00–17:00 (Shirakawa-go Tourist Association FAQ).

Do I need to reserve the Takayama to Kanazawa bus?

Yes. All four through buses are reservation only; book on Japan Bus Online or by phone (Nohi Bus).

Timetables and fares change. Check official sources before you go. Facts last checked: 2026-10-24.

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