Our tour bus stopped at the observatory deck before going down to the village. 80 mins is not enough. We were given 2 hours and it still wasn’t enough. They do have overnight stays for 10000 Yen. I didn’t know that at that time. If not, would have certainly done that instead.

As early as possible... colours best in late October...

I don't think you can catch the shuttle after check-in and also it will be a bit dark after 4.30 pm for photo-shooting during the spring months. Nonetheless, it is absolutely safe and easy to walk uphill to the Observatory Deck on foot. If you are keen at photo-shooting, try to go up at night time when the lights at the village houses are on for the scenery by night time is also very nice.

1. Try to call their village office at 05769-6-1311 to find out the latest situtation. 2. Try to locate their latest announcement on facebook known as The Shirakawamura Times. 3. The live camera update on their official web may show you some hints too.

Yes, but have to be careful and drive slow. The footpath is often closed in winter, especially during snow fall.

I haven’t done this route before. My trip to Shirakawa was part of a trip to Mie and Aichi. The ride from Kanazawa to Shirakawa is only one hour one way. If you start early you can probably get back to Kanazawa in the afternoon and have a walk around city for the rest of the day.

The bus take about one hour. I think it is not necessary to join a tour because hirakawago is not big at all and you can walk around there within 3 hours( excluded obsServation deck). If you do not plan to stay in Shirakawago I suggest you to go very early in the morning and try to get the shuttle bus for observation deck first. You might spend about 2 hours for observation deck and two ways bus. Except that there are many old houses like museum in Shirakawago. There is not many good resturants for lunch or dinner there because mostly people stay in Ryokan which served dinner. And there are various languages of Map at the bus station you get off.

Rice is being planted in the fields at this time of the year and experiencing lush green paddy fields is guaranteed in late spring

Hi, we went in April and were able to drive up to the Observatory Deck. Ample parking space in there.

The observatory deck is about a 1 to 2km hike away from the bus stop. About half of this hike will take you out of the village. I would recommend taking a taxi around the back of the hill where the observation deck is. There is a quite and beautiful set of homes there and less tourists.