While one full day is enough to see the most important sights in Takayama, two days allows you to see the sights in Takayama City and then do one day trip to a nearby town. This is my recommendation for anyone visiting the area.
Small, but packed full of charisma, definitely worth a visit. There are many more reasons to visit Takayama. For example, Takayama Jinya, a super well maintained 17th Century Government building in town, which is popular with visitors.
Recommendation to choose thermal clothing. It keeps body warm and then you could put on a wicking fabrics for the second layer and finally a waterproof, windproof and breathable hard-shell jacket.
The old buildings are said to have stood for over 300 years. However, from around 1940, the construction of dams for the development of hydroelectric power in the basin of the Sho River, led some settlements being submerged.
The warmest month is August, when temperatures hover around 80 degrees Fahrenheit (26 degrees Celsius), while the coldest month is January, averaging just 41 degrees Fahrenheit (5 degrees Celsius).
Winters (December/January/February) in Takayama can be cold and snowy. This is a good place to see snow (if that's what you're looking for). There is a rainy season that goes from mid-June to late July, but it doesn't rain every day and you can travel in this season.
In Shirakawa-go, snow falls from around late December until early March. You can enjoy the winter scenery of the snow covered gassho style village together with a backdrop of brilliant white mountains. You can also see icicles hanging from the eaves of the gassho style houses.
Japanese winters generally last from December to February. In Tokyo, December temperatures tend to be around 12ºC (54°F) in the afternoon and drop to about 5ºC (41°F) in the morning and at night. By January, afternoon temperatures drop to 10ºC (50°F) and morning temperatures tend to hover between 2ºC~3ºC (35°F~37°F).
It takes about 50 minutes by bus from Takayama Nohi Bus Center to Shirakawago. Take comfortable and accessible Nohi Bus. There are 16 round-trip bus services a day. (Some services are on a reservation basis) After sightseeing around Shirakawago, you can go to Kanazawa, Toyama or Takaoka (by Kaetsunou Bus) by bus.
Shirakawa-go is located in the northwest of Gifu Prefecture, in the approximate center of Japan. Visitors from abroad can travel to Shirakawa-go by public transport or rental car. If you are using a car or rental car equipped with a navigation system, please search for Shirakawa-go and follow its directions.
From Osaka
- At Shin-Osaka Station, take the JR Tokaido Shinkansen to Nagoya Station. Note that there are 3 trains: Hikari, Kodama, and Nozomi.
- From Nagoya Station, walk to Meitetsu BC Bus Stop and transfer to a Gifu Bus bound for Shirakawa-go. Get off at Shirakawago BT Bus Stop.
STEP 1: Take the metro to Nagoya Station. STEP 2: Walk towards Meitetsu BC Bus Stop. STEP 3: Purchase bus ticket to Shirakawa-go via Gifu. Travel time: Approximately 2 hours and 50 minutes.
Places to Eat in Shirakawa-go
- Suttate Nabe. “Suttate” is local specialty dish, prepared by mixing stone-ground soy
- Masuen Bunsuke. We cook freshly caught river fish (char, red-spotted trout, and rainbo
- Kita-no-sho.
- Morizen.
- Soba Dojo.
- Tonkatsu Tomiya.
- Coffee Hina.
- Hidagyu Tenkara.
There is no direct connection from Nagano to Shirakawa-go. However, you can take the train to Shin-Takaoka, take the walk to Shintakaoka Station, take the bus to Shirakawago, Gifu, then take the walk to Shirakawa-go.
You can take a train from Nagano to Takayama via Toyama in around 3h 12m. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Nagano to Takayama via Taishoike and Hirayu Onsen in around 4h 50m. Japan's famous bullet trains, operated by Japan Rail, are known for their comfort, punctuality and efficiency.
