Shirakawa-go winter light-up 2027: the four dates, the five ways in and when each one goes on sale
Checked against 5 official sources. 6 minute read.
What to know first
The 2027 light-up is on four evenings — 11, 17, 24 and 31 January 2027 — from 17:30 to 19:30 in Ogimachi. You cannot just turn up: advance reservation and a ticket for your date are compulsory, and nothing is sold on the day. There are five ways in: staying in the village, reserved parking, a taxi with reserved parking, a bus tour run by a bus operator, or a travel-agency tour. The observation deck is not included in village entry and is not sold on its own. Of the five routes, only the organiser's lodging-with-deck plan and some bus-operator tours include it; reserved parking, taxi with parking and travel-agency tours do not. Bus tours for 11 January went on sale on 13 October 2026; tours for 17 January, 24 January and 31 January go on sale at 14:00 Japan time on 19 October, 26 October and 2 November 2026.
On this page
The 2027 evenings
If columns are cut off, scroll sideways. Keyboard: focus the table, then use Left/Right Arrow keys.
| Dates | 11, 17, 24 and 31 January 2027 |
|---|---|
| Light-up | 17:30 – 19:30, Ogimachi |
| Tickets | Advance reservation and a date-specific ticket only; no sales on the day |
| Observation deck | Not part of village entry and not sold separately |
Sources for this section: Shirakawa-go Tourist Association · Shirakawa-go Tourist Association
The five ways in, and where each one stands
If columns are cut off, scroll sideways. Keyboard: focus the table, then use Left/Right Arrow keys.
| Route | What we verified | Observation deck |
|---|---|---|
| Stay in the village | The organiser's lodging lottery takes applications from 1 October 2026 13:00 to 31 October 23:59; successful applicants are told on 10 November. An application is not a confirmed room | Included in the organiser's lodging-with-deck plan; this does not cover other village rooms |
| Reserved parking (own car) | The first sale is marked sold out; the next first-come sale opens on 1 December 2026 at 13:00 | Not included |
| Taxi with reserved parking | One of the five official routes | Not included |
| Bus tour by a bus operator | Five bus companies sell tours at the same times: Nohi Bus, Kaetsunou Bus, Toyama Chitetsu Bus, Hokutetsu and Iruka Kotsu. This guide covers Nohi (from Takayama) and Hokutetsu (from Kanazawa) below. | Some tours include it, some do not; see below |
| Travel-agency tour | The organiser will post links to agency tours on its website on 2 December 2026 at 13:00 | Not included |
Sources for this section: Shirakawa-go Tourist Association · Nohi Bus · Hokuriku Railroad · Nohi Bus
Driving and parking
Second-round parking costs ¥7,000 for a car with 1 to 5 people and ¥10,000 for 6 to 10 people; a parking reservation admits at most 10 people per car. Once reserved, parking generally cannot be changed, cancelled or refunded, apart from changing the number of people; it is refunded only if the organising committee cancels the event because of major transport disruption. At Midashima light-up parking you can enter from 15:00 and must have left by 20:00, and the parking ticket does not include the observation deck. If you book for 1–5 people and arrive with 6 or more, you pay an extra ¥4,000 on the day. If you book for 6–10 and arrive with 5 or fewer, the difference is not refunded.
If you visit in the daytime on a light-up day in an ordinary car, you must arrive by 15:00 and leave by 17:00. From 15:30 a gate closes the village to anyone without an entry ticket, so if you come by route bus for a daytime visit, take a bus that arrives by 15:20.
The organiser requires studless winter tyres. If you have not driven on snow, the bus tours below avoid the drive altogether (our judgement).
Sources for this section: Shirakawa-go Tourist Association · Shirakawa-go Tourist Association
The bus tours from Takayama (Nohi Bus)
If columns are cut off, scroll sideways. Keyboard: focus the table, then use Left/Right Arrow keys.
| Tour | Price | Observation deck |
|---|---|---|
| B tour | ¥16,000, adult or child aged 6–12 | Included, with the return bus and a souvenir |
| Village and museum tour | ¥13,000, adult or elementary-school child | Not included |
| Hot-spring voucher tour | ¥14,000, adult or elementary-school child | Not included; in the standard itinerary the bath voucher is used from the following day |
The B tour leaves Takayama at 15:10, stays in the village from 16:20 to 19:45 and is due back in Takayama at 20:45; traffic or snow can delay it. Nohi books online only, takes up to six people per booking and charges your credit card when you reserve. After payment you cannot change the booking; cancelling before departure costs a ¥100 refund-processing fee, and cancellation after departure is not accepted. On the day, you must exchange your booking for a ticket at the Takayama Nohi Bus Center counter before boarding; the counter starts exchanges at 07:00. Nohi also states there is no regular bus back to Takayama after the light-up, so do not plan to make your own way back by bus.
The bus tour from Kanazawa (Hokutetsu)
- Price: ¥18,500 adult, ¥16,500 child, including the return bus and the observation-deck ticket; no meal.
- Timings: leaves Kanazawa Station west exit at 14:30, in the village 16:30 – 19:50, due back in Kanazawa at 21:50; the return time is not guaranteed.
- Booking: the same four sale dates as Nohi, up to four people per application. Online payment is by credit card only. Phone bookings (0120-316-100 or 076-287-5180) are taken 10:00–12:00 and 13:00–15:00 on weekdays only.
Sources for this section: Hokuriku Railroad · Nohi Bus
Sale dates at a glance
If columns are cut off, scroll sideways. Keyboard: focus the table, then use Left/Right Arrow keys.
| Light-up evening | Bus tours on sale (14:00 JST) |
|---|---|
| 11 January 2027 | Went on sale 13 October 2026 |
| 17 January 2027 | 19 October 2026 |
| 24 January 2027 | 26 October 2026 |
| 31 January 2027 | 2 November 2026 |
Sources for this section: Nohi Bus · Hokuriku Railroad
On the night
- Visitors to the observation deck normally walk up; the assistance shuttle needs its own advance reservation.
- The event may be cancelled if a severe nationwide cold wave or other extreme winter conditions are expected to cause major transport disruption. Parking and bus-tour refunds follow each product's own rules.
Sources for this section: Shirakawa-go Tourist Association · Shirakawa-go Tourist Association · Nohi Bus
Worked example: two adults from Takayama for 24 January
- Sale opens: 26 October 2026 at 14:00 JST, online only, card payment at booking.
- Want the deck view: the B tour, 2 × ¥16,000 = ¥32,000.
- Don't need the deck: the village and museum tour, 2 × ¥13,000 = ¥26,000.
- On the day: exchange the booking at the Takayama Nohi Bus Center counter (open from 07:00), leave Takayama at 15:10, back around 20:45 if traffic and snow allow.
Which choice fits your trip
If columns are cut off, scroll sideways. Keyboard: focus the table, then use Left/Right Arrow keys.
| Your situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| You want the view from the observation deck | Nohi B tour, the Hokutetsu tour or the organiser's lodging-with-deck plan; the deck is not sold on its own |
| You are based in Takayama | Nohi Bus; set a reminder for 14:00 JST on your sale date |
| You are based in Kanazawa | Hokutetsu; web or phone, up to four people |
| You are a group of five or six from Takayama | Nohi takes up to six on one booking |
| You are driving | Next parking sale 1 December 2026 at 13:00; studless winter tyres required; the deck is not included |
| You have no ticket for the evening | There are no on-the-day sales |
Sources for this section: Shirakawa-go Tourist Association · Nohi Bus · Hokuriku Railroad · Shirakawa-go Tourist Association
FAQ
Can I buy a ticket on the day?
No. Advance reservation and a date-specific ticket are compulsory, and nothing is sold on the day.
Can I buy an observation-deck ticket separately?
No. It is not part of village entry and is not sold separately.
Is there a bus back to Takayama after the light-up?
Not a regular one, according to Nohi.
What if it snows heavily?
The event may be cancelled if a severe cold wave or other extreme winter conditions are expected to cause major transport disruption. If the committee cancels for that reason, reserved parking is refunded.
How much is parking?
In the second round, ¥7,000 for 1–5 people or ¥10,000 for 6–10 per car.
Sources for this section: Shirakawa-go Tourist Association · Nohi Bus · Shirakawa-go Tourist Association
Your next step
Bus tours for 11 January went on sale on 13 October 2026; tours for 17 January, 24 January and 31 January go on sale at 14:00 Japan time on 19 October, 26 October and 2 November 2026. Put the sale date for your evening in your calendar. Book on Nohi Bus's light-up page from Takayama or Hokutetsu's light-up page from Kanazawa; the organiser's light-up page covers parking and lodging. With Nohi, allow time for the ticket exchange at the Takayama counter, open from 07:00 on the day. For other illuminations that winter, see Japan winter illuminations 2026–27; for the train to Takayama or Kanazawa, see how to buy shinkansen tickets.
Sources for this section: Nohi Bus · Hokuriku Railroad
Official pages for this guide
The rules in this guide come from the official pages below. Japan, Booked. does not book or submit requests on your behalf.
Read next
- Winter illuminations and festivals in Japan, November 2026 to February 2027: dates, hours and fees
- How to buy Shinkansen and limited-express tickets without a rail passWhich JR site sells your route: SmartEX, JR East, JR West or JR Kyushu. Foreign cards accepted, seats on sale at 10:00 JST one month ahead, plus pickup.
- How to plan a visit to the Nintendo MuseumFollow the ticket drawing, payment and QR-entry steps, then fit the museum visit into your travel day.
Sources and how this guide was checked
Published · Based on official sources · no affiliate links
Official sources
These official sources explain the rules and conditions used in this guide. Live availability and your own booking, admission or service outcome still need to be confirmed for your trip.
- Shirakawa-go Tourist Association
What this confirms: The 2027 evenings; The five ways in, and where each one stands; Driving and parking; On the night; Which choice fits your trip; FAQ
Last checked - Shirakawa-go Tourist Association
What this confirms: The 2027 evenings; Driving and parking; On the night; Which choice fits your trip; FAQ
Last checked - Nohi Bus
What this confirms: The five ways in, and where each one stands; The bus tours from Takayama (Nohi Bus); The bus tour from Kanazawa (Hokutetsu); Sale dates at a glance; On the night; Worked example: two adults from Takayama for 24 January; Which choice fits your trip; FAQ; Your next step
Last checked - Nohi Bus
What this confirms: The five ways in, and where each one stands; The bus tours from Takayama (Nohi Bus); Worked example: two adults from Takayama for 24 January
Last checked - Hokuriku Railroad
What this confirms: The five ways in, and where each one stands; The bus tour from Kanazawa (Hokutetsu); Sale dates at a glance; Which choice fits your trip; Your next step
Last checked
About this guide
Which 2027 visit can I book, does it include the observation deck, and when does that route go on sale?
Sources last reviewed: 13 October 2026.
How we checked this
Where this information comes from
Which 2027 visit can I book, does it include the observation deck, and when does that route go on sale?
If columns are cut off, scroll sideways. Keyboard: focus the table, then use Left/Right Arrow keys.
| Question | What we found | Last checked |
|---|---|---|
| You want the view from the observation deck | Nohi B tour, the Hokutetsu tour or the organiser's lodging-with-deck plan; the deck is not sold on its own | |
| You are based in Takayama | Nohi Bus; set a reminder for 14:00 JST on your sale date | |
| You are based in Kanazawa | Hokutetsu; web or phone, up to four people | |
| You are a group of five or six from Takayama | Nohi takes up to six on one booking | |
| You are driving | Next parking sale 1 December 2026 at 13:00; studless winter tyres required; the deck is not included | |
| You have no ticket for the evening | There are no on-the-day sales |
Based on official sources, linked below.
Guide updates Review overdue
When this guide was checked and what changed
- First published
- Last checked
- Check again by
- What we checked
- Shirakawa-go Tourist Association; Nohi Bus; Hokuriku Railroad. Source check dates are listed individually. Sale dates show when bookings open, not current seat availability.
- Latest update
- : Marked the first bus-tour sale as past; clarified the five bus operators, agency-link opening, Hokutetsu booking hours, parking group-size adjustments and daytime entry restrictions.
The date above reflects when these checks were last run. If an individual source was rechecked later, you’ll see that date next to it below. Other copy edits are listed in the update history.
Who edits this guide
One editor looks after this guide
Japan, Booked. is run and edited from Japan. The same editor checks the Japanese and English sources, writes the traveller-facing guidance and keeps the correction history up to date.
What changed
Update history
- Partial article update
Marked the first bus-tour sale as past; clarified the five bus operators, agency-link opening, Hokutetsu booking hours, parking group-size adjustments and daytime entry restrictions.
- First published
Which 2027 visit can I book, does it include the observation deck, and when does that route go on sale?
If an operator, organiser or product changes in a way that affects the guide, we check it again sooner. Reader reports help us spot what to investigate, and we verify them against current official information before publishing. Read our update and corrections policy. See every guide's review schedule. Suggest an improvement to this guide.