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How to Get from Kanazawa Port to Shirakawago in a Day

  • Writer: Liam Larnach
    Liam Larnach
  • Aug 10
  • 2 min read

If your cruise docks at Kanazawa Port and you’ve dreamed of visiting the UNESCO World Heritage village of Shirakawago, the good news is — it’s possible to see it all in a single day. With the right transport and timing, you can experience the thatched-roof gassho-zukuri houses, mountain scenery, and traditional culture before returning to your ship stress-free.

Cruise ship "Seabourn Quest" sailing on calm blue ocean with clear sky. White ship has multiple decks and large black smokestacks.

How to Get from Kanazawa Port to Shirakawago in a Day – Travel Times and Options

The distance from Kanazawa Port to Shirakawago is about 80 km (50 miles). Here are your main options for making the journey:

  • Private Tour or Car – The fastest and most flexible option, with direct port pickup. Travel time is around 75–90 minutes each way. Perfect for customising your day and ensuring you return before your ship departs.

  • Highway Bus – Runs from Kanazawa Station to Shirakawago, but requires taking a taxi or bus from the port to the station. Bus schedules often don’t align well with cruise ship times, so check carefully.

  • Ship-organised Excursion – Convenient, but usually more expensive and less flexible than a private option.

For cruise passengers, private transport offers the best guarantee of making it back in time while seeing as much as possible.


Sample Cruise-Friendly Itinerary

08:30 – Meet your Beyond Kanazawa guide at the port

08:45–10:15 – Scenic drive to Shirakawago via mountain roads

10:15–12:15 – Explore the village, visit the observation deck, and tour traditional gassho houses

12:15–13:15 – Lunch at a local restaurant (try the Hida beef or soba noodles)

13:15–14:45 – Return drive to Kanazawa, optional quick stop at Kenrokuen Garden or Geisha District if time allows

15:00 – Drop-off at Kanazawa Port with plenty of time before ship departure


Why Book with Beyond Kanazawa

  • Guaranteed on-time return to your cruise ship, flexibility.

  • Private vehicle and English, Japanese, Chinese, Spanish, or Italian-speaking guide

  • Flexible itineraries based on your docking schedule

  • Option to combine Shirakawago with quick Kanazawa highlights


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