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As winter approaches, one of the most enchanting sights in Japan has to be the Shirakawa-go Gassho Village. The traditional Japanese gassho-style houses covered in snow, combined with the annual limited-time illumination event, create a truly romantic and dreamlike atmosphere — a spectacle you must witness at least once in your life!
And just recently, the dates and the latest application details for the 2019 Shirakawa-go Gassho Village Illumination have been announced. Don’t miss your chance to enjoy the breathtaking snowy scenery of this magical village. Below, we’ll cover all the essential information so you can plan ahead and make the most of your visit!
Starting in January 2019, the Shirakawa-go Gassho Village will host six illumination events, each taking place from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM. The specific dates are January 14 (Monday), January 20 (Sunday), January 27 (Sunday), February 3 (Sunday), February 11 (Monday), and February 17 (Sunday). Among these, January 14 and February 11 are national holidays in Japan. Each event will be held at: Ogimachi, Shirakawa Village, Ono District, Gifu Prefecture.
Shirakawa-go Gassho Village. (Photo by Marufish, Flickr CC License)
From 2019 onward, a reservation system has been implemented. To prevent overcrowding — which could lead to falls from observation decks or inconvenience for overnight guests and locals — it is mandatory to reserve your spot if you wish to attend the Shirakawa-go illumination. Without a reservation, entry will not be permitted. There are four ways to make a reservation:
1. Village Accommodation: From August 15 to August 30, you can reserve accommodations through the Shirakawa-go Tourism Association’s official website. A lottery system will be used.
2. Driving Yourself: Reservations for parking spaces must also be made between August 15 and August 30 via the Shirakawa-go Tourism Association’s website, using a lottery system.
3. Tour Buses: These are arranged by major travel agencies.
4. Public Buses: Registration is tentatively scheduled to begin on October 1 and will be managed by various bus companies. More details will be provided below.
Illumination at Shirakawa-go Gassho Village. (Photo by
To capture and admire the breathtaking snowy landscapes and the enchanting sight of the illuminated Shirakawa-go Gassho Village blanketed in snow, the best spot is undoubtedly the observation deck. A simple snapshot from here looks like a dreamy postcard. However, access to the observation deck is limited to those who have successfully reserved a spot for the Shirakawa-go Gassho Village Illumination event. Due to capacity restrictions, the deck is only accessible via the dedicated observation deck shuttle bus. Therefore, you must secure a shuttle bus ticket to visit the observation deck and enjoy the expansive night view of the illuminated village.
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Shirakawa-go Gassho Village. (Photo /
1. Overnight stay on the day: Priority is given to obtaining a numbered ticket for the shuttle bus to the observation deck.
2. For drivers, the lottery itinerary already includes parking permission and a shuttle bus ticket to the observation deck.
3. Tour buses: It depends on whether the travel agency's itinerary includes the purchase of tickets.
4. Public buses: Different routes and trains have different arrangements, and shuttle bus tickets to the observation deck may not be included.
5. On-site sales: Shuttle bus tickets to the observation deck are sold daily at JA Parking from 16:00 until sold out, priced at 500 Q?
In 2019, a full reservation system was implemented. You must apply through one of the above four methods to enter Shirakawa-go during the Gassho Village Illumination period. If you do not participate in the Gassho Village Illumination and are just visiting as a regular tourist—meaning you did not apply through any of the four methods or were unsuccessful in the lottery—you will be considered a general visitor.
Please note the closing times of the following facilities: Seseragi Parking: 14:00 / Observation Deck: 15:00. If you are taking a bus, you can only park at Seseragi Parking until 17:00. After 17:00, only buses with prior reservations can park, and no parking or participation in any Gassho Village Illumination activities is allowed without a permit.
The term “taking a tour bus” refers to travelers participating in tour groups. If you wish to join a tour bus that goes to the Gassho Village Illumination, you can inquire and confirm the itinerary details with your travel agency. Currently, reservations for tour buses through travel agencies are not yet open. Please pay attention to the official website. Travel agency visitors without an observation deck ticket can still enjoy the illumination at other locations within the village.
If you want to be a carefree independent traveler but cannot drive to the Gassho Village Illumination, even though Shirakawa-go is surrounded by mountains and has relatively inconvenient transportation, you can actually get there easily by highway bus. As for which way is more convenient or cost-effective, we’ve compiled the various routes for the “Shirakawa-go Night Illumination Bus” operated during the Gassho Village Illumination event, based on last year’s plan:
■ Reservation start time: Announced on the morning of September 3
■ Route: Gujō – Takayama – Shirakawa-go Night Illumination – Takayama – Gujō
■ Fare:
Takayama – Shirakawa-go: Adults 5,000 Q? Children 2,500 Q?
Gujō – Shirakawa-go: Adults 6,000 Q? Children 3,000 Q?
■ Fare includes: Round-trip bus seat and admission to the Gassho-style houses
■ Booking method: Booking opens one month in advance and is available only by phone.
■ Official website: Nōhi DENTETSU Illumination Bus
■ Booking start time: Reservations begin on 2018/10/1
■ Routes:
Route 1: Departing from Takaoka Station
Route 2: Departing from Johana Station
Route 3: Departing from Takaoka Station (includes shuttle bus to observation deck)
■ Fare:
Adults 5500Q? Children 3000Q?br />
Adults 4500Q? Children 2500Q?br />
Adults 7000Q? Children 4600Q?br />
■ Fare includes: Round-trip bus seat (Route 3 includes shuttle bus ticket to the observation deck)
■ Booking method: Phone / online reservation via Japan Bus Online
■ Official website: KAGAWA Nohi Bus
■ Booking start time: Announcement on 2018/9/3
■ Route: Toyama – Shirakawa-go, details can be referred to last year’s plan
■ Fare: Varies depending on route and one-way/round-trip, price range is 1700~5400Q?br />
■ Fare includes: One-way / round-trip bus ticket
■ Booking method: Not yet announced
■ Official website: Toyama Chiho Railway
Can you join the illumination event by driving yourself? Yes, if you wish to go by car, you can also make an online reservation during the period from 8/15 09:00 to 8/30 23:59 Japan Time. This gives you a chance to participate in the gassho village illumination event. Simply submitting a reservation qualifies you for the lottery, and the selected winners will be notified of the results via email. After paying all fees online, you will also receive parking permission.
Fare includes parking ticket and shuttle bus ticket to the observation deck.
■ Fare:
3000Q per vehicle (for 1–8 passengers)
5000Q per vehicle (for 9–12 passengers)
■ Observation deck ticket: 1000Q?br />
■ Friendly reminder: Don’t forget to equip your vehicle with snow tires!
Shirakawa-go Gassho Village Illumination. (Photo /
Shirakawa-go Gassho Village, a must-visit in a lifetime — how could you possibly leave right after seeing the dreamy sight of the village's illuminated thatched-roof houses under the snow? In this fairytale-like wonderland, you should definitely stay overnight!
Illumination at Shirakawa-go Gassho Village. (Photo /
On the official website of the Shirakawa-go Tourism Association, you can directly book an overnight stay in the village during the Gassho Village Illumination event. Applications are accepted from 09:00 JST on August 15 to 23:59 JST on August 30, and selection is by lottery, regardless of application order. The area is divided into three districts with six guesthouses in total, though not all are traditional gassho-style houses. Prices range from 11,000JPY to 15,800JPY including tax. Please check the details and apply early, as spots fill up quickly.
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Shirakawa-go Gassho Village Accommodation Information. (Photo / Shirakawa-go Tourism Association)
Beyond the stunning silver-lit night scenery of the Gassho Village Illumination, there are also many famous attractions around the gassho villages. Takayama, located in Gifu Prefecture, is known as the “Little Kyoto of Hida” and attracts more Japanese visitors than tourists when exploring its well-known sights. Strolling through this area rich in historic architecture, while sampling a variety of Japanese street foods, feels much like visiting Kyoto in Kansai. Don’t miss these must-see spots on your trip to central Japan.
As the name suggests, an “asaichi” (morning market) takes place in the morning. When visiting Takayama, you absolutely must experience its morning market, which has been running since the Edo period and is one of Japan’s four major morning markets. If even the Japanese love it, how can we not go?
However, morning markets open very early—usually from 06:30 to 12:00, with slightly later opening hours in winter. The markets sell Takayama’s famous beef, available as skewers or sushi. What sets Miyagawa Morning Market apart is its artistic vibe, thanks to its Kyoto-inspired architecture and the abundance of nostalgic trinkets and goods, completely transforming the typical image of a bustling, noisy market. It's a great place to enjoy delicious food while taking a morning stroll.
Scenic spots around Shirakawa-go Gassho Village - Miyagawa Morning Market. (Photo /
Strolling along the Old Town of Takayama is like being completely immersed in 100% Kyoto. Buildings dating back to the Edo period have been meticulously preserved. Whether you take a leisurely walk along the old streets or find a café to enjoy some tea and a light snack, the atmosphere is incredibly relaxing. Here, you can truly appreciate the beauty of traditional Japan as well as the leisurely vibe of a holiday. Of course, aside from the charming historic architecture, the local cuisine is also not to be missed.
The Takayama Jinya bears the historical footprints of Japan. It was a local administrative government office directly established by the Tokugawa shogunate, and even the three-leafed hollyhock crest on the entrance ticket is the symbol of the Tokugawa.
The so-called jinya refers to the government offices where local officials, gunji (district governors), and daikan (magistrates) carried out administration during the Edo period. These offices are the predecessors of today’s city halls, police stations, fire departments, and courts. When visiting Takayama, don’t miss this important Tokugawa territory. With an admission fee of 430 yen, you can explore the interior and even enjoy an English audio guide.
Scenic spots around Shirakawa-go Gassho Village – Takayama Jinya. (Photo by ★Kumiko★, Flickr CC License)
Constructed during the Nara period by Emperor Shōmu, Kokubun-ji Temple houses a seated statue of Yakushi Nyorai as its principal image. It is the oldest main hall structure in Takayama City and the only temple here that features a five-story pagoda.
In addition, the presence of a thousand-year-old ginkgo tree adds to its charm, making Kokubun-ji Temple a must-visit site. Both the architecture itself and the ancient ginkgo tree are iconic symbols of the temple. During the peak autumn foliage season in November, the scenery here becomes even more breathtaking and unique.
Scenic spots around Shirakawa-go Gassho Village – Kokubun-ji Temple. (Photo by bryan…, Flickr CC License)
[Authorized reprint by Tripbaa] Original source: [2019 Shirakawa-go Gassho Village Illuminations Are Here – A Lazy Guide to Transportation, Attractions, and More for Visiting the Illuminated Village]
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