Shirakawa-go, located in the central Honshu region of Japan, is a picturesque mountain village renowned for its unique traditional architecture and scenery. The winter landscape of Shirakawa-go is particularly stunning, with houses blanketed in thick layers of snow, resembling scenes from a fairy tale. One of the most distinctive features of Shirakawa-go is its Gassho-zukuri architectural style, characterized by steeply pitched roofs and wooden structures designed to withstand heavy snowfall. These Gassho-zukuri houses are considered cultural treasures of Japan, and Shirakawa-go, one of the best places to appreciate them, is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Every winter, Shirakawa-go’s Gassho Village hosts an illuminating event, and reservations for the upcoming event in 2024 have already begun. If you’re planning a trip, be sure to check it out.

The 38th Shirakawa-go Gassho Village Winter Light-up Event in 2024

Every winter, a large number of visitors from around the world flock to Shirakawa-go to witness the illumination event, creating not only a burden on the local community but also disrupting the daily lives of the residents.

Starting from 2019, the illumination event in Shirakawa-go’s Gassho Village has transitioned to a fully reservation-based system. Visitors without prior reservations will not be able to participate in the illumination event, even if they arrive at the site. Therefore, if you plan to visit Shirakawa-go for the illumination event in early 2024, be sure to make your reservation within the specified timeframe.

Outline of the 38th 2024 Shirakawa-go Light-up Event

Official Website(English): https://shirakawa-go.gr.jp/en/events/95/

Reservation Method for the 38th Shirakawa-go Winter Light-up Event in 2024

Starting from 2019, the winter illumination event in Shirakawa-go has transitioned to a fully reservation-based system. Entry to the event requires a ticket. This year, all participants will receive a “neck-hanging ticket holder” for identification purposes. Additionally, the color of the entry tickets varies each day, and the tickets are only valid for the specified date, becoming invalid after expiration.

Shirakawa-go Official Tourism Association provides five methods for ticket reservations, allowing visitors to choose based on their preferences. The first three methods are facilitated by the Shirakawa-go Official Tourism Association, while the other two require visitors to find their own reservation methods.

① Accommodation Package within the Village

If you plan to stay in Shirakawa-go on the night of the illumination event, you can choose this ticket package.

②③ Reservation for Parking (Private Car & Taxi)

If you do not plan to stay within the village but prefer to drive or take a taxi to Shirakawa-go for the illumination event, consider reserving a dedicated parking spot (designated for the illumination event).

Whether you are driving yourself or taking a taxi, you need to reserve a parking spot at the illumination event’s dedicated parking area. Therefore, it is recommended to rent a car or reserve a taxi after successfully making a reservation.

Unlike village accommodation packages, parking reservations operate on a first-come, first-served basis, so there is a risk of not securing a spot. Additionally, parking reservations are only available for regular private cars and taxis, and cannot be made for small buses or camper vans.

Reservation Schedule:

Tickets for parking reservations do not include observatory tickets, and you will need to provide proof of identity used during the reservation when entering.

④ Join Bus Tours by Bus Companies

Below are several bus tour options offered on the Shirakawa-go Official Tourism Association’s website. You can consider these options for the illumination event.

Nobi Bus Company (Nobi Bus)
　Online sales start: October 4, 9:00-
HP: Japanese version
  https://www.nouhibus.co.jp/shirakawa_lightup_2024/
English version
https://www.nouhibus.co.jp/shirakawa_lightup_2024-en/
Phone number 0577-32-1688

Kaetsuno Bus Co.
　Sales start: October 4, 9:00-
HP： http://www.kaetsunou.co.jp/14743/
Online reservation website: 発車オーライネット/Japan Bus Online
Reservation by Phone:Kaetsunou Bus Ticket Center TEL :0766-21-0950 (Mon-Fri 7:30-18:30, Sat-Sun 9:00-18:00)
Kaetsunou Travel Center TEL: 0766-21-6980 (Mon-Fri 8:30-17:30, closed Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays)

Toyama Chiho Railway Co.
Sales start: October 4, 9:00-
HP:https://www.chitetsu.co.jp/?p=67630
Reservation by Phone: 076-431-3113

⑤Participation in bus tours organized by travel agencies (observation deck ticket not icluded)

For details on how to make reservations for bus tours organized by travel agencies (observation deck ticket not icluded), please contact the relevant travel agency directly. The Association is unable to provide any information on such matters.