Two Gassho-style villages in one day. Takayama → Kanazawa one-way bus trip
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From Takayama Station, we head to two famous Gassho-style villages that are World Heritage sites. This is a one-day trip that takes you around Shirakawa-go, Gokayama and Ainokura in half a day, before passing through Johana and finishing in Kanazawa.
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We are promoting the charm of Nanto City, Toyama Prefecture, both in Japan and overseas. Nanto City, located in the southwest of Toyama Prefecture, is blessed with abundant nature in all four seasons, and is a place where the original Japanese landscape and good old traditional Japanese culture remain strong to this day. Gokayama, known for its Gassho-style villages, is a "living World Heritage Site" where people live with their own unique culture. The scattered villages spread across the countryside are also one of the special landscapes unique to this region. Johana, which flourished in silk weaving from the Middle Ages to the early modern period, and Inami, known for woodcarving, are filled with fragrant history and culture. Fukumitsu, where Munakata Shiko lived, Fukuno, which flourished as a market town, Iguchi, the village of camellias, and Toga, a town of theater and urban exchange, are always full of travel attractions, and the people welcome you with warm smiles.
Required time
Approximately 8 hours and 10 minutes
Transportation
Bus
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On foot
A comprehensive tour of two World Heritage "Gassho-style Villages"
Gassho-style houses with thatched roofs have supported life in areas with heavy snowfall for a long time.
It's like going back in time.
The spot where you can have such an experience is the World Heritage Site "Shirakawa-go and Gokayama Gassho-style Villages."
The traditional gassho roofs and mountain village scenery rich in nature fascinate people from all over the world.
This Gassho-style village is located deep in the mountains, but you can easily visit it by using the World Heritage Bus.
The main theme of this event is touring World Heritage sites in one day.
We will introduce a model course that starts from Takayama Station, passes through two Gassho-style villages, and ends in Kanazawa.
This is recommended for those who want to visit the spots efficiently in a limited amount of time.
The starting point is JR Takayama Station. Take the Nohi bus from the East Exit (on the right side of the photo).
The starting point is JR Takayama Station in Gifu Prefecture.
It is a stopover point for Central Japan Tourism, where the Takayama Line, JR Central Bus, and Nohi Bus connect.
It is the gateway to Kamikochi in the east and Shirakawa-go in the north, and is bustling with tourists from all over the world.
This is the Nohi bus. It takes about 50 minutes to get to Shirakawa-go.
Nohi Bus ticket office
First, we headed to the Nohi Bus ticket booth to head to Shirakawa-go.
There are a wide variety of tickets available, and the staff at the counter will explain everything you need to know.
Buy the ticket that best suits your itinerary.
Shirakawa-go/Gokayama route ticket (3,980 yen for adults). Can be used for a one-way trip from Takayama to Takaoka.
The three spots on this bus tour are Shirakawa-go, Ainokura, and Joetsu.
I used the Shirakawa-go/Gokayama route ticket, a one-way ticket valid for three days.
This will save you about 600 yen compared to purchasing tickets for each section individually.
Discounted route tickets available here.
From platform 4 to Shirakawa-go
The morning trip was so popular that it was nearly full, showing just how popular Shirakawa-go is.
We departed from the terminal bustling with tourists.
1
Takayama Station
9:35 Take the Nohi bus from Takayama Station
10:25 Get off at Shirakawago Bus Terminal
10:25 Get off at Shirakawago Bus Terminal
2
Shirakawago Bus Terminal
Arrived at Shirakawago Bus Terminal
A few minutes walk will take you to the main street of Shirakawa-go. You will be greeted by impressive Gassho-style houses.
After about 50 minutes, we arrived at the World Heritage Site, Shirakawa-go.
Here we have 1 hour and 20 minutes of free time. We won't go too far into the area, but will enjoy sightseeing around the bus terminal.
Shuttle bus to Ogimachi Castle Ruins Observatory. Runs every 20 minutes. 200 yen one way.
A must-visit spot in Shirakawa-go is the Ogimachi Castle Ruins Observatory, located on top of a hill.
It takes about 15 minutes to walk up from the bus terminal, but it's easier if you use the designated shuttle bus.
Since it is a small bus, it may fill up, so it is better to line up early.
A quick bus ride to the observation deck
If you use a telephoto lens, you can enjoy the scenery as if it were a miniature.
Although it was a hot day on the day of the interview, we arrived at the observation deck stress-free.
This is a must-visit viewpoint where you can enjoy the magnificent view of Shirakawa-go.
After taking photos, we got off on foot and enjoyed the traditional village scenery.
A waterway so beautiful that fish can swim in it!
Tour the inside of the Wada House, a nationally designated important cultural property
Among the rows of houses of various sizes, we decided to explore inside the Wada House, which was the closest.
It is located very close to the shuttle bus stop mentioned earlier.
Experience the calm and high quality feel that only a wooden house can offer.
Furniture that tells us about the lives of people at that time
The inside was spacious with high ceilings, and I was overwhelmed by the imposing construction.
The Gassho style houses were also amazing to see from the inside!
After a short stay of 1 hour and 20 minutes, we headed to Gokayama.
Return to the bus terminal and board the bus to your next destination, Ainokura Village.
Our stay was short, but it was enough to get a feel for the atmosphere.
Shirakawa-go is long and wide, so if you go to the back, it will be difficult to get back.
If you are staying for a short stay, it is smart and recommended to go around the area near the bus terminal.
11:45 Board the World Heritage Bus from Shirakawa-go Bus Terminal
12:30 Get off at Ainokuraguchi and walk 5 minutes to Ainokura village
12:30 Get off at Ainokuraguchi and walk 5 minutes to Ainokura village
Arrived at Ainokura Gassho Village, a World Heritage Site on a par with Shirakawa-go
We had about three hours of free time to relax in the second Gassho-style village, Ainokura, Gokayama.
The main reason for this is that it is more compact and easier to wander around than Shirakawa-go , there are fewer tourists, and there is almost no waiting time.
Here you will enjoy three things: lunch, sightseeing, and an experience.
Yusuke is a Gassho-style inn with a museum and accommodation for rent.
First, we visited the museum of "Yusuke," a particularly large Gassho-style house .
This is a spot where you can feel history, combining a private lodge and a museum. (Admission fee: 300 yen for adults)
A number of photos that convey the past, taken by the owner himself, a former photographer.
Farm tools that tell the story of life in a heavy snow area
The museum on the second floor is full of exhibits that allow you to relive the lives of the people of Gokayama.
I am amazed at the affluent lifestyle that has developed uniquely in this remote mountain area.
A must-see for fans of traditional crafts such as sericulture and washi paper making.
Matsuya is a rest area next to Yusuke. You can have lunch here.
After visiting the museum, we went to have lunch at the neighboring tea shop "Matsuya", which is less than a minute's walk away.
In addition to Gokayama's specialties tofu and soba, they also sell a variety of handicrafts.
Relax at the comfortable counter seats
Masks made from Gokayama washi paper. There are plenty of eye-catching souvenirs
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"Inari soba (1,100 yen)" topped with wild vegetables and thick fried tofu. Served with Toyama's uzumaki kamaboko fish cake.
The menu that makes generous use of local wild vegetables is highly recommended.
The price was reasonable and I was very satisfied.
Try your hand at making washi paper at the Gokayama Washi Papermaking Experience Center
After lunch, we visited the Gokayama Washi Papermaking Experience Center .
It's a compact settlement, so any spot can be reached within a two-minute walk.
Don't worry if it's your first time, the craftsmen will teach you carefully.
A moist and semi-transparent base. Decorations are added here.
You can experience making washi paper, a traditional craft in Gokayama.
This time, it was a weekday and there were no vacancies, so I was able to participate in the experience without making a reservation.
The flower cutouts are laid out by hand.
Put another layer of base on top, vacuum to remove moisture, dry and complete.
A variety of crafts made from washi paper. I was surprised to see some three-dimensional dolls.
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My own washi paper is complete! The plant in the background is the raw material for washi paper, "kozo," which uses the bark of the tree as its raw material.
Of course, the washi paper you create can be used as drawing paper.
It takes just 15 minutes to try it out, and the cost is reasonable at 700 yen.
The building also has a wide selection of washi paper crafts, making it a recommended souvenir shop.
Jishu Shrine located within the village
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A monument inscribed with the Emperor's song, "On the day I visited Gokayama, at evening meal time, the song of the Kokiriko echoed through the forest."
The rest of the time is a leisurely stroll around the village. You can see almost every corner of the village in about 30 minutes.
While I was enjoying taking photos, the time for the bus came quickly.
Travel to Johana by World Heritage Bus
Walk back to Ainokuraguchi bus stop and board the World Heritage bus.
Our last tourist spot is Johana.
15:30 Board the World Heritage Bus at Ainokuraguchi
15:55 Get off at Johana Hikiyama Kaikan
15:55 Get off at Johana Hikiyama Kaikan
3
Johana Hikiyama Kaikan
Get off in front of the Johana Hikiyama Kaikan. Take a stroll along the way to JR Johana Station.
If I continued on the bus I could have reached Jōhana Station, but I had about 40 minutes of free time before the bus to Kanazawa arrived.
So I got off at the nearest stop, Johana Hikiyama Kaikan, and walked towards Johana Station.
From Johana Hikiyama Kaikan, walk to JR Johana Station (approximately 700m)
Johana Betsuin Zentokuji Temple, with a history of over 500 years, is an icon of Johana
Searching for sweets at Mizonokuchi Baikaten, a Japanese sweets shop located opposite Zentokuji Temple
Just behind the Hikiyama Hall was the impressive gate of Zentoku-ji Temple.
At this point, I started to feel hungry, so I decided to stop by a Japanese sweets shop across from Zentokuji Temple.
The popular Ankoromochi was sold out, so I bought Kinakomochi instead. They were all reasonably priced at under 200 yen each!
An old-fashioned cobblestone backstreet. Just walking through it is full of atmosphere.
After walking about 700m, you will arrive at JR Johana Station. Enter the adjacent Johana Tourist Information Center.
It's mostly downhill to Johana Station, so it's an easy walk the whole way.
However, the summer heat made me crave something cold.
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The "Kuzu Bar (250 yen)" is popular as an ice cream that doesn't melt. This one is white peach flavored, not too sweet, cool and delicious!
The tourist association was selling ice cream, so I couldn't help but buy some.
While waiting for the bus, I enjoyed discovering some unexpected sweets.
Transfer to Kanazawa Station on the Nanto-Kanazawa Line
Then we warped straight to Kanazawa.
I walked a lot in one day, and before I knew it I had arrived in Kanazawa.
The route ticket is valid up to Takaoka within the section. Depending on your destination, you can also use a route via Takaoka.
4
Johana Station
16:40 Board the Nanto Kanazawa Line bus in front of Johatsu Station (fare 870 yen)
17:45 Get off at Kanazawa Station and the whole trip is over.
17:45 Get off at Kanazawa Station and the whole trip is over.
A one-day tour of World Heritage sites is enough to enjoy
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A Gokayama souvenir found at Matsuya. Hanging from the ceiling is a musical instrument called a "sasara."
It was a fast-paced tour from Takayama to Kanazawa, but the day flew by with so much to offer.
If you use a route ticket and get around quickly, I think it's quite realistic to see all the Gassho-zukuri buildings in one day.
Gassho Village has a lot to offer, but if you focus on visiting key areas you will definitely be able to enjoy the atmosphere.
The natural scenery of Shogawa Gorge seen from the bus is also one of the highlights of the trip.
The route ticket is valid for three days, so you can make it into a relaxing trip by staying overnight in Shirakawa-go or Ainokura.
I hope you enjoy this World Heritage Site up close!
Spots introduced in this itinerary
We are promoting the charm of Nanto City, Toyama Prefecture, both in Japan and overseas. Nanto City, located in the southwest of Toyama Prefecture, is blessed with abundant nature in all four seasons, and is a place where the original Japanese landscape and good old traditional Japanese culture remain strong to this day. Gokayama, known for its Gassho-style villages, is a "living World Heritage Site" where people live with their own unique culture. The scattered villages spread across the countryside are also one of the special landscapes unique to this region. Johana, which flourished in silk weaving from the Middle Ages to the early modern period, and Inami, known for woodcarving, are filled with fragrant history and culture. Fukumitsu, where Munakata Shiko lived, Fukuno, which flourished as a market town, Iguchi, the village of camellias, and Toga, a town of theater and urban exchange, are always full of travel attractions, and the people welcome you with warm smiles.
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