When to go · Shirakawa-gō
Shirakawa-gō in March
Good month. Outside 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.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Good
- Temperature
- 9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C) / −1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 15
- Crowds
- High
- Japan overall
- Prices
- High
- Japan overall
Verdict
Outside 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.
Is another month better than March?
March is rated good. These months rate higher:
- AprilGreatInside Shirakawa-gō's best window: Apr–May, Oct–Nov; Jan–Feb for snow and the light-up.
- MayGreatInside Shirakawa-gō's best window: Apr–May, Oct–Nov; Jan–Feb for snow and the light-up.
- OctoberGreatInside Shirakawa-gō's best window: Apr–May, Oct–Nov; Jan–Feb for snow and the light-up.
- NovemberGreatInside Shirakawa-gō's best window: Apr–May, Oct–Nov; Jan–Feb for snow and the light-up.
Weather in March
- Shirakawa-gōHighs around 9 °C (48 °F), lows around -1 °C (30 °F), rain on about 15 daysHighs around 48 °F (9 °C), lows around 30 °F (-1 °C), rain on about 15 days
Festivals and holidays
Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.
Cherry blossom season big impact
Late Mar – mid Apr (moves north through May) · Japan
Kyoto and Tokyo hotels at peak prices; parks crowded from dawn; book months ahead.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Japan overall
- High
- Prices · Japan overall
- High
Japan overall: Blossom arrives late in the month: prices jump, book early.
High-price month: see what to book ahead.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Shirakawa-gō, side by side.
Verdict
Mar: Good
Jan: Great (better)
Daytime high
Mar: 9 °C (48 °F)48 °F (9 °C)
Jan: 3 °C (37 °F)37 °F (3 °C)
Night low
Mar: -1 °C (30 °F)30 °F (-1 °C)
Jan: -4 °C (25 °F)25 °F (-4 °C)
Rain days
Mar: 15 (better)
Jan: 18
Crowds
Mar: High
Jan: Low
Prices
Mar: High
Jan: Low
Festivals listed
Mar: 1
Jan: 1
March: Outside 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.
January: 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.
What to pack
- A warm coat, hat and gloves for mornings and evenings
- A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast