Train Tickets from Nagoya to Takayama

Once you leave Nagoya and head for Takayama, you discover a completely different Japan. The vast expanses of Gifu Prefecture are revealed, with their majestic mountains, winding rivers, and unspoilt villages. Takayama, nestled in these mountains, welcomes you with its cobbled streets, traditional wooden houses, and peaceful atmosphere.

Stroll through Takayama's old town, where every street corner seems frozen in time. Discover traditional crafts, sample local delicacies at the morning market, and soak up the warm atmosphere of the festivals that punctuate the year.

Takayama also offers an ideal base for exploring other treasures of the region, such as Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO World Heritage village renowned for its thatched-roof houses, or the soothing hot springs of Gero Onsen.

All in all, the trip from Nagoya to Takayama is much more than just a geographical move; it's an immersion in the culture and natural beauty of rural Japan, after having experienced first-hand the energy and modernity of Nagoya.

How to get to Nagoya Station

Nagoya lies at the convergence of three distinct prefectures: to the northeast of Mie Prefecture, at the base of Gifu, and in Aichi Prefecture itself. Nagoya Central Station offers a convenient gateway for exploring these regions as well as Nagoya's many local attractions. Major rail lines serving Nagoya station include the JR Tokaido line, the JR Chuo line to Tokyo and the JR Kansai line to Osaka and Kyoto.

Where to go from Takayama Station

Takayama station, located near the central district of Hida Takayama, is modest in size. You can easily walk to the center of Takayama and the many hotels in the area from the station. However, buses are also available from the station to serve other destinations in the area, such as Shirakawago and Hida Furukawa, the latter of which was featured in the 2016 blockbuster film "Your Name". It's worth noting that Takayama station is not the final terminus of the Hida Express line. In fact, the train crosses Gifu prefecture to finally arrive at Toyama station, located on the coast of the Sea of Japan.

How far in advance can I book train tickets?

You can book train tickets in Japan between 9 months prior to your train's departure date and 3 days before departure. 

Is there a special train ticket fare for children?

Yes, there are special fares applicable for children. Ages 12 and up are considered adults, but kids aged from 6 to 11 benefit from a reduced fare. Children under the age of 6 travel for free. This free fare is limited to 2 tickets, meaning any additional child under 6 will then pay the classic child fare.

Where to exchange your train tickets in Japan depending on region

In the JR West area (blue), you can exchange your QR code for a physical train ticket at reserved seat ticket machines in stations, or at Midori-no-Madoguchi ticket windows with station staff. In the JR Central area (orange), you can exchange your QR code at reserved seat ticket vending machines at indicated stations. In the JR East area (green), you can exchange your train tickets at Shinkansen stations, major stations in the Tokyo metropolitan area, and Narita Airport stations. 

How to use your train tickets in Japan

To use your train tickets once you have exchanged them, simply head to Shinjuku Station, insert your train ticket into the automatic gates (don't forget to take it back), and head to the right platform to hop on your train. On board the train, find the seat number that is on your ticket if you have a seat reservation, and enjoy the ride! Once you've arrived in Takayama, insert the ticket again at the gates upon exiting Takayama Station, and the city is now yours to explore. 

Modification and Cancellation

Order Cancellation

Customers have up to 3 working days prior to their departure date to cancel their train ticket orders as long as they have not scanned the corresponding QR code and exchanged for their physical train tickets. A 15% cancellation fee will be charged, and the QR code will be instantly deactivated upon order cancellation. Cancellation of only a portion of the booking is not possible. 

For train ticket orders that have already had the corresponding QR code scanned and where the tickets have been received, or orders in less than 3 working days before departure, orders may be canceled at JR Station offices in the departure city up to 10 minutes before your train departure, where a refund will be issued with a 5%-10% cancellation fee, depending on the station and office. This refund will be made in cash in Japanese yen. 

Cancellation cannot be done at ticket machines. Please note that JR Central offices can only cancel routes running through JR Central lines. 

Past the day and time of departure, refunds cannot be issued, regardless if the corresponding QR code has been used or not, and regardless if customers have received their physical tickets or not. Note that, however, if you missed the departure train of the time, you can still board the next trains within 1 hour, in non-reserved seats.

These cancellation conditions still apply after one modification, according to the modification conditions below.

- If your train is delayed more than 2 hours, then: 

If you decide not to use your train tickets to travel to your destination, you can claim a full refund for them by contacting us here or by email at contact@japanexperience.com with your order number and photos of all your tickets (if you have already used your QR code to print your tickets at the machine, if not, no photos are required)

If you were able to take your delayed train to your destination, you can go to the JR counter at your destination with your tickets and request a partial refund (around 85% of the initial ticket price, depending on the current exchange rate). The refund will be made in cash. 

If you still plan to travel to your destination, you can go to a JR desk to modify your tickets free of charge. You can change your tickets to a train at a later time or date, but cannot claim for any compensation.

- If your train is canceled, then:

If you decide not to use your train tickets to travel to your destination, you can claim a full refund for them by contacting us here or by email at contact@japanexperience.com with your order number and photos of all your tickets (if you have already used your QR code to print your tickets at the machine, if not, no photos are required)

If you still plan to travel to your destination, you can go to a JR desk to modify your tickets free of charge. You can change your tickets to a train at a later time or date, but cannot claim for any compensation.

Order modification 

If you want to modify:

• Departure time on the same day OR seat for another seat except luggage seat:

Japan Experience can modify one time, free of charge, your booking if the corresponding QR code has not been used AND if it is NOT within 3 working days of the departure date. 

You will then be sent a new QR code to use at JR stations to exchange for your new tickets.

Otherwise, you will need to go to JR station machines to exchange your QR code to receive your tickets and then change the departure time at the same machine up to 10 minutes prior to your train departure.

You cannot modify the same ticket twice. For the second modification, the order will need to be canceled (check cancellation conditions) and then re-ordered with the new travel information.

• Departure date, route, seat for luggage seat, number of seats in the booking: 

Japan Experience cannot modify your booking. You will need to go to JR station machines to exchange QR code to receive your tickets and change time at the same machine up to 10 minutes prior to departure. There may be a difference in fare to be paid on the spot.

You cannot modify the same ticket twice. For the second modification, the order will need to be canceled (check cancellation conditions) and then re-ordered with the new travel information. 

• If you have made a mistake in your departure date or number of seats, you have to make a new booking online. Japan Experience will allow you to cancel your previous order free of charge. Kindly note that modifications for the new issued tickets won't be possible.

Eligibility

All persons above the age of 12, with no restrictions on residence status or nationality, are eligible to purchase individual train tickets (unlike the Japan Rail Pass and some JR regional passes, for example). Japanese individuals as well as foreigners living in Japan can thus purchase train tickets online. Under the age of 12, the aforementioned child fare conditions apply. 

Validity of train tickets

Train tickets issued are only valid for the date and time indicated on your booking and are to be used only on the Nagoya to Takayama route.