Going from Nagoya to Shirakawago and Takayama Day Tour

Topic: Nagoya day tours / Day trips from Nagoya / Nagoya Travel/ Shirakawago Day Trip Itinerary

Why Nagoya As A Base for Day Trips?

Nagoya as a Base

Nagoya is the 4th largest city in Japan. As it is in the center of Japan, it is in an ideal spot to travel from as it is very easily accessible to other areas. We recommend traveling from Nagoya as a base because it is very convenient, affordable, and most importantly, fun. We’ll explain how to get to Shirakawago, Takayama, and even Nara in the cheapest way possible from Nagoya below.

Benefits of Nagoya include:

1. Easy Day Tours
   Day trips from Nagoya include “Shirakawago”, “Takayama”, “Nara”, and “Kyoto”. Each of these sightseeing spots can be accessed comfortably, allowing you to have a fulfilling day.
   By highway bus, you can conveniently go to Shirakawago in about 2 hours and 40 minutes one way, Takayama in about 2 hours and 50 minutes one way, Nara in about 2 hours and 30 minutes one way, and Kyoto in about 2 hours and 50 minutes one way.
2. Convenience
   Nagoya is one of Japan’s major cities, and there are many restaurants open late at night and early in the morning. Whether it be early in the morning or late at night, you can always find a place to eat.
3. Great Shopping
   With an abundance of department stores and bustling shopping streets, Nagoya is a perfect shopper’s paradise. You can find everything from the latest fashions to traditional souvenirs.
4. Popular Theme Parks
   Nagoya has a variety of theme parks that you can enjoy with your family and friends, such as Ghibli Park and Legoland. They are perfect for making memories.
5. Cheap Lodging
   Compared to Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto, lodging costs in Nagoya are often cheaper. You can enjoy sightseeing and shopping while keeping travel costs low.

If you use Nagoya as your base, you can easily go to famous spots such as: Shirakawago, Takayama, and Nara all in less than 3 hours. We highly recommend you reserve bus tickets in advance as they often sell out!

Table of Contents

1. Recommended Route ① Shirakawago and Takayama
2. Recommended Route ②「Nara」

Shirakawago, registered as a World Heritage site, is a beautiful thatched-roof village built in the Gassho-zukuri style. The scenery is breathtaking no matter what time of year you visit.
With its old townscape, strolling in Takayama is like stepping back in time to old Japan. You can enjoy various local specialties as well as delicious Hida beef.

Recommended one day trip route from Nagoya (1)
Shirakawago and Takayama

Getting to these two spots from Nagoya is fairly easy. You can get there by train, bus, or car, but going by bus is by far the cheapest method. We’ll teach you how to get to Shirakawago and Takayama by bus below.

Shirakawago

Shirakawago is a picturesque village which preserves a glimpse of ancient Japan with its traditional gassho-zukuri houses. Once remote and inaccessible, its preserved history and buildings eventually earned it recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Even today, it is not possible to go there directly by train, but with the opening of the expressway, going by express bus has become quite popular.

Takayama

Known as “Little Kyoto,” Takayama has a charming townscape that retains the atmosphere of the Edo period. Lined with traditional townhouses and beautiful wooden buildings, visitors will feel as if they have stepped back in time.

Nagoya ⇌ Shirakawago Highway Bus Online Reservation

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* If you also want to go to Takayama, please book a one-way highway bus from Nagoya to Shirakawago.
* If you wish to go ticketless, please select Keitai Ticket as the ticket type.
* Keitai tickets will be sent to the e-mail address entered at the time of reservation.
* Web tickets must be printed.

Bus to Shirakawago and Takayama from Nagoya

Around 7:30 AM

I arrived at the Meitetsu Bus Center, located in the Meitetsu Department Store building near Nagoya Station.

The bus bound for Shirakawa-go departs from the third floor at bus stop 7.

Since I didn’t have much time, I bought breakfast at a convenience store on the third floor of the Meitetsu Bus Center and waited for the buses to arrive at the waiting room on the same third floor.

There is also a cafe (Doutor Coffee) on the 4th floor, but please note that it is only open from 7:30 AM to 7:00 PM.

Around 7:40 AM

A bus bound for Shirakawago enters bus stop No. 7.
Show your mobile ticket to the crew and board the bus. All seats are reserved, so sit in your seat indicated on the ticket and wait for the departure.
The bus is fully equipped with AC power and free Wifi for all seats, and a restroom at the end of the bus.

Around 7:50 AM

Use the Meitetsu Bus to get to Shirakawago.

Next to Nagoya Station is the Meitetsu Bus Center.

(From Meitetsu Bus Center, 3rd floor, bus stop #7) Depart for Shirakawago.

　

Around 8:40 AM

Take a 10-minute break at the Hirugano service area.

Around 10:32 AM

Arrive at Shirakawago bus terminal.

Shirakawago Bus Terminal Information

This bus terminal is exclusively for local and highway buses and is conveniently located for sightseeing in Shirakawago.
It is convenient for visiting Gassho-zukuri villages and the Shirakawago Observatory.

Hours of operation: 8:30AM – 5:30PM
Facilities: waiting room, restroom, tourist center, large coin lockers, luggage storage, automatic foreign currency exchange, bus reservation counter, WIFI

For a detailed report of Shirakawago’s luggage storage (including measurements) click here.

Shirakawago Observatory

Upon arrival in Shirakawago, we recommend first visiting the Ogimachi Castle Ruins Observatory, which offers a panoramic view of Shirakawago.

Distance by foot (from the bus terminal)

It is 15 minutes walk from Shirakawago Bus Terminal to the Shirakawago Observatory
Details (Google map)

Other Shirakawago Attractions

1. Gassho-zukuri Houses
   Hagicho is lined with approximately 30 historic gassho-zukuri houses. These houses are a precious reminder of the traditional architectural style of the past, and are astonishing in both their beauty and functionality. Hagicho is part of the Shirakawago World Heritage Site area. It resembles the Edo Period (1603-1868) in Japan.
2. Shirakawa Hachiman Shrine
   Shirakawa Hachiman Shrine is an ancient and historically significant Shinto shrine believed to have been founded in the 17th century. Surrounded by huge cedar trees, its known as one of the oldest areas of Shirakawago.
3. Traditional Food and Fashionable Cafes
   In Hachigo you can cafe hop between the gassho-style houses. One of the famous foods in Shirakawago is soba noodles, and there are a lot of restaurants that serve it here. You can also buy a variety of snacks and walk through the streets as if you were living in old Japan.

After enjoying Shirakawago, take the express bus to Takayama.

A 1 hour trip from Shirakawago ⇒ Takayama

It takes about one hour from Shirakawago to Takayama.
This bus is available by reservation or by non-reservation.
We recommend making a reservation as this is a busy route.

By reservation only:

Shirakawago 12:35 → Takayama 13:25
Shirakawago 13:30 → Takayama 14:20
Shirakawago 13:50 → Takayama 14:50

Non-reserved regular (first-come, first-served):

Shirakawago 13:15 → Takayama 14:05

Fare: 2,600 yen/one-way (revised in December 2024, to be confirmed)

Shirakawago → Takayama Highway Bus Online Reservation

Upon arrival in Takayama, enjoy the atmosphere of Little Kyoto with its old streets and camps, and Takayama’s gourmet food such as Takayama ramen and Hida beef.

After enjoying Takayama, take a highway bus back to Nagoya.

It takes about 2 hours and 40 minutes from Takayama ( Takayama Nohi Bus Center ) to Nagoya ( Meitetsu Bus Center) by direct bus.

Takayama → Nagoya Highway Bus Online Booking

Reservation recommended:

Takayama 17:30 → Nagoya 20:15
Takayama 19:00 → Nagoya 21:45

Takayama → Nagoya
Fare: 3,400 yen
Time required: approx. 2 hours and 45 minutes

Remember to take a break at your hotel after your trip!

Express Bus Online Reservations

Shirakawago from Nagoya
　Fare: 3,400 yen to 4,200 yen
　Travel time: ~2 hours and 40 minutes
Shirakawago to Takayama
　Fare: 2,600 yen
　Time required: ~60 min.
Takayama to Nagoya
　Fare: 3,400 yen
　Travel time: ~2 hr. 50 min.

Another day trip from Nagoya is Nara

Nara is the oldest capital city in Japan and is renowned for its many historical legacies. In Nara Park, you’ll be greeted by friendly deer. Beautiful and famous temples like the Great Buddha and the Five-Story Pagoda also create a calm and historic atmosphere. Walking along the old streets, you can also find a lot of stylish cafes and traditional souvenir shops scattered throughout the area. Nara sells a lot of local delicacies such as Nara zuke (pickles) and kakinoha sushi (persimmon leaf sushi).

Express buses connect Nagoya (Meitetsu Bus Center) and Nara (Kintetsu Nara Station and JR Nara Station) in approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, offering good value and convenience.

Nagoya → Nara Highway Bus Online Reservation

Recommended day trip route from Nagoya (2)
Nara

Nagoya to Nara by Bus

A less known one day trip from Nagoya is Nara, the ancient capital of Japan. By bus it only takes 2 1/2 hours to get to Nara from Nagoya. There are four round-trip express buses that run directly from Nagoya to Nara every day, providing easy and inexpensive access. This makes it easy to enjoy Nara as a day trip.
Places to visit in Nara

1. World Heritage Sites (cultural, natural, etc.)
   Nara is home to eight World Heritage sites including: Todaiji Temple, Kofukuji Temple, and Kasuga Taisha Shrine. Simply visiting these historically and culturally rich sites truly showcase Nara’s ancient history.
2. Nara Park
   In Nara Park, you will be greeted by cute deer roaming freely. Interacting with the deer is one of the major attractions of sightseeing in Nara.
3. Old town
   In Naramachi, you can enjoy the traditional atmosphere of the old town. While strolling around, stop by stylish cafes and traditional souvenir shops.
   A day trip from Nagoya to Nara is a wonderful way to experience history, nature, and healing. We hope you will visit Nara!

Nagoya → Nara Highway Bus Online Reservation

First, head to the Meitetsu Bus Center, located in the Meitetsu Department Store building near Nagoya Station.
The bus bound for Nara departs from the 3rd floor at bus stop 8.

Nagoya (Meitetsu Bus Center, 3rd floor, #8) 7:40 AM
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Arrive at Kintetsu Nara Station

at 10:05 (JR Nara Station at 10:15)

If you are heading for Nara Park, we recommend getting off at Kintetsu Nara Station.

Nara Park is about a 10-minute walk from Kintetsu Nara Station.

We also recommend that you purchase a bus pass, which allows you to freely get on and off local buses in Nara City.

Bus Pass Details

The bus pass is available on the opposite side of the road when you get off the express bus at Kintetsu Nara Station.
Available at ” NARAKOTSU BUS INFORMATION “.

Nara Day Trip Recommendation

First time in Nara/ Basic Sightseeing Course (about 4 hours)

1. Todaiji Temple
   Todaiji Temple, registered as a World Heritage site, is a symbol of Nara.
   Visit the Big Buddha and stroll through the beautiful gardens.
2. Kofukuji Temple
   Like Todaiji Temple, Kofukuji Temple is a World Heritage Site and is lined with buildings from the Nara period.
   You can feel the history in the still and quiet atmosphere.
3. Nara Park
   Nara Park is famous as a place where you can spend time with deer.
   Relax and enjoy nature in this spacious park.
4. Kasuga Taisha Shrine
   Kasuga Taisha Shrine, a World Heritage Site, is a cultural asset of the ancient capital of Nara. Approaching the shrine, you will see old architectural structures and stone monuments scattered throughout the area. The deer fortune is also popular, and an English version is also available.

Wakakusa, Kasuga Taisha Shrine and Todaiji Daibutsuden Course (approx. 7 hours)

1. Visit Kasuga Taisha, a World Heritage Site
   15 minutes from Kintetsu Nara Station to the main shrine of Kasuga Taisha by bus.
2. Hike to the summit of Mt.Wakakusa
   It takes about 5 minutes by foot from the main shrine of Kasuga Taisha to get to the base gate of Mt.Wakakusa.
   It is about a 40-minute walk from the foot gate to the summit.
   At the peak of Mt.Wakakusa, you can see a panoramic view of Nara, with its surround temples, shrines, and even mountains in the distance.
   You can also enjoy interacting with cute wild deer.
   *Hours of entry are from 9:00 to 17:00
   *Closed during winter (mid-December to mid-March).
3. Todaiji Temple
4. Naramachi (shopping district in Kyoto)
   Visitors can enjoy strolling, shopping, and dining.

Naramachi: Shopping/ A Gourmet Stroll (about 2 to 3 hours)

Naramachi is an area with a traditional townscape in the central part of Nara City. The narrow streets are lined with many historical buildings called machiya. There are also many restaurants and souvenir stores where you can enjoy gourmet food and shopping unique to this area.

• A temple hall with an enshrined statue of Kobo Daishi (at Shingon temple)
  They are famous for their high-speed rice cake pounding in the store, and their freshly made mugwort rice cakes are not only delicious but also very popular.
  Google Map
• Kuki Cake.
  This cozy cafe is popular for its soft cakes and pastries that contain lots of Nara’s rich natural air.
  Google Map

Other recommended spots

• Nara Goldfish Museum
  It is a photogenic art space with the theme of Nara x goldfish x art.
  Google Map
• YAMATO Craft Beer Table
  This is a craft beer store in Nara. More than 8 to 10 kinds of craft beers are always available.
  Google Map
• Sakura Burger
  This is an original hamburger store with delicious smoked homemade bacon.
  Google Map

Bus from Nara back to Nagoya

Highway Bus Facilities
Restroom, AC power supply, free WiFi

Where to board the train in Nara
Kintetsu Nara Station, Bus Stop No. 20
JR Nara Station, No. 4 bus stop

Nagoya → Nara Highway Bus Online Reservation

< This content was produced in cooperation with Meitetsu Bus Co. >