Japan Winter Itinerary Part 5. All You Need to Know about Winter Wonderland in the Japanese Alps
Shirakawago, Japan is a small town located in the remote Shogawa river valley in Gifu Prefecture. Until Shirakawago, together with Gokayama, was recognized as a UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site in 1995, not many people paid attention to this small farm village tucked in the Japanese Alps. Since then, the historic town is no longer a hidden gem only traveled by Japanese in the know. Now, it is a popular destination that attracts 1.7 million visitors annually.
* Updated on: November 13, 2024 to include critical updates in Shirakawago Winter Light Up Festival 2025. This post was originally published in 2018.
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This post is part of Winter in Japan Series:
- Part 1. Things to Do in Kanazawa in Two Days
- Part 2. Behind the Closed Doors of Geisha House in Kanazawa
- Part 3. Where to Stay in Kanazawa: Kanazawa Hotel Review
- Part 4. Things to Do in Toyama: Toyama City Guide for the First-timers
- Part 5. Shirakawago Winter Light Up Festival
- Part 6. Where to Stay in Takayama: Takayama Hotel Review
- Part 7. What to Expect from Traditional Japanese Ryokan Stay
- Part 8. What to Wear in Japan: Japan Winter Season Edition
What to Do in Shirakawago
So, what is Shirakawago famous for? What is there to do in Shirakawago?
If you ask me to describe, I would say Shirakawago is like a fairytale town, especially in winter. Imagine snow-covered farmhouses in the mountain that resembles a real-life gingerbread house. Yes, this is exactly why people visit Shirakawago. (See details below “Shirakawago Winter Light Up 2025.”)
Wait, gingerbread houses in Japan? Let me explain.
Shirakawago Gassho Village has preserved 300-year-old Japanese farmhouses called Gassho-zukuri. Gassho-zukuri means “hands in prayer” because the roof looks like the praying hands of Buddhist monks. The thatched roof of Gassho houses serves to withstand heavy snowfall in winter while keeping the house cool from the summer heat. Besides its functional and historical values, its triangular shape also gives unique aesthetic characteristics that resemble the Hansel and Gretel’s fairytale house, attracting many Japanese and international tourists.
What’s more amazing is that residents have chosen to live in Gassho. Many folk villages I’ve been to are more like a museum that becomes empty when actors in costume go home at closing hours. But Shirakawago Gassho Village is a live-in museum where locals continue with their daily lives. Of course, these houses are somewhat renovated with modern amenities such as electricity and toilets. I’m still amazed by the fact that residents are committed to maintain and live in these heritage houses.
1. Shirakawago Winter Light Up Festival
Shirakawago organizes an annual Winter Light-up event for a limited time. The event usually takes place in January through February during the snow season.
I heard that the event used to be held for an extended period in the past; however, it caused many issues for this small village without the infrastructure to accommodate the huge crowds the popular event attracts. I’m not endorsing over-tourism, but if this is on your bucket list, you should pull the trigger quickly before the organizer reinforces more restrictions or potentially closes down (who knows?).
And let’s please be courteous when visiting Shirakawago. As I said, locals still live in this village. When I was there, some residents were yelling in Japanese at a rude group of tourists. They were pretty loud and went into residential houses to take photos. (There are some historic houses open to the public. More below.) Can you imagine how disturbing it would be for residents in otherwise peaceful farm village?
Important Updates for Shirakawago Winter Light Up 2025
2025 Dates:
- January 13 (Mon), January 19 (Sun), January 26 (Sun)
- February 2 (Sun)
Light Up Time: 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm.
Reservation Period: Shirakawago Winter Light-up Festival is a reservation-only event. Without a reservation, you cannot access the event.
- Parking (for standard cars only): Around Sept.
- Accommodation: around Sept.-Oct.
If you are heading to Shirakawago for Winter Light-Up, you should plan early and thoroughly. Due to the influx of tourists, the organizer has made the following changes:
- Starting in 2023, only the ticket holders with the assigned time slot were allowed at the observation deck. Tickets were only available to guests who stayed overnight at a lodging in the village or on certain bus tours. (See “Where to Stay in Shirakawago” and “Shirakawago Illumination Bus Tour” for details.)
- Since 2020, only guests who made reservations in advance can access the village during the Winter Light Up Festival.
- For reference, only 1,700 people were allowed inside the village and 580 at the observation deck in 2019.
- To reserve your spot or for more details, visit the official Shirakawago Winter Light-Up website.
2. Explore the Winter Wonderland in Japan
Before the Light-Up officially kicks off at 5:30 pm, explore the snow-covered village during the day. Without a doubt, it is scenic and Instagram-worthy.
While it is a small village, it took me about two hours to make a full circle on foot. I took time to take photos and enjoy the snow. At the Shirakawago station, I picked up a map, which helped me navigate through the village completed buried in snow.
As said earlier, the thatched Gassho roof is designed to protect the house from heavy snow. Once in a while, accumulated snow from the roof will slide onto the ground when it no longer can withstand. Be aware that it makes a loud noise as if an avalanche is approaching. I was startled because I had no idea what it was at first and where it was happening.
3. Visit Historic Japanese Farmhouses in Shirakawago Gassho Village
A few Gassho houses have turned into a museum and are open to the public. If you are not staying at Shirakawago farmhouse, this is the second best opportunity to look at how residents live in the historic home.
- Hours: 9 am – 5 pm, Admission: 300 Yen (each house)
- Wada House: The Wada family was one of the wealthiest families in the village. This house is the largest Gassho farmhouse in town.
- Kanda House: Located in the center of the village, this is one of the best-preserved farmhouses.
- Nagase House: The Nagase family were doctors. This farmhouse displays medical tools as well as farming tools. I visited this house (see photos below).
