buses to and from Takayama
 

We are off in a week's time and had been planning to hire a car to drive from Kanazawa to Takayama and on to Matsumoto - sounded just lovely but the dropoff fee of 14,500 makes a two day car hire a ridiculous price. The other option is to simply hire a car in Takayama and go out and about from there.

So I have found out that there are two buses a day from Kanazawa to Takayama but... cannot find out what times they run. Does anyone know a site that shows the timing.

Then also we'd want to go on to Matsumoto as late the next day as we can, and again I don't seem to be able to find the times of buses from Takayama to Matsumoto.

Thank you in advance...

For the bus timetable from Kanazawa to Takayama see http://www.nouhibus.co.jp/a0_bus/tei...go_08_0706.htm As you will see there are a lot more than two buses per day.

Bus timetable between Takayama and Matsumoto is

TAKAYAMA (DEP.) MATSUMOTO (ARR.)
7:50................10:10
10.50...............13:10
14:10...............16:30
16:50...............19:10

The bus fare is 3,100yen per person and one-way and you catch the bus from Nohi Bus Terminal which is located just next JR Takayama Sta.

Actually, I should look at my own links before I put my foot in my mouth. It is only three buses per day from Kanazawa to Takayama which hardly equates to a lot more than two buses.

Is it necessary to book these busses in advance? Do they manage to understand you in English if you phone them?

I believe that it is necessary to book Kanazawa to Takayama beforehand. I emailed the Hida Tourist Information Office in Takayama [email protected]] and they were extremely helpful in making the booking for me. They said it was not necessary to prebook Takayama/Matsumoto.

I haven't actually made the trips yet, but have no doubt it will be fine. They were the one who provided me with the timetables.

Thanks. I sent an email to the hidanet address on 17 Sept. -do they take long to answer?
Still trying to find a car hire that doesn't charge more than the rental for out of prefecture hire, but it's looking like we take the bus. Hope we can book it first.

I found them to be quite prompt.

You'll notice that from Takayama there are only 3 busses per day and a recommendation to book on them.

...sorry, that's Kanazawa to Takayama
only 3 busses.

Hey just had an email from Amy at [email protected]. Our tickets are booked and ready at the bus station - how incredibly kind and efficient!
Note; send email from your computer not from this site.

Glad that you got your reservations worked out Thommmo. We will in fact be covering much of the same ground as you as we will also be doing Kiso Valley as well as Kanazawa, Takayama and Matsumoto.

We are heading off tomorrow for our 3-4 weeks in Japan and am really looking forward to it. Unlike you we've not been there before, but with those cheap tickets with Jetstar we may well be returning in the not too distant future.

We're flying Jetstar Bris - Osaka on Wed! (hopefully, Jetstar cancelled our return without informing us - check often!!) Ferry down to Fukuoka and go around North Kyushu island Nagasaki-Kumamoto-Aso-Yufuin and then ferry to Shikoku island and Matsuyama then Miyajima and Kyoto before going up to Kanazawa -Takyama-Matsumot-Magome and leave Nagoya after 4 weeks in Japan this time. Not too bad for 2 60yr.olds? If we can help contact us [email protected]
Have a ball!

Just about to head out to Tullamarine. Sounds like you have a great trip planned.

We gave serious consideration to Shikoku but have opted for a stay on a couple of tiny inlands in the Inland Sea instead. There is only so much you can fit it.

All the best to both of you and have a great trip. I hope that I am still up to trips such as yours in another 10 years. I know that I won't have lost my travel bug by then.