How To Travel From Kanazawa To Shirakawago (2023 Guide)

Shirakawa-go is a little village in the Japanese Alps that is famous for its traditional wooden farmhouses with their typical gassho-zukuri roofs.

The angle of the thatched roofs is between 45 and 60 degrees, and they are built this way so that snow won’t pile up on them in winter.

Shirakawa-go is a popular day trip from Kanazawa, in this guide you will find a step-by-step guide on how to travel from Kanazawa to Shirakawago.

Kanazawa to Shirakawago

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Kanazawa to Shirakawago: ways to travel

From Kanazawa, there are two ways to get to Shirakawago:

• By bus
• By car

Traveling from Kanazawa to Shirakawago by bus

Japan is known for its efficient public transport and despite the fact that Shirakawago is located in a remote area in the Japanese Alps, it's well connected to both Kanazawa and Takayama.

Click here for the interactive map

How to travel from Kanazawa to Shirakawago by bus

1. Buy a bus ticket online

The first thing to do is to buy a bus ticket to Shirakawago. You can buy a ticket online up until a month in advance and I highly recommend you do so.

We didn't and while the first two buses of the day were fully booked, we were able to buy a ticket (at the bus station itself) for the 9.40 am bus. However, we were very lucky we could travel on the same day as often all tickets are booked.

Note that you have to book separate tickets for each leg of your journey.

For example, if you plan to travel from Kanazawa to Shirakawago and continue to Takayama later that day, you will have to buy a ticket for the Kanazawa – Shirakawago part AND a ticket for the Shirakawago – Takayama part. Both can be bought via the website mentioned above.

If you prefer, you can try to buy a ticket for the same day at the bus station itself, there is an office of Hokutetsu, the company that operates the buses between Kanazawa and Shirakawago (together with Nohi Bus).

Their office is just north of bus stop 2 and it's easy to find. However, there is no guarantee there will be seats available.

2. Print your e-ticket

After making an online booking, you will receive an E-ticket by email which you must print and show to the driver before boarding the bus.

Despite being a high-tech country, Japan is quite old-fashioned in some ways and it's not enough to show the e-ticket on your phone (at least, it wasn't when we were traveling this area in 2016).

3. Locate the correct bus stop

The bus to Shirakawago leaves from the Kanazawa East Gate Bus Terminal, bus stop 2 to be exact. Make sure to be at the bus stop on time and plan to be there at least 15 minutes ahead of the departure time.

Kanazawa station is quite big and while it's not rocket science to find the right bus stop, it's never a good idea to have to rush when carrying a large backpack while trying to decipher the beautiful but incomprehensible Kanji signs.

4. Board the bus

Boarding the bus is straightforward, note however that you must show your ticket to the driver before getting on. Also, if you are traveling with a large backpack this will be stowed in the luggage compartment of the bus.

Please keep any valuables with you, despite the fact that Japan is very safe and theft is rare, it's always better to be smart about this.

5. Enjoy the view

Now sit back and relax, while admiring the views from the bus. You'll see rice paddies and the closer you get to Shirakawago, the more mountainous (and beautiful) the surroundings will be.

6. Arrive at Shirakawago Bus Terminal

After a beautiful drive, you will arrive at Shirakawago Bus Terminal. Here you can store large luggage in one of the lockers so you don't have to lug it around while exploring the beautiful houses of Ogimachi.

Important things to know when traveling to Shirakawago by bus

Pros and cons of traveling to Shirakawago from Kanazawa by bus

In my opinion, traveling to Shirakawago by bus is most suitable for people backpacking Japan on a budget.

Pros

• It's the cheapest way to get there.
• It's easy and hassle-free.
• Onward journeys to Takayama are fast and easy.

Cons

• You can't stop along the way to take pictures of the scenery.
• There is only a limited amount of bus tickets available.
• You have less flexibility as there are only 10 buses a day and departure times are irregular.

Traveling from Kanazawa to Shirakawago by car

Renting a car in Japan may seem daunting but it's actually a lot easier to drive in Japan than you might think.

Navigating busy cities such as Tokyo or Kyoto can be a nightmare, however, driving in rural areas such as the Japanese Alps is absolute bliss.

I've rented a car in Japan twice, once to make a road trip around Hokkaido and once to make a road trip around Shikoku (I haven't written about this trip on the blog yet).

And I can tell from personal experience, there are some things to keep in mind when driving in Japan.

Important things to know when driving in Japan

1. In Japan, people drive on the left side of the road. Keep this in mind if you are used to driving on the other side of the road, it's especially easy to forget on quiet roads without much traffic.
2. Bring an international driving permit based upon the 1949 Geneva Convention. If you fail to do so, you cannot rent a car in Japan.
3. Tolls are levied on National Expressways, these can be paid in cash or by credit card.
4. Download an offline map (such as Maps.Me) to make navigating easier. You most likely will have a GPS in your rental car, however, most are in Japanese and it can be difficult to adjust the settings.
5. Stick to the speed limit, there are speed cameras and fines are high.

How to travel from Kanazawa to Shirakawago by car

1. Book your rental car

First of all, you will have to rent a car. I recommend booking through Rentalcars.com as they offer the best price and good conditions.

In Kanazawa, there are several pickup points, but prices are usually the lowest when picking up your car at Kanazawa Train Station.

2. Set the GPS to English

Ask the staff at your car rental company to set the GPS to English (if possible). If not, ask them to insert Shirakawago as your destination.

Also, ask if there is a home destination on the device so you can easily navigate back to Kanazawa at the end of your sightseeing day.

Don't worry if there isn't, the staff at the Tourist Information Center in Shirakawago is happy to help.

3. Plan your route

Time to get going! The fastest route from Kanazawa to Shirakawago is via the Hokuriku Expressway and the Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway.

Note that these roads are toll roads, toll costs are approximately ¥2000 (one way).

4. Park your car

Once you have arrived at Shirakawago, park your car at one of the designated car parks. The parking fee is ¥500, vehicles are not allowed within the village.

You can find a map with the parking lots here.

How much does it cost to rent a car in Japan?

That depends on several factors, such as the type of car and whether or not you choose to add insurance. A small car will cost approximately ¥5000 for one day, however, if you include insurance another ¥1000 will be added.

When you are traveling as a family and need a baby car seat, toddler car seat, or child booster seat, add ¥550 per rented item.

Pros and cons of traveling to Shirakawago from Kanazawa by car

In my opinion, traveling to Shirakawago by car is most suitable for traveling families.

Pros

• You can easily bring your luggage and any stuff you may need during the day.
• Depending on the size of your party, it may actually be cheaper than the bus.
• You have full control over your itinerary. If you like, you can stop along the way for lunch, take pretty pictures and even visit Gokayama on your way to Shirakawago.

Cons

• You will need to return to Kanazawa to return your vehicle. A few rental companies allow cars to be picked up in Kanazawa and dropped off in Takayama, however, the one-way fees are quite steep.
• You need to bring an international driving permit from home, so you can't spontaneously decide to rent a car in Japan.

Plan your Japan trip like a pro with these tools:
✅ Get a Japan Railpass to save lots of time and money.
✅ Rent a car for your Japan road trip via Rentalcars.com.
✅ Stay connected with Airalo Japan offer.
✅ Plan your journey with the Japan Lonely Planet.
✅ Find the best hotel deals on Booking.com.
✅ Join the best tours in Japan via Klook.
✅ Travel safely and get reliable travel insurance from Safety Wing.

Can I spend the night in Shirakawago?

It's definitely possible to spend the night in historic Ogimachi village, you can even sleep in one of the gasshō-zukuri style houses!

Shirakawago Guest House Kei

Guest House Kei is an affordable and cozy place to stay near Shirekawago. The staff is friendly and the property offers great facilities, such as a clean common area, a shared well-equipped kitchen to prepare meals, and free onsite parking.

Bathrooms are shared which is something to keep in mind before booking.

Click here to book

Onyado Yuinosho Ryokan

While definitely not a cheap place to spend the night, your stay at the Onyado Yuinosho Ryokan will be a comfortable one.

With a private bathroom, comfortable beds, beautiful mountain views, and a blissful onsen, you'll surely enjoy your time here. Service is exceptional, as are the meals served at the hotel.

Click here to book

How to travel from Kanazawa to Shirakawago: in conclusion

I hope this guide has given you all the information you need to plan your Shirakawago trip. It's a beautiful village that is very much worth visiting.

Please let me know if I missed any important information or if you have any questions. You can leave a comment below or send me a message.

Read my other posts about Japan for more Japan travel inspiration!

This post was updated in January 2023.