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Just four nights a year
In 2027 the village is lit on only four January nights, 5.30–7.30pm, its thatched houses glowing in the snow.
Festivals & traditions
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Shirakawa-go’s Ogimachi from the lookout at dusk on 2 February 2014, its thatched houses lit in the snow; a file photo. · Report image rightsShirakawa · JapanFestivals & traditions
2027.01.11 — 2027.01.31 · Coming soon
Thatched houses glowing in the snow.
Shirakawa-go Light-up 2027
The light-up is Shirakawa-go’s winter tradition. In 2027 the 41st edition runs on just four nights: Monday 11 January (a public holiday), and 17, 24 and 31 January, 5.30–7.30pm each night, in the gassho village of Ogimachi. It is booking only, with entry tickets: stay in the village, reserve car parking, reserve taxi parking, or join a route-bus or travel-agency tour; tickets are valid for one day and colour-coded by date. Only guests on village stays with lookout tickets and some route-bus tours may climb to the Ogimachi castle-site lookout over the village. From 3.30pm on light-up days a gate closes the village to anyone without a ticket.
GOWOAH / Shirakawa
A REASON TO GO
A REASON TO GO
Ogimachi gassho village, Shirakawa-go2027.01.11 — 2027.01.31Festivals & traditionsTicket required
FIND YOUR REASON
What draws you to this experience?
02
The whole village from the lookout
Only village stays with lookout tickets and some route-bus tours reach the castle-site lookout above Ogimachi.
Festivals & traditions03
A World Heritage village people still live in
Ogimachi’s gassho houses are World Heritage and still people’s homes; on light-up nights only ticket holders enter.
Festivals & traditionsProgramme, background & sources
Checked · 2026-10-17
A LITTLE CLOSER
A closer look.
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2006 · tsuda · Photo source · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Preview cropped; enlarge for full image. · Report image rights
MAKE IT YOUR EXPERIENCE
Does this fit what you are looking for?
This could be for you if you are…
- Anyone after a snow-country night scene
- Planners happy to book early
Before you decide
Booking only; without one you cannot enter on the night.
It may be cancelled in a severe nationwide cold snap.
Winter tyres are required, and drones are banned.
FIND YOUR PLACE
Explore the layout. Plan your route.
This edition’s site map is not out yet.
Open official guide ↗FROM AN IDEA TO A PLAN
Make a plan that works for you.
Dates & times
2027.01.11 — 2027.01.31Monday 11 (public holiday), Sunday 17, Sunday 24 and Sunday 31 January 2027, 5.30–7.30pm each night (Japan time).
Asia/TokyoMore programme details
- Just four nights a year
- The whole village from the lookout
- A World Heritage village people still live in
Venue & travel
Ogimachi gassho village, Shirakawa-goShirakawa-go is in Shirakawa village, Gifu. On light-up days the gate closes from 3.30pm; daytime visitors by route bus must arrive by 3.20pm.
Entry & companions
Booking only; no tickets on the day. Drivers must reserve official parking: round one (¥6,000 per car for 1–5 people, ¥9,000 for 6–10) has sold out, and round two opens at 1pm on 1 December 2026 (¥7,000 / ¥10,000). Village stays are by lottery, and bus tours are booked with each operator. The lookout needs a lookout ticket; no drones; winter tyres are required.
Tickets & access
JPY 7,000–10,000 (parking per car)
Confirm accessibility services and companion policies with the organiser before travel.
Sources & image credits
Dates and entry details refer to this edition; individual sessions may differ.
Jordy Meow · CC BY-SA 3.0 Image source
Shirakawa-go Tourist Association
Shirakawa-go’s Ogimachi from the lookout at dusk on 2 February 2014, its thatched houses lit in the snow; a file photo.
Information checked on 2026-10-17
Suggest a correction ↗
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Photo source · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Cropped preview· Report image rights
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