"World Heritage Bus," the Tourist Bus That Tours World Heritage Sites

The World Heritage Bus connecting Takaoka with Shirakawa-go allows you to efficiently visit three World Heritage Sites. Starting from Takaoka, you can visit Johana, Gokayama, and Shirakawa-go. Explore the original scenery of Japan with this bus.
 

There are 6 types of tickets for the World Heritage Buses. Please select and purchase the ticket that matches your travel plans and the sites you want to visit.

 

This ticket connects Takaoka Station/Shin-Takaoka Station with Shirakawa-go. This ticket is perfect for those who want to enjoy both Gokayama and Shirakawa-go.

Departing from Takaoka Station, it allows you to get to Zuiryuji Temple, Ainokura Gassho-zukuri Village, Suganuma Gassho-zukuri Village, and Shirakawa-go Gassho-zukuri Village. Please look for the differences between the three gassho-zukuri styles. You can get a glimpse of the differences in the natural scenery that surrounds you and the lifestyles of the people who live there, and you can feel Japan’s old culture.

Price: Adults 3,500 yen, Children 1,750 yen
Valid until: 2 days after the date of issue
 

This ticket connects Takaoka Station/Shin-Takaoka Station with Sasarakan-mae. This ticket is recommended for those who want to visit historical spots in Toyama.

Visitors can experience the Hikiyama Festival, which is registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage site, through exhibits and videos at Zuiryuji Temple in Takaoka and the old townscape of Johana, as well as at the Johana Hikiyama Kaikan in Johana. You can also fully enjoy the Gokayama Ainokura Gassho-zukuri Village and the Suganuma Gassho-zukuri Village, which are also known as tourist spots representative of Toyama Prefecture.

Price: Adults 2,500 yen, Children 1,250 yen
Valid until: 2 days after the date of issue
 

This ticket connects Shirakawa-go with Ainokuraguchi. This ticket is perfect for those who want to travel only between Gokayama and Shirakawa-go using the World Heritage Bus.

Price: Adults 2,600 yen, Children 1,300 yen
Validity: Only on the date of issue
 

This ticket is for use only one-way from Takaoka Station/Shin-Takaoka Station to Takayama (Furukawa). You are free to hop on and off between Takaoka and Shirakawa-go as long as you don't go back the way you came. This ticket is recommended for those who want to enjoy the area from Takaoka in Toyama to Takayama and Furukawa in Gifu.

Price:
Takaoka - Takayama: Adults 3,980 yen, Children 1,990 yen
Takaoka - Furukawa: Adults 4,190 yen, Children 2,100 yen
Valid until: 3 days after the date of issue

Other free tickets are also available. Please check them out.
 

There are 3 places ways to purchase tickets:
1. Website
2. Convenience store
3. Shopfront

1. Purchasing on the website

2. Purchasing at a convenience store
Convenience stores where you can buy tickets include 7-Eleven, Lawson, Ministop, and Family Mart. At 7-Eleven and Family Mart, you can buy them from the multicopy machine. At Lawson and Ministop, you can purchase them from multimedia terminals called Loppi.

Tickets issued at convenience stores must be exchanged for tickets at the Kaetsunou Bus Ticket Center, Shin-Takaoka Station Ticket Center, or on the bus when boarding.

上記3か所でフリーきっぷを購入できます。
3. Purchasing at the storefront
- Kaetsunou Bus Ticket Center (1F waiting area of the Takaoka Station Building, Curun Takaoka)
- Kaetsunou Bus Ticket Center at Shin-Takaoka Station
- Shirakawa-go Bus Terminal (only 3 types available: ticket for Gokayama/Shirakawa-go, one-way ticket from Shirakawa-go/Gokayama to Takaoka, and World Heritage Sites One-Day Ticket)

You can purchase tickets at the three locations listed above.
 

With a World Heritage Bus ticket, you can get off at various places.
 

In Nousaku located in the foundry town of Takaoka, you can try your hand at making cast metal cups and plates using techniques that have been passed down from ancient times.
There are 90-minute and 30-minute workshops, and you can make a sake cup, a small plate or a chopstick rest, among others. How about making a one-of-a-kind piece? There’s no doubt that it will be a wonderful memory.

In addition to the experience, there are many small items and tableware for sale that are perfect for souvenirs, making it a great place to find souvenirs.
 

For those who want to walk through an old, atmospheric townscape, please be sure to get off at Johana Station.

Johana Hikiyama Kaikan has a history of 300 years, and you can experience a simulated Johana Hikiyama Festival, which is registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. Visitors can feel the powerful and realistic atmosphere of the festival through the exhibitions and videos. In addition, the Johana area is full of attractions such as Zentokuji Temple and a group of storehouses known as "Kurakairou."
 

- Gassho no Sato
Get off at Gassho no Sato and walk for about 2 minutes and you’ll see Gokayama Gassho no Sato. Group accommodation for up to 250 people is possible at Gassho-zukuri cottages here. Visitors can also learn about Gokayama's culture and the lives of its people at the Gokayama Seikatsukan (Gokayama Lifestyles Museum), or about the structure of the gassho-zukuri style houses at the Gassho Experience Museum.

- Suganuma
If you want to visit Suganuma Gassho-zukuri Village, please get off here. You can enjoy the scenery and nature of Gokayama quietly in a village rich in nature. You can also stay overnight in the Suganuma Gassho-zukuri Village, where 9 Gassho-zukuri houses remain.

- Ainokuraguchi
If you are visiting the Ainokura Gassho-zukuri Village, please get off here. There are 20 gassho-zukuri houses that still remain, allowing you to enjoy Japan’s original scenery. There are also facilities where you can learn about the history and traditions of Gokayama, such as the Ainokura Traditional Industry Center.


 

Please take a ride on the World Heritage Bus and enjoy the beautiful original scenery of Japan that remains in Toyama and Gifu. It's full of highlights, including National Treasures, World Heritage Sites, and old townscapes! There are also places such as roadside stations where you can purchase local specialties and souvenirs, so please look for wonderful souvenirs to remember your trip by.