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!

Snow Activity Tour

Mont Deus Snow Activity Tour

Mont Deus is one of the largest snow parks in the area and its location is conveniently close to Takayama City. You can enjoy snow tubing, sledding and various other snow activities. This trip is fully instructed by an English speaking tour manager.

This year, iSite Takayama is providing a round trip service from Takayama to Mont Deus Snow Park for only 3,800 yen/pp (w/ 500 yen discount for J-Hoppers Guests)

Round trips to Mont Deus will be running morning and afternoon from January 1st until March 7th 2014, every Monday, Wednesday & Friday.

Rental snow boots & snow clothes are available to rent for 500 & 2,000 yen respectively.


Morning Trip:

Depart Takayama Station: 8:30 / Arrive Mont Deus Ski Area: 9:00
       (2 Hour Leisure Time)
Depart Ski Area: 11:00 / Arrive Takayama Station: 11:30~

Afternoon Trip:

Depart Takayama Station: 13:30 / Arrive Mont Deus Ski Area: 14:00
       (2 Hour Leisure Time)
Depart Ski Area: 16:00 / Arrive Takayama Station: 16:30~

(~) 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 -2c and a minimum of -11c so please dress accordingly. (Snow boots are free to rent from J-Hoppers Takayama for staying guests)

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)

December @ Hida Folk Village

This December, Takayama's Hida Folk Village will be holding an array of events that you may want to visit!

Illuminations:

Hida Folk Village will be beautifully illuminated with various coloured lights.
It looks especially magical with the heavy snow cover.


When: From 21/12/13 until 25/12/13  (Christmas Light-Up)

From 11/01/14 until 28/02/14
(Winter Light-Up)
       
Everyday from 5:30pm until 9pm



Shimenawa Demonstration:

Shimenawa is a rice straw rope that is used for ritual purification that originates in Japan's Shinto religion. It is used to enclose areas that are deemed sacred with the purpose to ward off evil spirits and can often be seen at Shinto shrines and various sacred landmarks.

For 3 days each year, you can watch people making and setting up the Shimenawa.

When: from 06/12/13 until 08/12/13
          from 10am until 3pm


Okagami and Hanamochi Making:

Okagami and Hanamochi are traditional decorations made of rice cakes and used as a New Year's decoration for homes. You can watch the staff making them!

Where: Maeda Residence
When:

Sat 04/12/13 & Sun 05/12/13
from 10am until 3pm





Entrance Fee: Adult 700yen
                    Children 200yen
                    (Illumination Hours: 300yen)

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.