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Central Pass

SHIRAKAWAGO Bus Pass(TAKAYAMA departure)

Head north from Kyoto, towards the Sea of ​​Japan and the Japanese Alps

 Enjoy visiting Shirakawa-go with this pass!

You can visit the Shirakawa-go area with this pass from Takayama Nohi Bus Center (next to JR Takayama station). 

With this pass, you can visit a Gassho-zukuri village, a Japanese mountain settlement in what was once considered a wild and unexplored region.

 

See details and conditions

1 day

Adults: $47

Children: $21

What does this Pass include?

  1. The round trip bus ticket between Takayama <-> Shirakawa-go (non-reserved bus)
  2. The entrance ticket for Minka-en. 

How can I use this pass?

  1. We will send an e-voucher with a QR code to your email address within 5 business days. Please always check your junk mail folder, just in case it lands there.
  2. Scan or click the QR code on the voucher to access the e-ticket page (an internet connection is required).
  3. Go to the Nohi Bus Center, and show your e-ticket to the driver by clicking "Use".
  4. In Shirakawago, you can get free entrance in Minka-en with this E ticket. Please show it by clicking "Use".
  5. To travel to Takayama station, please go to the Shirakawa-go Bus Center and show your ticket by clicking "Use".

NOTE: After clicking "Use", the e-ticket is valid for just 30 minutes. We will not provide any refund if you miss the usage window.

Nohi Bus Times

  • Buses depart daily from Takayama Nohi Bus Benter to Shirakawa-go at: 8:50, 10:50, 11:50, 13:50, 14:50, 17:50 and 19:00
  • Buses depart daily from Shirakawa-go to Takayama at: 6:43, 10:55, 13:15, 15:15, 16:15, 17:30 and 19:20.
  • WEEKENDS & HOLIDAYS: The last buses from Takayama at 19:00 and from Shirakawago at 19:20 DO NOT depart on Saturdays and Sundays, Japanese National holidays, or between Aug 13-15 and Dec 29-Jan 3

Information for Minka-En

  • Minka-Ken opening hours: 8:40 - 17:00 (April - November), and 9:00 - 16:00 (December - March)
  • Open every day April-November
  • Closed on Thursdays December-March (or the day before if a Thursday is a national holiday)

Terms of use

  • In high season, if the bus is overcrowded, you will have to wait for the next bus departure. This is very unlikely, but if you are concerned about bus congestion, please contact us.
  • You can choose one day of use within the validity period. 
  • You can only take the buses that don’t require reservation. You cannot sit in reserved seats with this pass.
  • The voucher is valid for around 3 months from the purchase date. Please check the expiration date on your voucher for the exact expiry date.
  • This pass is valid for ONE day, you must make the round trip on the same date. (Eg: if you want to take a bus from Takayama to Shirakawa-go on September 1st, you must take the bus back to Takayama on September 1st as well; you cannot take the bus back on September 2nd.)
  • This pass is available to everyone, including foreign residents and Japanese nationals.

Cancellation policy

  • No refund is possible after the start of use.
  • Cancellation is possible before the voucher expiration date, if it has not been used. 
  • A 15% cancellation fee will be withheld from the refund.