- From the village, hike for around 10-20 minutes to reach the observatory deck. The road going up is paved so it's an easy hike. You can have your photo taken by the staff with the shirakawa village on the background for 1500-2000yen (hard copy + soft copy) - Crowded on holidays especially on winter season (I went on the first week of January) Can't get a photo with no people in the background :) - There are clean toilets around the village and in the parking lots - There are few restaurants or stores to buy food and it get easily sold out especially on holidays and weekends. Better to eat before going or pack your own bento. - View from the deck was picturesque! Feels like I'm looking at a snow globe

This place is gorgeous. Definitely recommend you coming up here. I came during summer and winter and both were extraordinary. I recommend taking the bus up and walking down during summer. As for winter you should take the bus up and down to be safe. The bus only cost ¥200 which is quite cheap. You should start from the observatory and walk down to get the best experience and view. Try the chocolate biscuit ice cream too it is amazing. The chocolate ice cream is thick and milky, it is not too sweet as they use organic cocoa powder, so it has a hint of bitterness. The milk is extremely creamy and delicious. it is a bit expensive (¥500)/($6) but I would buy it as it has really high quality ingredients. Have fun coming here but if you wanna buy stuff I recommend bringing a bit of cash as the stuff is a little overpriced

Visited in late October 2023, just before full fall foliage came. We started in this observation deck because we couldn't find parking at the main parking lot. The parking lot is much smaller here, maybe 10 to 15 car/ larger vans. We got lucky. The obersvation deck give you an overview of the entire village. This is where the brochure photo comes from. If you pay for a drink/ food, you get the prime viewing spot. in my opinion, the best 500jpy spent - I get less people shoving me around, hot coffee, and center view of the entire village. Bathroom is free. There is a souvenir shop attached to the cafe where Higurashi stickers littered the area - I had fun searching for my Easter eggs. From here you can walk downhill to the village and a right turn would end up near Wada House, one of the larger exhibition house. The walk is on slope and about 10mins down or 15mins up. Excellent to burn off your breakfast/early lunch/ ice cream do you can get more snacks when you reach the village and vice versa. If you are pressed for time, this is a excellent place to visit to get a feel of the historic village.

It offers one of the best aerial views of Shirakawago village and a must visit spot. You can get photo taken by staff and get it printed if you like. It also has a restrooms and small suviniour shop and cafe. Parking space is available but not so big so please make sure to maintain timing.

Beautiful place, need to pay ¥200 per way per person for the shuttle bus to the observatory. Walking up the road takes 20 mins while shuttle bus takes 10 mins. Walking up during winter is forbidden. (safety issue) I wonder how summer time looks like...

It provides a nice view of Shirakawago Gussho village from the hill top. There is a nice walking path that leads into the village so some tour buses stop the tourist to walk from there. There are toilets and souvenirs shops available. Best of all parking is free.

Currently under construction but there’s a spot in the parking lot where you can enjoy a good view of the town

We walked up to the observation point instead of getting the shuttle as it isn’t very far but it’s a steep hill for those with walking difficulties or heavy back packs. The views are beautiful and there were cherry blossoms in full bloom still at the end of April and early May.

Best place to see the scenery of Shirakawa village. They have a free Photo Booth with a very friendly staff. You can buy a enlarged version of the photo if you like. There’s is also a souvenir shop and a food stall with very delicious meat buns. Parking and restrooms are available.

There’s an observatory above that will take picture of you with the village in the background for free but it’s small size. To get the bigger and clearer copy is for ¥1,800 and they have it printed out already so you feel bad if you don’t take it. There’s also a souvenir shop and a small store selling food and drinks. There’s an area next to it with a heater to warm yourself up. Toilet and parking area are available.

This is the first stop, we took the shuttle bus to here and walk down to the village, which is much an easier path. Overall, we spent about 4+ hours here.

Awesome view of Shirakawa-go village. So glad we walked 15 mins up the hill. The view is absolutely incredible. And there are professional photographers who take pictures of you. Beer and sake are both cold. View is amazing.

Only 20 mins walk from Shirakawa-go bus terminal. It offers stunning views of the village.

After arriving in Shirakawa, a place where you can view the village from above. 15-20 minutes from the bus stop to the viewpoints, a leisurely climb up the mountain and you are already there. Is one free place where you can see the village from above, but it is not very convenient. In some meters there is a comfortable refreshment area, where are places to sit and this can be done after buying a drink, ice cream or a snack. I would suggest trying the local Shirakawa beer. Delicious beer, beautiful views and a pleasant half-hour of time. A little advice - If you want to avoid the sun directly in your eyes, you should come to this place in the afternoon.

Great view of the Shirakawago village nestled in the mountains. We took the little shuttle up and down, get in the line quickly or you'll miss out!

Beautiful view of Shirakawa-go with a few conveniences accessible since this is one of two places where most buses leading here stop. There is a paid observatory area and a free one that will admittedly be a little more busy yet plenty usable.

From Wada House, it only took 30 minutes to walk to this place. It was a nice walk: not very inclined, the road is shaded by trees, and no vehicles use the road.

Seriously not worth it, my photo is after some edit taken from iPhone 12 Pro. The first batch of people aren’t leaving, no safety barrel especially on icy floor, not very well organized. Sorry, enough of negative comment. Nice scenery though.

A bit of a climb from the bottom but worth the reward of a gorgeous view. I noticed cars parked close to the deck so it seems there is a route to drive up there.

Nice view overlooking those Shirakawa-go village. They have a free parking around and it’s 15mins walk from those thatched roof houses. Few small eat outs, restaurants and toilets are in this location.

Best view of the whole village. Must recommend location. And you can visit with your own car.

Highlight of our Japan trip, Shirakawago is a beauty of a place that seems to be frozen in time! We spend a full day in this village, taking our time and just love the whole vibe and historical buildings. Do make a trip up to this observatory and you have the full view of the village.

View of Shirakawago is gorgeous here, especially on a clear sunny day. The viewing spot is quite small so be prepared to wait if there are lots of people around. Everyone will be taking photos and selfies.

Eh. Overrated super touristy with a little shop and photo area they try to Upsell you photos at. At least you get a free photo print out but the eay they red tape it felt a little ridiculous. I had to beg to get photos because they put a red line of tape on the view to force you to go to their photo area where they forbid you to use your own phone. Only after begging could I sneak a few photos. ALSO be advised only one bus that goes up here (200 yen each way) if without a car. Last bus around 3 so you can't see sunset unless you have a car, otherwise your stuck with depending on the bus and its freezing in the winter🚌 Follow afrolatina_adventurer for more

This place have a good meal, this call hida beef Must try it Good view, and the ice cream is so nicee

Look out point. Best viewed at sun down and sunrise (to avoid busloads of noisy tourists). Great view of shirikawago town and valleys. Shuttle bus opetates between 9am to 4pm 400yen return ticket per person . Alternative is a 20 min hike up a hill. Only for fit legs

best spot to take photos of the houses at Shirakawago

Best view of the magical village. Take pictures keeping the snow covered village. You can walk from the bus stop. There is omiyage shop at the top.