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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

  1. JanuaryGreatInside Shirakawa-gō's best window: Apr–May, Oct–Nov; Jan–Feb for snow and the light-up.3 °C / -4 °C, 18 rain daysCrowds: Low · 1 festival or holiday
  2. FebruaryGreatInside Shirakawa-gō's best window: Apr–May, Oct–Nov; Jan–Feb for snow and the light-up.4 °C / -4 °C, 15 rain daysCrowds: Low
  3. 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 / -1 °C, 15 rain daysCrowds: High · 1 festival or holiday
  4. AprilGreatInside Shirakawa-gō's best window: Apr–May, Oct–Nov; Jan–Feb for snow and the light-up.16 °C / 4 °C, 12 rain daysCrowds: High · 2 festivals or holidays
  5. MayGreatInside Shirakawa-gō's best window: Apr–May, Oct–Nov; Jan–Feb for snow and the light-up.21 °C / 9 °C, 12 rain daysCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
  6. 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 / 14 °C, 14 rain daysCrowds: Low
  7. 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 / 19 °C, 16 rain daysCrowds: Medium
  8. 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 / 20 °C, 14 rain daysCrowds: High · 1 festival or holiday
  9. 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 / 16 °C, 15 rain daysCrowds: Medium
  10. OctoberGreatInside Shirakawa-gō's best window: Apr–May, Oct–Nov; Jan–Feb for snow and the light-up.19 °C / 9 °C, 12 rain daysCrowds: Medium
  11. NovemberGreatInside Shirakawa-gō's best window: Apr–May, Oct–Nov; Jan–Feb for snow and the light-up.13 °C / 3 °C, 14 rain daysCrowds: High
  12. 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 / -1 °C, 18 rain daysCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday