Minamisenju metro station, Tokyo to Takayama using JR Pass.

Hi there!

Simplifying things to the best route, which is from Tokyo to Takayama via Nagoya, then yes, the total fastest journey time is around 5 hours and 500km. I'm not sure what LP is suggesting, but it sounds wrong as even driving directly will take around 5 hours.

Hope this helps!

Hi Paul!

Like like Mari says I am not sure why they say it is a 2.5 hour journey, unless you take a plane perhaps.
Even an express bus takes 5.5 hours at the very least!

Taking traveling time aside the trip alone is worth making for sure! Once you are in the train for Nagoya to Takayama the train will follow a river through mountains and the view of the Japanese in-land is breath taking, once you arrive in Takayama which is not that big, it really feels like you are in a different world compared to the big cities of Japan.

-Enjoy your Trip! Daniel

Thanks Mari and Daniel-San
At least the journey time to Kyoto is shorter.
Regards
Paul

No problem!

I agree with Daniel-san, the ride from Nagoya to Takayama is great, especially on the wide-view train which has huge windows. Be sure to reserve your places near to the window on this train as you won't want to miss it :)