Five days in Toyama: day trips or one night in Gokayama
Choose separate day trips to Murodo, Suganuma and the coast from Toyama, or spend a night in Gokayama. Keeping your hotel means four nights in Toyama. The village stay uses two Toyama nights, one Gokayama night and one back in Toyama. For Gokayama, check cottage rooms and luggage conditions first.
Choose a 4 nights, 5 days itinerary
A day each for Murodo, Suganuma and the coast
Spend four nights at the same hotel near Toyama Station, giving a day each to Murodo, Suganuma and Takaoka’s coast. Return to the same Toyama hotel each day. Murodo’s seasonal operating periods and connections differ, so check travel-date timetables and ticket sales conditions.
A day each for Murodo, Suganuma and the coast →4 nights, 5 days BOne night in Gokayama
Spend two nights in Toyama, one in Gokayama, then the final night back in Toyama. Choose this for more time in the gassho-style village instead of Murodo. You can stay at cottages near Gassho no Sato (合掌の里) stop; use a stop suited to the address if choosing another hotel. Before booking, check meal preparation and whether the bus accepts your large bags.
One night in Gokayama →A day each for Murodo, Suganuma and the coast
Spend four nights at the same hotel near Toyama Station, giving a day each to Murodo, Suganuma and Takaoka’s coast. Return to the same Toyama hotel each day. Murodo’s seasonal operating periods and connections differ, so check travel-date timetables and ticket sales conditions.
Day 1 · Kansui Park walk
Follow the canal and waterfront at Kansui Park north of Toyama Station.
- Toyama Station north exit → Kansui Park
Walk from Toyama Station’s north exit to the park. The official walk takes about nine minutes, excluding station walking and crossing waits.
- Kansui Park → Toyama Station north exit
After a free waterfront walk, retrace your route to the station, then head to your booked hotel. Tower hours of 09:00–21:30 differ from park access; shorten the walk for late arrivals or strong wind and rain.
Shorten the walk if you arrive late.
Day 2 · Tateyama and Bijodaira transfers to Murodo
Explore mountain scenery at Murododaira today. From Toyama, change between railway, cable car and highland bus. Choose mountain walking sections according to weather and local restrictions. Coordinate your reserved Tateyama cable car departure with return connections all the way to the local railway.
- Hotel → Dentetsu-Toyama Station → Tateyama Station
Take a Tateyama-bound local train from Dentetsu-Toyama Station, whose platforms differ from JR Toyama. Match your date’s train arrival with the Tateyama cable car departure, allowing time for ticket collection and platform access. The specified time on a WEB ticket is the cable car departure at Tateyama Station. In busy periods, check the operator’s conditions to arrive 30 minutes before departure and collect tickets 15 minutes before. The JPY 10,220 general adult return fare covers Dentetsu-Toyama ↔ Tateyama ↔ Bijodaira ↔ Murodo by railway, cable car and highland bus. It does not cross to Kurobe Dam or Ogizawa. Special or reserved seating, meals and hotels cost extra.
Timetable valid 15 April–3 November 2026WEB ticket user guideOfficial fare PDF effective 15 April 2026Alpine Route 2026 timetableReturn timetable, 4–30 November
- Tateyama Station cable car → Bijodaira
Take your booked cable car from Tateyama Station to Bijodaira. After leaving the local train, collect tickets and proceed to the cable car platform. Follow operator guidance for the reserved time and daily operation.
Timetable valid 15 April–3 November 2026WEB ticket user guide
- Bijodaira highland bus boarding area → Murodo Terminal
At Bijodaira, change to a Murodo-bound highland bus. After leaving the cable car, proceed to the bus boarding area and wait according to on-site guidance. If services are delayed, recheck later connections too.
- Murodo Terminal → Rooftop exit and Murododaira → terminal
After leaving the bus, check your return boarding area inside the terminal first. The rooftop exit leads to Murododaira; the terminal has restaurants and shops. Explore nearby areas according to weather and local restrictions, then return to the same terminal for your bus. Meals and shop purchases cost extra. If long walks are difficult, stay near the terminal instead of taking hiking trails or circling Mikurigaike Pond.
- Murodo highland bus boarding area → Bijodaira
Take a Bijodaira-bound highland bus from Murodo. Return to the terminal boarding area before departure and check connections through Bijodaira’s cable car and Tateyama’s local railway. The last mountain bus alone does not establish that you can reach Toyama City.
Return timetable, 15 April–3 NovemberAlpine Route 2026 timetableReturn timetable, 4–30 November
- Bijodaira cable car → Tateyama Station
Take the cable car from Bijodaira down to Tateyama Station. After leaving the bus, proceed to the cable car platform; recheck local railway connections during service changes or delays.
Return timetable, 15 April–3 NovemberAlpine Route 2026 timetableReturn timetable, 4–30 November
- Tateyama Station local railway → Dentetsu-Toyama Station → same hotel
Take a Dentetsu-Toyama-bound local train from Tateyama back to Toyama. Allow platform access and waiting time after the cable car. Weekday and weekend services may differ, so 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 operating notices first. Shorten mountain walks according to weather and restrictions, prioritising return connections through the local railway. Do not follow this mountain itinerary unchanged if booking is unavailable or services stop.
Day 3 · Change at Takaoka for Suganuma
Explore Suganuma’s gassho-style houses and mountain village paths today. Take the World Heritage Bus from Takaoka to Suganuma (菅沼). Walk the village in daylight, then return to the Takaoka-bound stop for your chosen bus.
- Toyama Station → Takaoka Station front, bus stand 7
Take a westbound ordinary Ainokaze Toyama Railway train from Toyama to Takaoka, distinct from Shinkansen Shin-Takaoka Station. The adult one-way fare is JPY 390. For the World Heritage Bus, proceed to stand 7 in front of the station and allow time between train arrival and bus boarding.
Ainokaze 2026 station timetablesToyama–Takaoka faresKaetsuno World Heritage Bus guide
- Takaoka Station front, bus stand 7 → World Heritage Bus → Suganuma · 菅沼
Take the World Heritage Bus from stand 7 in front of Takaoka Station to Suganuma (菅沼). First check your date’s timetable and non-reserved versus reserved-seat conditions. Follow the village’s official area map along the approach, without entering residents’ homes. Explore village paths; check opening and admission separately if entering individual exhibition buildings.
Currently linked outward World Heritage Bus timetable, revised 1 April 2025Stops and area map on the official village access pageOfficial village access guide
- Suganuma village → Walk and meal → Takaoka-bound Suganuma stop
April–November village visiting hours are 08:00–17:00. Walk in daylight and eat or rest at an open restaurant. Check the Takaoka-bound boarding location on the village area map for your return. The walk from Suganuma stop to the village is about one minute. Use the official map to find the return stop, and ask the village in advance if you need a route without stairs.
Official Suganuma tourism guideStops and area map on the official village access page
- Suganuma (菅沼), towards Takaoka → Takaoka Station front
Take the World Heritage Bus from the Takaoka-bound Suganuma (菅沼) stop. Check return services and suspension notices for your date, along with the onward Ainokaze connection to Toyama. The JPY 2,800 adult Gokayama pass is for ordinary non-reserved seats, cannot be used with a reserved-seat ticket and does not secure a seat.
Currently linked return World Heritage Bus timetable, revised 1 April 2025Kaetsuno World Heritage Bus guideAinokaze 2026 station timetables
- Takaoka Station front → railway ticket gates → Toyama Station → same hotel
After leaving the World Heritage Bus, head into Takaoka Station and change to an eastbound ordinary Ainokaze Toyama Railway train towards Toyama. The adult one-way fare is JPY 390. Allow station walking, ticket purchase and platform access after the bus. If delayed, check the next Toyama service with station staff.
Complete Ainokaze timetable revised 14 March 2026Toyama–Takaoka faresHotel access
Check your date’s bus timetable, notices and non-reserved-seat availability. Indoor exhibition admission costs extra. Ask the village in advance if you need a route without stairs.
Day 4 · Zuiryuji and Amaharashi Coast
Explore Zuiryuji’s National Treasure buildings, then see the sea and rocky islet at Amaharashi Coast. Temple admission has a fee; coastal walking is free. Change at Takaoka to JR Himi Line and check return trains connecting to Toyama-bound Ainokaze services.
- Toyama Station → Ainokaze Takaoka Station
Take a westbound ordinary Ainokaze Toyama Railway train from Toyama to Takaoka, distinct from Shinkansen Shin-Takaoka Station. The adult one-way fare is JPY 390.
Ainokaze 2026 station timetablesToyama–Takaoka faresComplete Ainokaze timetable revised 14 March 2026
- Takaoka Station south side → Zuiryuji → Takaoka Station
Walk about ten minutes from Takaoka Station’s south side to Zuiryuji. Visit after its 09:00 opening; general adult admission is JPY 500. Retrace your walk to the station, allowing time for lunch and JR ticket preparation. The JR Himi Line from Takaoka has 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 one-way fare is JPY 240; walk about five minutes to the coast. Mountain views depend on the weather. Choose your Takaoka-bound return train first and leave time to walk to the station.
Takaoka City’s JR Himi Line 2026 timetable and fare PDFOfficial coast tourism guide
- Amaharashi Station → Takaoka Station
Return from the coast to Amaharashi Station and take a Takaoka-bound JR Himi Line train. Check your date’s timetable and suspension notices. Change at Takaoka to Ainokaze for Toyama, choosing both return sections together.
- Ainokaze Takaoka Station → Toyama Station → same hotel
At Takaoka, change to an eastbound ordinary Ainokaze Toyama Railway train towards Toyama. The adult one-way fare is JPY 390. After leaving JR Himi Line, allow time to buy an Ainokaze ticket and reach its platform. If delayed, check the next Toyama service with station staff.
Ainokaze 2026 station timetablesHotel accessLuggage storage FAQ
Cloudy weather may hide the mountains from the coast. Choose return trains before combining Zuiryuji and the coastal walk, and distinguish JR and Ainokaze tickets.
Day 5 · Art collection, then depart from Toyama
Visit the Toyama art museum’s collection, then return to Toyama Station.
- Toyama Station north exit → Toyama art museum entrance
The official walk from Toyama Station’s north exit to the museum entrance is about 15 minutes. Leave for the 09:30 opening, allowing separate crossing waits and station walking. Check temporary closures and exhibition changes for your date too.
Official access guideMuseum visitor guideHotel accessLuggage storage FAQ
- Museum entrance → Collection galleries
General adult collection admission is JPY 350. The museum closes at 18:00, with last admission at 17:30; special exhibitions have separate fees. After the collection, return towards the same station.
- Toyama Prefectural Museum of Art and Design → Toyama Station north exit
After visiting, retrace your walk to Toyama Station’s north exit. Add crossing waits and walking inside the station to the roughly 15-minute walk when choosing your departure. Bus fares cost extra if used.
Check museum closing days and rooftop access, and allow time to reach the station after visiting.
Included: Dentetsu-Toyama–Tateyama–Bijodaira–Murodo general return JPY 10,220 by railway, cable car and highland bus, village-day Toyama–Takaoka ordinary rail return JPY 780 at JPY 390 each way, Gokayama pass JPY 2,800 valid for two days from first use on non-reserved seats, coast-day Toyama–Takaoka return JPY 780, Takaoka–Amaharashi JR Himi Line return JPY 480 at JPY 240 each way, general Zuiryuji admission JPY 500 and general museum collection JPY 350.
Extra costs and conditions: Four hotel nights, meals, travel to and from Toyama, village indoor exhibits, special exhibitions and limited express or reserved-seat supplements cost extra. Reserved bus seats make the pass-based partial total inapplicable.
This partial total uses the Gokayama pass, which cannot be combined with reserved-seat tickets. Murodo’s general return fare applies from 15 April 2026; check date-specific connections and seasonal WEB ticket sales conditions. Toyama–Takaoka return journeys on the village and coast days occur on two separate dates.
Buy ordinary tickets separately for Takaoka and Amaharashi. The Hokuriku Area Pass covers ordinary JR Himi Line trains and ordinary Ainokaze trains travelling the full Toyama–Takaoka section. Alighting at other Ainokaze stations falls outside this exception. The adult pass costs JPY 7,000 for four consecutive days. Ordinary rail fares total JPY 1,260 for the coast return, or JPY 2,040 including village-day trains, so there is no need to buy the pass solely for these journeys. If travelling elsewhere by JR too, add those fares to your comparison. A passport issued by a government outside Japan and Temporary Visitor status are required. Gokayama buses, Murodo mountain transport, hotels and admission are excluded from the pass. Check the included and excluded items above.
Official fare PDF effective 15 April 2026Toyama–Takaoka faresKaetsuno World Heritage Bus guideTakaoka City’s JR Himi Line 2026 timetable and fare PDFOfficial temple guideMuseum visitor guideJR-West Hokuriku Area Pass coverage, prices and eligibilityOfficial JR-West Hokuriku Area Pass route map
One night in Gokayama
Spend two nights in Toyama, one in Gokayama, then the final night back in Toyama. Choose this for more time in the gassho-style village instead of Murodo. You can stay at cottages near Gassho no Sato (合掌の里) stop; use a stop suited to the address if choosing another hotel. Before booking, check meal preparation and whether the bus accepts your large bags.
Day 1 · Kansui Park walk
Follow the canal and waterfront at Kansui Park north of Toyama Station.
- Toyama Station north exit → Kansui Park
Walk from Toyama Station’s north exit to the park. The official walk takes about nine minutes, excluding station walking and crossing waits.
- Kansui Park → Toyama Station north exit
After a free waterfront walk, retrace your route to the station, then head to your booked hotel. Tower hours of 09:00–21:30 differ from park access; shorten the walk for late arrivals or strong wind and rain.
Shorten the walk if you arrive late.
Day 2 · Zuiryuji and Amaharashi Coast
Explore Zuiryuji’s National Treasure buildings, then see the sea and rocky islet at Amaharashi Coast. Temple admission has a fee; coastal walking is free. Change at Takaoka to JR Himi Line and check return trains connecting to Toyama-bound Ainokaze services.
- Toyama Station → Ainokaze Takaoka Station
Take a westbound ordinary Ainokaze Toyama Railway train from Toyama to Takaoka, distinct from Shinkansen Shin-Takaoka Station. The adult one-way fare is JPY 390.
Ainokaze 2026 station timetablesToyama–Takaoka faresComplete Ainokaze timetable revised 14 March 2026
- Takaoka Station south side → Zuiryuji → Takaoka Station
Walk about ten minutes from Takaoka Station’s south side to Zuiryuji. Visit after its 09:00 opening; general adult admission is JPY 500. Retrace your walk to the station, allowing time for lunch and JR ticket preparation. The JR Himi Line from Takaoka has 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 one-way fare is JPY 240; walk about five minutes to the coast. Mountain views depend on the weather. Choose your Takaoka-bound return train first and leave time to walk to the station.
Takaoka City’s JR Himi Line 2026 timetable and fare PDFOfficial coast tourism guide
- Amaharashi Station → Takaoka Station
Return from the coast to Amaharashi Station and take a Takaoka-bound JR Himi Line train. Check your date’s timetable and suspension notices. Change at Takaoka to Ainokaze for Toyama, choosing both return sections together.
- Ainokaze Takaoka Station → Toyama Station → same hotel
At Takaoka, change to an eastbound ordinary Ainokaze Toyama Railway train towards Toyama. The adult one-way fare is JPY 390. After leaving JR Himi Line, allow time to buy an Ainokaze ticket and reach its platform. If delayed, check the next Toyama service with station staff.
Ainokaze 2026 station timetablesHotel accessLuggage storage FAQ
Cloudy weather may hide the mountains from the coast. Choose return trains before combining Zuiryuji and the coastal walk, and distinguish JR and Ainokaze tickets.
Day 3 · Suganuma walk and one night in Gokayama
Travel to Gokayama, explore Suganuma gassho-style village and stay overnight.
- Toyama hotel → Toyama Station → Ainokaze Takaoka Station
Take a westbound ordinary Ainokaze Toyama Railway train from Toyama to Takaoka, distinct from Shinkansen Shin-Takaoka Station. The adult one-way fare is JPY 390. For the World Heritage Bus, proceed to stand 7 in front of the station and allow time between train arrival and bus boarding.
Ainokaze 2026 station timetablesHotel accessLuggage storage FAQComplete Ainokaze timetable revised 14 March 2026Toyama–Takaoka faresKaetsuno World Heritage Bus guide
- Takaoka Station front, bus stand 7 → World Heritage Bus → Gassho no Sato (合掌の里)
Take the World Heritage Bus from stand 7 in front of Takaoka Station to Gassho no Sato (合掌の里), distinct from the village’s Suganuma (菅沼) stop. Check travel-date buses, cottage check-in and large-luggage conditions together. The Gokayama pass cannot be combined with reserved-seat tickets.
Kaetsuno World Heritage Bus guideCurrently linked outward World Heritage Bus timetable, revised 1 April 2025
- Gassho no Sato (合掌の里) stop → Your booked cottage
Travel from the stop to your booked accommodation address. The example Gassho no Sato Cottage lists about one minute on foot from Gassho no Sato (合掌の里) stop. If you book elsewhere, recheck the stop and access. Confirm meals with your booked accommodation too.
- Gokayama cottage → Separate Suganuma village → cottage
Suganuma gassho-style village is separate from the example cottage, about 800 metres away. Check the walk and time from your accommodation address. Official village tourism guidance lists 08:00–17:00 visits April–November and advises against visits after sunset. Coordinate bus arrival, check-in and village walking time.
Official tourism body’s cottage informationOfficial Suganuma tourism guide
Explore the village in daylight. The cottage is self-catering, so bring your own ingredients and seasonings. Decide how to prepare meals beforehand.
Day 4 · Return from Gokayama to Toyama
Return from Gokayama to Toyama via Takaoka today.
- Gokayama cottage and village → Check out → Gassho no Sato return stop
For any remaining village walk in the morning, start after official visiting hours begin. After check-out and moving your bags, return to the Takaoka-bound Gassho no Sato (合掌の里) stop.
Official tourism body’s cottage informationOfficial Suganuma tourism guide
- Gassho no Sato (合掌の里) → Takaoka Station front
Take the World Heritage Bus from the Takaoka-bound Gassho no Sato stop to Takaoka Station front. Choose a service that leaves time for check-out and the walk to the stop, then check the onward Toyama-bound Ainokaze train as well.
Kaetsuno World Heritage Bus guideCurrently linked return World Heritage Bus timetable, revised 1 April 2025
- Ainokaze Takaoka Station → Toyama Station → booked Toyama hotel
At Takaoka, change to an eastbound ordinary Ainokaze Toyama Railway train towards Toyama. The adult one-way fare is JPY 390. Allow time to walk from the bus, buy a ticket from the different operator and reach the platform. If buses or trains are delayed, check the next Toyama service with station staff.
Ainokaze 2026 station timetablesHotel accessLuggage storage FAQ
Check your return bus from Gassho no Sato and onward Toyama train at Takaoka.
Day 5 · Art collection, then depart from Toyama
Visit the Toyama art museum’s collection, then return to Toyama Station.
- Toyama Station north exit → Toyama art museum entrance
The official walk from Toyama Station’s north exit to the museum entrance is about 15 minutes. Leave for the 09:30 opening, allowing separate crossing waits and station walking. Check temporary closures and exhibition changes for your date too.
Official access guideMuseum visitor guideHotel accessLuggage storage FAQ
- Museum entrance → Collection galleries
General adult collection admission is JPY 350. The museum closes at 18:00, with last admission at 17:30; special exhibitions have separate fees. After the collection, return towards the same station.
- Toyama Prefectural Museum of Art and Design → Toyama Station north exit
After visiting, retrace your walk to Toyama Station’s north exit. Add crossing waits and walking inside the station to the roughly 15-minute walk when choosing your departure. Bus fares cost extra if used.
Check museum closing days and rooftop access, and allow time to reach the station after visiting.
Included: Coast-day Toyama–Takaoka ordinary rail return JPY 780 at JPY 390 each way, Takaoka–Amaharashi JR Himi Line return JPY 480 at JPY 240 each way, general Zuiryuji admission JPY 500, village-day Toyama–Takaoka rail return JPY 780, Gokayama pass JPY 2,800 valid for two days from first use on non-reserved seats, and general museum collection JPY 350.
Extra costs and conditions: Three Toyama hotel nights, one Gokayama cottage night, meals, travel to and from Toyama, village indoor exhibits and special exhibitions cost extra. Reserved bus seats make the pass-based partial total inapplicable.
This partial total uses one Gokayama pass for day-three departure and day-four return. It is valid for two days from first use and cannot be combined with reserved-seat tickets. Accommodation costs depend on your room and group size and are excluded. The detached cottage’s reference price is per cottage, not per person. Before booking, check rooms, check-in/out and bus luggage conditions.
Buy ordinary tickets separately for Takaoka and Amaharashi. The Hokuriku Area Pass covers ordinary JR Himi Line trains and ordinary Ainokaze trains travelling the full Toyama–Takaoka section. Alighting at other Ainokaze stations falls outside this exception. The adult pass costs JPY 7,000 for four consecutive days. Ordinary rail fares total JPY 1,260 for the coast return, or JPY 2,040 including village-day trains, so there is no need to buy the pass solely for these journeys. If travelling elsewhere by JR too, add those fares to your comparison. A passport issued by a government outside Japan and Temporary Visitor status are required. Gokayama buses, hotels and admission are excluded from the pass. Check the included and excluded items above.
Toyama–Takaoka faresTakaoka City’s JR Himi Line 2026 timetable and fare PDFOfficial temple guideKaetsuno World Heritage Bus guideMuseum visitor guideOfficial tourism body’s cottage informationJR-West Hokuriku Area Pass coverage, prices and eligibilityOfficial JR-West Hokuriku Area Pass route map
Frequently asked questions
When do you use the two-day pass for a Gokayama overnight stay?
Start using it on day three when travelling to the cottage, then use it for the next day’s return bus. The Gokayama pass lasts two days from first use and cannot be combined with reserved-seat tickets. Toyama–Takaoka trains and hotels cost extra.
Kaetsuno World Heritage Bus guideCurrently linked outward World Heritage Bus timetable, revised 1 April 2025Currently linked return World Heritage Bus timetable, revised 1 April 2025
Can the Hokuriku Area Pass cover the whole five-day trip?
The pass lasts four consecutive days, so it does not automatically cover a whole five-day trip. Check that your coastal day and trains to and from Gokayama fall within its validity. Gokayama buses use a separate two-day pass; hotels cost extra.
JR-West Hokuriku Area Pass coverage, prices and eligibilityKaetsuno World Heritage Bus guide
Sources and confirmation dates
- Hotel access ·
- Luggage storage FAQ ·
- Toyama City tourism association’s park guide ·
- Museum visitor guide ·
- Official access guide ·
- Official temple guide ·
- Toyama official tourism PDF ·
- Official coast tourism guide ·
- Alpine Route 2026 timetable ·
- WEB ticket user guide ·
- Return timetable, 15 April–3 November ·
- Return timetable, 4–30 November ·
- Official village access guide ·
- Kaetsuno World Heritage Bus guide ·
- Ainokaze 2026 station timetables ·
- Toyama–Takaoka fares ·
- Takaoka City’s JR Himi Line 2026 timetable and fare PDF ·
- Timetable valid 15 April–3 November 2026 ·
- Official Suganuma tourism guide ·
- Official tourism body’s cottage information ·
- Official fare PDF effective 15 April 2026 ·
- Currently linked outward World Heritage Bus timetable, revised 1 April 2025 ·
- Currently linked return World Heritage Bus timetable, revised 1 April 2025 ·
- Stops and area map on the official village access page ·
- Murodo Terminal, rooftop and restaurant guide ·
- Complete Ainokaze timetable revised 14 March 2026 ·
- JR-West Hokuriku Area Pass coverage, prices and eligibility ·
- Official JR-West Hokuriku Area Pass route map ·