Complete Guide to Shirakawa-go Light-Up 2027: Dates, Reservations, Transportation, Accommodation, and Itinerary Planning

2027 (41st) Shirakawa-go Light-up will be held in January 2027. As in the past two years, there will again be only four sessions in 2027. Shirakawa-go is one of Japan’s most popular tourist destinations, and the light-up events held every January and February are a travel experience many people long for. Starting in 2024, Shirakawa-go’s light-up introduced an admission ticket system. Every visitor entering Shirakawa-go during the light-up event must hold an admission ticket issued by the Shirakawa-go Tourist Association, and this rule will continue to apply in 2027.

This article compiles almost all the information you need to know about the Shirakawa-go light-up event. The specific contents include:

2027 Shirakawa-go Light-up Dates and Times

Shirakawa-go’s light-up event is held only during the period of heaviest snowfall each January and February. The dates differ every year, generally from mid-January to mid-February, and are usually scheduled on Saturdays and Sundays. If Monday is a public holiday, it may also be scheduled on Monday. The light-up time is generally from 17:30 in the afternoon to 19:30 at night, lasting only two hours.

※ Except for January 11, which is Monday (a Japanese holiday), the other sessions are all on Sundays. The light-up time is 17:30 to 19:30.

5 Ways to Participate in the Gassho Village Light-up

Because many tourists visit Shirakawa-go during the light-up event, traffic and crowd control is implemented in Shirakawa-go, limiting the number of vehicles and people entering the Gassho Village.

Starting in 2024, in order to further strengthen measures to limit the number of visitors entering the village during the light-up event, the Shirakawa-go light-up introduced an admission ticket system. Every visitor entering Shirakawa-go during the light-up event must hold an admission ticket issued by the Shirakawa-go Tourist Association before they can enter Shirakawa-go to participate in the light-up event. The same practice will continue in 2027.

⚠ Note: Starting in 2022, during the light-up event, only these two types of visitors—those staying overnight in Shirakawa-go and those joining designated bus tours—can obtain tickets to enter the Tenshukaku Observatory. Other visitors, including those driving, taking taxis, and joining package tours, cannot go up to the observatory.

If you want to go to Shirakawa-go for the light-up event, you must, according to the method by which you plan to go to Shirakawa-go, keep track of the times for booking guesthouses, reserving parking lots, or purchasing light-up bus tickets.

Below is the schedule for various arrangements for the 2027 Shirakawa-go light-up (Japan time):

Shirakawa-go Accommodation: How to Book a Shirakawa-go Guesthouse During the Light-up?

If you stay at a guesthouse in Shirakawa-go on the day of the light-up event, each guest will be given one admission ticket for Shirakawa-go that evening, allowing them to participate in the light-up event that night. If you book an accommodation package that includes an observatory ticket, you can also receive one ticket to enter the Tenshukaku Observatory.

Shirakawa-go Guesthouses Accepting Accommodation Applications During the 2027 Light-up

There are about more than 40 guesthouses and inns around Shirakawa-go. During the light-up, most guesthouses suspend operations or do not accept public guests, but some guesthouses and inns still operate and accept accommodation reservations. In 2027, only 10 Shirakawa-go guesthouses and inns will accept accommodation reservations on light-up dates.

How to Book Shirakawa-go Guesthouse Accommodation for the 2027 Light-up Dates?

The guesthouse booking method during the 2027 light-up event is the same as in 2026, also using a lottery system. If you want to stay at a Shirakawa-go guesthouse or inn on a 2027 light-up date, you need to first send an email to the Shirakawa-go Tourist Association’s email address to apply for the lottery. After winning, you then make a room reservation through the accommodation reservation system on the Shirakawa-go Tourist Association website.

Winners must complete the reservation and payment within the designated period, otherwise they will be disqualified. The Shirakawa-go Tourist Association will announce at 13:00 on November 26 the guesthouse information for accommodations that still have rooms because winners did not complete their reservations, and will open them to everyone on a first-come, first-served basis. Therefore, if you do not win the lottery, you can watch for announcements on the association’s website at that time.

Applications for the Shirakawa-go guesthouse and inn accommodation lottery for the 2027 light-up dates will begin at 13:00 on October 1, 2026 Japan time and end at 23:59 on October 31. For a tutorial on applying for the lottery and making a reservation after winning, as well as details of the 10 accommodation facilities accepting reservations this year, you can refer to this article: “【2026 Gassho Village Accommodation Recommendations】10 Village Guesthouses / Light-up Season Lottery Tutorial / Takayama Accommodation Alternatives.”

Shirakawa-go Self-driving: Regulations for Driving to Shirakawa-go During the Light-up and How to Reserve Parking Spaces

If you have experience and ability in snow driving, you can drive to Shirakawa-go to participate in the light-up event. Starting in 2019, on the days when the light-up event is held, outside vehicles must obtain a parking permit in advance and reserve a parking space before they can park in designated parking lots in Shirakawa-go. Vehicles without a parking reservation cannot park in Shirakawa-go parking lots during the light-up.

However, note that starting in 2022, during the light-up event, only visitors staying overnight in Shirakawa-go and those joining designated bus tours can obtain tickets to enter the Tenshukaku Observatory. In other words, drivers cannot go up to the observatory during the light-up.

For the 2027 light-up, parking reservations for ordinary vehicles (10 seats or fewer) will, as in previous years, use a first-come, first-served format. Each vehicle can have up to 10 passengers (including the driver). The number of people must be specified when reserving a parking space, and each person will be given one Shirakawa-go admission ticket upon entry.

Parking reservations for 2027 will be held in two rounds, approximately in September and December 2026. The reservation times and fee information are as follows:

• The first reservation period begins at 13:00 on September 10, 2026 (Japan time). If the number of people (including the driver) is 1–5, the parking fee is 6,000 yen. If the number of people is 6–10, the parking fee is 9,000 yen;
• The second reservation period begins at 13:00 on December 1, 2026 (Japan time). If the number of people (including the driver) is 1–5, the parking fee is 7,000 yen. If the number of people is 6–10, the parking fee is 10,000 yen.

Private Car Parking During the Light-up

In Shirakawa-go, there are two parking lots available for self-driving vehicles. One is located across the river from Shirakawa Street, next to the Gassho-zukuri Minkaen: Seseragi Park Parking [Map Code: 549 018 350]. This parking lot is Shirakawa-go’s main parking lot. Normally, tourist vehicles and tour buses park here. From the parking lot, you cross the suspension bridge over the river to reach Shirakawa Street.

The other parking lot is Midashima Park Parking (also called Seseragi Parking, Midashima Park Parking) [Map Code: 549 018 085]. This parking lot is a temporary parking lot located farther south on Shirakawa Street, about 500 meters from the Shirakawa-go Information Center, and relatively close to Mitsu-goya. The parking lot open to self-driving vehicles during the 2027 light-up is Midashima Park Parking.

Daytime Parking Arrangements at Shirakawa-go Parking Lots on Light-up Days

If you drive to Shirakawa-go during the daytime on a light-up day and do not have a parking permit for that evening’s light-up event, you need to move your vehicle out of the parking lot before 17:00. The parking lot will also prohibit vehicles without parking permits from entering starting at 15:00.

Winter Driving Information for Shirakawa-go

Mid-January to mid-February is the period of heaviest snow in Shirakawa-go, so if you drive to Shirakawa-go, your vehicle must be fitted with snow tires (winter tires), and snow chains may even be necessary. If you rent a car in a Hokuriku area such as Takayama, Kanazawa, or Toyama, where it definitely snows in winter, the rental company may have already fitted the rental car with snow tires. But if you rent a car in an area with less snow, such as Nagoya, you must reserve snow tires or snow chains with the rental company in advance. If you want to rent a vehicle already fitted with snow tires, you can use Rakuten Travel’s snow tire guarantee plan or ToCoo! Car Rental’s snow tire equipped plan to rent a car.

On the website of Central Nippon Expressway Company Limited (NEXCO Central Nippon), there is a Chinese-language “Winter Snow Driving Guide” that summarizes matters to note about driving in snow in Japan, including equipment needed for winter driving, sections requiring special attention, knowledge about snow tires and anti-skid chains, and how to respond to possible highway control measures. If you plan to drive in Central Japan in winter, you can refer to it.

In addition, NEXCO Central Nippon also has a dedicated website, “iHighway Central Japan,” which provides real-time road conditions for Central Japan expressways. You can find out where there is snow, which sections require mandatory use of snow tires or have road closures, and you can also view real-time road images through road monitoring cameras on the expressways.

The Shirakawa-go area is one of the areas in Japan with relatively heavy snowfall, and it is located in a mountainous area. Winter driving is relatively difficult, and nighttime is even harder. Moreover, during the light-up event, because many vehicles go there, the roads are very congested, and the parking lot is not close to the Gassho Village, so driving to Shirakawa-go to see the light-up is not a wise choice. However, self-driving allows you to control your own time and arrive in Shirakawa-go earlier than by bus, giving you more time to sightsee and even allowing you to enjoy both the day and night of Shirakawa-go at once.

Road conditions near Shirakawa-go during past Shirakawa-go light-up events

Light-up Bus Tours: Information on Bus Tours by Various Bus Companies During the Light-up and How to Purchase Tickets

During the Shirakawa-go light-up event, five bus companies—Nohi Bus, Kaetsunou Bus, Toyama Chihou Railway Bus, Hokuriku Railroad Bus, and Iruka Kotsu—provide special bus services designed for the light-up event. This limited-time special bus service can be called a Shirakawa-go Light-up Bus Tour. It is actually a package that includes a same-day round-trip bus ticket to Shirakawa-go, and some also include a simple dinner.

Each passenger on the special bus will receive one admission ticket for the light-up event, and some services will include a ticket to the Tenshukaku Observatory, but there will be no guide or tour conductor accompanying the group. If you are not driving and are not staying at a Shirakawa-go guesthouse on the night of the light-up, joining a light-up bus tour is the most convenient and inexpensive way to go to Shirakawa-go to see the light-up.

When joining a light-up bus tour, you must take the same bus for both the outbound and return trips. You cannot take only a one-way ride. For example, you cannot first take a regular express bus to Shirakawa-go by yourself and then leave Shirakawa-go on the return trip by taking a bus tour bus.

The departure points of the light-up bus tours of Nohi Bus, Kaetsunou Bus, Toyama Chihou Railway Bus, Hokuriku Railroad Bus, and Iruka Kotsu are different. Nohi Bus’s light-up buses depart from Takayama City, Hokuriku Railroad Bus’s light-up buses depart from Kanazawa City, Toyama Chihou Railway Bus’s light-up buses depart from Toyama City, and Kaetsunou Bus and Iruka Kotsu’s light-up buses depart from Takaoka City.

(1) Light-up Bus Tour Ticket Sale Times and Purchasing Methods

Light-up bus tour tickets are sold online on a first-come, first-served basis. Different light-up dates go on sale at different times. The ticket sale times are the same for the five bus companies. Tickets for the 2027 Shirakawa-go light-up buses will go on sale starting in mid-October 2026. The specific times are as follows:

Among the five bus companies, tickets for the light-up bus tours of four—Nohi Bus, Kaetsunou Bus, Toyama Chihou Railway Bus, and Iruka Kotsu—will be sold through the Japanese bus ticket purchasing websites “Hassha Orai Net” and “Japan Bus Online.” Tickets are not sold on their official websites, nor do they accept telephone reservations. Tickets for Hokuriku Railroad Bus are sold only on its official website.

The “Hassha Orai Net” website is available only in Japanese, but Japan Bus Online has Chinese and English versions and is not difficult to use. For ticket purchase links and purchase process tutorials, you can refer to these two articles:

• “How to Buy Light-up Bus Tour Tickets and Express Bus Tickets on ‘Hassha Orai Net’“
• “Tutorial on Buying Japanese Bus Tickets on the Japan Bus Online Website“

(2) Light-up Bus Tours Classified by Departure Location

Below is information on 2027 light-up bus tours classified by departure location:

(3) Light-up Bus Tours That Include a Tenshukaku Observatory Ticket

During the light-up, the best viewing location is undoubtedly the Tenshukaku Observatory. However, because there are too many visitors during the event, the number of people going up to the observatory is limited. All visitors going up to the observatory must hold a Tenshukaku Observatory ticket.

During the 2027 light-up event, only two types of people can obtain Tenshukaku Observatory tickets. One type is guests staying at Shirakawa-go guesthouses, and the other is passengers on bus tours that include a Tenshukaku Observatory ticket. Therefore, if you are not staying overnight in Shirakawa-go, only by joining a bus tour that includes an observatory ticket can you have a chance to go up to the Tenshukaku Observatory to photograph the panoramic view of the light-up.

Some Shirakawa-go light-up bus tours include a Tenshukaku Observatory ticket, allowing you to go up to the observatory to photograph the panoramic view of the illuminated Shirakawa-go. Below are the 2027 light-up bus tours that include a Tenshukaku Observatory ticket:

• “Nohi Bus” departing from Takayama City: “B Course With Observatory Ticket! Shirakawa-go Light-up Bus” (Course B Shirakawago Light-up Bus with Observatory Ticket) light-up bus tour (for details, refer to “(3) Nohi Bus Light-up Bus Tours” below)
• “Toyama Chihou Railway Bus” departing from Toyama City: “Round-trip bus plan with view point admission” light-up bus tour (for details, refer to “(4) Toyama Chihou Railway Bus Light-up Bus Tours” below)
• “Kaetsunou Bus” departing from Takaoka City: “S Course / Departing from Takaoka: Course with Observatory Admission Ticket” light-up bus tour (for details, refer to “(5) Kaetsunou Bus Light-up Bus Tours” below)
• “Hokuriku Railroad Bus” departing from Kanazawa City light-up bus tour (for details, refer to “(6) Hokuriku Railroad Bus Light-up Bus Tours” below)
• “Iruka Kotsu” departing from Takaoka City light-up bus tour (for details, refer to “(7) Iruka Kotsu Light-up Bus Tours” below)

Below is information on the special buses during the 2027 light-up event for each bus company:

(4) Nohi Bus Light-up Bus Tours

Nohi Bus’s 2027 Shirakawa-go light-up bus tours have three plans:

1. “A Course With Gassho-zukuri Minkaen Ticket! Shirakawa-go Light-up Bus” (Course A With Gassho-zukuri Minkaen Ticket! Shirakawago Light-up Bus)
2. “B Course With Observatory Ticket! Shirakawa-go Light-up Bus” (Course B With Observatory Deck Ticket! Shirakawago Light-up Bus)
3. “C Course With Hirase Onsen Shiramizu-no-yu Bath Ticket and Local Souvenir! Shirakawa-go Light-up Bus” (Course C With Hirase Onsen Shiramizu-no-yu Bath Ticket & Local Souvenir! Shirakawago Light-up Bus)

💡 Only Course B includes a Tenshukaku Observatory ticket.

Nohi Bus 2027 Shirakawa-go Light-up Bus Tour webpage:

• Nohi Bus 2027 Light-up Bus Tour webpage (Japanese version)
• Nohi Bus 2027 Light-up Bus Tour webpage (English version)

1. “B Course With Observatory Ticket! Shirakawa-go Light-up Bus” (Course B With Observatory Deck Ticket! Shirakawago Light-up Bus) Light-up Bus Tour

This bus tour includes a Tenshukaku Observatory ticket, but requires walking uphill and downhill. The round trip takes about one hour, and there is accumulated snow along the way, making the path relatively difficult to walk. This bus tour does not include dinner, but gives some Shirakawa-go local snack souvenirs. The departure time of this bus tour is 15:10 from Takayama. The boarding and return drop-off location is the Nohi Bus Terminal next to JR Takayama Station. The price is 16,000 yen, the same for adults and children. Below is the itinerary and times of this bus tour:

• Outbound: Takayama [15:10] > Shirakawa-go [16:20]
• Return: Shirakawa-go [19:45] > Takayama [20:45]

2. “A Course With Gassho-zukuri Minkaen Ticket! Shirakawa-go Light-up Bus” (Course A With Gassho-zukuri Minkaen Ticket! Shirakawago Light-up Bus) Light-up Bus Tour

This bus tour includes only a round-trip bus ticket to Shirakawa-go, does not provide dinner or snacks, but includes admission to the “Gassho-zukuri Minkaen.” The departure time is 15:40 from Takayama. The boarding and return drop-off location is the Nohi Bus Terminal next to JR Takayama Station. The price is 13,000 yen, the same for adults and children. Below is the itinerary and times of this bus tour:

• Outbound: Takayama [15:40] > Shirakawa-go [16:40]
• Return: Shirakawa-go [19:20] > Takayama [20:20]

3. “C Course With Hirase Onsen Shiramizu-no-yu Bath Ticket and Local Souvenir! Shirakawa-go Light-up Bus” (Course C With Hirase Onsen Shiramizu-no-yu Bath Ticket & Local Souvenir! Shirakawago Light-up Bus) Light-up Bus Tour

This bus tour is a newly launched product for 2027. In addition to a round-trip bus ticket to Shirakawa-go and a light-up admission ticket, it also includes a bathing ticket for “Hirase Onsen Shiramizu-no-yu.” The departure time is 14:40 from Takayama. The boarding and return drop-off location is the Nohi Bus Terminal next to JR Takayama Station. The price is 14,000 yen, the same for adults and children. Below is the itinerary and times of this bus tour:

• Outbound: Takayama [14:40] > Hirase Onsen Shiramizu-no-yu [16:00-16:15] > Shirakawa-go [16:40]
• Return: Shirakawa-go [19:20] > Takayama [20:20]

How to Buy Nohi Bus Light-up Bus Tour Tickets?

As last year, tickets for Nohi Bus’s 2027 light-up bus tours will be sold through the Japanese bus ticket purchasing websites “Hassha Orai Net” and “Japan Bus Online.” Tickets are not sold on the official website, nor do they accept telephone reservations.

(5) Toyama Chihou Railway Bus Light-up Bus Tours

During the 2027 light-up, Toyama Chihou Railway Bus will operate two light-up bus tours per day. One of them (“Round-trip bus course with observation deck admission ticket”) includes a Tenshukaku Observatory ticket, but requires walking both ways. The other tour (“Gassho village walking course”) does not include an observatory ticket.

Below is information on Toyama Chihou Railway Bus 2027 Light-up Bus Tours:

Tickets for the 2027 Toyama Chihou Railway Bus light-up bus tours can be purchased through “Hassha Orai Net” and “Japan Bus Online.” Tickets are not sold on the official website, nor do they accept telephone reservations.

(6) Kaetsunou Bus Light-up Bus Tours

During the 2027 light-up, Kaetsunou Bus will also operate two light-up bus tours per day. One of them (≪S Course / Departing from Takaoka: Course with Observatory Admission Ticket≫) includes a Tenshukaku Observatory ticket, but requires walking both ways. The other tour (≪A Course / Departing from Takaoka: Gassho Village Walking Course≫) does not include an observatory ticket.

Below is information on Kaetsunou Bus 2027 Light-up Bus Tours:

Tickets for Kaetsunou Bus’s 2027 light-up bus tours can be purchased through Hassha Orai Net and Japan Bus Online. Tickets are not sold on the official website, nor do they accept telephone reservations. Below are the ticket purchase pages for Kaetsunou Bus’s two light-up bus tours on Hassha Orai Net:

• S Course / Departing from Takaoka: Course with Observatory Admission Ticket
• A Course / Departing from Takaoka: Gassho Village Walking Course

(7) Hokuriku Railroad Bus Light-up Bus Tours

Hokuriku Railroad Bus operates one light-up bus tour departing from Kanazawa City on each light-up day. This tour includes a Tenshukaku Observatory ticket, but requires walking both ways. The price is 18,500 yen for adults and 16,500 yen for children. Below is the itinerary and times of this bus tour:

• Outbound: Kanazawa Station West Exit [14:30] > Shirakawa-go [16:30]
• Return: Shirakawa-go [19:50] > Kanazawa Station [21:50]

Tickets for the 2027 Hokuriku Railroad Bus Light-up Bus Tour can only be purchased through the Hokuriku Railroad Bus official website.

(8) Iruka Kotsu Light-up Bus Tours

During the 2027 Shirakawa-go light-up, Iruka Kotsu (Dolphin Transport) will operate one light-up bus tour departing from Takaoka City, Toyama Prefecture, on each light-up day. This tour includes a Tenshukaku Observatory ticket, but requires walking both ways. The price is 18,000 yen for adults and 16,000 yen for children. Below is the itinerary and times of this bus tour:

• Outbound: Takaoka Bus Terminal (Takaoka Express Bus Terminal, located near JR Shin-Takaoka Station) [14:00] > Shirakawa-go [15:40]
• Return: Shirakawa-go [19:50] > Takaoka Bus Terminal [21:30]

Tickets for the 2027 Iruka Kotsu Light-up Bus Tour can be purchased through Hassha Orai Net and Japan Bus Online. Tickets are not sold on the official website, nor do they accept telephone reservations. Below are the ticket purchase pages for this light-up bus tour:

• Hassha Orai Net ticket purchase page
• Japan Bus Online ticket purchase page

Join a Light-up Package Tour

Although there are multiple ways to go and participate in the light-up event, because too many tourists go to Shirakawa-go to see the light-up every year, whether for accommodation, parking spaces, or bus tickets, you have to spend a lot of effort to grab them, and you may not necessarily succeed. If you want to relax a bit and guarantee that you can go, the best method is to spend some money and join a one-day light-up package tour organized by a local travel agency. In addition, if you are not traveling independently in Japan, local travel agencies also offer package tours that include the light-up itinerary.

Many Japanese travel agencies offer light-up package tours, mostly one-day tours departing from Takayama or Nagoya, and there are also two-day tours departing from Osaka or Tokyo that include other attractions. Most Japanese travel agencies offering light-up tours mainly serve Japanese customers, but a few also serve foreign tourists, and these one-day or two-day light-up products can also be booked through local travel platforms.

Klook, KKday, and Trip.com also have multiple half-day, one-day, or two-day products organized by local travel agencies for going to Shirakawa-go to see the light-up this year. If you cannot buy bus tour tickets, you can also join these package tours.

• 【Klook】2027 Shirakawa-go Winter Light-up and Hida Takayama Small Group Tour (Departing from Nagoya)
• 【Klook】2027 Shirakawa-go Winter Light-up & Hida Takayama Tour (Departing from Nagoya, with gifts and snacks)
• 【Klook】World Heritage Takayama Shirakawa-go Light-up Bus One-day Tour (with snacks & local specialty gifts)
• 【Klook】World Heritage Takayama Shirakawa-go Light-up Small Group One-day Tour (optional hotel pickup / drop-off at Takayama)
• 【KKday】【Only 4 Days】Shirakawa-go Light-up One-day Tour | World Heritage Shirakawa-go・English Guide | Departing from JR Takayama Station
• 【KKday】【Only 4 Days・Confirmed Departure on All Dates】Shirakawa-go Gassho Village Night Light-up One-day Tour | English Guide | Departing from JR Takayama Station
• 【KKday】【Only 4 Days】Shirakawa-go Light-up 2-day Tour | Stay at Hida Takayama Onsen・Hida Hotel Plaza (Departing from Shinjuku)
• 【KKday】Japan Shirakawa-go Winter Light-up One-day Tour | Gassho Village Dreamy Snow Scenery・Hida Takayama Old Town・Optional Boarding/Alighting at Takayama・Departing from Nagoya
• 【KKday】【Limited Quantity・Confirmed Departure】2027 Shirakawa-go Gassho Village Night Light-up & Hida Takayama One-day Tour｜Departing from Nagoya
• 【KKday】Japan Shirakawa-go Gassho Village Winter Light-up One-day Tour｜2027 Limited 4 Days・Hida Takayama Tour・Dreamy Snowy Night・Departing from Nagoya
• 【KKday】【Only 4 Days】Shirakawa-go Light-up・Kanazawa Kenrokuen・World Heritage Gokayama Tour 2-day Tour｜Departing from Tokyo
• 【KKday】Japan Shirakawa-go Gassho Village One-day Tour｜World Heritage Shirakawa-go・Takayama Hida Old Town・Gassho Village Night Light-up (Only 4 Days Year-round)｜Departing from Nagoya
• 【KKday】【Departing from Nagoya】One-day Bus Tour “Shirakawa-go Light-up 2027” with Gassho-zukuri Village and Hida Beef Dinner【Meet at 10:50】
• 【KKday】【Departing from Nagoya】One-day Bus Tour “Shirakawa-go Light-up Festival 2026” with Optional Dinner【Meet at 10:10】
• 【Trip.com】Limited 4 Days Light-up! Special Winter-only Event World Heritage Shirakawa-go Gassho Village Light Show【Departing from JR Takayama Station】
• 【Trip.com】【Departing from Nagoya Station】2027 World Heritage Shirakawa-go Light-up Fairy Tale Tour Operated by Green Plate

Take a Taxi (Cab/Taxi) to Shirakawa-go

During the light-up, taxi companies in Takayama also provide charter services between Takayama and Shirakawa-go, such as Hato Taxi Co., Ltd. (Hata Taxi) and Nohi Bus guided taxi service. Although the fare is more expensive than a bus tour, if there are many people, the per-person difference is not large. However, note that because taxis entering Shirakawa-go during the light-up also need to reserve parking, if the taxi company has not reserved in advance, passengers need to reserve by themselves before they can hire a car.

Shirakawa-go Accommodation Guide: Where Is the Most Convenient Place to Stay?

The best accommodation choice for participating in the Shirakawa-go light-up is definitely staying at a guesthouse or inn inside the Gassho Village. Staying in the village offers the following three major advantages:

• You can obtain an admission ticket to the Shiroyama Observatory
• You do not need to travel back and forth, so you have more time to enjoy sightseeing
• You can experience staying in a traditional Gassho-zukuri building deep in the mountains in winter

However, Shirakawa-go guesthouses are certainly fully booked on light-up days. If you are not lucky enough to be selected to stay at a Shirakawa-go guesthouse, you can stay in a city near Shirakawa-go. Takayama City is the city closest to Shirakawa-go, so many tourists going to Shirakawa-go for the light-up choose to stay in Takayama. Most light-up bus tours depart from Takayama City, so if you are not driving, Takayama City is definitely the best accommodation location for going to Shirakawa-go to see the light-up.

It is certain to snow in Takayama in January and February. On days when it has stopped snowing, the road conditions in Takayama are still decent, and even dragging luggage is not difficult. However, after a night of snow, the road conditions become harder to walk on, but Takayama in winter is even more beautiful.

If you drive to Shirakawa-go to see the light-up, although you have more flexibility in choosing accommodation, Takayama City is still the best choice. Takayama City is about 50 kilometers from Shirakawa-go, one-third shorter than the 75-kilometer distance between Kanazawa City and Shirakawa-go. In addition, nearly 40 kilometers of the expressway from Takayama to Shirakawa-go is tunnels. Although driving through tunnels is usually more tiring, in winter it is safer than driving on snowy roads.

For accommodation recommendations in Shirakawa-go and Takayama City, you can refer to this article: “【Gassho Village Accommodation Recommendations】10 Village Guesthouses / Light-up Season Lottery Tutorial / Takayama Accommodation Alternatives.”

Shirakawa-go Light-up Itinerary Planning: Sightseeing Time and Route Guide

Shirakawa-go’s light-up time is from 17:30 in the afternoon to 19:30 at night, only a short two hours. It is indeed a bit rushed to tour the beautiful illuminated Shirakawa-go scenery within 2 hours. If you are fortunate enough to go up to the Tenshukaku Observatory, time is even more insufficient.

1. How to Get to the Tenshukaku Observatory?

The most beautiful place to view the light-up is undoubtedly the Tenshukaku Observatory. From here, you can look down from above at the beautiful Shirakawa-go scenery set off by lights and snow. However, the Tenshukaku Observatory is narrow. For safety reasons, since 2017, the number of people entering the Tenshukaku Observatory during the light-up has been controlled. Over the past few years, the method of controlling the number of people at the Tenshukaku Observatory during the light-up has changed several times, from initially selling shuttle bus tickets to the observatory to the current ticket system.

Starting in 2022, during the light-up, shuttle bus service to the Tenshukaku Observatory is no longer provided. Visitors can only walk to and from the Tenshukaku Observatory, and must hold an observatory ticket to enter. Observatory tickets are provided only to guests staying at Shirakawa-go guesthouses or inns that day, and to passengers on Nohi Bus, Toyama Chihou Railway Bus, or Kaetsunou Bus light-up bus tours that include an observatory ticket. Therefore, starting in 2022, only guesthouse guests and specific bus tour passengers can go up to the Tenshukaku Observatory. Self-driving tourists have no chance to go up to the observatory.

For this trip to Shirakawa-go to see the light-up, if you cannot go up to the observatory, here is a photo taken from the Tenshukaku Observatory during a spring visit to Shirakawa-go several years ago for everyone’s reference. What you should see during the winter light-up is an image of snow-covered scenery with scattered lights.

If you are staying in Shirakawa-go on a light-up day, or if you will drive to Shirakawa-go to see the light-up, it is recommended that you arrive in Shirakawa-go before noon. In this way, you can see both the day and night of Shirakawa-go, and before the light-up begins, you can take the shuttle bus to the Tenshukaku Observatory to enjoy the beautiful daytime scenery of Shirakawa-go covered in snow.

The shuttle bus between Shirakawa-go Ogimachi and the Tenshukaku Observatory generally operates from 9:00 a.m. to 16:00 p.m., every 20 minutes. For the detailed timetable of the shuttle bus, you can refer here. The boarding and alighting location of the shuttle bus in Ogimachi is in an open area 200 meters south of the Shirakawa-go Tourist Information Center, next to the restaurant Hakusuien. The one-way fare for the shuttle bus is 300 yen, paid on the bus after boarding.

2. How to Arrange Sightseeing Time and Routes for the Light-up?

In winter, Shirakawa-go begins to get dark before about 17:00, and the light-up starts at 17:30 and ends at 19:30, lasting only a short 2 hours. Although Shirakawa-go is not large, it is rather rushed to visit all the light-up spots within 2 hours. In addition, the snowy roads are difficult to walk on, and waiting for photo spots due to crowds takes time. You will find that 2 hours pass very quickly. If you are lucky enough to be selected for a ticket to go to the observatory, after deducting the time for walking to and from the observatory and the time for sightseeing and taking photos at the observatory, you will have only about 1 hour left in the village, so you need to plan well.

The light-up is actually just projecting white spotlights onto some of the Gassho-zukuri houses (gassho-zukuri) in Shirakawa-go. Reflected by the snow on the roofs, from a distance it looks as if lights are turned on inside the houses. According to official information, the illuminated Gassho-zukuri houses in Shirakawa-go are distributed in five areas: near Wada House, near Myozenji Temple, near the west side, near Kanmachi, and near Shimo-goso. However, Shimo-goso is relatively far from Ogimachi, the main sightseeing area of Shirakawa-go, and is in a remote location, so generally no one goes there. Wada House, Myozenji Temple, and the west side are in Ogimachi, so tourists mainly concentrate in these three places to see the light-up. Kanmachi is also relatively far from Ogimachi, but there is a popular photo spot there called “Mitsu-goya,” so quite a few tourists make a special trip there to take photos.

⚠ Note: Drones are prohibited in Shirakawa-go.

Below is the 2022 Shirakawa-go Light-up Map. It is basically the same every year, and this year you can also refer to it.

1. How to Arrange Sightseeing Routes and Times If You Cannot Go Up to the Observatory?

If you do not have a ticket to go up to the Tenshukaku Observatory and cannot go up to the observatory to photograph the panoramic view of Shirakawa-go during the light-up, you can only sightsee within the village. With 2 hours, it is basically enough to tour and take photos at the light-up spots in Ogimachi, and you still have time to go to Kanmachi to photograph Mitsu-goya.

If you are joining a bus tour to Shirakawa-go to see the light-up, generally you should be able to arrive in Shirakawa-go before 16:30 in the afternoon, so you generally have about 3 hours in Shirakawa-go. After arriving in Shirakawa-go, you can first go to the area from Myozenji Temple to Kanda House in Ogimachi to photograph the winter snow-covered Shirakawa-go scenery before dark. The area with relatively concentrated light-up spots in Ogimachi is between Myozenji Temple and Kanda House. If time is limited, you can concentrate your sightseeing in this area. If you arrive earlier, you can also walk all the way to Wada House, then wait here until the light-up starts at 17:30, and then return along the way to Myozenji Temple.

It takes about 15 minutes to walk from Myozenji Temple to the Mitsu-goya location in Kanmachi. If you want to go photograph Mitsu-goya, you must leave Myozenji Temple by 19:00 at the latest, so that you can finish taking photos before the light-up ends and return to the bus before the bus tour departs.

If you drive to Shirakawa-go to see the light-up, it is recommended to arrive in Shirakawa-go in the morning. While there are fewer people, sightsee Shirakawa-go during the daytime. In addition, you can take the shuttle bus up to the observatory to photograph the panoramic view of Shirakawa-go. The daytime shuttle bus between Ogimachi and the observatory operates normally on light-up days. Before 15:40, anyone can line up at the shuttle bus boarding point near the lotus pond in front of Wada House to take the shuttle bus up to the Tenshukaku Observatory, every 20 minutes, but you must leave the observatory by 16:10 at the latest.

Below are photos taken in 2018 when going to Shirakawa-go to see the light-up. Due to poor photography skills, although many photos were taken, not many successful ones were found after returning.

Whether it is a bus tour or a one-day package tour, the bus is parked at Seseragi Park Parking across the river from Ogimachi, so this is the starting point for sightseeing.

From Seseragi Park Parking, cross this suspension bridge called Deai Bridge to reach Ogimachi.

Take photos around Shirakawa-go before dark

In the cold weather, the most comfortable thing is to eat some hot food and drink hot drinks, so the snack shops are crowded.

The light-up begins promptly at 17:30, and staff gradually turn on the spotlights set up outside the houses.

Mitsu-goya in Kanmachi is relatively far from Ogimachi, and fewer visitors go there. To go to Mitsu-goya, you only need to walk along Shirakawa Street in the opposite direction from the observatory. Along the way, there is also a Gassho-zukuri house called Guesthouse Juuemon that is also illuminated. To photograph the three Gassho-zukuri houses of Mitsu-goya side by side, you need to walk into the farmland next to the three houses. Because the farmland is covered with thick snow and is about half a meter higher than the road, be careful not to slip when walking on it.

After sightseeing the light-up, return to the parking lot on time. Because there are many buses parked in the parking lot, be sure to remember the license plate number when getting off.

At the end, drivers have a harder time, because they need to line up in the parking lot to take the shuttle bus to the Terao Parking Lot where their vehicles are parked.

2. How to Arrange Sightseeing Time and Routes If You Can Go Up to the Observatory?

Tenshukaku Observatory tickets have entry time regulations, but there is no regulation on leaving time. If you have a ticket to go up to the Tenshukaku Observatory, the focus of sightseeing should be on viewing and photographing the light-up scenery from the observatory. However, because you need to walk both ways, just counting the round-trip walking time, it is estimated to take 40 minutes to 1 hour, so the remaining time is not much. There should not be enough time to both take photos in Ogimachi and go to Kanmachi to photograph Mitsu-goya. It is recommended to give up Mitsu-goya and stay in Ogimachi, concentrating on sightseeing at the light-up spots from Myozenji Temple to Wada House.

Several Suggested Itineraries Departing from Nagoya and Osaka

The international airport closest to Shirakawa-go is Chubu Centrair International Airport near Nagoya, so most foreign tourists enter and leave through Chubu Centrair International Airport and then go from Nagoya to Shirakawa-go. In addition, Osaka is not far from Shirakawa-go, and airfare to Osaka’s Kansai Airport is relatively cheap with many flight options, so many people also choose to use Kansai Airport and go from Osaka to Shirakawa-go. Below are several itinerary plans departing from Nagoya and Osaka for Shirakawa-go for everyone’s reference.

1. Itinerary Departing from Nagoya

When going to Shirakawa-go in winter to see the light-up, in addition to also visiting Takayama, it is recommended to include nearby Kanazawa and Gero Onsen in the itinerary. Nagoya has a relatively low probability of snow in winter; even if it snows, it is only occasional. But Takayama, Shirakawa-go to the north, and Kanazawa on the Sea of Japan coast will definitely have snow, so winter travel in Central Japan and Hokuriku is not very encouraging for self-driving unless you already have rich snow-driving experience.

1. Nagoya, Kanazawa, Takayama, Shirakawa-go Light-up 8-day Independent Travel

The following is an 8-day itinerary entering and leaving from Nagoya. In addition to sightseeing in Nagoya, Takayama, and going to Shirakawa-go to see the light-up, it also goes to Kanazawa. Kenrokuen is Kanazawa’s most important attraction, with different scenery in the four seasons, and every February Kenrokuen also has a light-up. If you go in February, you can visit Kenrokuen at night.

[Day 1]: Arrive at Chubu Centrair International Airport, stay at a Nagoya city hotel, and go shopping around Nagoya Station or Sakae that evening.

[Day 2]: Take JR to Toyama, then transfer to JR or Shinkansen to Kanazawa, stay at a hotel near Kanazawa Station or Korinbo, and visit Kenrokuen that evening.

[Day 3]: Visit Omi-cho Market, Higashi Chaya District, Kenrokuen, Kanazawa Castle, and other attractions.

[Day 4]: In the morning, take an express bus from Kanazawa to Shirakawa-go. After sightseeing in Shirakawa-go, take an express bus to Takayama City, and stay at a hotel near Takayama Station.

[Day 5]: In the morning, visit Miyagawa Morning Market, Takayama Old Town, and other attractions. In the afternoon, join a bus tour to Shirakawa-go to see the light-up, and return to the Takayama hotel at night.

[Day 6]: In the morning, take JR back to Nagoya, stay at a Nagoya city hotel, and in the afternoon visit Nagoya Castle and go shopping in the city.

[Day 7]: Visit Legoland Japan, and go shopping in Nagoya city.

[Day 8]: Return home.

Note 1:

Although driving in Central Japan in winter is relatively dangerous, driving to Shirakawa-go to see the light-up makes it easier to control your time and allows more time for sightseeing in Shirakawa-go. If you feel you are capable of driving in snow, you can also drive to Shirakawa-go to see the light-up, but it is recommended to drive only on the day of the light-up and use trains or express buses for the rest of the itinerary.

If you drive to Shirakawa-go, the Day 4, Day 5, and Day 6 itinerary needs slight adjustment:

– [Day 4]: Take the Nohi Bus or JR from Kanazawa to Takayama City, stay at a Takayama hotel, and visit Takayama Old Town, Takayama Jinya, and other attractions.

– [Day 5]: Pick up the car at the rental company, go to Shirakawa-go for sightseeing, and after seeing the light-up at night, return to the Takayama hotel.

– [Day 6]: Return the car in the morning, visit Miyagawa Morning Market, then take JR back to Nagoya, stay at a Nagoya city hotel, and in the afternoon visit Nagoya Castle and go shopping in the city.

Note 2:

In this itinerary, the day for going to Shirakawa-go to see the light-up is Day 5. If the flight dates do not match, you can adjust the order of the itinerary as needed, for example, first go to Takayama and Shirakawa-go and then go to Kanazawa, or stay an extra day in Nagoya first before going to Takayama and Shirakawa-go.

Note 3:

The transportation for this itinerary includes: Nagoya to Toyama JR (7,650 yen), Toyama to Kanazawa Shinkansen (2,810 yen), Kanazawa to Shirakawa-go express bus (1,850 yen), Shirakawa-go to Takayama express bus (2,470 yen), Takayama to Nagoya JR (6,230 yen). The total cost is 21,010 yen. If you want to save on transportation costs, you can buy a JR Pass called the “Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass.” This JR Pass can be used for all the above transportation. The price is 14,000 yen, valid for 5 days. According to the above itinerary, it can be used from Day 2, saving about one-third (7,010 yen). For a detailed introduction and use of the Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass, you can refer to the content later. (Note: The above cost amounts are prices before the consumption tax rate increase on October 1, 2019.)

Note 4:

For timetables of the various transportation mentioned above, you can refer to the information on the “Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass” webpage. If you want to know more accurate JR train times and fares, you can check on JR Central’s this webpage.

Note 5:

There are not many express bus services between Kanazawa, Shirakawa-go, and Takayama, and there are relatively many passengers, so bus tickets sell out very early. Therefore, it is recommended to buy tickets early. For an introduction to buying Nohi Bus tickets and using the Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass to buy tickets, you can refer to the content later.

Note 6:

In addition, although express buses have luggage compartments for large luggage, carrying large luggage to Shirakawa-go in winter is troublesome. It is recommended to use Yamato Transport to send luggage from Kanazawa to the hotel in Takayama in advance. Most hotels in Japan have a service for receiving Yamato Transport parcels. You can ask hotel staff for a shipping form, fill it out, and hand the luggage to the staff.

2. Nagoya, Kanazawa, Takayama, Gero Onsen, Shirakawa-go Light-up 8-day Independent Travel

The following itinerary is roughly the same as the previous one, but reduces the time for sightseeing in Nagoya by 1 day, skips Legoland Nagoya, and instead goes to Gero Onsen to soak in hot springs.

[Day 1]: Arrive at Chubu Centrair International Airport, stay at a Nagoya city hotel, and go shopping around Nagoya Station or Sakae that evening.

[Day 2]: Take JR to Toyama, then transfer to JR or Shinkansen to Kanazawa, stay at a hotel near Kanazawa Station or Korinbo, and visit Kenrokuen that evening.

[Day 3]: Visit Omi-cho Market, Higashi Chaya District, Kenrokuen, Kanazawa Castle, and other attractions.

[Day 4]: In the morning, take an express bus from Kanazawa to Shirakawa-go. After sightseeing in Shirakawa-go, take an express bus to Takayama City, and stay at a hotel near Takayama Station.

[Day 5]: In the morning, visit Miyagawa Morning Market, Takayama Old Town, and other attractions. In the afternoon, join a bus tour to Shirakawa-go to see the light-up, and return to the Takayama hotel at night.

[Day 6]: In the morning, take JR to Gero Onsen, stay at a hot spring inn, and visit Gassho Village and the hot spring street.

[Day 7]: In the morning, take JR back to Nagoya, stay at a Nagoya city hotel, and in the afternoon visit Nagoya Castle and go shopping in the city.

[Day 8]: Return home.

Note:

This itinerary can also use the “Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass,” but because this JR Pass is valid for only 5 days, the JR from Gero Onsen back to Nagoya on Day 7 needs to be purchased separately (4,820 yen).

2. Itinerary Departing from Osaka

You can also go to Shirakawa-go to see the light-up when entering and leaving from Kansai Airport. The itinerary arrangement depends on whether you have plans in the Kansai area. If you need to spend more time in Osaka, Kyoto, and other places, you can take just 3 days from the itinerary to go to Takayama and Shirakawa-go. If you have already been to Osaka and Kyoto but have not been to Kanazawa in winter, you can focus the itinerary on Central Japan and Hokuriku. Below are two itinerary plans departing from Osaka to Shirakawa-go to see the light-up. One takes only 3 days to go to Takayama and Shirakawa-go, and the other uses 5 days to visit Kanazawa, Takayama, and Shirakawa-go.

1. Takayama, Shirakawa-go Light-up 3-day Itinerary

This itinerary takes only 3 days to go from Osaka to Takayama and Shirakawa-go and back. After seeing the light-up, return to Osaka, and arrange the rest of the time in Kansai as needed. The most direct and economical way from Osaka to Takayama is to take an express bus operated by Nohi Bus or Kintetsu Bus. The bus departs from Namba OCAT, takes about five and a half hours, and the adult one-way fare is about 3,300 yen. Tickets can be purchased one month in advance on Willer Express or Rakuten Travel.

[Day 1]: Take an express bus from Osaka to Takayama, and stay at a hotel near Takayama Station.

[Day 2]: In the morning, visit Miyagawa Morning Market, Takayama Old Town, and other attractions. In the afternoon, join a bus tour to Shirakawa-go to see the light-up, and return to the Takayama hotel at night.

[Day 3]: Take an express bus back to Osaka.

Note 1:

Japanese hotels usually allow luggage storage after check-out for a maximum of two days and one night, but generally allow luggage to be sent to the hotel as early as one week before check-in. Therefore, if you need to leave Osaka for three days and two nights to go to Takayama, it is best to store your luggage at the hotel where you will stay after returning.

Note 2:

If you plan to drive to Shirakawa-go to see the light-up, you can pick up the car on the morning of Day 2 and go to Shirakawa-go, and put the visit to Miyagawa Morning Market and Takayama Old Town on the morning of Day 3, returning to Osaka in the afternoon.

Note 3:

If you do not want to take an express bus to Takayama, you can change to a train. There is no direct train from Osaka to Takayama; transfers are required. The route with the fewest transfers, shortest distance, and cheapest fare is to first take Kintetsu to Nagoya, then transfer to the JR Takayama Main Line to Takayama. The Kintetsu fare from Osaka Namba to Nagoya is 4,260 yen, and the travel time is about 2 hours 10 minutes. The JR reserved seat fare from Nagoya to Takayama is 6,230 yen, and the travel time is about 2 hours 35 minutes. Therefore, the total fare for the two trips is about 10,500 yen, more than twice as expensive as taking the express bus, while the total travel time including transfers is roughly the same, so taking the express bus is more cost-effective.

If taking Kintetsu, it is recommended to buy a Kintetsu 5-day Pass. This pass allows unlimited rides on Kintetsu trains between Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Ise-Shima, and Nagoya for 5 consecutive days. The price is 3,600 yen. However, the pass is limited to non-reserved seat cars, and the Kintetsu limited express from Osaka to Nagoya is all reserved seats, so you need to purchase an additional limited express ticket for 1,900 yen. Therefore, using the 5-day pass for the round trip between Osaka and Nagoya in the above itinerary costs 7,400 yen, saving 1,120 yen. If your other itinerary in Kansai includes going to Nara, you can save even more. The Kintetsu Pass needs to be purchased at a travel agency or agent outside Japan. It can also be bought at Kintetsu stations, but the price will be higher. It is recommended to buy it before departure on Klook or KKday.

In addition to going to Takayama via Nagoya, you can also take JR from Osaka Station via Kanazawa and Toyama to Takayama. This route requires two transfers, at Kanazawa and Toyama respectively. However, the JR from Osaka to Kanazawa, Toyama, and Takayama can use the “Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass,” costing only 14,000 yen, about 5,000 yen cheaper than taking Kintetsu and JR via Nagoya to Takayama. (Note: The above cost amounts are prices before the consumption tax rate increase on October 1, 2019.)

2. Kanazawa, Takayama, Shirakawa-go Light-up 5-day Itinerary

Kanazawa in winter is also beautiful, and every February Kanazawa’s Kenrokuen also has a light-up, so you might as well visit Kanazawa at the same time. The usable range of the “Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass” includes JR between Osaka, Kanazawa, Toyama, Takayama, and Nagoya, the Shinkansen between Kanazawa and Toyama, and express buses between Kanazawa and Shirakawa-go and Takayama. Therefore, this JR Pass is very suitable for itineraries from Osaka to Shirakawa-go.

The following itinerary departs from Osaka and first goes to Kanazawa. After sightseeing, it goes to Shirakawa-go and Takayama, and finally returns to Osaka. The whole trip takes 5 days. Except for joining a bus tour (or renting a car) to see the light-up in Shirakawa-go, all transportation can use the “Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass.”

This itinerary plan was the original plan when we went to Shirakawa-go to see the light-up in February 2018, but when we arrived in Japan, severe blizzard weather occurred in the Hokuriku region, causing the JR between Fukui and Toyama to be suspended for more than a week. In the end, we could not follow this itinerary and had to temporarily take Kintetsu to Nagoya, then go from Nagoya to Takayama, and also cancel the Kanazawa itinerary.

[Day 1]: Take JR from Osaka Station to Kanazawa, stay at a hotel near Kanazawa Station or Korinbo, and visit Kenrokuen.

[Day 2]: Visit Omi-cho Market, Higashi Chaya District, Kanazawa Castle, and other attractions.

[Day 3]: Take an express bus from Kanazawa to Shirakawa-go. After sightseeing in Shirakawa-go, take an express bus to Takayama City, and stay at a hotel near Takayama Station.

[Day 4]: In the morning, visit Miyagawa Morning Market, Takayama Old Town, and other attractions. In the afternoon, join a bus tour to Shirakawa-go to see the light-up, and return to the Takayama hotel at night.

[Day 5]: Take the JR Takayama Main Line to Toyama, transfer from Toyama to the Shinkansen or JR to Kanazawa, then transfer from Kanazawa to JR back to Nagoya.

Note 1:

If you plan to drive to Shirakawa-go to see the light-up, it is recommended to drive only on the day of the light-up and use trains and express buses for the rest of the itinerary. The Day 3, Day 4, and Day 5 itinerary needs slight adjustment:

– [Day 3]: Take the Nohi Bus or JR from Kanazawa to Takayama City, stay at a Takayama hotel, and visit Takayama Old Town, Takayama Jinya, and other attractions.

– [Day 4]: Pick up the car at the rental company, go to Shirakawa-go for sightseeing, and after seeing the light-up at night, return to the Takayama hotel.

– [Day 5]: Return the car in the morning, visit Miyagawa Morning Market, then take JR via Takayama and Kanazawa back to Osaka.

Note 2:

The transportation for this itinerary includes: Osaka to Kanazawa JR (7,850 yen), Kanazawa to Shirakawa-go express bus (1,850 yen), Shirakawa-go to Takayama express bus (2,470 yen), Takayama to Toyama JR (3,560 yen), Toyama to Kanazawa Shinkansen (2,810 yen), Kanazawa to Osaka JR (7,850 yen). The total cost is 26,390 yen. Buying the “Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass” can save about 12,000 yen, that is, nearly half. For a detailed introduction and use of the Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass, you can refer to the content later.

Note 3:

For timetables of the various transportation mentioned above, you can refer to the information on the “Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass” webpage. If you want to know more accurate JR train times and fares, you can check on JR Central’s this webpage.

Note 4:

There are not many express bus services between Kanazawa, Shirakawa-go, and Takayama, and there are relatively many passengers, so bus tickets sell out very early. Therefore, it is recommended to buy tickets early. For an introduction to buying Nohi Bus tickets and using the Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass to buy tickets, you can refer to the content later.

Note 5:

In addition, although express buses have luggage compartments for large luggage, carrying large luggage to Shirakawa-go in winter is troublesome. It is recommended to use Yamato Transport to send luggage from Kanazawa to the hotel in Takayama in advance. Most hotels in Japan have a service for receiving Yamato Transport parcels. You can ask hotel staff for a shipping form, fill it out, and hand the luggage to the staff.

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Useful Shirakawa-go Information:

• Shirakawa-go Live Camera (Live Cam)
• Shirakawa-go Map
• Shirakawa-go Express Bus Timetable
• Tenshukaku Shuttle Bus Timetable

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