Takayama is already an extremely charming destination in winter, but the nearby Okuhida Onsen area takes things up a notch with a series of beautiful seasonal light-ups. If you're visiting during the colder months, these three illumination events are real highlights.
Fukuji Onsen's Aodaru Ice Pillar Illumination
Fukuji Onsen recreates the area's famous "Aodaru" ice pillars, which are massive frozen formations that naturally appear deep in the mountains. Here, they're built right in town and illuminated nightly, glowing in deep blues and shifting colors. In some seasons, a special "Blue Ice Walkway" lets you view the formations from below, giving you an up-close look at their glittering layers. For more information, please visit the official website here.
Taruma Falls Winter Light-Up in Shin-Hirayu Onsen
Taruma Falls freezes into a dramatic sheet of ice in winter, and the evening light-up turns it into a shimmering stage of white and pastel hues. The surrounding area adds to the spectacle with colorful ice sculptures and a tunnel lined with thousands of LED lights (pictured above as the header article image), and as you can imagine it has become quite a popular spot for winter photos. The contrast between the natural frozen waterfall and the artfully lit ice around it makes this one of Okuhida's most striking displays. Dates and hours can be found on the official site.
Snow Cherry Blossom Illumination in Tochio Onsen
Tochio Onsen offers one of the region's most unique winter scenes: snowy banks lit to resemble sakura in full bloom. Under the LEDs, the snow glows like soft pink petals, creating the illusion of cherry blossoms blooming in winter. The effect is quiet, surreal, and especially enjoyable after a soak in the nearby outdoor baths. Specific details (dates and times for this year) can be found here.
