5 days in Toyama: day trips or a night in Gokayama
Stay in Toyama and make separate day trips to Murodo, Suganuma, and the coast, or choose an itinerary with a night in Gokayama. Keeping the same base means four nights in Toyama. The village overnight option has two nights in Toyama, one in Gokayama, then one in Toyama. For the Gokayama stay, check cottage room availability and luggage arrangements first.
Choose an itinerary for 5 days, 4 nights
Murodo, Suganuma, and the coast on separate days
Spend four nights at the same lodging near Toyama Station, giving Murodo, Suganuma, and the Takaoka coast a day each. Return to the same Toyama lodging each evening. Murodo's operating season and connections vary; check your date's timetable and ticket sales conditions.
Murodo, Suganuma, and the coast on separate days →5 days, 4 nights BSpend a night in Gokayama
Stay two nights in Toyama, one in Gokayama, then return to Toyama for the final night. Choose this if you prefer more time in the gassho-style village over Murodo. Cottages near Gassho no Sato · 合掌の里 are an option; use the stop matching your address if booking elsewhere. Check meal preparation and whether large bags can be carried on the bus before booking.
Spend a night in Gokayama →Murodo, Suganuma, and the coast on separate days
Spend four nights at the same lodging near Toyama Station, giving Murodo, Suganuma, and the Takaoka coast a day each. Return to the same Toyama lodging each evening. Murodo's operating season and connections vary; check your date's timetable and ticket sales conditions.
Day 1 · Walk Kansui Park
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. Official guidance lists about nine minutes, with movement inside the station and traffic lights separate.
- Kansui Park → Toyama Station north exit
After the free waterfront walk, return toward the station and your booked lodging. The observation towers are open 9 a.m.–9:30 p.m., separate from park access. Shorten the walk for late arrivals or wind and rain.
Shorten the walk if you arrive late.
Day 2 · Via Tateyama and Bijodaira to Murodo
Explore the high-altitude scenery at Murododaira. Travel from Toyama by railway, cable car, and highland bus, then choose your walking area according to weather and on-site restrictions. Coordinate the reserved cable-car departure at Tateyama with the complete return timetable, including the local railway.
- Lodging → Dentetsu-Toyama Station → Tateyama Station
Take a Tateyama-bound local railway train from Dentetsu-Toyama, whose platforms are separate from JR Toyama Station. Match your train arrival to the cable-car departure at Tateyama, leaving time for tickets and platform access. The WEB ticket's reserved time is the Tateyama cable-car departure. In busy periods, check the operator's requirement to arrive 30 minutes before departure and collect tickets 15 minutes before. The standard adult ¥10,220 round trip covers railway, cable car, and highland bus from Dentetsu-Toyama through Tateyama and Bijodaira to Murodo. It does not continue to Kurobe Dam or Ogizawa. Special or reserved seating, meals, and lodging are separate.
Timetable effective April 15–November 3, 2026WEB ticket guidanceOfficial fare PDF effective April 15, 20262026 Alpine Route timetableReturn timetable for November 4–30
- Tateyama Station cable car → Bijodaira
Board your reserved cable car at Tateyama and get off at Bijodaira. After the local train, collect your ticket and reach the cable-car platform. Follow operator guidance for your reserved time and that day's service.
Timetable effective April 15–November 3, 2026WEB ticket guidance
- Bijodaira highland bus boarding area → Murodo terminal
Change at Bijodaira to a Murodo-bound highland bus. Walk from the cable car to the bus boarding area and wait as directed. If transportation is delayed, recheck subsequent connections.
- Murodo terminal → Rooftop exit and Murododaira → terminal
After arriving, locate the return boarding area first. The rooftop exit leads to Murododaira; restaurants and shops are inside the terminal. Explore nearby areas according to weather and on-site restrictions, returning to the same terminal in time for your bus. Meals and shopping cost extra. For a shorter walk, stay near the terminal instead of taking mountain 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 onward cable-car and local railway connections together. The last mountain bus alone does not establish that you can return to Toyama city.
Return timetable for April 15–November 32026 Alpine Route timetableReturn timetable for November 4–30
- Bijodaira cable car → Tateyama Station
Take the cable car down from Bijodaira to Tateyama. Walk from the bus to the cable-car boarding area, and recheck the local railway connection if service changes or delays occur.
Return timetable for April 15–November 32026 Alpine Route timetableReturn timetable for November 4–30
- Tateyama Station local railway → Dentetsu-Toyama Station → same lodging
Take a Dentetsu-Toyama-bound local train back to Toyama. Leave time to reach the platform and wait after getting off the cable car. Weekday and weekend services may differ; check your date's timetable and return to the same lodging after arrival.
Return timetable for April 15–November 3Hotel access2026 Alpine Route timetableReturn timetable for November 4–30
Check the Tateyama cable-car reservation and date-specific service notices first. Shorten your walk to match mountain weather and restrictions, prioritizing the full return connection through the local railway. Do not follow this mountain itinerary unchanged if reservations are unavailable or services are suspended.
Day 3 · Via Takaoka to Suganuma
Explore Suganuma's gassho-style houses and mountain-village lanes. Take the World Heritage Bus from Takaoka to Suganuma · 菅沼. Walk the village in daylight and return to the Takaoka-bound boarding area for your bus.
- Toyama Station → Takaoka Station front stop 7
Take a westbound ordinary Ainokaze Toyama Railway train from Toyama to Takaoka Station, separate from the Shinkansen's Shin-Takaoka Station. The adult one-way fare is ¥390. Walk to front stop 7 for the World Heritage Bus, leaving time between getting off the train and boarding.
2026 Ainokaze station timetablesToyama–Takaoka faresKaetsuno World Heritage Bus guidance
- Takaoka Station front stop 7 → World Heritage Bus → Suganuma · 菅沼
Take the World Heritage Bus from Takaoka Station front stop 7 to Suganuma · 菅沼. Check your date's timetable and unreserved/reserved seat conditions first. Follow the entrance route on the village's official area map and do not enter residents' homes. For indoor exhibits, check opening and admission separately.
Currently linked outbound World Heritage Bus timetable, revised April 1, 2025Stops and area map on the village's official access pageOfficial village access
- Suganuma village → Walk and meal → Takaoka-bound Suganuma stop
Village visiting hours are 8 a.m.–5 p.m. April–November. Walk during daylight, with a meal or rest at an open restaurant. Check the Takaoka-bound boarding location on the area map for your return. The village is about a one-minute walk from the Suganuma stop. Confirm the return stop on the official map, and contact the village ahead if you need a step-free route.
Official Suganuma tourism guideStops and area map on the village's official access page
- Takaoka-bound Suganuma · 菅沼 stop → Takaoka Station front
Board the World Heritage Bus at the Takaoka-bound Suganuma stop. Check date-specific return services and suspensions, including the connecting Ainokaze train to Toyama. The adult ¥2,800 Gokayama Free Pass is for regular unreserved seats, cannot be combined with a reserved-seat ticket, and does not guarantee a seat.
Currently linked return World Heritage Bus timetable, revised April 1, 2025Kaetsuno World Heritage Bus guidance2026 Ainokaze station timetables
- Takaoka Station front → railway gates → Toyama Station → same lodging
After getting off the World Heritage Bus, walk into Takaoka Station and change to an eastbound ordinary Ainokaze Toyama Railway train toward Toyama. The adult one-way fare is ¥390. Allow time for station access, ticket purchase, and the platform. If the bus is delayed, check station guidance for the next Toyama-bound train.
All-line Ainokaze timetable revised March 14, 2026Toyama–Takaoka faresHotel access
Check bus timetables, notices, and unreserved-seat conditions for your date. Indoor exhibition admission is separate. Contact the village ahead if you need a step-free route.
Day 4 · Zuiryuji Temple and Amaharashi Coast
See Zuiryuji's National Treasure architecture, then the sea and rocky island at Amaharashi Coast. Temple admission is paid; the coastal walk is free. Change to the JR Himi Line at Takaoka and check return trains connecting to the Ainokaze service toward Toyama.
- Toyama Station → Ainokaze Takaoka Station
Take a westbound ordinary Ainokaze Toyama Railway train from Toyama to Takaoka Station, separate from the Shinkansen's Shin-Takaoka Station. The adult one-way fare is ¥390.
2026 Ainokaze station timetablesToyama–Takaoka faresAll-line Ainokaze timetable revised March 14, 2026
- Takaoka Station south side → Zuiryuji Temple → Takaoka Station
Walk about ten minutes from the station's south side to Zuiryuji. Visit after its 9 a.m. opening; regular adult admission is ¥500. Return along the same route, allowing time for lunch and JR tickets. The JR Himi Line from Takaoka is operated separately from Ainokaze.
Official temple informationOfficial Toyama tourism guide PDF
- JR Takaoka Station → Amaharashi Station and coast
Take a Himi-bound JR Himi Line train from Takaoka to Amaharashi Station. The adult one-way fare is ¥240; the coast is about a five-minute walk away. Mountain views depend on weather. Choose the return train to Takaoka first and leave time to walk back to the station.
Takaoka City's JR Himi Line 2026 timetable and fare PDFOfficial tourism guide to the coast
- Amaharashi Station → Takaoka Station
Walk from the coast back to Amaharashi Station and take a Takaoka-bound JR Himi Line train. Check your date's timetable and suspension notices. Choose both return sections together, including the Ainokaze train toward Toyama from Takaoka.
- Ainokaze Takaoka Station → Toyama Station → same hotel
Change at Takaoka Station to an eastbound ordinary Ainokaze Toyama Railway train toward Toyama. The adult one-way fare is ¥390. Leave time to get off the JR Himi Line, buy the Ainokaze ticket, and reach the platform. If delayed, check station guidance for the next Toyama-bound service.
2026 Ainokaze station timetablesHotel accessLuggage storage FAQ
Cloudy weather may hide the mountains from the coast. Choose return trains before fitting in both temple and coast, and distinguish JR tickets from Ainokaze tickets.
Day 5 · Museum collection and departure from Toyama
Visit the Toyama Prefectural Museum of Art and Design collection, then return to Toyama Station.
- Toyama Station north exit → Toyama Prefectural Museum of Art and Design entrance
Official guidance lists about a 15-minute walk from Toyama Station's north exit to the museum entrance. Leave for the 9:30 a.m. opening, with traffic lights and movement inside the station separate. Check temporary closures and exhibition changeovers for your date.
Official access guidanceMuseum visitor informationHotel accessLuggage storage FAQ
- Art museum entrance → Collection galleries
Adult regular collection admission is ¥350. The museum closes at 6 p.m., with last entry at 5:30 p.m.; special exhibitions cost extra. After the collection, return toward the same station.
- Toyama Prefectural Museum of Art and Design → Toyama Station north exit
Return along the same route to Toyama Station's north exit after your visit. Add traffic lights and movement inside the station to the approximately 15-minute walk when choosing your departure. A bus costs extra.
Check museum closures and rooftop availability, and leave time to reach the station after your visit.
Included: Standard Dentetsu-Toyama–Tateyama–Bijodaira–Murodo round trip ¥10,220, including railway, cable car, and highland bus / village-day Toyama–Takaoka ordinary railway round trip ¥390 × 2 = ¥780 / Gokayama Free Pass ¥2,800, valid for two days from first use with unreserved seating / coast-day Toyama–Takaoka ordinary railway round trip ¥390 × 2 = ¥780 / Takaoka–Amaharashi JR Himi Line round trip ¥240 × 2 = ¥480 / Zuiryuji regular admission ¥500 / museum regular collection ¥350
Extra costs and conditions: Four hotel nights, meals, travel to/from Toyama, village indoor exhibits, special exhibitions, and added limited-express or reserved-seat charges. The free-pass subtotal does not apply with bus reserved-seat tickets.
This subtotal uses the Gokayama Free Pass, which cannot be combined with a reserved-seat ticket. The standard Murodo round trip uses fares effective from April 15, 2026. Check date-specific return connections and seasonal WEB ticket sales conditions. Toyama–Takaoka round trips on the village and coast days are two separate days of travel.
For Takaoka/Amaharashi, buy individual ordinary tickets. The Hokuriku Area Pass covers ordinary JR Himi Line trains and ordinary Ainokaze trains over the full Toyama–Takaoka section. Getting off at another Ainokaze station is excluded from that coverage. The adult pass costs ¥7,000 for four consecutive days. Ordinary rail fares total ¥1,260 for the coast, or ¥2,040 with the village-day rail journey, so the pass is unnecessary for these trips alone. If adding JR travel to other regions, compare those fares too. A passport issued by a government other than Japan and Temporary Visitor status are required. Gokayama buses, Murodo mountain transportation, lodging, and admission are excluded from the Hokuriku Area Pass. See the inclusions and exclusions above for the listed costs.
Official fare PDF effective April 15, 2026Toyama–Takaoka faresKaetsuno World Heritage Bus guidanceTakaoka City's JR Himi Line 2026 timetable and fare PDFOfficial temple informationMuseum visitor informationJR West Hokuriku Area Pass coverage, prices, and eligibilityOfficial JR West Hokuriku Area Pass map
Spend a night in Gokayama
Stay two nights in Toyama, one in Gokayama, then return to Toyama for the final night. Choose this if you prefer more time in the gassho-style village over Murodo. Cottages near Gassho no Sato · 合掌の里 are an option; use the stop matching your address if booking elsewhere. Check meal preparation and whether large bags can be carried on the bus before booking.
Day 1 · Walk Kansui Park
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. Official guidance lists about nine minutes, with movement inside the station and traffic lights separate.
- Kansui Park → Toyama Station north exit
After the free waterfront walk, return toward the station and your booked lodging. The observation towers are open 9 a.m.–9:30 p.m., separate from park access. Shorten the walk for late arrivals or wind and rain.
Shorten the walk if you arrive late.
Day 2 · Zuiryuji Temple and Amaharashi Coast
See Zuiryuji's National Treasure architecture, then the sea and rocky island at Amaharashi Coast. Temple admission is paid; the coastal walk is free. Change to the JR Himi Line at Takaoka and check return trains connecting to the Ainokaze service toward Toyama.
- Toyama Station → Ainokaze Takaoka Station
Take a westbound ordinary Ainokaze Toyama Railway train from Toyama to Takaoka Station, separate from the Shinkansen's Shin-Takaoka Station. The adult one-way fare is ¥390.
2026 Ainokaze station timetablesToyama–Takaoka faresAll-line Ainokaze timetable revised March 14, 2026
- Takaoka Station south side → Zuiryuji Temple → Takaoka Station
Walk about ten minutes from the station's south side to Zuiryuji. Visit after its 9 a.m. opening; regular adult admission is ¥500. Return along the same route, allowing time for lunch and JR tickets. The JR Himi Line from Takaoka is operated separately from Ainokaze.
Official temple informationOfficial Toyama tourism guide PDF
- JR Takaoka Station → Amaharashi Station and coast
Take a Himi-bound JR Himi Line train from Takaoka to Amaharashi Station. The adult one-way fare is ¥240; the coast is about a five-minute walk away. Mountain views depend on weather. Choose the return train to Takaoka first and leave time to walk back to the station.
Takaoka City's JR Himi Line 2026 timetable and fare PDFOfficial tourism guide to the coast
- Amaharashi Station → Takaoka Station
Walk from the coast back to Amaharashi Station and take a Takaoka-bound JR Himi Line train. Check your date's timetable and suspension notices. Choose both return sections together, including the Ainokaze train toward Toyama from Takaoka.
- Ainokaze Takaoka Station → Toyama Station → same hotel
Change at Takaoka Station to an eastbound ordinary Ainokaze Toyama Railway train toward Toyama. The adult one-way fare is ¥390. Leave time to get off the JR Himi Line, buy the Ainokaze ticket, and reach the platform. If delayed, check station guidance for the next Toyama-bound service.
2026 Ainokaze station timetablesHotel accessLuggage storage FAQ
Cloudy weather may hide the mountains from the coast. Choose return trains before fitting in both temple and coast, and distinguish JR tickets from Ainokaze tickets.
Day 3 · Suganuma walk and a night in Gokayama
Travel to Gokayama, explore Suganuma's gassho-style village, and stay overnight.
- Toyama lodging → Toyama Station → Ainokaze Takaoka Station
Take a westbound ordinary Ainokaze Toyama Railway train from Toyama to Takaoka Station, separate from the Shinkansen's Shin-Takaoka Station. The adult one-way fare is ¥390. Walk to front stop 7 for the World Heritage Bus, leaving time between getting off the train and boarding.
2026 Ainokaze station timetablesHotel accessLuggage storage FAQAll-line Ainokaze timetable revised March 14, 2026Toyama–Takaoka faresKaetsuno World Heritage Bus guidance
- Takaoka Station front stop 7 → World Heritage Bus → Gassho no Sato · 合掌の里
Take the World Heritage Bus from Takaoka Station front stop 7 to Gassho no Sato · 合掌の里, separate from the village's Suganuma · 菅沼 stop. Coordinate your date's bus with cottage check-in and large-bag transport conditions. The Gokayama Free Pass cannot be combined with a reserved-seat ticket.
Kaetsuno World Heritage Bus guidanceCurrently linked outbound World Heritage Bus timetable, revised April 1, 2025
- Gassho no Sato stop → Booked cottage
Travel from the stop to your booked lodging address. The example Gassho no Sato Cottage is officially listed as about a one-minute walk from the Gassho no Sato stop. For other lodging, recheck the arrival stop and access first. Check meal provision with the lodging you actually book.
- Gokayama cottage → Separate Suganuma village → cottage
Suganuma's gassho-style village is separate from the example cottage, about 800 meters away. Check the walking route and time from your lodging address. Official tourism guidance gives visiting hours of 8 a.m.–5 p.m. April–November and asks visitors to avoid visits after sunset. Coordinate bus arrival, check-in, and the village walk.
Official tourism information for the cottagesOfficial Suganuma tourism guide
Visit the village in daylight. The cottages allow self-catering; you need to bring your own ingredients and seasonings. Decide how you will eat in advance.
Day 4 · Return from Gokayama to Toyama
Return from Gokayama to Toyama via Takaoka.
- Gokayama cottage and village → Check out → Gassho no Sato return boarding area
If exploring remaining village areas in the morning, wait until official opening hours. Complete check-out and luggage arrangements, then return to the Takaoka-bound boarding area at Gassho no Sato.
Official tourism information for the cottagesOfficial Suganuma tourism guide
- 合掌の里 → Takaoka Station front
Take a Takaoka-bound World Heritage Bus from Gassho no Sato to the front of Takaoka Station. Choose a service you can reach after check-out and the walk to the stop, and check its connecting Ainokaze train toward Toyama.
Kaetsuno World Heritage Bus guidanceCurrently linked return World Heritage Bus timetable, revised April 1, 2025
- Ainokaze Takaoka Station → Toyama Station → booked Toyama hotel
Change at Takaoka to an eastbound ordinary Ainokaze Toyama Railway train toward Toyama. The adult one-way fare is ¥390. Leave time to reach the station from the bus, buy a ticket for the other operator, and reach the platform. If buses or trains are delayed, check station guidance for the next Toyama-bound service.
2026 Ainokaze station timetablesHotel accessLuggage storage FAQ
Check the return bus from Gassho no Sato and the connection at Takaoka to the Toyama-bound train.
Day 5 · Museum collection and departure from Toyama
Visit the Toyama Prefectural Museum of Art and Design collection, then return to Toyama Station.
- Toyama Station north exit → Toyama Prefectural Museum of Art and Design entrance
Official guidance lists about a 15-minute walk from Toyama Station's north exit to the museum entrance. Leave for the 9:30 a.m. opening, with traffic lights and movement inside the station separate. Check temporary closures and exhibition changeovers for your date.
Official access guidanceMuseum visitor informationHotel accessLuggage storage FAQ
- Art museum entrance → Collection galleries
Adult regular collection admission is ¥350. The museum closes at 6 p.m., with last entry at 5:30 p.m.; special exhibitions cost extra. After the collection, return toward the same station.
- Toyama Prefectural Museum of Art and Design → Toyama Station north exit
Return along the same route to Toyama Station's north exit after your visit. Add traffic lights and movement inside the station to the approximately 15-minute walk when choosing your departure. A bus costs extra.
Check museum closures and rooftop availability, and leave time to reach the station after your visit.
Included: Coast-day Toyama–Takaoka ordinary railway round trip ¥390 × 2 = ¥780 / Takaoka–Amaharashi JR Himi Line round trip ¥240 × 2 = ¥480 / Zuiryuji regular admission ¥500 / village-trip Toyama–Takaoka ordinary railway round trip ¥390 × 2 = ¥780 / Gokayama Free Pass ¥2,800, valid for two days from first use with unreserved seating / museum regular collection ¥350
Extra costs and conditions: Three Toyama hotel nights, one Gokayama cottage night, meals, travel to/from Toyama, village indoor exhibits, and special exhibitions. The free-pass subtotal does not apply with bus reserved-seat tickets.
This subtotal uses one Gokayama Free Pass for the outbound on day three and return on day four. It is valid for two days from first use and cannot be combined with a reserved-seat ticket. Lodging prices depend on your booked cottage and group size and are excluded. The reference cottage price in the lodging introduction is per entire cottage, not per person. Check rooms, check-in/out, and bus luggage conditions before booking.
For Takaoka/Amaharashi, buy individual ordinary tickets. The Hokuriku Area Pass covers ordinary JR Himi Line trains and ordinary Ainokaze trains over the full Toyama–Takaoka section. Getting off at another Ainokaze station is excluded from that coverage. The adult pass costs ¥7,000 for four consecutive days. Ordinary rail fares total ¥1,260 for the coast, or ¥2,040 with the village-day rail journey, so the pass is unnecessary for these trips alone. If adding JR travel to other regions, compare those fares too. A passport issued by a government other than Japan and Temporary Visitor status are required. Gokayama buses, lodging, and admission are excluded from the Hokuriku Area Pass. See the inclusions and exclusions above for the listed costs.
Toyama–Takaoka faresTakaoka City's JR Himi Line 2026 timetable and fare PDFOfficial temple informationKaetsuno World Heritage Bus guidanceMuseum visitor informationOfficial tourism information for the cottagesJR West Hokuriku Area Pass coverage, prices, and eligibilityOfficial JR West Hokuriku Area Pass map
Frequently asked questions
When should I use the two-day pass for a night in Gokayama?
Start using it on day three, when you travel to the cottage, and it will also cover the return bus the next day. The Gokayama pass is valid for two days from first use and cannot be combined with reserved-seat tickets. Toyama–Takaoka rail travel and lodging are extra.
Kaetsuno World Heritage Bus guidanceCurrently linked outbound World Heritage Bus timetable, revised April 1, 2025Currently linked return World Heritage Bus timetable, revised April 1, 2025
Can I use the Hokuriku pass throughout a five-day trip?
The Hokuriku pass is valid for four consecutive days, so it does not automatically cover an entire five-day trip. In the Gokayama overnight itinerary, check whether the coastal visit and rail journeys to and from Gokayama fall within its validity period. Use a separate two-day pass for the Gokayama bus; lodging is also extra.
JR West Hokuriku Area Pass coverage, prices, and eligibilityKaetsuno World Heritage Bus guidance
Sources and check dates
- Hotel access ·
- Luggage storage FAQ ·
- Toyama City Tourism Association park guide ·
- Museum visitor information ·
- Official access guidance ·
- Official temple information ·
- Official Toyama tourism guide PDF ·
- Official tourism guide to the coast ·
- 2026 Alpine Route timetable ·
- WEB ticket guidance ·
- Return timetable for April 15–November 3 ·
- Return timetable for November 4–30 ·
- Official village access ·
- Kaetsuno World Heritage Bus guidance ·
- 2026 Ainokaze station timetables ·
- Toyama–Takaoka fares ·
- Takaoka City's JR Himi Line 2026 timetable and fare PDF ·
- Timetable effective April 15–November 3, 2026 ·
- Official Suganuma tourism guide ·
- Official tourism information for the cottages ·
- Official fare PDF effective April 15, 2026 ·
- Currently linked outbound World Heritage Bus timetable, revised April 1, 2025 ·
- Currently linked return World Heritage Bus timetable, revised April 1, 2025 ·
- Stops and area map on the village's official access page ·
- Murodo terminal, rooftop, and dining guidance ·
- All-line Ainokaze timetable revised March 14, 2026 ·
- JR West Hokuriku Area Pass coverage, prices, and eligibility ·
- Official JR West Hokuriku Area Pass map ·