How to get to Kanazawa
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Shinkansen from Tokyo
The train connects Tokyo to Kanazawa via the Hokuriku Shinkansen line. There are several trains: Kagayaki, Hakutaka and Tsurugi. They take 2 hours 30 and 2 hours 50 to 3 hours 20 respectively.
The ticket costs 13850 Yen (non-reserved seat) only on the Hakutaka while for the reserved seat the price is 14380 Yen (all seats on the Kagayaki).
These trains are included in the Japan Rail Pass and the Hokuriku Arch Pass.
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JR train from Kyoto and Osaka+Shinkansen
From Kyoto or Osaka you can take the Limited Express Thunderbird train to Tsuruga. In Tsuruga you have to take the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Kanazawa. The journey takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes from Osaka and 2 hours from Kyoto. The price is 9410 Yen and 7720 Yen respectively.
The alternative is to take the local train on the Biwako Line or the Shinkansen to Maibara and from there take the train on the Hokuriku Line. The time varies from 2 hours 20 to 3 hours 15. The price per unreserved seat from Kyoto ranges from 7320 Yen.
The Japan Rail Pass can be used on all these trains.
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JR train from Takayama
If you are in Takayama take the JR train to Toyama, from there take the Shinkansen to Kanazawa. The ticket costs 6770 Yen and the journey takes about 2 hours.
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Bus from Tokyo
The bus from Tokyo takes between 7 and 8 hours to reach Kanazawa.
With the Willer company, the ticket costs from 4220 Yen (one way).
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Bus from Takayama
The Nohi Bus company connects Takayama to Kanazawa via Shirakawa-go.
A one-way ticket costs 3600 Yen, a return ticket 6400 Yen. The bus takes 2 hours and 15 minutes.
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