Train Tickets from Kanazawa to Takayama

Kanazawa is the capital of Ishikawa Prefecture in Hokuriku, and it is often referred to as a “Mini-Kyoto”. The city was practically untouched during the last World War, with its historic districts like Higashicha-ya standing as they did in the past. But Kanazawa is by no means a “watered-down alternative” to Kyoto, as its distinct cuisine, artisanal crafts, and charming atmosphere make it a worthy destination all its own. 

Moving more inland into Gifu Prefecture, Takayama is an amazing representation of rural Japan. While Kanazawa itself is a charming, smaller city on the Japan Sea Coast, the collection of urban buildings are replaced with rolling rivers that pass through quaint wooden buildings and structures with nearby green pastures and farmland. An amazing look into the Japan often seen only in movies and television!

If you want to travel by train between the two locations, you can take the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Kanazawa Station to Toyama Sttaion.  From there, you can take the Hida Express Line that goes all the way to Nagoya in Aichi Prefecture. Get off at Takayama Station, one of the Line’s major stations, and enjoy the charming rural getaway! It is a quick and convenient trip that takes about two hours.

How to get to Kanazawa Station

Ishikawa's capital is divided into two parts by Kanazawa Station, which is situated directly in the middle of the city. Although the majority of trains to and from Kanazawa Station travel to nearby prefectures such as Toyama and Fukui, as well as other towns within the prefecture, Kanazawa boasts a rather substantial bus network that focuses around the station. Enjoy shopping at the station and the nearby department store Forus, while you wait for a Shinkansen departure.

Where to go from Takayama Station

The small Takayama Station is situated relatively close to Hida Takayama's center region. It's easy to walk to center Takayama and the many hotels in the neighborhood, but buses leave the station that head to other sections of the region, including Shirakawago and Hida Furukawa, the station that was featured in the 2016 mega hit "Your Name." The train travels through Gifu Prefecture and ends at Toyama Station on the Japan Sea Coast, so Takayama Station is not the last station on the Hida Express Line. 

How far in advance can I book train tickets?

You can book train tickets in Japan between 9 months prior to your train's departure date and 3 days before departure. 

Is there a special train ticket fare for children?

Yes, there are special fares applicable for children. Ages 12 and up are considered adults, but kids aged from 6 to 11 benefit from a reduced fare. Children under the age of 6 travel for free and do not need to book a seat. This free fare is limited to 2 tickets, meaning any additional child under 6 will then pay the classic child fare and will have to book a seat. 

Where to exchange your train tickets in Japan depending on the region

In the JR West area (blue), you can exchange your QR code for a physical train ticket at reserved seat ticket machines in stations, or at Midori-no-Madoguchi ticket windows with station staff. In the JR Central area (orange), you can exchange your QR code at reserved seat ticket vending machines at indicated stations. In the JR East area (green), you can exchange your train tickets at Shinkansen stations, major stations in the Tokyo metropolitan area, and Narita Airport stations. 

How to use your train tickets in Japan 

To use your train tickets once you have exchanged them, simply head to Tokyo Station, insert your train ticket into the automatic gates (don't forget to take it back), and head to the right platform to hop on your train. On board the train, find the seat number that is on your ticket if you have a seat reservation, and enjoy the ride! Once you've arrived in Kyoto, insert the ticket again at the gates upon exiting Kyoto Station, and the city is now yours to explore. 

Modification and Cancellation

Order cancellation

Customers have up to 3 working days prior to their departure date to cancel their train ticket orders as long as they have not scanned the corresponding QR code and exchanged for their physical train tickets. A 15% cancellation fee will be charged, and the QR code will be instantly deactivated upon order cancellation. Cancellation of only a portion of the booking is not possible. 

For train ticket orders that have already had the corresponding QR code scanned and where the tickets have been received, or orders in less than 3 working days before departure, orders may be canceled at JR Station offices in the departure city up to 10 minutes before your train departure, where a refund will be issued with a 5%-10% cancellation fee, depending on the station and office. This refund will be made in cash in Japanese yen. 

Cancellation cannot be done at ticket machines. Please note JR Central offices can only cancel routes running through JR Central lines. 

Past the day and time of departure, refunds cannot be issued, regardless if the corresponding QR code has been used or not, and regardless if customers have received their physical tickets or not. Note that however, if you missed the departure train of the time, you can still board the next trains within 1 hour, in non-reserved seats.

These cancellation conditions still apply after one modification, according to the modification conditions below.

Order modification 

If you want to modify:

• Departure time on the same day OR seat for another seat except luggage seat:

Japan Experience can modify one time, free of charge, your booking if the corresponding QR code has not been used AND if it is NOT within 3 working days of the departure date. 

You will then be sent a new QR code to use at JR stations to exchange for your new tickets.

Otherwise, you will need to go to JR station machines to exchange your QR code to receive your tickets and then change the departure time at the same machine up to 10 minutes prior to your train departure.

You cannot modify the same ticket twice. For the second modification, the order will need to be canceled (check cancellation conditions) and then re-ordered with the new travel information.

• Departure date, route, seat for luggage seat, number of seats in the booking: 

Japan Experience cannot modify your booking. You will need to go to JR station machines to exchange QR code to receive your tickets and change time at the same machine up to 10 minutes prior to departure. There may be a difference in fare to be paid on the spot.

You cannot modify the same ticket twice. For the second modification, the order will need to be canceled (check cancellation conditions) and then re-ordered with the new travel information. 

• If you have made a mistake in your departure date or number of seats, you have to make a new booking online. Japan Experience will allow you to cancel your previous order free of charge. Kindly note that modifications for the new issued tickets won't be possible.

Eligibility

All persons above the age of 12, with no restrictions of residence status or nationality, are eligible to purchase individual train tickets (unlike the Japan Rail Pass and some JR regional passes, for example). Japanese individuals as well as foreigners living in Japan can thus purchase train tickets online. Under the age of 12, the aforementioned child fare conditions apply. 

Validity of train tickets

Train tickets issued are only valid for the date and time indicated on your booking, and are to be used only on the Kanazawa to Takayama route.