Shirakawago day trip via Gifu-Hashima Station
You may find that this is the best way to visit Shirakawago from Kyoto and Osaka. You take Shinkansen bullet train from Kyoto Station or Shin-Osaka Station to Gifu-Hashima Station. From Gifu Hashima Station, we provide a car for a 10-hour Shirakawago tour. This tour is ideal for 1-6 persons.
Shinkansen return ticket from Kyoto to Gifu-Hashima is about 10,100 yen per person (adult, low season price) for a reserved seat. Please note that Shinkansen Nozomi does not stop at Gifu-Hashima Station. So you have to choose Hikari or Kodama. You can use JR Pass for Hikari and Kodama.
Why not via Nagoya or Kanazawa?
Many people consider Kanazawa or Nagoya as a starting point for visiting Shirakawago. Of course if you are staying in these cities, no problem. However, from Kyoto-Osaka to Kanazawa, one must take a limited express train and a Shinkansen train, and then a car. Driving from Nagoya is very time consuming due to the constant traffic jams on the highways in and around Nagoya.
There are no transfers from Kyoto or Osaka to Gifu Hashima Station. Furthermore, since you can take the expressway without passing through Nagoya, you are less likely to encounter traffic jams. Gifu Hashima Station has few passengers and allows smooth connections to and from cars.
Model itinerary for this tour
You may add a visit to Gujo Hachiman or Takayama with an additional fee.
7:54 Leave from Shin-Osaka Station by Kodama 708 bound for Tokyo
8:10 Leave from Kyoto Station by Kodama 708 bound for Tokyo
8:46 Arrive at Gifu Hashima Station and meet with the guides
11:30 Arrive at Shirakawago
Lunch and tour in Shirakawago
14:00 Leave from Shirakawago
16:30 Arrive at Gifu Hashima Station
16:35 Leave from Gifu Hashima Station by Hikari 647
17:12 Arrive at Kyoto Station
17:27 Arrive at Shin Osaka Station
Our car (Toyota Estima) has a capacity of up to 6 guests. If you are 4 or less, you can sit comfortably. If there are five or six of you, it can be a bit cramped since three people sit in a row. We prepare child safety seats if you are with children.
For a smaller number of passengers, we may use a smaller car.
Price of the Shirakawago day trip
The price of this tour is 95,000 JPY from Gifu Hashima Station. This price includes a driver/guide or two, a car, highway tolls and parking fees. Meals and admission fees are not included.
Please note that this service is not available during winter. In winter (December to middle of March) we employ a car driven by a professional driver. So the price is significantly high.