From Tokyo to Takayama

The shortest journey from Tokyo to Takayama is 3 hours and 40 minutes. It is accessible by Shinkansen, highway bus, or car. There is no direct Shinkansen service to Takayama Station, and you must transfer to an express train at Toyama Station or Nagoya Station. The route via Toyama Station is faster but slightly more expensive, whereas the route via Nagoya Station is longer but less expensive.

By train

Route 1:
Take JR Saikyo Line or JR Shonan Shinjuku Line from Shinjuku Station to Omiya Station. Then, take Hokuriku Shinkansen Kagayaki to Toyama Station. Take the Limited Express Hida to Takayama Station.

Route 2:
Take Shinkansen (Nozomi, Hikari or Kodama) from Shinagawa Station to Nagoya Station. Then take the Limited Express Hida to Takayama Station.

By highway bus

By overnight bus

By car

From Osaka to Takayama

The shortest journey from Osaka to Takayama is 3 hours 45 minutes. It is accessible by Shinkansen, limited express, or highway bus. When using the Shinkansen, there is no direct service from Shin-Osaka Station to Takayama, so you must transfer at Nagoya Station and take the Limited Express Hida. The Limited Express Hida runs once a day from Osaka Station (via Shin-Osaka and Kyoto Stations) to Takayama. No transfers are required, but the ride is longer than the Shinkansen. Express buses take longer than the Shinkansen and limited express trains, but are the least expensive.

By train

Route 1:
Take the Limited Express Hida from Osaka Station (or Shin-Osaka Station) to Takayama Station.
Total fare: ¥7,780 for an unreserved seat / ¥8,300 for a reserved seat.
Total travel time: 4 hours and 20 minutes
Transfer: 0

Route 2:
Take the Tokaido Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka Station to Nagoya Station. Take the Limited Express Hida to Takayama Station.
Total fare: About ¥10,000 depending on peak and non-peak periods.
Total travel time: 3 hours and 45 minutes
Transfer: 1

By highway bus

From Higashi-Umeda bus station or the OCAT bus terminal in the Namba district.
Total fare: ¥5500.
Total travel time:
5 hours 17 minutes from the Higashi-Umeda bus terminal
5 hours 32 minutes from the OCAT bus terminal.
Transfer:0

By car

Total travel time: 4 hours.
Highway toll: about ¥7000 or more

From Nagoya to Takayama

The shortest journey from Nagoya to Takayama is 2 hours 35 minutes. It is accessible by limited express and highway buses as well as local trains. Although the fares are higher, taking the limited express train is more convenient than taking local trains or highway buses. Local trains require a transfer at Gifu Station. However, there aren't many trains from Gifu Station, and therefore takes longer to get to Takayama. Highway buses are the most affordable. They leave from Meitetsu Bus Center or JR Nagoya Station and arrive at Takayama Nohi Bus Center, which is located in front of Takayama Station.

By train

Take JR ToKaido Main Line Hida 11 for Toyama from Nagoya Station to Takayama Station.
Total travel time: 2 hours 22 minutes
Total fare: ¥5,610 (one way) ¥11,220 (round trip)
Transfer: 0

By highway bus

Nagoya bus center or JR Nagoya Station to Takayama Nohi bus center
Total travel time: 2 hours 45 minutes
Total Fare: ¥3,100 (one-way), ¥5,400 (round trip), ¥0 for children under 6 years old

By car

Take Tokai Hokuriku Expressway
Travel time: 2 hours 4 minutes
Highway toll: ¥4,410

From Nagoya to Takayama: Best Ways to Get There

When you travel, do you care more about the cost? Or is time more important to you? Or is it how enjoyable the journey is to your destination? In this article, we will show three ways to get to Takayama from Nagoya: cost-effective, time-efficient, and enjoyable way possible.

Cost-effective

If you are concerned about cost, our first recommendation is to take the bus to Takayama. Buses are the cheapest way to travel. It costs about ¥3100 and takes 2.5 hours to reach Takayama. If you are traveling elsewhere in Central Japan, the Shoryudo Pass is a great option. Our second recommendation is to take the JR local trains. It costs ¥3,410 for one way but takes about 4 hours and requires at least one transfer. Our third recommendation is to take the JR limited express Hida. It costs ¥6,000 yen, using Japan Rail Pass.

Time-efficient

The fastest way to get to Takayama is by train. Nagoya to Takayama is only 2.5 hours away. Even if you leave Nagoya at 10:00 a.m., you can still get to Takayama in time for the famous Takayama ramen for lunch! The second-best option is to rent a car. From Nagoya to Takayama it's only a 2.5 -hour drive on the expressway. If you like to drive, renting a car will allow you to get to Takayama faster and enjoy the Japanese expressways and unique rest areas. The third option is a train trip, which involves transfers. This excursion is for the more experienced traveler, as it involves transfers. Nevertheless, it saves time.

Enjoyable along the way

Finally, if you want to enjoy the Japanese scenery and other sights before visiting Takayama, the first suggestion is to go by car. You can take in the Japanese scenery and stop to enjoy the rest areas along the expressway. Since you can depart at any time, it also allows you to spend time exploring Nagoya. The second suggestion is to take the train. You can take the local train, enjoy the scenery from your seat, and if you find something that piques your interest, you may want to mark it down for a stop-off on your way back. Of course, this will cost you more, so please keep that in mind. The last recommendation is to travel by bus. You can simply relax and enjoy the view from the bus window.

Conclusion

These are our recommended ways to get to Takayama from Nagoya. If you are planning to fly into the Chubu Centrair International Airport when heading to Takayama, there is another route to Takayama that gives a good deal. Check this article to find out more about it.
We hope you enjoy your trip to Takayama!

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