When to go · Shirakawa-gō
Shirakawa-gō, month by month
The best months for Shirakawa-gō: Jan, Feb, Apr, May, Oct, Nov.
Month by month
- JanuaryGreatInside Shirakawa-gō's best window: Apr–May, Oct–Nov; Jan–Feb for snow and the light-up.3 °C (37 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 18 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 25 °F (-4 °C), 18 rain daysCrowds: Low · 1 festival or holiday
- FebruaryGreatInside Shirakawa-gō's best window: Apr–May, Oct–Nov; Jan–Feb for snow and the light-up.4 °C (39 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 15 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 25 °F (-4 °C), 15 rain daysCrowds: Low
- MarchGoodOutside the best window (Apr–May, Oct–Nov; Jan–Feb for snow and the light-up). Across Japan: Blossom arrives late in the month: prices jump, book early.9 °C (48 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 15 rain days48 °F (9 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 15 rain daysCrowds: High · 1 festival or holiday
- AprilGreatInside Shirakawa-gō's best window: Apr–May, Oct–Nov; Jan–Feb for snow and the light-up.16 °C (61 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 12 rain days61 °F (16 °C) / 39 °F (4 °C), 12 rain daysCrowds: High · 2 festivals or holidays
- MayGreatInside Shirakawa-gō's best window: Apr–May, Oct–Nov; Jan–Feb for snow and the light-up.21 °C (70 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 12 rain days70 °F (21 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 12 rain daysCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
- JuneMixedOutside the best window (Apr–May, Oct–Nov; Jan–Feb for snow and the light-up). Across Japan: Rainy season in Honshū: grey, humid, fewer tourists; Hokkaidō is at its best.24 °C (75 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 14 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 57 °F (14 °C), 14 rain daysCrowds: Low
- JulyMixedOutside the best window (Apr–May, Oct–Nov; Jan–Feb for snow and the light-up). Across Japan: Rain ends mid-month then the heat begins; festivals everywhere.28 °C (82 °F) / 19 °C (66 °F), 16 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 66 °F (19 °C), 16 rain daysCrowds: Medium
- AugustMixedOutside the best window (Apr–May, Oct–Nov; Jan–Feb for snow and the light-up). Across Japan: Hottest month and Obon travel peak: go north (Hokkaidō, Tōhoku) or plan short outdoor windows.30 °C (86 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 14 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 68 °F (20 °C), 14 rain daysCrowds: High · 1 festival or holiday
- SeptemberMixedOutside the best window (Apr–May, Oct–Nov; Jan–Feb for snow and the light-up). Across Japan: Still hot; typhoon peak can cancel flights and ferries for a day or two.25 °C (77 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 15 rain days77 °F (25 °C) / 61 °F (16 °C), 15 rain daysCrowds: Medium
- OctoberGreatInside Shirakawa-gō's best window: Apr–May, Oct–Nov; Jan–Feb for snow and the light-up.19 °C (66 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 12 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 12 rain daysCrowds: Medium
- NovemberGreatInside Shirakawa-gō's best window: Apr–May, Oct–Nov; Jan–Feb for snow and the light-up.13 °C (55 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 14 rain days55 °F (13 °C) / 37 °F (3 °C), 14 rain daysCrowds: High
- DecemberGoodOutside the best window (Apr–May, Oct–Nov; Jan–Feb for snow and the light-up). Across Japan: Cold and clear until the New Year shutdown from 29 Dec.6 °C (43 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 18 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 18 rain daysCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Shirakawa-gō, side by side.
Verdict
Jan: Great
Feb: Great
Daytime high
Jan: 3 °C (37 °F)37 °F (3 °C)
Feb: 4 °C (39 °F)39 °F (4 °C)
Night low
Jan: -4 °C (25 °F)25 °F (-4 °C)
Feb: -4 °C (25 °F)25 °F (-4 °C)
Rain days
Jan: 18
Feb: 15 (better)
Crowds
Jan: Low
Feb: Low
Prices
Jan: Low
Feb: Low
Festivals listed
Jan: 1
Feb: 0
January: Inside Shirakawa-gō's best window: Apr–May, Oct–Nov; Jan–Feb for snow and the light-up.
February: Inside Shirakawa-gō's best window: Apr–May, Oct–Nov; Jan–Feb for snow and the light-up.
Shirakawa-gō: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.