When traveling through Central Japan, it would be a waste to only visit one place. There are tons of places to go like Nagoya, Takayama, Shirakawago, Kanazawa, and more! Your travel expenses could skyrocket though. Don't fret! The SHORYUDO Bus Pass, created especially for travelers, can save you up to 50% off bus fares and is available for several days.

Read on to find out how to use SHORYUDO Bus Pass and enjoy Central Japan. This guide includes sample tours designed by Centrip, as well as instructions for how to book and use the bus pass. We've included the latest revision from Apr. 2023, so with this guide, you won't miss any details regarding the SHORYUDO Bus Pass.

SHORYUDO Bus Pass

SHORYUDO Bus Pass is a ticket set for travelers only, available in Takayama, Shirakawago, Matsumoto, Kanazawa, Nagano, and other Central Japan areas. With this ticket, it is not necessary to pay extra for the buses in these areas. The more buses you take, the more money you save!

The sales period for the SHORYUDO Bus Pass is 2023/4/1~2024/03/31. It is available to all foreign passport holders. In other words, not only tourists with short-term visas but also expats living in Japan with long-term visas can buy it.

There are 3 plans for the SHORYUDO Bus Pass. First, the most popular, Takayama Shirakawago Kanazawa Course 3-Day Pass (¥11,000). Second, the Matsumoto Magome Japan Alps Course 3-Day Pass (¥9,000). And finally the most widely used, the Wide Course 5-Day Pass (¥15,000). Details are as follows.

Which SHORYUDO Bus Pass Plan Should You Choose?

Takayama Shirakawago Kanazawa Course 3-Day Pass

Including Nagoya, Takayama, Shirakawago, Kanazawa, and Toyama, the most popular areas in Central Japan. It is also the best-selling plan.

■Recommended: First-time visitor to Central Japan, wanting to experience the classic trip.
■Additional Notes: The reservations for the bus route fill quickly so reserve in advance (Nagoya ⇋ Takayama ⇋ Shirakawago ⇋ Kanazawa)

Click here to check the sample tour of Takayama, Shirakawago, and Kanazawa

Wide Course 5-Day Pass

If you plan to visit Central Japan for more than 5 days and want to travel to Matsumoto, Shinhotaka, and Gero, as well as Takayama, Shirakawago, Kanazawa, and Toyama, the Wide Course is your best choice.

■Recommended: For those planning a long trip, who want to visit all viewpoints of Central Japan at one time

Click here to check the sample tour of the Wide Course

Matsumoto, Magome, Japanese Alps 3-Day Pass

For those who have visited Central Japan many times and dislike the typically crowded sightseeing points, this route may be a good choice. Magome, Nagano, Matsumoto, Gero, Shinhotaka, and Takayama are all included in this plan.

■Recommended: Good for previous visitors to Central Japan, who prefer special viewpoints.

Click here to check the sample tour of Matsumoto, Magome, and the Japan Alps

Still Need to Plan? Here are some Sample Tours

Sample Tour: Takayama, Shirakawago, and Kanazawa 3-Day Tour

1st Day: Arrive at Centrair, Centrair→Nagoya

The Bus Pass includes a ticket from the Centrair to Nagoya. However, as the ticket can only be used for 3 days from its first use, and it is very difficult to visit all the viewpoints in such a short time, we recommend purchasing a ticket from Centrair to Nagoya (¥890) and allowing yourself one extra day.

2nd Day: Start using SHORYUDO Bus Pass. Nagoya→Shirakawago, overnight in Takayama.

Leave Nagoya to visit Shirakawago, a fantastic place where you can see gassho-zukuri (thatched) houses. Pay attention that the route from Nagoya to Shirakawago is very popular so an early reservation is necessary.

Additional Information

Shirakawago's Must-See Spots: Centrip Japan's Complete Guide to Shirakawago

Yamakyu: Enjoy Wa (Japanese-style) and Hospitality at the traditional Japanese hotel in Takayama

Morning	Bus: Meitetsu Bus Center → Shirakawago (Reservations Required) (2h 42m by car)
Afternoon	Shirakawago
Afternoon	Bus: Shirakawago→ Takayama (Reservations not required) (1h 5m by car)
Evening	Go to Takayama for dinner and hotel

3rd Day: Takayama→Kanazawa, overnight in Kanazawa

During the morning, take a look around Takayama, a place with a traditional Japanese atmosphere! You can go to the morning market, visit the old street, and then take a bus to Kanazawa after lunch.

Additional Information

The Real Hida Takayama: 10 tourist spots you cannot miss

Funasaka Sake Brewery: Aiming to be a sake theme park in Takayama.

Kyouya Restaurant: Gather around the fireplace and enjoy the local cuisine in Takayama!

After arriving at Kanazawa in the afternoon, you can go to the historic Chaya-gai Street, and enjoy traditional craft stores, Japanese snacks, and the gold foil experience. In the evening, you can taste seafood dishes at Korinbo, the most crowded shopping street in Kanazawa.

Additional Information

Enjoy Spring in Kanazawa along with Takayama and Shirakawago

Morning	Takayama sightseeing, lunch
Noon	Bus: Takayama→Kanazawa (Reservations Required) (1h 15m by car)
Evening	Go to Kanazawa for sightseeing and hotel

4th Day: Kanazawa→Takayama, Takayama→Centrair

In the early morning, head to Kenrokuen, a Japanese Garden, and Kanazawa Castle. After returning to Takayama for lunch at noon, you can take the bus to Nagoya. Then go to Centrair from Nagoya Station (you can use the ticket included in SHORYUDO Bus Pass).

Morning	Kanazawa
Noon	Bus: Kanazawa→Takayama (Reservations Required) (1h 15m by car)
Afternoon	Lunch in Takayama
Afternoon	Bus: Takayama→Meitetsu Bus Center (Reservation required) (2h 40m by car)
Evening	Meitetsu→Centrair

For the trip mentioned above, the normal cost is ¥17,290. With SHORYUDO Bus Pass, you only need to pay ¥10,000, for a savings of ¥7,290, almost half of the price. Don't miss this discount only for overseas travelers and expats.

Sample Tour: Wide Course 5-Day Tour

1st Day: Arrive at Centrair, Centrair→Nagoya

2nd Day: Start using SHORYUDO Bus Pass. Nagoya→Shirakawago, overnight in Takayama.

3rd Day: Takayama→Kanazawa、overnight in Kanazawa

For the first 3 days of the schedule, please refer to the Takayama, Shirakawago, Kanazawa 3-Day Tour mentioned above.

4th Day: Kanazawa→Hirayu Onsen, overnight in Hirayu Onsen.

On the 4th day, after a morning sightseeing in Kanazawa, take the bus to Takayama. From Takayama, transfer to Hirayu Onsen and enjoy the hot springs of Okuhida Onsenkyo.

Morning	Sightseeing in Kanazawa
Noon	Bus: Kanazawa→Takayama (Reservations required) (1h by car)
Afternoon	Bus: Takayama→Hirayu Onsen (Reservations not required) (1h by car)
Evening	Stay overnight at Hirayu Onsen

5th Day: Shinhotaka Ropeway→Matsumoto, overnight in Matsumoto

Take the double-decker cable car at Shinhotakato, and enjoy the beauty of the Northern Alps from an altitude of 2156 meters! Get a ¥300 discount with the SHORYUDO Bus Pass.

After, do some sightseeing while spending the day in Matsumoto City.

Morning	Bus: Hirayu Onsen→Shinhotaka Ropeway (Reservations not required) (45m by car)
Noon	Sightseeing on the Shinhotaka Ropeway
Afternoon	Bus: Shinhotaka Ropeway→Matsumoto Bus Terminal (Reservations not required) (1h by car)
Evening	Eat dinner & stay overnight in Matsumoto.

6th Day: Matsumoto→Nagoya→Centrair

In Matsumoto, check out the Japanese national treasure, Matsumoto Castle, with its black walls, and the Matsumoto Museum of Art filled with art from the famous artist Kusama Yayoi. Matsumoto, a city with vast and traditional streets, is very comfortable for walking.

Additional Information

Enjoy Matsumoto in Spring along with Takayama and Shirakawago

Morning	Matsumoto
Afternoon	Bus: Matsumoto→Nagoya (Reservations Required) (3h 30m by car)
Evening	Bus: Nagoya→Centrair