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- English
Experience one of Japan's most exclusive winter events on this 2-day journey to Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its traditional thatched-roof farmhouses. Visit the village during daylight hours before witnessing the highly sought-after Shirakawa-go Winter Illumination, a limited-entry event held on only a few evenings each year. As darkness falls and snow-covered rooftops glow beneath the lights, the village is transformed into a magical winter landscape.
The tour also includes an overnight stay, where you can relax in the hot spring facilities and enjoy a Japanese dinner featuring Hida beef. On the second day, explore the historic streets of Takayama and visit Matsumoto Castle Park, home to one of Japan's most celebrated original castles.
-Visit the limited-entry Shirakawa-go Light Up event
-Stay overnight at a designated 5-Star Inn hot spring hotel
-Enjoy a dinner featuring Hida beef and a regional lunch
-Visit Takayama Old Town and Matsumoto Castle Park
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
Meet at the JR Shinjuku Station South Exit ticket gate, on the Koshu-kaido side. Please arrive at least 10 minutes before the scheduled meeting time. The tour conductor will be holding a flag and a placard with the local tour operator's logo.
Itinerary
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1
After meeting your tour conductor, depart from Shinjuku between 8:00 AM and 9:00 AM aboard the Limited Express Azusa in reserved standard-class seating. Arrive in Matsumoto and continue by coach toward Shirakawa-go. Important: Final train details, including exact meeting time and train number, will be confirmed 1 week prior to your tour date and sent via Viator chat. Please check your messages for updates.
5 minutes • Admission ticket free -
2Shirakawago
After approximately 210 minutes of travel (including 1 rest stop), arrive at Shirakawa-go, one of Japan's most famous historic villages and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Unlike most visitors who only experience the evening event, you will arrive at approximately 4:00 PM, allowing time to appreciate the village in daylight before the illumination begins. Traditional thatched-roof farmhouses, surrounded by mountains and seasonal scenery, provide a glimpse into rural life preserved over centuries. Your visit includes admission to Kanda House, one of Shirakawa-go's best-preserved traditional farmhouses. Inside, you can learn about the unique architecture and lifestyle of the families who once lived in these remarkable buildings. As evening falls, from 5:30 PM enjoy the Shirakawa-go Winter Illumination, a special event held on only a limited number of dates each year. Warm lights illuminate the snow-covered village, creating one of Japan's most iconic winter landscapes.
2 hours 30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
3
After approximately 55 minutes of travel, arrive at Hida Takayama Onsen for your overnight stay. Accommodation is at Hida Hotel Plaza, recognized as a 5-Star Inn by Kanko Keizai Shimbun. Guests can relax in the hotel's indoor and open-air hot spring baths after a day of sightseeing. Dinner features a Japanese course meal that includes Hida beef, one of Japan's most highly regarded regional beef varieties. Menu contents may vary depending on seasonal availability.
13 hours • Admission ticket free -
4Takayama
After breakfast, depart the hotel at approximately 9:00 AM. Following approximately 10 minutes of travel, arrive in Takayama, a historic castle town often referred to as the "Little Kyoto of Hida." Enjoy free time to stroll through the beautifully preserved old town district, where traditional wooden merchant houses, sake breweries, local shops, and cafés line the streets. The area's historic atmosphere offers a glimpse into Japan's Edo-period past.
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
5Takayama
After approximately 15 minutes of travel, enjoy lunch featuring regional specialties from the Hida area. The meal includes grilled chicken marinated in a savory miso-based sauce, a beloved local dish traditionally cooked on a tabletop grill, along with yellowtail hot pot, inspired by the historic trade route that once connected the Sea of Japan coast with the Hida region.
50 minutes • Admission ticket free -
6
After approximately 170 minutes of travel (including one rest stop), arrive at Matsumoto Castle Park. Known as one of Japan's most beautiful original castles, Matsumoto Castle is designated as a National Treasure and is famous for its striking black exterior. Enjoy time to stroll around the castle grounds and admire the historic architecture. Admission to the castle keep is not included. Visitors wishing to enter may do so for an additional fee of 1,300 yen.
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
7
After approximately 10 minutes of travel, return to Matsumoto and board the Limited Express Azusa in reserved standard-class seating for the journey back to Tokyo. The tour concludes with arrival at Shinjuku between 8:00 PM and 9:20 PM, with optional drop-off available at Hachioji and Tachikawa stations along the way. Important: Final train details, including exact meeting time and train number, will be confirmed 1 week prior to your tour date and sent via Viator chat.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free
Shirakawa-go Winter Illumination
Takayama and Matsumoto Castle
Additional info
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- This tour is operated for both Japanese and foreign customers. A Japanese tour conductor will accompany the group and provide key information using a translation app. Please note that the tour conductor is not a tour guide and will focus on sharing essential information during the tour.
- Please note that we are unable to accommodate special dietary requests, including food allergies. If you have specific dietary needs, we recommend making your own meal arrangements. No refunds will be provided for meals.
Additional info
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- This tour is operated for both Japanese and foreign customers. A Japanese tour conductor will accompany the group and provide key information using a translation app. Please note that the tour conductor is not a tour guide and will focus on sharing essential information during the tour.
- Please note that we are unable to accommodate special dietary requests, including food allergies. If you have specific dietary needs, we recommend making your own meal arrangements. No refunds will be provided for meals.
- This tour does not include access to the observation deck overlooking the Shirakawago Illumination. You will explore the village itself.
- According to traffic conditions etc, the order of the itinerary may be changed
- Delays or omissions made to the itinerary due to traffic, weather or other circumstances that are beyond the control of the tour operator are not subject to refund
- Infants (0-2 years old) are free of charge with no seat and no bed or any other arrangements. Child (3-5 years old) rates includes bus seat only.
- Even if you apply with two or more people, train seats may not be adjacent or may be separated.
- Due to weather conditions, snowy scenery may not be visible, and the illumination event may be canceled in the event of severe weather.
- Roads and walkways may be slippery. Please wear waterproof footwear with good traction. As walking outdoors at night in snowy conditions can be hazardous, bringing a flashlight is recommended.
- Temperatures can fall below freezing at night. Please bring appropriate winter clothing.
- Snowy landscapes depend on the weather and cannot be guaranteed.
- As the hotel stay follows the Shirakawago Illumination, arrival at the hotel is expected at around 8:00 PM. Dinner will be served at the hotel after arrival and may be later than usual.
- Wearing clothes and shoes that let you move easily and comfortably is strongly recommended.
- Delays or non-participation due to public transportation delays will be subject to cancellation fees. The tour will depart at the scheduled time informed in the confirmation email.
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Cancellation Policy
If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 6 full days before the experience’s start time.
- For a 50% refund, you must cancel 2–6 full days before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 2 full days before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
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