Hop on a Highway Bus to Hida Takayama
Masayoshi Sakamoto (坂本正敬)
Hida Takayama is a popular destination, but its remote location in the countryside of Gifu Prefecture can make the journey seem intimidating. Fortunately major cities such as Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and Nagoya operate highway bus routes that stop directly at Takayama Station and cost less than alternatives. Here's the lowdown on each!
From Kanto to Hida Takayama
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If you're planning to visit Takayama from the Kanto region by bus, the main expressway bus stop is in Shinjuku, Tokyo. The Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal connects to the Takayama Nohi Bus Center just in front of the Takayama Station. The ride is about 5 hours and 30 minutes, and costs about ¥6,690 (about US$61) each way.
From Kansai to Hida Takayama
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The Kansai region has two departure points to Takayama. The expressway buses start from Osaka Station or Kyoto Station to Takayama Nohi Bus Center via Gujo Hachiman, in Gifu Prefecture. From Osaka the journey is about 5 hours and 30 minutes, and costs ¥4,700 (about US$43). From Kyoto it takes about 4 hours and 30 minutes, and costs ¥4,200 (about US$38).
From Chubu to Hida Takayama
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Although Hida Takayama is in the Chubu region, travel time can vary depending on the location of your departure. If you're traveling to Takayama from Nagoya Station, the highway bus is a cheap alternative to the JR Hida limited express train. The journey from the Meitestsu Gifu Bus Terminal to the Takayama Nohi Bus Center takes about 2 hours and 45 minutes and costs ¥2,980 (about US$27) compared to the train, which takes about 2 hours and 19 minutes and costs ¥3,350 (about US$31).
In nearby Yamanashi Prefecture, a bus from Fujisan Station (via Kawaguchi-ko Lake and Fujikyu Highland along the way) costs ¥5,000 (about US$46) and takes about 5 hours.
From Joshinetsu to Hida Takayama
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The Joshinetsu region consists of Ishikawa, Toyama, Niigata and Nagano prefectures. Kanazawa Station in Ishikawa, Toyama Station in Toyama, Ogisawa Station in Niigata and the Matsumoto Bus Terminal in Nagano are departure points to Takayama.
It's about 2 hours and 15 minutes from Kanazawa Station to the Takayama Bus Terminal, and costs ¥3,390 (about US$31). It's 2 hours and 25 minutes from Toyama Station, which costs ¥3,200 (about US$29). It's 3 hours and 30 minutes from Ogisawa Station, which costs ¥4,000 (about US$37), while the ride from Matsumoto Bus Terminal is ¥3,190 (about US$29), and takes 2 hours and 20 minutes.
Now that you know how to get to Hida Takayama, check out all the awesome things waiting for you once you're there!
