Gokayama: Ainokura and Suganuma
Gokayama is the Toyama part of the World Heritage site Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama, inscribed in 1995. It consists of two villages, Ainokura and Suganuma. Ainokura counts 20 gassho houses and Suganuma 9, so a visit is a compact walk rather than a long day on foot. Gokayama lies in Toyama, while Ogimachi, the village most travelers mean by Shirakawa-go, lies in Gifu. The two places are separate stops and not part of the same village walk.
This page covers what you need to plan Gokayama: opening times, parking fees, the World Heritage bus and the guided day tours that include it.
Our picks: tours that include Gokayama
From Takayama, the Nohi bus tour is the short way to Shirakawa-go and Gokayama with Japanese-speaking support, and the full day with a guide suits those who want English commentary on foot. From Kanazawa, the day trip adds a wood-carving town and papermaking.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide and Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Day from Takayama on foot through Gokayama and Shirakawa-go
- English-speaking guide
- Entry to the museum at Suganuma
- Traditional papermaking experience
About nine hours on foot with a guide in Ainokura, Suganuma and Shirakawa-go, plus a papermaking session. Transport from Takayama is covered.
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Kanazawa to Shirakawa-go, Gokayama and the wood-carving town of Inami
- Entry fee at Zuisen-ji Temple
- Guided visits to Inami and Shirakawa-go
- Japanese paper-making experience
Besides Shirakawa-go, an English-speaking guide takes you through Inami, known for wood carving, and Zuisen-ji. Lunch and accommodation are not included, and the experiences are subject to confirmation.
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Shirakawa-go and Gokayama by Nohi bus from Takayama
- Nohi bus fare
- Admission fee
- Shuttle to Tenshukaku Observatory
About seven hours, with the bus fare and an admission fee in the price. The assistant on board speaks Japanese and does not walk you up to the viewpoint.
Check availability →Gokayama tours and day trips
A bus day from Takayama with Japanese-speaking assistance, a guided day from Kanazawa that adds Inami and paper making, and an English-guided day from Takayama with the museum in Suganuma.
Ainokura and Suganuma at a glance
Hours and fees as published by local visitor information.
Ainokura
The 20 gassho houses stand about 5 minutes on foot from the Ainokuraguchi stop. Local visitor information gives 8:30 to 17:00 as the opening frame. Since 1 October 2025 the parking and preservation contribution is 1,000 JPY for a car, 3,000 JPY for a medium bus, 5,000 JPY for a large bus and 300 JPY for a two-wheeler. Coaches need a parking reservation.
Suganuma
The 9 houses are about 1 minute on foot from the Suganuma stop. From April to November the village is open from 8:00 to 17:00, from December to March from 9:00 to 17:00, with the last parking entry at 16:00. It is closed on 31 December and 1 January. Parking costs 1,000 JPY for a car, 3,000 JPY for a medium bus, 5,000 JPY for a large bus and 300 JPY for a two-wheeler.
Shirakawa-go first?
Ogimachi has no general entrance fee for the village walk, only the houses you enter cost extra. See what to expect on the things to do page and the gassho-zukuri page.
World Heritage bus and the free ticket
The bus that links Takaoka, Johana, Gokayama and Shirakawa-go.
The World Heritage bus connects Takaoka, Johana, Gokayama and Shirakawa-go. Since 1 November 2025 part of the seats can be reserved: 16 reserved seats per trip, bookable from one month ahead until the day before, but not on the day itself. The Gokayama and Shirakawa-go free ticket has cost 4,000 JPY for adults and 2,000 JPY for children since 1 April 2026 (3,500 JPY before). It runs for 2 days from first use between Takaoka or Shin-Takaoka and Shirakawa-go and cannot be combined with a reserved seat.
The operator's page still lists some suspended trips, among them an early departure from Shirakawa-go and an afternoon departure from Takaoka, plus certain weekend runs. Look at the current timetable before you build a day around one bus.
Shirakawa-go and Gokayama in one day
Possible, but plan the connections yourself.
Combining Shirakawa-go and Gokayama on one day is a route option, not a guaranteed connection. A village walk in Ogimachi takes about 2 to 3 hours, and Gokayama adds bus time and a second set of hours and fees, so start early and keep a margin for the last bus. Most visitors reach the area from Takayama or Kanazawa, and the guided day tours above bundle the transport for you. If you prefer to travel on your own, the getting there page explains the bus and car routes.
The tours differ in what they cover. The bus day from Takayama includes the bus fare, an admission fee and the shuttle to the Tenshukaku viewpoint, with a Japanese-speaking assistant who does not go up to the viewpoint, and lunch is not included. The day from Kanazawa has an English-speaking guide, covers entry to Zuisen-ji temple, a guided visit in the wood-carving town of Inami and in Shirakawa-go, and a paper-making experience, but lunch and accommodation are extra. The guided day from Takayama has an English-speaking guide, museum entry in Suganuma, transport and guided walks.
Gokayama FAQ
Is Gokayama part of the Shirakawa-go village walk?
No. Gokayama is in Toyama and has its own villages, Ainokura and Suganuma. Ogimachi in Gifu is a separate stop, so plan time and transport for each.
How many gassho houses are there in Ainokura and Suganuma?
Local visitor information lists 20 gassho houses in Ainokura and 9 in Suganuma.
How much does parking cost in Gokayama?
Since 1 October 2025 a car pays 1,000 JPY, a medium bus 3,000 JPY, a large bus 5,000 JPY and a two-wheeler 300 JPY. Coaches need a reservation at Ainokura. Check the village information before you drive, as fees can change.
Can I reserve a seat on the World Heritage bus?
Yes, a limited number of seats: 16 reserved seats per trip, from one month before until the day before travel. The free ticket cannot be combined with a reserved seat.
Is this the official website of Gokayama?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It is not connected to the villages, the tourism association or UNESCO.