shirakawago on new year

hi,
my original itinerary is:
31/12 : kanazawa
1/1: shirakawago
2/1:takayama
but i find out that, at 1 january, farm house stay/hotel at shirakawago is not opening, so i have to cancel farmhouse stay :(

so we plan to had a oneday trip to shirakawago.
can you please tell me, which place better to add 1 more night, kanazawa or takayama?

and if we just stop few hour to see shirakawago, how about out lugage? where can we keep it before depature to takayama?

thank you

We find we need more time to take in Kanazawa than Takayama. So with an extra night consider spending it in Kanazawa.

There are coin lockers in Shirakawa-go bus terminal/tourist centre but not too many. I think the tourist centre can hold your luggage for a fee.

BTW, if your itinerary is still flexible, consider spending a night in Shirakawa-go during their winter illumination event. During Jan 2013, it is held on Jan 19, 26 and 27.

http://lightup.asia/schedule/

thank you very much for you reply William.

then we'll take 1 more night at kanazawa and then take a 1 day trip to shirakawago, then i dont need to store our luggage at the station.

our schedule is allready fix, can not extend to the date of festival.

thank you for your suggestion.

In Kanazawa it seems that Kenrokuen is open for free admission during the New Year period from Dec 31, 2012 to Jan 3, 2013. Also note that in town there is some winter illumination that starts Nov 2012 and lasts till Feb 2013.

http://www.hot-ishikawa.jp/shiki/winter/index.html

How envious of you being there at the right time of the year. Enjoy your stay in Kanazawa.

Gooday. Most people would prefer to spend their extra time in Kanazawa. I spent several days in takayama then up to New Year at Kanazawa in 2010, and I'd actually spend the extra time at Takayama. Kanazawa can be extremely rainy that time of year (as well as snow) so it is very slushy. Takayama on the other hand can be snowy but not as rainy, but there might not be as much to do (we had no problem keeping ourselves amused but we are very slow travellers). If you decide on Kanazawa, take some gum boots

thanx for your reply

William,
i can not read japanese at all :), so i can not understand the link you gave to me.

so, i decide to spent 2 days at kanazawa, do you think that i have to spend 2 night at takayama too?
is it worth to spend 2 night at takayama?

we love to see and enjoy the snow of course, cause we are from tropic country.

It depends on what you like. Kanazawa is a nice big town/small city. It has good shopping and some very nice things to see and do (though some of those things might be closed when you are there). Takayama is essentially a tourist town. You can see most things in a day or so, but it is very pleasant to be there for a few days to relax. We stayed at a ryokan in town, and also stayed at hotel associa which has spectacular views and onsen facilities. Unfortunately that time of year the squirrel park will be closed. It is my favorite thing about Takayama, save for the beef.

I don't speak or read Japanese either but do read a bit of kanji.

As stated, free admission to Kenrokuen from Dec 31 to Jan 3. On Dec 31 it is open from 8.00 and remains open all day and night till 17.00 on Jan 1. On Jan 2 and 3 it is open from 8.00 till 17.00 daily.

As for the illumination, it is held in downtown Korinbo district which is stop no. 15 and 16 on the loop bus route.
http://www.kanazawa-tourism.com/eng/guide/guide1_2.php
http://www.hokutetsu.co.jp/bus/loop/e_pamphlet.pdf
http://www.c-nexco.co.jp/drive/kankou/detail.php?id=304 (zoom in on the map)

If you want detail information before arriving there, make an email enquiry through the Ishikawa Prefecture Tourism League at
info@hot-ishikawa.jp

Or through the helpful Kanazawa Good Will Guide Network at
kggn@po4.nsk.ne.jp

Takayama is compact enough to be enjoyed on foot. On a tight schedule one day with an overnight stay will suffice. But of course the more time you can spare the better. With an extra day in Takayama consider doing a side trip to Shin-Hokata. Take the unique double-decker ropeway up the mt. for some spectacular scenery of the Japanese Alps. You will most probably see snow in Shirakawa-go but up the mt. observation deck in Shin-Hokata you will almost certainly see and come into contact with snow. Another popular treat in Shin-Hokata is an onsen experience. You can go for some daytime use but ideally spend a night there to fully enjoy the natural rotenburo, hopefully amidst a blanket of snow.
http://www.okuhi.jp/Rop/FRTop.html (click English)
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5943.html
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5942.html