How to Get from Tokyo to Takayama
Tokyo to Takayama by Shinkansen and Wide View Hida limited express, or by direct highway bus from Shinjuku in about 5.5 hours.
Photo: Maarten Heerlien from Voorschoten, The Netherlands / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Contents
Takayama is a mountain town in Gifu Prefecture with Edo-period merchant houses, a morning market and sake breweries along the Miyagawa River. It sits in the Japanese Alps, so from Tokyo you either change trains at Nagoya or ride a direct highway bus.
Tokyo to Takayama by Train
Take the Nozomi from Tokyo to Nagoya, which takes 100 minutes, and change to the JR Wide View Hida limited express, which takes 140 minutes from Nagoya to Takayama.[1] Plan on about four hours on trains plus the change at Nagoya.
Tokyo to Takayama by Highway Bus
The Nohi Bus runs between Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal and Takayama Bus Terminal, and the trip takes about 5.5 hours.[1] Buses leave Shinjuku at 07:05, 08:15, 09:15, 11:05 and 16:05, and an overnight bus leaves at 22:55 on peak dates. The daytime fare is 8,000 yen. All seats are reserved, booking opens one month ahead, and the bus has a toilet and a women-only seating area.[2]
Comparing Your Options
| Mode | Price (JPY) | Duration | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shinkansen and Wide View Hida | Fares for each leg | About 4h plus the change in Nagoya | High |
| Highway bus from Shinjuku | 8,000 | About 5h 30min | Standard |
Tips for Traveling from Tokyo to Takayama
- Pack for the mountains: Takayama is colder than Tokyo. Keep a jacket within reach.
- Book early for festivals: The Takayama Festival takes place in April and October, and buses and rooms fill up.
- Heavy bags: The bus is the simplest option for a big suitcase, because there is no change of trains.
Timetable
| Bus Tokyo - Takayama $ 104.79 9h | |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Use the booking tool on this page to compare the transport options currently available from Tokyo to Takayama, including current prices and schedules.
By train it takes 100 minutes on the Nozomi from Tokyo to Nagoya plus 140 minutes on the Wide View Hida limited express to Takayama. The direct bus from Shinjuku takes about 5.5 hours.
Yes. The Nohi Bus runs from Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal to Takayama Bus Terminal, with departures at 07:05, 08:15, 09:15, 11:05 and 16:05 and an overnight bus on peak dates.
The daytime fare is 8,000 yen. All seats are reserved.
Yes. You change at Nagoya from the Shinkansen to the Wide View Hida limited express.
Booking opens one month ahead.
The bus has no change and suits travelers with heavy luggage. The train is faster.
Sources and background
Numbers in the text such as [1] refer to these sources.
- [1] Hida Takayama Tourism (Takayama City): How to get to Takayama. Retrieved November 2, 2026.
- [2] Nohi Bus: Takayama-Tokyo (Shinjuku) Line: timetable and bus fare. Retrieved November 2, 2026.
Guide prices and journey times are indicative, not live quotes. A booked package may include transfers and waiting time as well as the main journey. Check the selected offer, pickup point and current conditions before booking.