Takayama or Kanazawa

[Beefsteak]

Planning to go Kyoto > Takayama/Kanazawa > Tokyo in May next year.

Need to decide between staying in Takayama or Kanazawa for 2 nights with a day trip to Shirakawa-go.

Anyone been to both? Please share your experiences to help me decide.
Thanks.

 

[thwysg]

What do you hope to see in each place? Not much activities at night for both places. Kanazawa has more attraction spots, compared to Takayama. And you can reach Tokyo from Kanazawa in 2.5hrs with just one Shinkansen ride.

 

[asiafrenz]

I went takayama was just a stopover to get to shirakawago, though i understand takayama has a (old town or) street with old traditional buildings which is worth a visit.

but i went Kanazawa was mainly to visit the famous garden Kenrokuen, and this allow me the opportunity to visit some of their old town area which is also interesting, not sure how they compare with those at takayama in reality, though i guess should not be too much difference from pictures i have seen

 

[xdivider]

I went takayama was just a stopover to get to shirakawago, though i understand takayama has a (old town or) street with old traditional buildings which is worth a visit.

but i went Kanazawa was mainly to visit the famous garden Kenrokuen, and this allow me the opportunity to visit some of their old town area which is also interesting, not sure how they compare with those at takayama in reality, though i guess should not be too much difference from pictures i have seen

i prefer takayama. but if looking for a cheap place to stay overnight, kanazawa is better......

 

[Beefsteak]

It looks like there are more things to see in Kanazawa for example the Kenrokuen garden which I heard got nice blooms in May.
For Takayama, heard there is a spring festival but it would be over when I'm there. And the Hida folk village is similar to Shirakawa-go so no point going?

By the way. Can I squeeze Shirakawa-go and Kenrokuen garden into 1 day? Like shirakawa-go in the morning and Kenrokuen garden in the afternoon. Would it be too rush? Or should I split it to 2 days instead?

 

[thwysg]

It looks like there are more things to see in Kanazawa for example the Kenrokuen garden which I heard got nice blooms in May.
For Takayama, heard there is a spring festival but it would be over when I'm there. And the Hida folk village is similar to Shirakawa-go so no point going?

By the way. Can I squeeze Shirakawa-go and Kenrokuen garden into 1 day? Like shirakawa-go in the morning and Kenrokuen garden in the afternoon. Would it be too rush? Or should I split it to 2 days instead?

Takayama Spring Festival? Mid April. Long over by the time you visit.

Possible if you could secure bus tickets for desired timing. Your choice. Kenroku-en is within distance from couple of places - 21st Century Museum, Kanazawa Castle Park and Omicho Market as well.

 

[Gixxerfied]

Can visit Higashiyama Higashi Chaya District in Kanazawa also..

 

[twosix]

Kanazawa is a much bigger city than Takayama. I stayed in Takayama for 2 nights, very peaceful.

Kanazawa i used it to take train to osaka. got a few hours there and visited the famous garden and the nearby fort/castle. to me kanazawa is just another city while takayama is more relaxing and has a rustic feeling.

 

[Beefsteak]

By the way. If i go by this route Kansai Airport > Kyoto > Kanazawa > Tokyo. Should I buy JR Pass? Or not worth it?

I will also be doing some day trips from Kyoto and Kanazawa.

 

[purpleberry]

By the way. If i go by this route Kansai Airport > Kyoto > Kanazawa > Tokyo. Should I buy JR Pass? Or not worth it?

I will also be doing some day trips from Kyoto and Kanazawa.

General rule is if you are heading from Osaka/Kyoto and depart from Tokyo, then JR pass not worth it unless you return and fly back from the same place.

 

[xdivider]

By the way. If i go by this route Kansai Airport > Kyoto > Kanazawa > Tokyo. Should I buy JR Pass? Or not worth it?

I will also be doing some day trips from Kyoto and Kanazawa.

Your route is covered by hokuriku arch pass at 24.4k yen. Kanazawa to tokyo is 14k. Is the rest wort 10k up to u. I travel between tokyo / kanazawa via the alphine route normally....

 

[Beefsteak]

Your route is covered by hokuriku arch pass at 24.4k yen. Kanazawa to tokyo is 14k. Is the rest wort 10k up to u. I travel between tokyo / kanazawa via the alphine route normally....

Thanks for the tips. This pass really useful for the route I'm going.

 

[Beefsteak]

Now I have small problem.
The Hokuriku Arch Pass does not cover areas like Himeji and Kinosaki Onsen (If I intend to go there).

If I want to go those places should I get the Kansai Hokuriku Area Pass instead? But that means I will have to buy the Kanazawa to Tokyo ticket separately right?

 

[eleutheromania]

Now I have small problem.
The Hokuriku Arch Pass does not cover areas like Himeji and Kinosaki Onsen (If I intend to go there).

If I want to go those places should I get the Kansai Hokuriku Area Pass instead? But that means I will have to buy the Kanazawa to Tokyo ticket separately right?

You can buy the Himeji Pass for Himeji.

 

[Gixxerfied]

By the way. If i go by this route Kansai Airport > Kyoto > Kanazawa > Tokyo. Should I buy JR Pass? Or not worth it?

I will also be doing some day trips from Kyoto and Kanazawa.

Since doing this route, you might wana consider.

KIX > Kyoto > Toyama(Can easily do day trip to Kanazawa), from Toyama use Dentetsu-Toyama and go Alpine Route(Snow wall) which ends at Nagano and then you can decide to head straight to Tokyo(Will arrive late) or stay 1-2 nights in Nagano(Can visit Karuizawa)..

Depends on how long is your trip of cos..From Toyama you can bus to Tateyama or Shirawawago...I went to Shirakawago from Toyama...Direct bus..There is luggage forwarding service at Dentetsu-Toyama Station to Ōgizawa Station(And you can board the express bus to JR Nagano Station from here) for JPY$2k/piece..If going this route, get the Tateyama Kurobe Option Ticket(I brought mine from JR East Service Center at Toyama Station..This covers you all the way until Nagano from Dentetsu-Toyama Station(Which is literally just beside JR Toyama Station

 

[evilerniex]

I just came back from Takayama.
Super touristy place. The moment u step out of station, u can see tourist everywhere. The old street are quite nice, but need to stay till evening for the crowd to die down.
If want to avoid crowd, venture beyond the old street. Hie shrine is nice and pretty peaceful, abt 15min walk from station

 

[Beefsteak]

Since doing this route, you might wana consider.

KIX > Kyoto > Toyama(Can easily do day trip to Kanazawa), from Toyama use Dentetsu-Toyama and go Alpine Route(Snow wall) which ends at Nagano and then you can decide to head straight to Tokyo(Will arrive late) or stay 1-2 nights in Nagano(Can visit Karuizawa)..

Depends on how long is your trip of cos..From Toyama you can bus to Tateyama or Shirawawago...I went to Shirakawago from Toyama...Direct bus..There is luggage forwarding service at Dentetsu-Toyama Station to Ōgizawa Station(And you can board the express bus to JR Nagano Station from here) for JPY$2k/piece..If going this route, get the Tateyama Kurobe Option Ticket(I brought mine from JR East Service Center at Toyama Station..This covers you all the way until Nagano from Dentetsu-Toyama Station(Which is literally just beside JR Toyama Station

The Alpine Route looks interesting. But my only concern is that I'll have 2 large 28 inch luggage with me. Will there be any problem getting these across?

And for the Tateyama Kurobe Option Ticket. Should I buy them in advance or can just buy there?

 

[Gixxerfied]

The Alpine Route looks interesting. But my only concern is that I'll have 2 large 28 inch luggage with me. Will there be any problem getting these across?

That's why I mentioned luggage forwarding across the route..

Buy there..at least one day before your trip at jr East service center..

 

[thwysg]

The Alpine Route looks interesting. But my only concern is that I'll have 2 large 28 inch luggage with me. Will there be any problem getting these across?

And for the Tateyama Kurobe Option Ticket. Should I buy them in advance or can just buy there?

Luggage forward. I brought an overnight bag for the Alpine Route.

 

[Gixxerfied]

Luggage forward. I brought an overnight bag for the Alpine Route.

forward my overnight bag initially, end up decide to forward the stroller as well..Best decision ever cos son was awake across the whole route..only slp when on the bus from ogizawa to nagano..