Four nights in Toyama: day trips or one Gokayama night
Keep a Toyama base for separate Murodo, Suganuma and coast days, or spend a night in Gokayama. The fixed-base course uses four Toyama nights. The village-stay course uses two Toyama nights, one Gokayama night, then one Toyama night. Check cottage rooms and luggage conditions before choosing the latter.
Choose a 5 days / 4 nights itinerary
Give Murodo, Suganuma and the coast a day each
Stay four nights in the same hotel near Toyama Station, giving Murodo, Suganuma and the Takaoka coast a day each. Return to the same Toyama hotel every day. Murodo operating periods/connections vary seasonally; check your date’s timetable and ticket-sale conditions.
Give Murodo, Suganuma and the coast a day each →5 days / 4 nights BOne night in Gokayama
Stay two Toyama nights, one Gokayama night, then a final Toyama night. Choose this for more gassho-village time instead of Murodo. Cottages near Gassho no Sato (合掌の里) stop are an option; choose the stop matching your address for other accommodation. Check meal preparation and large-luggage bus conditions before booking.
One night in Gokayama →Give Murodo, Suganuma and the coast a day each
Stay four nights in the same hotel near Toyama Station, giving Murodo, Suganuma and the Takaoka coast a day each. Return to the same Toyama hotel every day. Murodo operating periods/connections vary seasonally; check your date’s timetable and ticket-sale conditions.
Day 1: Kansui Park walks
Walk beside the canal and water at Kansui Park north of Toyama Station.
- Toyama Station north exit → Kansui Park
Walk from the north exit to the park. Official guidance gives about nine minutes; allow station access and crossings separately.
- Kansui Park → Toyama Station north exit
After free waterfront walks, return towards the station, then your booked hotel. Tower hours are 09:00–21:30, separate from park access. Shorten walks for late arrival or strong wind/rain.
Shorten the walk if you arrive late.
Day 2: Tateyama and Bijodaira transfers to Murodo
Explore mountain scenery on Murododaira. Travel from Toyama by railway, cable car and highland bus; choose mountain walks according to weather and local restrictions. Check your reserved Tateyama cable-car departure and the complete return timetable through the private railway.
- Hotel to Dentetsu-Toyama Station → Tateyama Station
Take a Tateyama-bound private train from Dentetsu-Toyama, whose platforms differ from JR Toyama. Match your travel-date arrival to the Tateyama cable car, allowing ticket collection and platform access. WEB ticket times refer to cable-car departure from Tateyama Station. In busy periods, check the operator’s requirement to arrive 30 minutes before departure and collect tickets 15 minutes before. The ordinary adult 10,220-yen return covers Dentetsu-Toyama–Tateyama–Bijodaira–Murodo railway, cable car and highland bus, without crossing to Kurobe Dam/Ogizawa. Special/reserved seats, food and accommodation are extra.
Timetable: 15 April–3 November 2026WEB ticket guideOfficial fare PDF effective 15 April 2026Alpine Route 2026 timetableReturn timetable: 4–30 November
- Tateyama Station cable car → Bijodaira
Take your reserved cable car from Tateyama to Bijodaira. After leaving the private train, collect tickets and reach the cable-car boarding point. Follow operator guidance for reserved times and same-day operation.
- Bijodaira highland-bus boarding point → Murodo Terminal
Transfer at Bijodaira to a Murodo-bound highland bus. Walk from the cable car to the bus boarding point and wait as directed. Recheck later connections if transport is delayed.
- Murodo Terminal → Rooftop exit and Murododaira: return to terminal
On arrival, first find your return boarding point. The rooftop exit leads to Murododaira; restaurants and shops are inside the terminal. Explore nearby according to weather and restrictions, then return to the same terminal for your bus. Food and shopping cost extra. For a shorter walk, stay near the terminal rather than taking hiking trails or circling Mikurigaike.
- Murodo highland-bus boarding point → Bijodaira
Take a Bijodaira-bound highland bus from Murodo. Return to the terminal boarding point before departure and check the complete return via Bijodaira cable car and Tateyama private railway. The last mountain bus alone does not establish a connection back to Toyama city.
Return timetable: 15 April–3 NovemberAlpine Route 2026 timetableReturn timetable: 4–30 November
- Bijodaira cable car → Tateyama Station
Take the cable car down from Bijodaira to Tateyama. Walk to its boarding point after leaving the highland bus; recheck railway connections if services change or are delayed.
Return timetable: 15 April–3 NovemberAlpine Route 2026 timetableReturn timetable: 4–30 November
- Tateyama Station private railway → Dentetsu-Toyama Station to the same hotel
Take a Dentetsu-Toyama-bound private train from Tateyama. Allow platform access and waiting after the cable car. Weekday and weekend services may differ; check your date’s timetable and return to the same hotel after arrival.
Return timetable: 15 April–3 NovemberHotel accessAlpine Route 2026 timetableReturn timetable: 4–30 November
Check Tateyama cable-car reservations and travel-date notices first. Shorten mountain walks according to weather/restrictions and prioritise the complete return through the private railway. Do not apply this mountain itinerary unchanged if reservations are unavailable or services are suspended.
Day 3: transfer at Takaoka for Suganuma
Explore Suganuma’s gassho houses and mountain-village lanes. Take the World Heritage Bus from Takaoka to Suganuma (菅沼). Walk in daylight, then return to the Takaoka-bound stop for your bus.
- Toyama Station → Takaoka Station stand 7
Take a westbound ordinary Ainokaze train from Toyama to Takaoka, distinct from Shinkansen Shin-Takaoka. The adult single fare is 390 yen. For the World Heritage Bus, move to stand 7 outside the station, leaving transfer time.
Ainokaze 2026 station timetablesToyama–Takaoka fareKaetsuno World Heritage Bus guide
- Takaoka Station stand 7 → World Heritage Bus to Suganuma · 菅沼
Take the World Heritage Bus from Takaoka Station stand 7 to Suganuma (菅沼). First check your date’s timetable and unreserved/reserved-seat conditions. Follow village entry paths on the official local map and do not enter residents’ homes. Walk the lanes; check opening and admission separately for indoor exhibitions.
Linked World Heritage Bus outbound table: revised 1 April 2025Stops and local map on official village access pageOfficial village access
- Suganuma village → Walk and eat, then return to the Takaoka-bound 菅沼 stop
Village visiting hours are 08:00–17:00 April–November. Walk in daylight, eating or resting at an open restaurant. Find the Takaoka-bound boarding point on the village map for your return. The village is about one minute from Suganuma stop. Check the official map for your return stop and ask the village beforehand if you need a route without stairs.
Official Suganuma tourism guideStops and local map on official village access page
- Suganuma (菅沼), towards Takaoka → Outside Takaoka Station
Take the World Heritage Bus from the Takaoka-bound Suganuma (菅沼) stop. Check your date’s returns/suspensions and onward Ainokaze train to Toyama. The 2,800-yen adult Gokayama pass is for ordinary unreserved seats; it cannot be combined with a reserved-seat ticket and does not secure a seat.
Linked World Heritage Bus return table: revised 1 April 2025Kaetsuno World Heritage Bus guideAinokaze 2026 station timetables
- Takaoka Station bus stop to railway gates → Toyama Station to the same hotel
After the World Heritage Bus, enter Takaoka Station and transfer to an eastbound ordinary Ainokaze train for Toyama. The adult single fare is 390 yen. Allow station access, ticket purchase and platform time. If the bus is delayed, ask station staff about the next Toyama train.
Ainokaze network timetable revised 14 March 2026Toyama–Takaoka fareHotel access
Check travel-date bus schedules/notices and unreserved-seat availability. Indoor exhibitions cost extra. Ask the village beforehand if you need step-free access.
Day 4: Zuiryuji and Amaharashi coast
View Zuiryuji’s National Treasure buildings, then the sea and rocky islands at Amaharashi. The temple charges admission; coastal walks are free. Transfer to JR Himi Line at Takaoka and choose returns connecting to Ainokaze for Toyama.
- Toyama Station → Ainokaze Takaoka Station
Take a westbound ordinary Ainokaze train from Toyama to Takaoka, distinct from Shinkansen Shin-Takaoka. The adult single fare is 390 yen.
Ainokaze 2026 station timetablesToyama–Takaoka fareAinokaze network timetable revised 14 March 2026
- Takaoka Station south side → Zuiryuji to Takaoka Station
Walk about ten minutes south from Takaoka Station to Zuiryuji. Visit after the 09:00 opening; ordinary adult admission is 500 yen. Return the same way and allow lunch and JR ticket preparation. JR Himi Line is a different operator from Ainokaze.
- JR Takaoka Station → Amaharashi Station and coast
Take a Himi-bound JR Himi Line train from Takaoka to Amaharashi. The adult single fare is 240 yen; walk about five minutes to the coast. Mountain visibility depends on weather. Choose your Takaoka-bound return first, leaving time to walk back to the station.
Takaoka city JR Himi Line 2026 timetable/fare PDFOfficial coast tourism guidance
- Amaharashi Station → Takaoka Station
Return to Amaharashi Station and take a Takaoka-bound Himi Line train. Check travel-date timetables and suspensions. Choose both return sections, including the transfer to Ainokaze for Toyama.
- Ainokaze Takaoka Station → Toyama Station to the same hotel
At Takaoka, transfer to an eastbound ordinary Ainokaze train towards Toyama. The adult single fare is 390 yen. Allow time after leaving JR Himi Line to buy Ainokaze tickets and reach the platform. If delayed, ask station staff about the next Toyama train.
Ainokaze 2026 station timetablesHotel accessLuggage storage FAQ
Cloud may hide the mountains from the coast. Choose return trains before including both temple and coastal walks, and distinguish JR tickets from Ainokaze tickets.
Day 5: museum collections, then depart Toyama
Visit the Toyama Prefectural Museum of Art and Design collections, then return to Toyama Station.
- Toyama Station north exit → Toyama Prefectural Museum of Art and Design entrance
Walk about 15 minutes from Toyama Station’s north exit to the museum entrance, as in official guidance. Leave for the 09:30 opening; allow crossings and station access separately. Check temporary closures and exhibition changes.
Official accessMuseum visitor informationHotel accessLuggage storage FAQ
- Museum entrance → Collection galleries
Ordinary adult collection admission is 350 yen. The museum closes at 18:00, last admission 17:30; special exhibitions cost extra. Return towards the same station after viewing.
- Toyama Prefectural Museum of Art and Design → Toyama Station north exit
Return along the same route to Toyama Station’s north exit. Allow the 15-minute walk plus crossings and station access before your departure. Buses cost extra.
Check museum closures and rooftop access, leaving time to return to the station.
Included: Dentetsu-Toyama–Tateyama–Bijodaira–Murodo ordinary return: 10,220 yen for railway/cable car/highland bus; village-day Toyama–Takaoka trains: 390 yen × 2 = 780 yen; Gokayama pass: 2,800 yen, valid two days from first use for unreserved seats; coastal-day Toyama–Takaoka trains: 390 yen × 2 = 780 yen; Takaoka–Amaharashi JR Himi Line: 240 yen × 2 = 480 yen; Zuiryuji admission: 500 yen; museum collections: 350 yen.
Extra costs and conditions: Four hotel nights, food, travel to/from Toyama, village indoor exhibitions, special exhibitions and extra limited-express/reserved-seat charges. Reserved-seat bus tickets cannot use this unreserved-pass subtotal.
This subtotal assumes the Gokayama pass, incompatible with reserved-seat tickets. Ordinary Murodo return fares apply from 15 April 2026; check travel-date connections and seasonal WEB sales. Toyama–Takaoka returns for village and coast take place on two separate days.
Buy ordinary tickets separately for Takaoka/Amaharashi. Hokuriku Area Pass covers ordinary JR Himi Line trains and ordinary Ainokaze trains only for the full Toyama–Takaoka section without alighting at other Ainokaze stations. Adults pay 7,000 yen for four consecutive days. Coastal return trains cost 1,260 yen, or 2,040 yen including village-day trains, so these journeys alone do not warrant buying the pass. Add other regional JR journeys before comparing. A passport issued by a government other than Japan and Temporary Visitor status are required. Gokayama buses, Murodo transport, accommodation and admission are excluded. See included/extra items above.
Official fare PDF effective 15 April 2026Toyama–Takaoka fareKaetsuno World Heritage Bus guideTakaoka city JR Himi Line 2026 timetable/fare PDFOfficial temple guidanceMuseum visitor informationJR West Hokuriku Area Pass coverage, prices and eligibilityOfficial JR West Hokuriku Area Pass map
One night in Gokayama
Stay two Toyama nights, one Gokayama night, then a final Toyama night. Choose this for more gassho-village time instead of Murodo. Cottages near Gassho no Sato (合掌の里) stop are an option; choose the stop matching your address for other accommodation. Check meal preparation and large-luggage bus conditions before booking.
Day 1: Kansui Park walks
Walk beside the canal and water at Kansui Park north of Toyama Station.
- Toyama Station north exit → Kansui Park
Walk from the north exit to the park. Official guidance gives about nine minutes; allow station access and crossings separately.
- Kansui Park → Toyama Station north exit
After free waterfront walks, return towards the station, then your booked hotel. Tower hours are 09:00–21:30, separate from park access. Shorten walks for late arrival or strong wind/rain.
Shorten the walk if you arrive late.
Day 2: Zuiryuji and Amaharashi coast
View Zuiryuji’s National Treasure buildings, then the sea and rocky islands at Amaharashi. The temple charges admission; coastal walks are free. Transfer to JR Himi Line at Takaoka and choose returns connecting to Ainokaze for Toyama.
- Toyama Station → Ainokaze Takaoka Station
Take a westbound ordinary Ainokaze train from Toyama to Takaoka, distinct from Shinkansen Shin-Takaoka. The adult single fare is 390 yen.
Ainokaze 2026 station timetablesToyama–Takaoka fareAinokaze network timetable revised 14 March 2026
- Takaoka Station south side → Zuiryuji to Takaoka Station
Walk about ten minutes south from Takaoka Station to Zuiryuji. Visit after the 09:00 opening; ordinary adult admission is 500 yen. Return the same way and allow lunch and JR ticket preparation. JR Himi Line is a different operator from Ainokaze.
- JR Takaoka Station → Amaharashi Station and coast
Take a Himi-bound JR Himi Line train from Takaoka to Amaharashi. The adult single fare is 240 yen; walk about five minutes to the coast. Mountain visibility depends on weather. Choose your Takaoka-bound return first, leaving time to walk back to the station.
Takaoka city JR Himi Line 2026 timetable/fare PDFOfficial coast tourism guidance
- Amaharashi Station → Takaoka Station
Return to Amaharashi Station and take a Takaoka-bound Himi Line train. Check travel-date timetables and suspensions. Choose both return sections, including the transfer to Ainokaze for Toyama.
- Ainokaze Takaoka Station → Toyama Station to the same hotel
At Takaoka, transfer to an eastbound ordinary Ainokaze train towards Toyama. The adult single fare is 390 yen. Allow time after leaving JR Himi Line to buy Ainokaze tickets and reach the platform. If delayed, ask station staff about the next Toyama train.
Ainokaze 2026 station timetablesHotel accessLuggage storage FAQ
Cloud may hide the mountains from the coast. Choose return trains before including both temple and coastal walks, and distinguish JR tickets from Ainokaze tickets.
Day 3: Suganuma walks and one Gokayama night
Travel to Gokayama, explore Suganuma gassho village and stay overnight.
- Toyama hotel to Toyama Station → Ainokaze Takaoka Station
Take a westbound ordinary Ainokaze train from Toyama to Takaoka, distinct from Shinkansen Shin-Takaoka. The adult single fare is 390 yen. For the World Heritage Bus, move to stand 7 outside the station, leaving transfer time.
Ainokaze 2026 station timetablesHotel accessLuggage storage FAQAinokaze network timetable revised 14 March 2026Toyama–Takaoka fareKaetsuno World Heritage Bus guide
- Takaoka Station stand 7 → World Heritage Bus to 合掌の里
Take the World Heritage Bus from Takaoka Station stand 7 to Gassho no Sato (合掌の里), distinct from Suganuma village’s 菅沼 stop. Check your date’s bus, cottage check-in time and large-luggage conditions together. The Gokayama pass cannot be combined with reserved-seat tickets.
Kaetsuno World Heritage Bus guideLinked World Heritage Bus outbound table: revised 1 April 2025
- Gassho no Sato (合掌の里) stop → Booked cottage
Go from the stop to your booked address. Official guidance puts Gassho no Sato Cottage about one minute on foot from 合掌の里 stop. For another hotel, recheck the stop and access first. Check meal provision with your booked accommodation.
- Gokayama cottage → Separate Suganuma village visit, then cottage
Suganuma is a separate village about 800 m from the example cottage. Check the walking route/time from your address. Official tourism guidance gives April–November visits as 08:00–17:00 and asks visitors to avoid coming after sunset. Coordinate bus arrival, check-in and village walks.
Official tourism-authority cottage informationOfficial Suganuma tourism guide
Visit the village in daylight. The self-catering cottage requires you to bring ingredients and seasonings. Plan your meals beforehand.
Day 4: return from Gokayama to Toyama
Return from Gokayama via Takaoka to Toyama.
- Gokayama cottage and village → Check out, then 合掌の里 return boarding point
For more morning village walks, wait until official visiting hours. Check out and move your luggage, then return to the Takaoka-bound boarding point at 合掌の里.
Official tourism-authority cottage informationOfficial Suganuma tourism guide
- 合掌の里 → Outside Takaoka Station
Take the World Heritage Bus from the Takaoka-bound 合掌の里 stop to Takaoka Station. Choose a travel-date service allowing check-out and the walk to the stop, and check the onward Ainokaze train for Toyama.
Kaetsuno World Heritage Bus guideLinked World Heritage Bus return table: revised 1 April 2025
- Ainokaze Takaoka Station → Toyama Station to your booked Toyama hotel
Transfer at Takaoka to an eastbound ordinary Ainokaze train for Toyama. The adult single fare is 390 yen. Allow time from bus to station, buying the other operator’s ticket and reaching its platform. If delayed, ask staff about the next Toyama train.
Ainokaze 2026 station timetablesHotel accessLuggage storage FAQ
Check the return bus from 合掌の里 and its connection at Takaoka to Toyama.
Day 5: museum collections, then depart Toyama
Visit the Toyama Prefectural Museum of Art and Design collections, then return to Toyama Station.
- Toyama Station north exit → Toyama Prefectural Museum of Art and Design entrance
Walk about 15 minutes from Toyama Station’s north exit to the museum entrance, as in official guidance. Leave for the 09:30 opening; allow crossings and station access separately. Check temporary closures and exhibition changes.
Official accessMuseum visitor informationHotel accessLuggage storage FAQ
- Museum entrance → Collection galleries
Ordinary adult collection admission is 350 yen. The museum closes at 18:00, last admission 17:30; special exhibitions cost extra. Return towards the same station after viewing.
- Toyama Prefectural Museum of Art and Design → Toyama Station north exit
Return along the same route to Toyama Station’s north exit. Allow the 15-minute walk plus crossings and station access before your departure. Buses cost extra.
Check museum closures and rooftop access, leaving time to return to the station.
Included: Coastal-day Toyama–Takaoka trains: 390 yen × 2 = 780 yen; Takaoka–Amaharashi JR Himi Line: 240 yen × 2 = 480 yen; Zuiryuji admission: 500 yen; village-day Toyama–Takaoka trains: 390 yen × 2 = 780 yen; Gokayama pass: 2,800 yen, valid two days from first use for unreserved seats; museum collections: 350 yen.
Extra costs and conditions: Three Toyama hotel nights, one Gokayama cottage night, food, travel to/from Toyama, village indoor exhibitions and special exhibitions. Reserved-seat bus tickets cannot use this unreserved-pass subtotal.
This subtotal uses one Gokayama pass for departure on Day 3 and return on Day 4. It is valid two days from first use and incompatible with reserved-seat tickets. Accommodation varies by room/party and is excluded. The cottage reference price is for a whole unit, rather than per person. Check rooms, check-in/out and bus luggage conditions before booking.
Buy ordinary tickets separately for Takaoka/Amaharashi. Hokuriku Area Pass covers ordinary JR Himi Line trains and ordinary Ainokaze trains only for the full Toyama–Takaoka section without alighting at other Ainokaze stations. Adults pay 7,000 yen for four consecutive days. Coastal return trains cost 1,260 yen, or 2,040 yen including village-day trains, so these journeys alone do not warrant buying the pass. Add other regional JR journeys before comparing. A passport issued by a government other than Japan and Temporary Visitor status are required. Gokayama buses, accommodation and admission are excluded. See included/extra items above.
Toyama–Takaoka fareTakaoka city JR Himi Line 2026 timetable/fare PDFOfficial temple guidanceKaetsuno World Heritage Bus guideMuseum visitor informationOfficial tourism-authority cottage informationJR West Hokuriku Area Pass coverage, prices and eligibilityOfficial JR West Hokuriku Area Pass map
Frequently asked questions
When should I start the two-day pass for a Gokayama night?
Start on Day 3 when travelling to the cottage to include next day’s return bus. Gokayama pass is valid two days from first use and incompatible with reserved-seat tickets. Toyama–Takaoka trains and accommodation are extra.
Kaetsuno World Heritage Bus guideLinked World Heritage Bus outbound table: revised 1 April 2025Linked World Heritage Bus return table: revised 1 April 2025
Does Hokuriku Area Pass cover all five travel days?
It is valid four consecutive days, so does not automatically cover a five-day trip. Check that coastal day and Gokayama-related train days fall within validity. Gokayama buses use a separate two-day pass; accommodation is extra.
JR West Hokuriku Area Pass coverage, prices and eligibilityKaetsuno World Heritage Bus guide
Sources and check dates
- Hotel access ·
- Luggage storage FAQ ·
- Toyama city tourism association park guide ·
- Museum visitor information ·
- Official access ·
- Official temple guidance ·
- Official Toyama tourism PDF ·
- Official coast tourism guidance ·
- Alpine Route 2026 timetable ·
- WEB ticket guide ·
- Return timetable: 15 April–3 November ·
- Return timetable: 4–30 November ·
- Official village access ·
- Kaetsuno World Heritage Bus guide ·
- Ainokaze 2026 station timetables ·
- Toyama–Takaoka fare ·
- Takaoka city JR Himi Line 2026 timetable/fare PDF ·
- Timetable: 15 April–3 November 2026 ·
- Official Suganuma tourism guide ·
- Official tourism-authority cottage information ·
- Official fare PDF effective 15 April 2026 ·
- Linked World Heritage Bus outbound table: revised 1 April 2025 ·
- Linked World Heritage Bus return table: revised 1 April 2025 ·
- Stops and local map on official village access page ·
- Murodo Terminal, rooftop and restaurants ·
- Ainokaze network timetable revised 14 March 2026 ·
- JR West Hokuriku Area Pass coverage, prices and eligibility ·
- Official JR West Hokuriku Area Pass map ·