The Shirakawago Observation Deck (or Ogimachi Castle Observation Deck) is where guests can enjoy the iconic panoramic view of Shirakawago’s thatched houses and mountains. This viewpoint overlooks the entirety of the Shirakawago village and the mountains of Gifu Prefecture. Located on a steep incline, many tourists come here to take the perfect shot of the edo-themed Japanese village. Located near the bus terminal, it is easy to get to either by bus or by foot.
How To Get There
By Foot
Shirakawago Bus Terminal
~15 minutes (by foot)
Shirakawago Observatory
By Shuttle Bus
Ogimachi Bus Stop (Next to the water lily pond)
~10 minutes (by bus)
Shirakawago Observatory
Shirakawago Observatory Shuttle Time Table
The shuttle is scheduled to arrive every 20 minutes.
Times
Ogimachi (boarding point)
Shirakawago Observatory
9
00 20 40
10 30 50
10
00 20 40
10 30 50
11
00 20 40
10 30 50
12
10
13
30 50
30 50
14
00 20 40
10 30 50
15
00 20 40
10 30 50
16
10
Shuttle Info:
Fare: 300 yen one way (cash payment on board) (no money exchange available) *Service may not run on time due to snowfall, ice, or road conditions. *Service may be suspended due to poor visibility, snowfall, or road conditions.
Ogimachi Bus Stop (Boarding Point)
Ogimachi is the name of the main town area in Shirakawago. The Ogimachi bus stop is located towards the north end of Shirakawago, directly in front of the water lily pond and next to the Wada House. Lines can get quite long in summer.
Ogimachi Castle (Shirakawago) Observation Deck
Observation Deck View in Winter
Observation Deck Details
There is a small restaurant (Doccorasho) which serves traditional Hida set meals and a cafe (Tenboudai Cafe) which serves a variety of ice cream, snacks, souvenirs, and drinks by the observation deck. The parking lot next to the observatory is not available for commercial parking. You can reach this point only by walking or by the shuttle bus.
There is a short hiking route to the observatory. Instead of the alternative concrete path east of the bus terminal, this path is surrounded by trees, a shrine, and castle ruins. It takes around 12 minutes to reach the observatory and is adjacent to the street left to the bus terminal.
*Note: This walking path is CLOSED in the winter.
TRYING TO TRANSFER TO OTHER TOURIST SPOTS FROM SHIRAKAWAGO BUS TERMINAL?
Shirakawago bus terminal has multiple connections to different tourist destinations.
With the “SKY STAGE” skyscraper rooftop observation deck and the “SKY GALLERY” indoor observation corridor on the 46th floor, Shibuya Sky offers open and vast views from Shibuya skyline. While Shibuya Sky during the day is great in its own sense, sunset time (sunset hour) at dusk and the night time view are most popular!
We recommend that you purchase an online ticket in advance because this Shibuya Sky is a popular spot and it will be crowded. If you can’t secure a sunset ticket, we’ll teach you a loophole below.
If you’re looking for some ideas to keep cool and to kill time in Tokyo, there are plenty of spaces near Shibuya. Plus–cooler climates like Kamikochi and Kusatsu can be reached by bus directly from Shibuya!
Unfortunately, admission tickets for later evenings sell out quickly, and reservations are often sold out months in advance.
This is the booking calendar on the official website as of September 19, 2024. As you can see, there’s almost no availability after 15:00 until October 17, 2024.
※ Although there is a designated time for entering Shibuya Sky, you can leave at any time as long as it is during business hours.
Most people come all the way to SHIBUYA SKY, but find out that sunset tickets have been sold out. There’s actually a way to fix this problem!
How to secure SHIBUYA SKY tickets at sunset times.
All you have to do is…
Purchase a ticket for the open-top bus “SHIBUYA STREET RIDE” that includes an admission voucher, also known as the “SHIBUYA SKY Set Ticket”! The “SHIBUYA SKY Set Ticket” gives you guaranteed access to SHIBUYA SKY at any time in the day.
By purchasing this set of tickets, you will be able to get into Shibuya Sky even during sold-out times!
First, what is a SHIBUYA SKY set ticket?
The SHIBUYA SKY Set Ticket is an online ticket voucher you are given when you ride SHIBUYA STREET RIDE.
The greatest advantage of this ticket voucher is that it guarantees admission to Shibuya Skyat any time.
When purchasing a regular ticket, you must specify the time of admission. This makes it almost impossible to purchase a ticket during sold-out times. You can use the “SHIBUYA SKY Set Ticket” any time after you get off at SHIBUYA STREET RIDE as long as its the same day. This is perfect if you are trying to secure a sunset ticket for a certain day on your trip, but didn’t have time to book ahead.
However, please note that this pass will only be available until the final entrance time of Shibuya Sky on the day of your trip.Re-entry is also not permitted.
During the daytime, you can take the open-top bus, and in the evening, you can enjoy the city of Shibuya on the Shibuya Sky.
The places you tour by bus are small and spread out around your feet, making for an interesting and memorable experience.
SHIBUYA STREET RIDE has two routes: ・Shibuya Excursion Route ・Shibuya⇔Shinjuku Route（※September 2024～January 2025） These are two popular routes.
Both routes are designed to take in the sights.
The bus is an open-top bus specification with no roof on the second floor, allowing visitors to enjoy sightseeing from a perspective they would not normally be able to see.
Seats are equipped with multilingual audio guides and in-train monitors that provide information on each area during the trip. Of course, Japanese is also available.
It also comes with a digital version of a city walking guide to enjoy the streets of Shibuya even after getting off the bus.
SHIBUYA STREET RIDE Ride Experience
I immediately booked a SHIBUYA STREET and RIDE SHIBUYA SKY online set ticket. This time, I rode on the round-trip route of SHIBUYA on the Shibuya Excursion route.
At the south exit of Shibuya Station is Shibuya Fuclas. There is a bus terminal there on the first floor.
The departure time was 11:25 but I arrived a before 11:00. I was able to relax in the stylish area waiting area right in front of the bus stop.
Before I knew it, a stylish open-top bus entered the boarding area shortly after 11:15.
Next, all you have to do is show the screen of your cell phone to the crew and board the train!
At this time, I received a voucher for admission to Shibuya Sky on the same day.
Now you can enjoy the evening and night views from Shibuya Sky ^^.
This time, the route took me from the Scramble Crossing to Harajuku, Omotesando, and other areas around Shibuya.
The colorful seating inside the car will surely be Instagram-worthy if you take pictures!
On the second floor, you can feel the breeze and enjoy the view from a different perspective than usual.
The thrill of passing under an overpass is especially unique to this bus.
The bus first departs from Shibuya Fuklas and head towards Harajuku on Meiji Street.
Along the way, you can see Meiji Shrine and Takeshita-dori Avenue from a slightly elevated vantage point. After that we headed towards Sendagaya and Gaienmae.
As we reach Omotesando, we can see the National Stadium, which was the main venue for the Olympics. There were no power lines so you could see the view of the sky really clearly and it felt great!
In Omotesando, you can feel the street trees up close while overlooking the rows of high-end fashion stores.
Finally, I returned to Shibuya for the last time to view the scramble crossing. It is a luxurious feeling to be able to see the scene of many people coming and going from above, up close and personal.
I returned to the bus terminal on the ground floor of the Shibuya Fuklas– the area I departed from around 12:30 p.m.
After a leisurely lunch, I went for a stroll in Shibuya, using the digital version of the city walking guide that was in the pocket of the car!
Don’t forget to check the passcode in the car! Since the audio is also recorded, wearing earphones is recommended.
It’s evening, and SHIBUYA SKY is located in Shibuya Scramble Square.
With this same-day admission voucher, I went to SHIBUYA SKY, and on the 14th floor of Shibuya Scramble Square I was able to register and enjoy the evening and night views.
“Crossing Lights,” a light show held every 30 minutes after 7:00 p.m. every day, is a unique nighttime experience. The performance is said to change with the seasons.
Updated March 25, 2024 Updated February 19, 2024 Updated February 8, 2024 Updated December 18, 2023
March 16, 2024, Kanazawa-Tsuruga of Hokuriku Shinkansen line opens! Tokyo is now conveniently connected to Fukui and Tsuruga by a single Shinkansen line. But how will this new shinkansen affect the travel between Nagoya and places like Fukui and Kanazawa?
Until March 15, 2024, there were three main ways to travel between Nagoya and Fukui by public transportation.
(1) Nagoya – (Limited Express Shirasagi) ➡ Fukui/Kanazawa (2) Nagoya – (Tokaido Shinkansen) – Maibara – (Limited Express Shirasagi) ➡ Fukui/Kanazawa (3) Nagoya – (highway bus) ➡ Fukui/Kanazawa
With the extension of the Hokuriku Shinkansen line between Kanazawa and Tsuruga on March 16, 2024, the limited express train “Shirasagi” will be shortened to Nagoya, Maibara and Tsuruga.
Method 1: Going by train
There are two lines you can use to get to Fukui, Tsuruga, and Kanazawa. ①Nagoya – ( Limited Express Shirasagi) ②Nagoya – ( Tokaido Shinkansen) – Maibara – (Limited Express Shirasagi)
In addition, JR West announced that:
①Nagoya – (Limited Express Shirasagi) – Tsuruga – (Hokuriku Shinkansen) – Fukui The express fare for the route “1” has increased by 1,150 yen to 6,960 yen, and the travel time has shortened by about 3 minutes.
②Nagoya – (Limited Express Shirasagi) – Tsuruga – (Hokuriku Shinkansen) – Kanazawa The express fare for the route “1” has increased by 1,620 yen to 9,080 yen, and the travel time has shortened by 16 minutes on average.
If time is your top priority , we recommend you using the Tokaido Shinkansen and the Hokuriku Shinkansen at Nagoya Station and Tsuruga. The following route takes 1 hour and 33 minutes.
Limited Express Shirasagi + Hokuriku Shinkansen About 2 hours and 11 minutes (average)
Tokaido Shinkansen + Limited Express Shirasagi + Hokuriku Shinkansen about 1 hour and 42 minutes (average) Fastest time: 1 hour and 33 minutes
About 2 hours and 40 minutes (From/to JR Nagoya Station)
First departure (of the day) From Nagoya ／ From Fukui
Nagoya 7:11 (Kodama + transfer at Yonehara) Nagoya 7:51 (direct) ／ Departure from Fukui 6:36 From Fukui (transferring to Yonehara) 7:38
Meitetsu Bus Center 7:00 Nagoya station 7:15 ／ Fukui station 6:00
Final departure From Nagoya ／ From Fukui
Nagoya 19:48 (direct) Nagoya 21:15 (Hikari + transfer at Maibara) ／ Departure from Fukui 19:42 From Fukui (transferring to Yonehara) 21:32
Meitetsu Bus Center 20:00 Nagoya station 20:15 ／ Fukui station 20:00
Charge
Limited Express Shirasagi + Hokuriku Shinkansen Normal Fare 6,960 yen / one way WEB Early Special 7 (Can be purchased up to 7 days prior to the date of use) Limited number of seats 5,690 yen/one way — Tokaido Shinkansen + Limited Express Shirasagi + Hokuriku Shinkansen Normal Fare 7,730 yen / one way WEB Early Special 7 (Can be purchased up to 7 days prior to the date of use) Limited number of seats 5,690 yen/one way Smart EX+ [EX service only]. connection (interline) ticket 5,590 yen / one way
3,600 yen / one-way purchase 6,500 yen/round trip purchase
Number of transfers
1 or 2 times
0 times
Amount of trains
Approx. 8 round trips (direct) About 7 round trips (transferring at Yonehara)
10 round trips
Rest stops on the way
Transfer at Tsuruga Station Transfer time is 8-19 minutes When using the Tokaido Shinkansen Transfer time at Yonehara is about 7 to 30 minutes.
Shokugatake SA *Subject to change.
Equipment
Railroad
Highway bus
Limited Express Shirasagi
Hokuriku Shinkansen
Toilet
〇
〇
〇
Wifi
✖
〇
〇 *Depends on the operating company There are cases where
Power (button on TV, etc.)
✖
〇
〇
Service
Railroad
Highway bus
Online Reservations
△ From the following WEB site Possible, but JR West’s For services, To pick up tickets Restrictions. Outing Net
If price, transfers, and effective use of travel time are important to you
No transfers, wi-fi and power supply in place. Express buses are recommended. Express buses without transfers are also recommended when luggage is large.
>>Highwaybus.com for Nagoya – Fukui Expressway Bus Reservations
At Eiheiji Temple, many monks practice Zen day and night, giving visitors a sense of the faith and culture of the Soto sect of Zen Buddhism. The vast grounds are also home to many beautiful architectural structures and Buddhist statues, such as the Picture Ceiling Room and the Bodhisattva of the Holy Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva. Eiheiji is a fascinating place where nature, history, and modernity are in harmony. Going here can quiet your mind away from the hustle and bustle of daily life through Zen meditation and sutra copying.
The Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum is one of the world’s three major dinosaur museums, with some 40,000 exhibits including actual fossils, full-body skeletons, and moving dinosaur robots. It is a place where visitors can see, touch, and learn about the fascination of dinosaurs.
How to get to Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum from Nagoya
About 3 hours and 45 minutes (From/to JR Nagoya Station)
First departure (of the day) From Nagoya ／ Departure from Kanazawa
Nagoya 7:11 (Kodama + transfer at Yonehara) Nagoya 7:51 (direct) ／ Departure from Kanazawa 6:00 From Kanazawa (transferring to Yonehara) 7:02
Meitetsu Bus Center 7:30 Nagoya station 7:45 ／ Kanazawa Station 6:30
Final departure From Nagoya ／ Departure from Kanazawa
Nagoya 19:48 (direct) Nagoya 21:15 (Hikari + transfer at Maibara) ／ Departure from Kanazawa 19:06 Kanazawa Departure (transferring to Yonehara) 20:56
Meitetsu Bus Center 19:30 Nagoya station 20:15 ／ Kanazawa station 18:00
Price
Limited Express Shirasagi + Hokuriku Shinkansen Normal Fare 9,080 yen / one way WEB Early Special 7 (Can be purchased up to 7 days prior to the date of use) Limited number of seats 8,170 yen/one way — Tokaido Shinkansen + Limited Express Shirasagi + Hokuriku Shinkansen Normal Fare 9,850 yen / one way WEB Early Special 7 (Can be purchased up to 7 days prior to the date of use) Limited number of seats 8,170 yen/one way Smart EX+ [EX service only]. connection (interline) ticket 8,070 yen / one way
If price, transfers, and effective use of travel time are important to you：
No transfers, wi-fi and power supply in place. Express buses are recommended. Express buses without transfers are also recommended when luggage is large.
>>Highwaybus .com for Nagoya – Kanazawa Expressway Bus Reservations
There are two main ways to travel from Shinjuku to Matsumoto in Nagano Prefecture by public transportation.
1. From Shinjuku Station to Matsumoto Station on the JR Limited Express Azusa 2. Take a highway bus from Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal to Matsumoto Bus Terminal
There are two ways to go. It would depend on where you live, your objectives, and your budget. We compared the “JR Limited Express Azusa” and “Highway bus“.
There is no such thing as one is better than the other, so it comes down to the purpose of your visit and what your priorities are. I think it depends on your purpose of use and what your priorities are.
▶ For details and reservations of highway buses, please visit ” Highwaybus.com Highwaybus.com”.
▶ For details and reservations of JR Limited Express Azusa, please visit “JR-EAST Train Reservation“.
I will write here from my personal and subjective point of view.
The closest station to me is Mitaka Station on the JR Chuo Line, so before the coronavirus pandemic, I used the JR Limited Express Azusa almost 100% of the time. Recently, however, I use the highway bus about 70% of the time and the JR Limited Express Azusa about 30% of the time.
Why is that?
For reference, Mitaka Station is easily accessible to “Shinjuku” and “Tachikawa” where the JR Limited Express Azusa stops, in about 15 minutes. Therefore, when going to Matsumoto, the only option was always the “Azusa” train.
However, the significant increase in travel to Matsumoto, teleworking, etc., and the Corona disaster have changed the way I work and my sense of values, Travel time has also turned into time for work and other activities.
The top priority before the coronavirus pandemic was [That there are convenient schedule]. [The quickness (short travel time)]. [Cost] but
Our top priorities right now are. [That there are convenient schedule]. [That I can also make the most of my travel time.] [Cost] The company has changed.
As a result, highway bus have become more convenient.
Why is that?
In my personal and subjective opinion, it highlighted three weaknesses of Azusa that had not bothered me much before the Corona disaster.
Azusa’s Weaknesses (1) The mobile WI-FI I always bring is very unstable. Especially from Hachioji to Kofu is unstable. I have resigned myself to the fact that the train runs through the mountains and has many long, narrow tunnels, as in the past, because it is a conventional train line.
Azusa’s Weaknesses (2) It is a bumpy ride. It may seem surprising, but for those who suffer from motion sickness, express buses are recommended. My son and wife get dizzy every time and seem to have a hard time.
I also get dizzy when working on the computer when I’m sleep deprived or tired.
We have changed our behavior to overcome the above two weaknesses.
Give up work and go to bed! Or drink! And work after arriving at your destination or after returning home (T T)
Azusa’s weaknesses (3) High prices.
I didn’t mind it before because it was only a few times a year, but now that I use it more often, I’m very concerned about the price.
There used to be discount tickets such as coupon tickets and special tickets, but in March 2019, coupon tickets and special tickets will be discontinued, and reservations will be made through JR East’s website, “JR-EAST Train Reservation“ Ticketless Discounts Tokudane 10% off *10% off the price of a good deal. Tokudane 30% off *30% off the price of a good deal. Only two are left.
It would be nice to be able to use the “Tokudane 30% off(トクだ値30％OFF)” discount, but it is extremely difficult for me, as I mostly use it for business purposes and my schedule is not fixed until the last minute.
That’s when I noticed a revolutionary solution. It is a Highway bus.
Highway buses connect Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal, directly connected to Shinjuku Station, andthe Matsumoto Bus Terminal next to Matsumoto Station via the Chuo Expressway and Nagano Expressway.
Mobile WI-FI is always stable. Also, since most of the way is on the highway, shaking is not a concern. On the way, we also like to refresh ourselves with a break at the Futaba Service Area.
Furthermore, the price is very reasonable. Price list↓↓
Therefore, the means of transportation to Matsumoto was changed from the JR Limited Express Azusa to the highway bus.
*When traffic congestion is expected on the expressway, such as on weekends, or when accurate arrival is required, we use Azusa.
▶ For details and reservations of highway buses, please visit ” Highwaybus.com Highwaybus.com”.
▶ For details and reservations of JR Limited Express Azusa, please visit “JR-EAST Train Reservation“.
Number of services (survey date: January 24, 2022)
18 round trips/day
24 round trips/day
the time required
Approx. 2 hours and 40 minutes
Approx. 3 hours and 20 minutes
Price (survey date January 24, 2022)
Regular fee ¥6,620 Ticketless discount ¥6,520 Tokudane 10% off: ¥5,950 (*10% off the price of a good deal.) Tokudane 30% off: ¥4,620 (*30% off the price of a good deal.)
Regular price ¥3,900 Web payment ¥3,600 2 web coupon tickets @¥3,250 x 2 4 web coupon tickets @¥3,150 x 4
on-time rate (of operation)
Weekdays: ✔/Weekends: ✔
The trains are almost always on time, but because they are conventional trains, delays of 5 to 10 minutes are common.
Free Wi-Fi and mobile Wi-Fi routers are unstable in many tunnels and mountainous areas.
✔ Free Wi-Fi available
Stable connection with both Free Wi-Fi and mobile Wi-Fi router that you bring.
Toilet
✔
It is spacious and comfortable. Car 10 is recommended for passengers with small children. There is a universal restroom with diaper changing facilities in Car 9 next door.
✔
There is also a break at the Futaba service area.
Shaking
High speed driving at relatively high speeds in mountainous areas causes severe lateral shaking
Relatively little shaking since most of the roads are highways.
View
△
Fuji and the Yatsugatake and Southern Alps, but unfortunately there are many tunnels!
✔
Fuji, the Yatsugatake Mountains, the Southern Alps, and Lake Suwa!
JR Limited Express Azusa
Highway bus
Number of services
18 round trips/day
17 round trips/day
the time required
Approx. 2 hours and 40 minutes
Approx. 3 hours and 20 minutes
Price
Regular fee ¥6,620
Regular price ¥3,900
Ticketless discount ¥6,520
Web payment ¥3,600
Tokudane 10% off: ¥5,950 (*10% off the price of a good deal.)
2 web coupon tickets @¥3,250 x 2
Tokudane 30% off: ¥4,620 (*30% off the price of a good deal.)
4 web coupon tickets @¥3,150 x 4
on-time rate (of operation)
Weekdays: ✔ /Weekends: ✔
Weekdays: ✔ / Weekends: △
Power source (outlet)
✔
✔
Wi-Fi
△ Free Wi-Fi available
✔ Free Wi-Fi available
Toilet
✔
✔
Shaking
High speed driving at relatively high speeds in mountainous areas causes severe lateral shaking
Relatively little shaking since most of the roads are highways.
Shinjuku – Matsumoto: JR Limited Express Azusa / Highway Bus Comparison chart (Survey date: January 24, 2022)
▶ For details and reservations of highway buses, please visit Highwaybus.com
▶ For details and reservations of JR Limited Express Azusa, please visit “JR-EAST Train Reservation“.
In that case, the route is Mitaka Station ｜ (JR Chuo Line: about 15 minutes) ↓ Tachikawa Station ｜ (about 5 minutes walk) ↓ Tachikawa Minami Station ｜ (Tama Toshi Monorail Line : about 4 minutes bound for Tama-Center) ↓ Kōshū-Kaidō Station ｜ (about 7 minutes walk) ↓ Chuo EXPWY Hino
This is the root
For reference, Mitaka to Matsumoto is JR Limited Express Azusa ¥5,980 with ticket-less discount Travel time is about 2 hours and 40 minutes
Highway bus ¥3,284 with 2 coupon tickets, the trip takes about 3 hours and 20 minutes.
▶ For details and reservations for highway buses, please contact ” Highwaybus.com “
These are recommended accommodations that our staff actually stayed at and found to be highly cost-effective.
Tabino Hotel lit Matsumoto A modern, stylish budget hotel specializing in overnight stays, located directly near the Matsumoto bus terminal. Full service, including drink service for early check-in and tea rice with evening meal service. The large baths, modeled after the Shirakotsu Onsen hot springs, separate for men and women, are also attractive. In addition, children of elementary school age and younger sleep for free. Even more savings if you bring your children!
Hotel M Matsumoto Located right in front of the Matsumoto Bus Terminal on the 6th floor of a building that also houses Maruzen Bookstore and Daiso, this capsule and business hotel offers the best value for money, with a bright and clean atmosphere, and is safe for women traveling alone. Fully-equipped lounge, manga, etc. There is a large public bath with a gender-switching system. It is especially recommended for solo travelers and those staying before Kamikochi.
Iroha Grand Hotel Matsumoto Ekimae It is about 400m 5 minutes away from the Matsumoto bus terminal. It is a stylish new hotel with an elaborate design that is also used for weddings. It is also recommended for women’s trips, etc.
