Driving to Shirakawa-go/Takayama in March

May I know if it is safe to drive in early March from Nagoya to Shirakawa-go and then to Takayama in early March 2025? I plan to stay one night in Shirakawa-go and Takayama.

I am more concern about snowy conditions and road closures.

https://www.vill.shirakawa.lg.jp/2019.htm

Q. When does it start snowing?

A. In Shirakawa-go, snow usually falls between December and March. Please check the live camera and Yahoo! Weather for snowfall conditions in Shirakawa-go.
Please note that temperatures can drop below freezing even during the daytime in winter, so please wear warm clothing such as winter coats and gloves. Even during the day when it is not snowing, there have been many accidents involving falls due to remaining snow or icy conditions. Please do not wear shoes with heels, and always wear winter shoes such as snow shoes or boots. In addition, we recommend the use of a kappa or poncho instead of an umbrella during snowfall.

Q. If I visit in winter, do I need studless tires?

A. Yes, studless tires are required. We also recommend that you bring car chains or a 4WD vehicle.
In Shirakawa-go, snow usually falls between December and March. Please be careful when visiting Shirakawa-go in winter, including the period before and after the snowfall. Please check live cameras and Yahoo! Weather for snowfall conditions during the year.

Fatal Accident by Singaporean on Snowy Road in Winter in Hokkaido: Probably Due to Violation of a Temporary Stop

https://sitakke-jp.translate.goog/post/5968/?_x_tr_sl=ja&_x_tr_tl=en&_...

The probability of being the first party (primarily the responsible party) in an accident with a rental car is more than five times higher among foreign visitors to Japan than among Japanese.

https://www.itarda.or.jp/contents/8674/info132.pdf

There are sufficient public transport to Takayama and Shirakawago (I once travelled by train and bus), so I recommend you to avoid driving, especially in winter season (including early March).

Thank you very much. Your reply is very helpful to me.

Is it easier to take the bus/train from Shirakawa or Takayama to Nagoya city? I checked and there are different ways but not very sure which is shorter and easier with fewer transfers. I plan to stay one night in Shirakawa and one night in Takayama and then travel back to Nagoya town.

It depends on your itinerary. Are you going from Nagoya and return to Nagoya, within 2 or 3 days? Or are you going from Kanazawa/Toyama side?

In general, train (JR Limited express Hida) from Nagoya to Takayama is faster, more comfortable than bus but more expensive. If it is a return trip from Nagoya, there are discount set tickets for both train and bus. Of course, there is no train station in Shirakawago you must take bus from Takayama/Kanazawa etc.

I guess taking the Hida Limited Express would be the best option to commute between Takayama and Nagoya. It is also a very scenic route and please check the time table to make best use of the time

https://japantravel.navitime.com/en/booking/jr/search/?departure=00008...

Thanks. Your answers have been helpful. Now I know there is no train station in Shiragawa. I thought I miss something there :)

Yes, I arrive Nagoya on 6th at about 8am, and will return to Nagoya Sakae Station or around that area. My plan is to travel to Shirakawa or Takayama straight from the International airport and stay one night in each town and then return to Nagoya on 8th. I have the Nagoya Women's Marathon run on 9th morning. I am trying to find the easiest and fastest way back to Nagoya. If Takayama to Nagoya is easiest and shortest by the Hida train than from Shirakawa, then I will head to Shirakawa first, then to Takayama and then return to Nagoya.

So I recommend you to take JR to Takayama and then bus to Shirakawago and back, since it will be more relaxing and scenic, especially you will run marathon the next day.

Before that you need to take Meitetsu train from the airport to Nagoya station.

https://world.jorudan.co.jp/mln/en/?p=0&from=Centrair+Japan+Intl+Airpo...

It will take about 40 min and trains run every 10 min so you don’t need to worry about it. Just go to the train station, take the train to Meitetsu-Nagoya (which is close to JR Nagoya station).

I think you may better buy “Hida Area Free Ticket” 12370 yen 3 days.

https://railway-jr--central-co-jp.translate.goog/tickets/hida-area/?_x...

This ticket includes a round trip JR ticket for Nagoya to/from Takayama (about 12000 yen) and a round trip ticket for bus from Takayama to Shirakawago (5200 yen). You can purchase this ticket at JR Nagoya station’s JR ticket counters (manned).

Probably you will be able to catch 10:48 Hida arriving Takayama at 13:12.

https://world.jorudan.co.jp/mln/en/?p=0&from=Nagoya&to=Takayama&date=0...

Timetable for Takayama to/from Shiakawago.

https://www.nouhibus.co.jp/highwaybus/kanazawa_en/

Note that Hida Area Free Ticket allows you to use only non-reserved bus starting Takayama at 8:50,10:50, 11:50, 13:50, 14:50 and 17:50.

Hi @frog1954, thanks for your detailed advice. So you are recommending train to Takayam from Nagoya airport and then return by bus from Shirakawa to Nagoya? Checking through various google maps and other transport site, I thought the bus journey from Shirakawa-Nagoya has more stops and longer journey than the Hida Train from Takayama-Nagoya? I am ok to take a longer journey upon my arrival and would try to take an easier and shorter journey for my return to Nagoya.

So you are recommending train to Takayam from Nagoya airport and then return by bus from Shirakawa to Nagoya?

No.

First, there are no direct train from Nagoya airport to Takayama. You must at first take Meitetsu train (non-JR) to Meitetsu-Nagoya station and then transfer to JR's Hida limited express train to Takayama. Stay one night and then take bus to Shirakawago. Stay one night at Shirakawago and then return to Takayama, and then take Hida limited express to Nagoya.

Second, normally it costs 6140 (one way Hida limited express from Nagoya to Takayama) x 2 (round trip) + 2600 (one way bus fare from Takayama to Shirakawago) x 2 = 17480 yen.

“Hida Area Free Ticket” 12370 yen 3 days covers all of the above travel so this would suit you.

https://railway.jr-central.co.jp/tickets/hida-area/

You need to buy Meitetsu train ticket from/to the airport to Nagoya statio (or if you have IC cards then use it) separately. Further Sakae is not covered by Hida Area Free Ticket so you need to pay for the subway line from Nagoya to Sakae.

Yes, it is rather complicated. If you have further questions, pleas don't hesitate to write here.

Thank you very much. Let me study into this complicated route and will post again for more questions and clarifications. Yes, I realised this route is pretty complicated and prepared for it :)