There are two spots that you can look down at the lit-up Shirakawa-Go: Ogimachi-Jyoshi Observatory and the Castle Tower. The Castle Tower introduced here is a space that private property is liberated. However, the use of tripod is permitted during the light-up period, only for those participating in the specific bus tour.

During the coverage in 2016, it was open to the public at 7PM, 30 minutes before the light-up ended, and the use of tripods were allowed. The space for setting up tripods is about 3 times the size of the Ogimachi-Jyoshi Observatory. However, it is not necessary always open to the public.

This is a data from the coverage of the observatory in 2016, but because the regulations change just about every year, please read these for sample reference.

1.Unless you are going on a special bus tour, spaces where you can set up tripods are limited, only in the space near the Ogimachi Shiroato Tenbodai. The capacity is about 10 people at the most.
2.If you are planning to set up a tripod, you will need to secure a place from the morning.
3.Parking is a satellite parking lot (there is a “P” mark pinned on the map). It is about a 10-minute shuttle bus ride, but after the light-up event, the queue to get on the shuttle bus may be more than 200 meters long. You need to be ready for a 30 to 40 minutes wait.
4.7 light-up events took place in 2016, but there are places where the view is difficult to see because of a blizzard. Therefore, the chance of being able to see a night view from the observatory is 60-70% because of weather conditions.
The moonlight lighting held from 7PM did not take place in 2016. However, the satellite parking lot lights up the Shirakawa-Go, so a special light source is not needed.
5.Unless you are going on a special bus tour, spaces where you can set up tripods are limited, only in the space near the Ogimachi Shiroato Tenbodai. The capacity is about 10 people at the most.
6.If you are planning to set up a tripod, you will need to secure a place from the morning.
7.Parking is a satellite parking lot (there is a “P” mark pinned on the map). It is about a 10-minute shuttle bus ride, but after the light-up event, the queue to get on the shuttle bus may be more than 200 meters long. You need to be ready for a 30 to 40 minutes wait.
8.7 light-up events took place in 2016, but there are places where the view is difficult to see because of a blizzard. Therefore, the chance of being able to see a night view from the observatory is 60-70% because of weather conditions.
9.The moonlight lighting held from 7PM did not take place in 2016. However, the satellite parking lot lights up the Shirakawa-Go, so a special light source is not needed.