How to reach Takayama
There are several ways to reach the conference venue. Public transportation in Japan is very convenient and punctual. Please check the time here.
(1) via Haneda airport: There are a number of international flights from/to the Tokyo Haneda airport, including those to CDG, FRA, LHR, LAX, JFK, SIN. It takes 30 min from the airport to the Shinagawa station, from where you can take the Shinkansen Express to Nagoya (1.5 hrs). It then takes 2.5 hrs from Nagoya to Takayama by the Hida express (Wide-View Hida).(2) via Narita airport: There are more international flights from/to the Narita airport. It takes an hour from the airport to the Tokyo station, from where you can take the Shinkansen Express to Nagoya (1.5 hrs). It then takes 2.5 hrs from Nagoya to Takayama by the Hida express.
(3) via Chubu airport: There are a few international flights from/to the Nagoya Chubu airport, including those to FRA, HEL, DTW, SIN, etc. By Meitetsu line, it takes 30 min from the airport to the Nagoya station. It then takes 2.5 hrs from Nagoya to Takayama by the Hida express.
(4) via Kansai airport: There are a number of international flights from/to the Kansai airport in Osaka, including those to CDG, FRA, FCO, AMS, SFO, CNS, SIN. It takes an hour from the airport to the Shin-Osaka station, from where you can take the Shinkansen Express to Nagoya (1 hr). It then takes 2.5 hrs from Nagoya to Takayama by the Hida express.
(5) via Toyama airport: There are a number of flights from Haneda (not Narita!) to the Toyama airport, which takes about an hour. It takes 1.5 hrs from Toyama to Takayama by the Hida express.
(6) via Komatsu airport: There are a number of flights from Narita or Haneda to the Komatsu airport near Kanazawa, which takes about an hour. There is no good public transportation between Komatsu and Takayama but if you rent a car it takes 2 hrs to Takayama.
On the way to Takayama
Although it takes hours to reach Takayama from any of the international airport, we are almost sure that you will enjoy the trip.The Tokaido Shinkansen Express from Tokyo/Shinagawa to Nagoya passes through the famous Mt.Fuji, recently registered as a world heritage. If you take a window seat (E seat) on the right side of the train toward Nagoya, you will be able to see it.
The Hida Express passes through Gifu and Gero. If you have time to stay a day in Gifu, we would recommend to check "Ukai," which is a traditional fishing with birds. Gero is one of the three best onsen places in Japan. In addition, the scenery from the train is amazing.
And do not forget to try a bento in the train. There are variety of bentos (ekibens) available in the stations. You can also buy one in the Shinkansen Express (not available in the Hida Express).
KAGRA tours
We arrange tours to the KAGRA site during the conference. The detail is here. © Somiya Laboratory, Tokyo Institute of Technology