Winter Illumination 2017

The snow has finally been falling all over the mountains !
Last week Takayama got 75cm in only 3 days, while Shirakawa-go got over 1m ! And what may be more beautiful than winter landscape with light-up ?

Of course Shirakawa-go will be running is main event from the 22nd of January every Sunday and Monday. But Takayama has also some beautiful places near by which get their own light-up.

Like every season Nakabashi, the red bridge, is illuminated between 19:00 and 22:00. It is really near our hostel, only 5 minutes walk. If you are not afraid by the cold you will be able to take good pictures.

However if you allow yourself more time one of the best spot for winter illumination is definitely the Hida Folk Village ! The open air museum light-up is run every day from 17:30 to 21:00. Entrance fee is 300 yen per adult and 100 yen per child. You will enjoy Gassho-zukuri style house covered by snow like you were in Shirakawa-go in a less crowded environment.

 

To reach the Hida Folk village from J-Hoppers :

• by walk : 30mn Est
• by bus : Sarubobo bus (number 1) 210 yen one way
• to go 18:00 / 18:30 / 19:00 / 19:44
• to come back 19:00 / 20:00 / 21:00

 Let's enjoy winter view by night !

Hirayu Otaki Illumination

Frozen Hirayu Otaki & Illumination

Every year during mid winter, after weeks upon weeks of sub-zero temperatures, the largest waterfall in the Hirayu Hot-spring area freezes up completely to become a beautiful spectacle of nature.

From the 15th-25th February 2014, the entire Hirayu Otaki Waterfall will also be beautifully illuminated.

When?:
Everyday 15th-25th February 2014
From 18:00 til 21:00

Where?: Hirayu Onsen-go (Next to the Hirayu Onsen Ski Area)
         

Access?: 

By Car: 50 mins to 1 hour + 10 mins walk

Coming from Takayama, just before you enter Hirayu Onsen-go (Hot-spring) you should see a Eneos Gas Station on the left, before the Station please take a right turn and then continue on up the hill until you reach the car park.

By Bus: 1 hour + 15 mins walk

Depart from Takayama Bus Terminal and then disembark at the "Hirayu Camp Area" bus stop. From here, continue past the ski area and on up the hill until you reach the waterfall.
It will take roughly 15 minutes walk.

How much?: 

There is no entrance fee to the waterfall, however if you decide to come by car there is a 500 yen car park fee!

Hyotenka no Mori Tour

Hyotenka no Mori 
(The Crystal Forest)

Hyotenka no Mori is an Ice Festival in a small onsen located south-eastwards in the upper outskirts of Takayama and due to the location and elevation it experiences continual freezing temperatures during the winter season.

The trees and scenery is coated in a thick, glossy layer of ice and is illuminated beautifully during the evening. It is a truly magical experience and well worth seeing! You can even try drinking from a cup made of ice if you're feeling daring enough!

This year, iSite Takayama is providing a return bus service w/ tour to Hyotenka no Mori for only 3,800 yen/pp (500 yen discount for J-Hoppers Guests)

This service will run from January 2nd until March 20th 2014. There will be a morning tour departing at 9:30am and an evening tour departing at 4:00pm every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday & Sunday.

Morning Tour: 

Depart Takayama Station: 9:30 / Arrive Hyotenka no Mori: 10:30
       (1 Hour Free Time)
Depart Hyotenka no Mori  11:30 / Arrive Takayama Station: 12:30~

Evening Tour: 

Depart Takayama Station: 16:00 / Arrive Hyotenka no Mori: 17:00
       (1 Hour Free Time)  (Light-up)
Depart Hyotenka no Mori  18:00 / Arrive Takayama Station: 19:00~

(~) Arrival time back at Takayama Station is subject to change due to local weather conditions.

If you're interested in this tour or require any further information, please don't hesitate to contact us directly via phone or email.

Notice: During Mid-January, temperatures in this area usually rise to a maximum of -1c and a minimum of -13c so please dress accordingly. (Snow boots are provided here at J-Hoppers for free or can be rented on the tour for 500 yen)

October in Takayama

October Festivals & Events in Takayama

Every October, the Hida-Takayama area celebrates the coming of Autumn, the changing of the leaves' colors and the harvesting of crops with a many festivals and events.

(Time ordered list of events and schedules for October 2013)

Event: Nakabashi Bridge & Enako River Illumination
Where: 5 and 10 mins walk from J-Hoppers (Furumachi District Area)
When:
Everyday from October 'til the end of November (18:30 - 22:00)
Price: Free!

You can see the beautiful autumn colours illuminated during the night.


Event: Garakuta Antique Fair
Where:
Sanmachi Dori, on the right, 5 mins down the road from J-Hoppers.
When: 6th of October from 09:00 - 16:00

A famous Takayama Antique Fair that also sells various foods, arts and souvenirs


Event: Takayama Annual Autumn Festival
Where: Various places within Takayama City
When: 9th October (All day), 10th October (Morning & Afternoon)

The most famous festival in this part of Japan,
(further details can be found in the next blog)


Event: Hida Folk Village Autumn Illumination
Where: Hida Folk Village (30 mins walk or 5 mins by bus)
When:
Everyday from 18th October 'til the 10th November （17:30 - 21:00)
Price: Adult 300 Yen / Children 100 Yen


View the beautiful illuminated autumn colours together with traditional Japanese alpine style houses, you can also try some mushroom tea for free!

Hida Folk Village Illumination

Takayama's 
Hida Folk Village Obon Illumination


Date: 10th August - 15th August
Time: 18:30 - 21:00

Entrance Fee: 
Adults: 700 yen
Children 200 yen

From 18:00:  
Adults 300 yen
Children 100 yen 



What is..
Hida Folk Village? (飛騨の里, Hida no Sato)

Hida Folk village is an open air museum displaying original country and alpine style housing that was built during the early Edo period. This style of housing is called gassho-style as it is styled on praying hands. This style of house was created with a thick thatched roof to protect from the severe snowfalls that occur in this region during the winter.

What events are taking place?

In celebration of the Obon Festival, from the 10th until the 15th of August, Hida Folk Village will be illuminated with various colours during the evening.

The entrance fee to the village will reduced from 700 yen to 300 yen for adults and from 200 yen to 100 yen for children after 18:00

If you happen to be staying with us during this period, I recommend giving it a try as it will be absolutely beautiful.