On November 4, a wooden house near Shirakawa-go Gassho Village in Japan caught fire, but fortunately the flames were quickly extinguished and the main village area was not affected, which is a silver lining. The annual winter illumination event at Shirakawa-go Gassho Village has always been popular among both local and international tourists. The thatched-roof houses with their iconic triangular gables and the snow-covered ground create a dreamy scene, resembling a fairy-tale village. Recently, the Shirakawa-go Tourism Association announced the 2020 illumination dates. If you want to witness this winter wonderland, be sure to check out the following guide!
2020 Illumination Dates and Times
There will be six illumination events at Shirakawa-go Gassho Village in 2020, scheduled for January 13, January 19, January 26, February 2, February 9, and February 16. The illumination times are from 17:30 to 19:30. Since 2019, the illumination events have been under a full reservation system, meaning all activities require advance booking—entry to the village will not be permitted without one.
Four Ways to Visit the Observation Deck for Stunning Views
If you’re aiming to capture magical photos, the observation deck is undoubtedly the best spot. However, due to crowd restrictions during the illumination period, visitors wishing to enjoy the fairy-tale scenery from the observation deck must reserve an observation deck shuttle bus ticket in advance. The authorities have announced four reservation methods:
1. Stay overnight in the village on the night of the event (lottery system) (fully booked)
Staying overnight in Shirakawa-go is the best option if you don’t want to make a day trip and deal with the hassle. However, securing accommodation in the Gassho Village is extremely difficult, as many guesthouses are fully booked shortly after reservations open. Recently, the Shirakawa-go Tourism Association announced that all overnight stay slots have been fully booked. Therefore, those who haven’t reserved lodging should look for accommodations in the surrounding areas.
2. Reserve a parking space at the self-drive parking lot
Those holding a parking lot permit can enter a lottery to win an observation deck shuttle bus ticket. Successful applicants can pay immediately by credit card to obtain a parking permit and shuttle bus voucher. According to the official website, there are very few observation deck tickets left, so act fast if you want to enjoy the view from the observation deck!
• 1-Day Pass (event entry + parking reservation): ¥4,000 (max 10 passengers)
• Observation deck ticket: ¥1,000 per person
• Parking lot opening hours: 12:00 – 20:30
• Reservation website:Click here
3. Join a Shirakawa-go Illumination Tour
Many Japanese tour companies offer illumination tours, which you can also find by searching keywords such as “Shirakawa-go Light-up Tour 2020” or “Shirakawa-go Illumination Tour.”
4. Take a Dedicated Illumination Shuttle Bus
To coincide with the Shirakawa-go illumination event, highway bus companies passing through Shirakawa-go will specially arrange night sightseeing buses. These buses operate on a reservation system and reservations are now open. Be sure to select the option that includes the “observation deck shuttle ticket” (望台シャトルチケット付き) to get access to the observation deck shuttle.
• For travelers coming from Takayama:Nouhibus
• For travelers coming from Takaoka / Shin-Takaoka:Kagewaino Bus
• For travelers coming from Toyama:Toyama Chiho Railway
Since the observation deck has limited capacity and not everyone may get the chance to go up, you can still enjoy the Gassho Village up close by staying within the village. However, visitors who haven’t reserved a spot for the illumination event should note that the parking lot and observation deck will close at 14:00 and 15:00 respectively on the day of the event.
Using Public Transport to Get to Shirakawa-go
[Departing from Tokyo]
1. Tokyo Station → Toyama Station → Shirakawa-go
Take the Hokuriku Shinkansen KAGAYAKI from Tokyo Station to Toyama Station (approx. 2 hours 11 minutes, 12,960 yen), then transfer to the Nōhi Bus to Shirakawa-go (approx. 1 hour 25 minutes, 1,730 yen).
The total journey takes about 3 hours 36 minutes, with a combined fare of 14,690 yen.
2. Tokyo Station → Shin-Nagano Station → Shirakawa-go
Take the Hokuriku Shinkansen KAGAYAKI from Tokyo Station to Shin-Nagano Station (approx. 2 hours 53 minutes, 13,300 yen), then transfer to the Kaetsuno Bus to Shirakawa-go (approx. 2 hours, 1,800 yen).
The total journey takes about 4 hours 53 minutes, with a combined fare of 15,100 yen.
3. Tokyo Station → Kanazawa Station → Shirakawa-go
Take the Hokuriku Shinkansen KAGAYAKI from Tokyo Station to Kanazawa Station (approx. 2 hours 31 minutes, 14,380 yen), then transfer to the Nōhi Bus to Shirakawa-go (approx. 1 hour 15 minutes, 2,000 yen).
The total journey takes about 3 hours 46 minutes, with a combined fare of 16,380 yen.
[Departing from Nagoya]
Nagoya Station → Shirakawa-go
Take the direct Gifu Bus from Nagoya Station to Shirakawa-go, taking approx. 2 hours 50 minutes. The one-way fare is 4,000 yen, while a round-trip ticket costs only 7,200 yen.
[Departing from Takayama]
Takayama Station → Shirakawa-go
Transfer to the Nōhi Bus at Takayama Station to Shirakawa-go (approx. 50 minutes, 2,600 yen).
[Departing from Osaka]
Osaka Station → Kanazawa Station → Shirakawa-go
Take the JR Thunderbird Limited Express from Osaka to Kanazawa Station (approx. 2 hours 44 minutes, 7,260 yen), then transfer to the Nōhi Bus to Shirakawa-go (approx. 1 hour 15 minutes, 2,000 yen).
The total journey takes about 3 hours 59 minutes, with a combined fare of 9,260 yen.
Winter Clothing Tips for Shirakawa-go
During the light-up event, temperatures are around -10 to 0°C. Due to snow, the ground can be slippery, so be sure to wear anti-slip shoes. Also, wear a waterproof, hooded coat to avoid getting your clothes wet from the snow and risking a cold.
About Shirakawa-go Gassho Village
Shirakawa-go preserves Japan’s traditional gassho-zukuri houses, which have thatched roofs shaped like hands in prayer — hence the name “gassho.” The rarity of Shirakawa-go Gassho Village has earned it UNESCO World Heritage status, and its stunning scenery throughout the seasons attracts many visitors every year.
Winter in Shirakawa-go is like a fairytale hideaway — dreamy and enchanting. Just over three hours from Taiwan, Japan not only offers convenient travel but also benefits from a rare weakening of the yen. Make sure to seize this great opportunity next Lunar New Year and bring your family and friends to the snow-covered Shirakawa-go Gassho Village.
This article is republished with permission fromHong Kong 01, originally published in01 Travel/01 Food.