Open Travel Guide
Day trips from Gifu

Best Day Trips from Gifu 2026

Where a single day out of Gifu can take you, and exactly how to make each trip work.

By Updated Reviewed by Daniel Mercer

The short answer: start with Shirakawa-go, Takayama (from Gifu City) and Gero Onsen (day-use bathing). This guide profiles 8+ day trips in Gifu, with prices, timing, and the practical notes that decide whether each one earns a place in your plan.

Gifu Prefecture occupies the heart of Honshu, stretching from the UNESCO-listed thatched villages of Shirakawa-go through the Hida mountain range to the cormorant-fishing rivers of Gifu City. It is one of Japan's most scenically diverse prefectures, blending ancient traditions with dramatic alpine landscapes.

Top day trips

Handpicked excursions within easy reach.

130km from Gifu City; 50km from Takayama

Shirakawa-go

Highway bus from Nagoya (¥3,500 ~$22.60); bus from Takayama Bus Terminal (¥2,470 ~$15.95); car from Takayama (1h on Route 156)
110km north of Gifu City

Takayama (from Gifu City)

JR Hida Limited Express from Gifu Station (1h45m, ¥3,560 ~$22.95 reserved seat)
60km north of Gifu City

Gero Onsen (day-use bathing)

JR Hida Limited Express from Gifu (50 min, ¥2,260 ~$14.60)
35km south of Gifu City

Nagoya

JR Tokaido Line from Gifu (19 min, ¥470 ~$3.05)
70km east of Gifu City

Magome Post Town (Nakasendo)

JR Chuo Line from Nagoya to Nakatsugawa (55 min, ¥1,340 ~$8.65), then bus to Magome (30 min, ¥600 ~$3.90)
75km from Shirakawa-go

Kanazawa (from Shirakawa-go)

Hokutetsu/Kaetsunou bus from Shirakawa-go to Kanazawa (75 min, ¥2,000 ~$12.90)
50km north of Gifu City

Gujo Hachiman

Meitetsu Bus from Gifu Bus Terminal (70 min, ¥1,350 ~$8.70)
30km north of Gifu City

Mino City

Nagaragawa Railway from JR Gifu Station (40 min, ¥780 ~$5.05)

Trips by distance

How far you can go in a day.

Items

Getting there

Transport options for day trips.

Day trip tips

Make the most of your excursions.

Tip

Most day trips from Gifu City require early starts — the Hida Limited Express to Takayama has limited seats; reserved seat tickets (¥520 ~$3.35 surcharge) ensure a seat

Tip

Shirakawa-go buses sell out on weekends and during illumination dates — always book at nouhibus.co.jp before departure

Tip

Magome and Tsumago together as a full-day combination requires an early departure from Gifu City (first train to Nakatsugawa at 6:45)

Tip

Combining Takayama and Shirakawa-go in one day is doable: take the first Hida Limited Express from Gifu (6:45) to Takayama, explore the Old Town and markets, then afternoon bus to Shirakawa-go (50 min), then return bus to Takayama and train back — arrive Gifu around 22:00

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