Getting Around Takayama

Takayama is a small city that can be easily explored on foot but you can also rent a bicycle. Nearby sights are accessible by bus or rental cars. Here’s everything you need to know.

[Bicycle : Ye Choh Wah / Shutterstock.com]

If you only intend to explore the main sights in the city center, you don’t have to worry about getting around: The city is so small that it’s best explored on foot. However, if you want to cover a lot of ground quickly or visit a sight outside the city center like Hida no Sato, then a bicycle is a good idea. And, if you want to visit places around Takayama, like Shirakawa-go, Kamikochi, Shinhodaka or Kamikochi, then you can choose between buses or rental cars. Here are the full details.

Walking

• Walking is the best way to explore Takayama City. You can reach most of the sights on my Things to Do in Takayama page within 30 minutes or less by walking from Takayama Station. The only place in Takayama City that takes a bit more time is Hida no Sato, which is best reached by bicycle, local bus or taxi (see following sections).

Bicycles

• You can rent bicycles from Hara Rentacycle, which is on Kokubunji-dori Street, about 10 minutes’ walk northeast of Takayama Station, or from Bicycle Rental in Hida Takayama, which is five minutes’ walk southeast of Takayama Station. Here are the details:
• Hara Rentacycle
  Phone: 0577-32-1657
  Rates: Y300/hour, Y1300/day
  Hours: 9am to 8pm, closed Tuesdays
• Bicycle Rental in Hida Takayama
  Phone: 080-4771-7562
  Rates: Y500/half-day, Y800/day
  Hours: 8am to 6pm

Buses

Takayama buses, both local and long-distance, operate from the bus station right outside Takayama Station.

Local Buses

• As I said above, you can explore Takayama City on foot. The only sight that is too far to walk is Hida no Sato, which can be reached by the Sarubobo Bus (I didn’t make up that name!) that leaves from Takayama Station about once an hour and costs Y210/Y110 for adults/children. Another bus, the Machinami Bus, does a loop of the main sights inside the city for the same price.

Long-Distance Buses

• There are several interesting places around Takayama that you might visit by bus, including the thatched-roof village of Shirakawa-go, the hiking center of Kamikochi, and the onsen and cable car of Shinhodaka Onsen. Buses to all these destinations operate from the bus terminal outside Takayama Station. There is a handy information window there where they can help with time and ticket info.
• Here are the most common routes and fares (adult, one-way, full fare from Takayama):
• Shirakawa-go — Y2470/50 minutes
• Kamikochi (change at Hirayu Onsen) — Y2720/about 2 hours
• Shinhodaka Onsen (change at Hirayu Onsen) — Y2160/1 hour 32 minutes

Rental Car

• If you intend to explore the places around Takayama mentioned above (Shirakawa-go, Kamikochi and Shinhodaka Onsen), then a rental car is a good idea. Driving in this part of Japan is very easy and safe. I recommend the Toyota Rentacar office in Takayama. It’s almost directly across the street from Takayama Station (just a tiny bit south). Here are the details:
• Toyota Rentacar Takayama Ekimae-ten Phone: 0577-36-6110

Taxi

• You can hire taxis from the taxi stand right outside Takayama Station. A ride to a place like Hida no Sato will cost around Y1,000. If you have three or four people, a taxi can also be a reasonable option to places like Shirakawa-go, Kamikochi, Shinhodaka Onsen or Kamikochi.

Takayama Travel Guide:

• Takayama Travel Guide Overview
• Things To Do In Takayama
• Best Places To Eat In Takayama
• Takayama Itineraries
• Takayama Cherry Blossoms
• Takayama Fall Foliage
• Takayama Ryokan
• Takayama Hotels
• How To Get To Takayama
• Getting Around Takayama
• When To Go To Takayama

Other Japan Travel Guides:

Where Are These Places Located?

• Open the Takayama map
• You will see the list of places on the left hand side. (Click the 3-line icon in the top left corner if not). Scroll down or use the map search (the magnifying glass icon) to find the place you want.
• Click the name of the place in the list. Its location pin will be highlighted on the map.
• Map pins are color coded - BLUE: Hotels | VIOLET: Ryokan | PINK: Places to Eat | YELLOW: Things to See and Do
• If you’re using the map on your phone, open the map and then search for the name of the place. The map will then zoom in on its location.