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Visit the sites rated three stars by the
Michelin Green Guide to Japan
What is the
Three-Star Route Ticket?
The Three-Star Route Ticket is a special ticket that allows you to travel to National Treasures and World Heritage Sites in Kanazawa, Shirakawa-go and Matsumoto such as Kenrokuen Garden, the Historic Village of Shirakawa-go, the Old Town of Takayama and Matsumoto Castle, which have all been awarded three stars by the Michelin Green Guide to Japan.
There are two ticket types you can choose from depending on the destination you would like to visit: the Kanazawa Type (depart from/arrive in Kanazawa) and the Toyama Type (depart from/arrive in Toyama). This ticket can be purchased from either the Kanazawa/Toyama side or the Matsumoto side which both function as starting points for the Three-Star Route. You will not need to purchase any other tickets while traveling this way, making for a very smooth and relaxing journey.
Where to Visit


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Matsumoto
- Matsumoto is a traditional castle town with many sightseeing spots such as the National Treasure Matsumoto Castle, the National Treasure Former Kaichi School which was also designated as an Important Cultural Property, and Nawate Street and Nakamachi Street where the atmosphere of the castle town remains almost untouched. Besides the retro architecture, there are stylish shopping streets, unique cafes, bars and other general stores, making it a city that people of all ages can thoroughly enjoy.

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Takayama
- Takayama developed itself as a castle town and a merchant town during the Edo Period. The scenery of this old town with houses built from the end of the Edo Period to the middle of the Meiji Period, is protected as a National Preservation District for Groups of Historic Buildings and is nicknamed "Hida’s Little Kyoto". There are many delicious local specialties such as Hida Beef and with its bountiful nature, Takayama is also a recommended spot for outdoor recreational activities.

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Shirakawa-go
- One of Japan’s famous heavy snowfall areas. This region, which until recently was considered a mostly secluded area, has many historical farmhouses also referred to as Gassho-style houses that can withstand heavy snowfall for extended periods of time. This “living" Cultural Property harmonizes contemporary life with its long history and the wonderful nature that nurtures the village, with in its center the Gassho-style houses that have been around for hundreds of years.

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Kanazawa
- A castle town that flourished as the home of the Kaga Domain. The Kenrokuen Garden, which is famous for its beautiful scenery and trees with winter protection, is one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan. The Kazuemachi Chaya District, the Higashi Chaya District and the Nishi Chaya District are geisha districts with a lot of traditional townhouses and a strong Japanese atmosphere. While it is the center of traditional culture, there are plenty of spots where you can enjoy contemporary art, such as the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art.

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Toyama
- Toyama Bay is among the top-class prefectures within Japan in terms of delicious seafood. Seeing as how you can always get fresh seasonal fish, it is deservingly called a “natural fish tank”. Amongst its huge variety of fresh seafood, the yellowtail, the firefly squid and the Japanese glass shrimp are particularly famous in Toyama. Also, while the following areas are not included in this ticket’s coverage area, if you would like to go a little further, you can visit things like the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, Gokayama, the Kurobe Gorge Railway and many other sightseeing spots!
For the Three-Star Route, we highly recommend the
Three-Star Route Ticket.
POINT
1
It's much cheaperthan the regular fare!
Up to ¥2,540 cheaper than the regular fare. That's about 30% you'll save!
(※As of June 1, 2019)
POINT
2
You can buyall tickets at once!
You don't have to buy a ticket every time, because you can buy 4 days worth of tickets all at once!
POINT
3
Enjoy Michelin GreenGuide’s 3-starrated destinations!
You can visit Matsumoto Castle, Takayama, Shirakawa-go and Kenrokuen Garden with just this one ticket.
Ticket
Ticket with Shinjuku
optional ticket
Option Ticket
- Available all year round.
- Valid for 4 consecutive days from first use.
- Adult (13 y/o and above)¥6,000
- Child (6–12 y/o)¥3,000
The Three-Star Route Ticket includes the following sectioned tickets:
-
ABetween Shirakawa-go and
Toyama Station or Kanazawa Station -
BBetween Takayama Nohi Bus Center and
Shirakawa-go -
CBetween Hirayu Onsen and
Takayama Nohi Bus Center -
DBetween Matsumoto Bus Terminal and
Hirayu Onsen
- Some parts of the bus lines will require a reservation, so please reserve in advance.
- Each sectioned ticket can only be used for a one way trip.
- Because the driver collects these sectioned tickets, it is generally not possible to get on/off halfway. However, it is possible to get off at Hirayu Onsen and Shirakawa-go on the way.
- If you get off at a location other than the designated stops, that ticket will become invalid.
- Using the ticket when starting from Kanazawa/Toyama and going straight to Matsumoto or the other way around is also possible.
- No refunds will be made once the ticket has been used.

Q&A
Please make a reservation at one of the following ticket offices.
Kanazawa~Takayama Line: Hokutetsu Kanazawa Ekimae Center, Takayama Bus Center
Toyama~Takayama Line: Toyama Chitetsu Ticket Center, Takayama Bus Center
(Any other lines are non-reserved. Seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis.)
There is a trunk area at the bottom of the bus where large pieces of luggage can be stored. However, the luggage may have other passengers' luggage put on top of it, or be moved around to make more space for other luggage. In these cases, we will accept no responsibility for damage, soiling or loss of the luggage.
There are no particular limits, but if it is likely that carrying the luggage would cause inconvenience to other passengers, the luggage may be refused.
- Available all year round.
- Valid for 7 consecutive days from first use.
- Adult (13 y/o and above)¥9,500
- Child (6–12 y/o)¥4,750
The Three-Star Route Shinjuku Ticket includes the following sectioned tickets:
-
ABetween Shirakawa-go and
Toyama Station or Kanazawa Station -
BBetween Takayama Nohi Bus Center and
Shirakawa-go -
CBetween Hirayu Onsen and
Takayama Nohi Bus Center -
DBetween Matsumoto Bus Terminal and
Hirayu Onsen -
EBetween Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal and
Matsumoto Bus Terminal
- Some parts of the bus lines will require a reservation, so please reserve in advance.
- Each sectioned ticket can only be used for a one way trip.
- Because the driver collects these sectioned tickets, it is generally not possible to get on/off halfway. However, it is possible to get off at Hirayu Onsen and Shirakawa-go on the way.
- If you get off at a location other than the designated stops, that ticket will become invalid.
- Using the ticket when starting from Kanazawa/Toyama and going straight to Shinjuku or the other way around is also possible.
- No refunds will be made once the ticket has been used.

Access to Kanazawa, Toyama and Shinjuku

Q&A
Please make a reservation at one of the following ticket offices.
Shinjuku~Matsumoto Line: Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal, Central Honshu Information Plaza in Keio Shinjuku, Matsumoto Bus Terminal
Kanazawa~Takayama Line: Hokutetsu Kanazawa Ekimae Center, Takayama Bus Center
Toyama~Takayama Line: Toyama Chitetsu Ticket Center, Takayama Bus Center
(Any other lines are non-reserved. Seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis.)
The bus ticket and the packaged ticket have to be exchanged at the Central Honshu Information Plaza in Keio Shinjuku. The exchange counter is open from 8:30 a.m. to 18:00 p.m. We recommend exchanging your voucher at least one day before your departure date.
There is a trunk area at the bottom of the bus where large pieces of luggage can be stored. However, the luggage may have other passengers' luggage put on top of it, or be moved around to make more space for other luggage. In these cases, we will accept no responsibility for damage, soiling or loss of the luggage.
There are no particular limits, but if it is likely that carrying the luggage would cause inconvenience to other passengers, the luggage may be refused.