Magical Shirakawago Light-Up: Limited-entry access to this seasonal illumination event
A World Heritage village lined with traditional gassho-zukuri houses, Shirakawago is illuminated for a limited time during the most beautiful season of the year, when snow blankets the village. Warm lights glow from the farmhouse windows, creating a magical nightscape unlike the daytime view.
Light-Up Hours: 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
The Shirakawago Light-Up is a rare seasonal event held only four days a year. In 2026, it marks its 40th edition and continues to attract attention from visitors worldwide. To prevent overcrowding, entry is strictly limited, and advance reservations are required for both individual and group visitors.
HIS has secured guaranteed entry slots for all tour dates, allowing you to enjoy this exclusive event reserved for a limited number of guests.
★ Includes admission to the Shirakawago Gassho-Zukuri Folk Museum, which is also illuminated during the event.
About the Shirakawago Light-Up
Round-trip transportation to Shirakawago is via a Nohi Bus shuttle from Takayama Station. Seating is non-reserved, and seats may be shared with other passengers.
The hotel is approximately a 5-minute walk from Takayama Station.
Arrival times may be delayed due to snowfall or traffic congestion. In such cases, sightseeing time may be shortened.
This tour does not include access to the Shirakawago Observatory. Shuttle buses to the observatory are unavailable, and walking access is not permitted.
Tripods are not allowed within Shirakawago.
Temperatures drop significantly at night. Please wear warm clothing and non-slip footwear.
Depending on weather conditions, snowfall scenery may not be visible.
Free Time Until 2:00 PM: Explore Hida Takayama at your own pace
Takayama’s Old Town, which flourished as a castle town during the Edo period, is within walking distance from the hotel and offers endless photo opportunities.
Enjoy tasting local Hida specialties such as Hida beef nigiri sushi and mitarashi dango, explore cafés, shops, and sake breweries housed in traditional townhouses, and experience Takayama’s charm at your own pace.
Staying overnight in Takayama also allows you to visit the famous Miyagawa Morning Market, where you can discover local produce and traditional crafts.
On Day 2, enjoy free time until 2:00 PM. Relax in the hotel’s morning hot spring or continue exploring Takayama to your heart’s content.
Overnight at Hida Takayama Onsen, Hida Hotel Plaza
Stay at Hida Hotel Plaza, ideally located within walking distance of Takayama’s main sightseeing spots. The spacious public bath features a gentle natural hot spring, perfect for soothing tired muscles after a day of travel.
Dinner is a traditional Japanese kaiseki meal featuring Hida beef suttate hot pot and Shirakawago Yuiuma pork braised dishes, allowing you to savor seasonal ingredients from the Hida region at a relaxed pace.
Please note: dinner will be served later in the evening after returning from the Shirakawago Light-Up.
★ Hida Hotel Plaza has been certified as a “Five-Star Hotel” for 2023 in the Popular Hot Spring Ryokan & Hotels 250 selection, chosen by travel professionals and hosted by the Tourism Economics Newspaper Company.
The large public bath on the top floor, Hiten no Yu, is a gentle natural hot spring known for its skin-soothing qualities. On clear days, guests can enjoy panoramic views of the Japanese Alps from the open-air bath.
Meal Plan
Dinner: Kaiseki course
Breakfast: Buffet or set menu (decided on the day)
Room Type
Non-smoking rooms only
Room type not specified (Japanese-style, Western-style, or Japanese-Western hybrid; assigned on the day)
All rooms include bath and toilet
Guests wishing to smoke may use designated smoking areas.
Hida Hotel Plaza
Address: 2-60 Hanaoka-cho, Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture
Tel: +81-577-33-4600
Official Website: https://www.hida-hotelplaza.co.jp/
=====================================================
Information about tour
Place of departure and destination: From TOKYO to NAGANO
Number of days of travel: 2 Days
Means of transportation: Bus
Name of bus company: Yamato Kanko
Meal(s): Breakfast x1, Dinner x1
Minimum number of passengers to operate. 25
Number of GUIDE:1
Tour Operator Information
Company Name: H.I.S. Co., Ltd.
Department Name: Individual Travel Sales Headquarters, Domestic Travel Division
Address: Kamiyacho Trust Tower 4F, 4-1-1 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo, JAPAN, 105-6904
Registration No.: No. 724 by the Commissioner of Japan Tourism Agency
Membership: Full Member of the Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA)
Contact Information
Department Name: Inbound Travel Division DMC Department Kanto Team
Address: Shinjuku i-Land Tower 9F, 6-5-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, JAPAN, 163-1309
Tel: +81- 50-1748-5754
Opening hour :10:00~18:00
(Closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays)
General Travel Services Manager: Kyota Kasai
*The Tour Operations Manager is responsible for transactions related to your travel at the sales office handling your travel arrangements.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the explanations provided by the staff about this travel contract, please do not hesitate to contact the above-mentioned Tour Operations Manager.
Please read and understand the Terms and Conditions below.
Travel Terms and Conditions: Domestic Package Tours
Travel Agency Terms and Conditions: Section of Package Tour Contract