When to go · Shirakawa
Shirakawa in December
Good month. Outside the best window (Apr–May, Oct–Nov). Across Japan: Cold and clear until the New Year shutdown from 29 Dec.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Good
- Temperature
- 8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C) / −1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 6
- Crowds
- Medium
- Japan overall
- Prices
- Medium
- Japan overall
Verdict
Outside the best window (Apr–May, Oct–Nov). Across Japan: Cold and clear until the New Year shutdown from 29 Dec.
Is another month better than December?
December is rated good. These months rate higher:
Weather in December
- ShirakawaHighs around 8 °C (46 °F), lows around -1 °C (30 °F), rain on about 6 daysHighs around 46 °F (8 °C), lows around 30 °F (-1 °C), rain on about 6 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.
New Year (Shōgatsu) big impact
29 Dec – 3 Jan · Japan
Shops, museums and many restaurants close; shrines packed on 1–3 Jan; trains full on 29–30 Dec and 2–3 Jan.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Japan overall
- Medium
- Prices · Japan overall
- Medium
Japan overall: Cold and clear until the New Year shutdown from 29 Dec.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Shirakawa, side by side.
Verdict
Dec: Good
Apr: Great (better)
Daytime high
Dec: 8 °C (46 °F)46 °F (8 °C)
Apr: 16 °C (61 °F)61 °F (16 °C)
Night low
Dec: -1 °C (30 °F)30 °F (-1 °C)
Apr: 5 °C (41 °F)41 °F (5 °C)
Rain days
Dec: 6 (better)
Apr: 9
Crowds
Dec: Medium
Apr: High
Prices
Dec: Medium
Apr: High
Festivals listed
Dec: 1
Apr: 2
December: Outside the best window (Apr–May, Oct–Nov). Across Japan: Cold and clear until the New Year shutdown from 29 Dec.
April: Inside Shirakawa's best window: Apr–May, Oct–Nov.
Shirakawa: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A warm coat, hat and gloves for mornings and evenings