Major city · Japan
Gokayama五箇山
Half a day or one night: see the gasshō farmhouses in Suganuma village, then move on. A day trip from Toyama or Kanazawa works, but an overnight stay in a farmhouse inn is the real draw.
Gokayama is a quieter, less crowded alternative to Shirakawa-gō, with the same UNESCO-listed thatched farmhouses. The two historic villages of Suganuma and Ainokura sit in a narrow valley in Toyama Prefecture. Most visitors come for the architecture and the rural atmosphere; there is little else to do, so half a day is enough unless you stay in a gasshō inn.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- JPY
- Best months
- Apr–Nov (check); Jan–Feb for snow scenery (check)
- avoid Dec–Mar: some buses stop, heavy snow; check winter bus schedules
- Airports
- TOY · KMQ
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 5
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- Japan ↗IC cards (ICOCA/Suica) are topped up with cash at station machines.
- Japan ↗Smoking while walking is banned in most city centres; use designated areas.
- Japan ↗Shinkansen bags 160–250 cm (L+W+H) need a seat reserved with the oversized-baggage area.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Gokayama110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Gokayama, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Cities are increasingly cashless; temples, small restaurants and some lodging taxes still want cash.Japan-wide
- SIM or eSIMData-only eSIMs are the easy route: buy before you fly; voice SIMs need a residence card.Japan-wide
- Tap waterSafe from the tap everywhere; stations and parks have fountains.Japan-wide
- TippingRestaurants and bars: No tip; staff will chase you to return money left on the table.Japan-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 100 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Japan-wide
- SafetyVery safe.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree, clean public toilets in stations, parks and konbini; paper goes in the toilet.Japan-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire and ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMuseums close on Mondays (Tuesday when Monday is a holiday); many family restaurants close one weekday, often Tuesday or Wednesday…Japan-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckTOY Toyama Airport (check).
- Getting aroundOn foot.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a village café¥400–600 (≈ US$3–5) (2026 estimate)
- Budget bedHostel or minshuku bed, a night, per person¥5,000 (≈ US$35)
- Mid-range bedHostel or minshuku bed, a night, per person¥7,000 (≈ US$50)
- High-end bedHostel or minshuku bed, a night, per person¥10,000 (≈ US$70)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ¥8,000 (≈ US$55) · Mid ¥15,000 (≈ US$110) · High ¥30,000 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- TOY Toyama Airport (check) · KMQ Komatsu Airport (check)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Care
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Feb
Care
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Mar
Avoid
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Apr
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
May
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jun
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jul
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Aug
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Oct
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Nov
Best
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Dec
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Best: Apr–Nov. Mixed: Jan–Feb. Avoid: Mar, Dec. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jan (−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C) low), wettest Jan (18 rain days), driest May (11). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Gokayama: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
18 rd
Feb
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
16 rd
Mar
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
15 rd
Apr
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
12 rd
May
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
11 rd
Jun
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
13 rd
Jul
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
14 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12 rd
Sep
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
13 rd
Oct
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
12 rd
Nov
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
14 rd
Dec
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
17 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
On foot. The two villages are about 4 km apart (check); a local bus or taxi connects them (check). No train.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Shirakawa-gō
goDoor to door: About 1 h
World Heritage Bus, about 30 min
Larger, more famous gasshō village; combine both in one day.
Kanazawa
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Direct bus, about 1 h 15 min
Kenroku-en garden and samurai district; a full day.
Takayama
goDoor to door: About 2.5 h
Bus via Shirakawa-gō, about 2 h
Old town and morning market; best as an overnight.
Door to door: About 2 h
World Heritage Bus, about 1.5 h
Copperware and the Great Buddha; half a day.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Suganuma village
Gasshō inns available (check); dinner and breakfast included, futon on tatami.
Ainokura village
Gasshō inns available (check); same style, same package.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥8,000–12,000 (≈ US$55–85) excl. bed (2026 estimate)
- Mid
- ¥15,000–25,000 (≈ US$110–170) excl. bed (2026 estimate)
- High
- ¥30,000 (≈ US$250)+ excl. bed (2026 estimate)
Trip budget
| Gasshō inn (dinner & breakfast included)2 × 1 night × ¥18,000 | ¥36,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ¥15,000 | ¥30,000 |
| World Heritage Bus from Takaoka, one way2 × ¥1,800 · 2026 estimate (check) | ¥3,600 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ¥6,960 |
| Trip total≈ ¥38,280 per person per day, bed included | ¥76,560≈ US$550 |
2026 estimate in yen; flights and rail passes excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| World Heritage Bus Takaoka → Gokayama | ¥1,800 (≈ US$13) (2026 estimate, check) |
| Gasshō inn, one night with two meals | ¥12,000–30,000 (≈ US$85–250) per person (2026 estimate) |
| Coffee at a village café | ¥400–600 (≈ US$3–5) (2026 estimate) |
| Bottle of water | ¥120–200 (≈ US$1–2) (2026 estimate) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No smoking outside designated areas — the farmhouses are highly flammable.
- Some buses do not run in winter: check the World Heritage Bus schedule.
- Respect residents: some farmhouses are private homes.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 119
Pocket card
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Gokayama五箇山
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
ここまでお願いしますTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
Embassy
The US consulate in Nagoya (check); most other countries: consulates in Osaka or embassies in Tokyo.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- World Heritage Bus Takaoka → Gokayama: ¥1,800 (≈ US$13), about 90 min (2026 estimate, check)
- Taxi between Suganuma and Ainokura: ¥2,000–3,000 (≈ US$14–25) (2026 estimate)
Say or show
- すみません — Excuse me / Sorry (sumimasen)
- ありがとうございます — Thank you (arigatō gozaimasu)
- いくらですか？ — How much is it? (ikura desu ka)
- カードで払えますか？ — Can I pay by card? (kādo de haraemasu ka)
- トイレはどこですか？ — Where is the toilet? (toire wa doko desu ka)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Gokayama. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Nov (check); Jan–Feb for snow scenery (check) · avoid Dec–Mar: some buses stop, heavy snow; check winter bus schedules · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Suganuma and Ainokura villages with opening hours and entry fees.
- Gasshō inn pages with meal details and booking links.
- Bus schedule page with seasonal cutoffs.
- Winter access page with road closures and snow depth.
Sources
Ask about Gokayama
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