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When to go · Shirakawa-gō

Shirakawa-gō in April

Great month. Inside Shirakawa-gō's best window: Apr–May, Oct–Nov; Jan–Feb for snow and the light-up.

Key facts

Verdict
Great
Temperature
16°C (61°F) / 4°C (39°F)
average high / low
Rain days
12
Crowds
High
Japan overall
Prices
High
Japan overall

Verdict

GreatBest and avoid months for Shirakawa-gō

Inside Shirakawa-gō's best window: Apr–May, Oct–Nov; Jan–Feb for snow and the light-up.

Is another month better than April?

No other month rates higher than April for Shirakawa-gō in this guide.

Weather in April

Long-term averages
  • Shirakawa-gōHighs around 16 °C (61 °F), lows around 4 °C (39 °F), rain on about 12 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.

  • Golden Week big impact

    29 Apr – 5 May · Japan

    The biggest domestic travel week: Shinkansen reserved cars and hotels sell out; prices up.

Crowds and prices

Crowds · Japan overall
High
Prices · Japan overall
High

Japan overall: Blossom peak early April and Golden Week at the end: the two most crowded windows of the year.

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

    Apr: Great

    Jan: Great

  • Daytime high

    Apr: 16 °C (61 °F)

    Jan: 3 °C (37 °F)

  • Night low

    Apr: 4 °C (39 °F)

    Jan: -4 °C (25 °F)

  • Rain days

    Apr: 12 (better)

    Jan: 18

  • Crowds

    Apr: High

    Jan: Low

  • Prices

    Apr: High

    Jan: Low

  • Festivals listed

    Apr: 2

    Jan: 1

April: Inside Shirakawa-gō's best window: Apr–May, Oct–Nov; Jan–Feb for snow and the light-up.

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

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Across Japan in April →