Author name: Kojiro

Hi, I'm Kojiro. I was born and raised in Takayama and lived there for 18 years. I now live in Aichi, and I write practical, local guides to Takayama, Shirakawa-go and Central Japan.

Snowy street in Takayama's old town lined with traditional wooden houses

Takayama & Shirakawa-go

Where to Stay in Takayama (高山): A Local’s Area Guide

Kojiro / October 14, 2026

Station hotel, ryokan or a minpaku in the old town? A Takayama local explains where to stay, plus a unique pick: a historic public bathhouse with a wood-fired sauna.

View over Shirakawa-go village and its thatched gassho-zukuri farmhouses surrounded by autumn mountains

Takayama & Shirakawa-go

Shirakawa-go Day Tours (白川郷) from Takayama, Kanazawa & Nagoya

Kojiro / October 14, 2026

Tour or regular bus? A Takayama local compares the best ways to visit Shirakawa-go from Takayama, Kanazawa, Nagoya and Centrair Airport, with prices, times and honest tips.

AI-generated illustration of Shirakawa-go's thatched farmhouses lit up on a snowy winter night

Takayama & Shirakawa-go

Shirakawa-go Light-Up 2027 (白川郷): How to Book & Local Tips

Kojiro / October 14, 2026

The 2027 Shirakawa-go Light-Up is reservation-only. A Takayama local explains every way to get in, when bookings open in your time zone, and how to prepare for a cold, snowy night.

Snow-covered gassho-zukuri farmhouse in Shirakawa-go reflected in a pond under a blue winter sky

Takayama & Shirakawa-go

Takayama to Shirakawa-go Bus (白川郷): A Local’s Booking Guide

Kojiro / October 13, 2026

How to book the bus from Takayama to Shirakawa-go, how to get there from Centrair Airport and Nagoya, and what to do when buses sell out or snow causes delays. Practical tips from a Takayama local.