Best Time to Visit Shirakawa-go

What’s the best time of year to visit Shirakawa-go?

Top Choice: January to February in Winter 

Enjoying abundant snowfall, Shirakawa-go has been hailed as a winter resort, attracting large numbers of tourists to admire breathtaking snow landscapes, especially in January and February. During these two months, it gets the most snowfall all year round and the accumulated snow is the deepest, reaching 1 meter (39 in) or above - naturally turning the village into a snowy kingdom. The highly-recommended sites include Ogimachi Castle Observation Deck, Shiroyama Tenshukaku Observation Deck, Deai Bridge and Three Small Houses. 

Every Sunday from middle January to early February, illumination show is held at 17:30 - 19:30, when a myriad of warm light bulbs creates the romantic atmosphere at night.

Second Choice: Mid-October to Mid-November in Autumn

Around middle October, leaves begin to turn golden or red, and during late October through middle November, gassho-style houses in a harmonious layout are nestled in iridescent mountains. Shirakawa Hachiman Shrine and Myozenji Temple are both great destinations to admire autumn foliage. Moreover, grand Doburoku Festival falls on October 14 - 19, when you have more opportunities to feel the festive vibe by drinking Japanese unstrained sake, seeing lion dances and so on.

Meanwhile, temperatures are quite cool with relatively low rainfall, and the sunshine is not intense, making it a pleasant time for travel.

 See More: Shirakawa-go Weather & Japan Fall Foliage Forecast in 2025

Best Time for Cherry Blossoms: Mid-April to Early May

As the temperature gets more balmy, cherry blossoms are in their prime from mid-April to early May. Here are the best-viewing spots: Gasshozukuri Minkaen Outdoor Museum, Seseragi Parking Lot and Shirakawago Honkaku-ji Temple. Plus, this time has the longest sunshine hours over the year, so you are more likely to encounter fine days and take beautiful pictures.

Best Times Fall in Peak Seasons

January and February tend to see the most tourists and are the busiest time in Shirakawa-go, followed by mid-October to mid-November, and finally mid-April to early May. Thus, hotels, flights and shuttle tickets of the observation deck are sought after. If you plan to come here during these periods in 2025 or 2026, it’s better to book them in advance. And restaurants and interesting spots are full of people and you’ll waste much time on queuing up, so try to go for these places at off-peak times.

A reminder: most restaurants may be shut down during New Year holidays, particularly in the first few days of January, so remember to check whether they are open before setting out. If not, it’s best to prepare some instant food like bread and rice balls.

Shoulder Seasons: March, Middle to Late May, December

Without the stimulus of light-up events, visitors decrease a bit in December and March, and December receives more people than March. Especially in late December, when snow gradually accumulates and Shirakawa-go lies beneath a blanket of snow, the numbers may match those of peak seasons. Therefore, early reservation is required. Though snowfall is not frequent in March, snow cover usually remains, still allowing you to admire winter landscapes.

As the cherry blossom season is nearing the end, tourists decline a lot in middle and late May, offering a quieter environment. Moreover, this period has mild weather and low rainfall, suitable for outdoor visiting. At the end of the month, you have chance to experience Rice Planting Festival, a good way to understand local rural culture.

Slack Seasons: Early April, June to Early October, Late November 

During the above periods, the village returns to its usual tranquility for kinds of reasons. For instance, June to September is the rainiest time of the year, causing some inconvenience for your travel. Particularly in July and August, the weather is hot and humid with the maximum UV index of 11, which means you’re more prone to get sunburnt in a short time if sun protection is improper. 

However, if you prefer less-crowded attractions, these three times are good options. Besides, travel costs such as accommodation and transportation become lower, contributing to a budget-friendly experience. What’s more, the first snowfall in Shirakawa-go may occur in late November, when you have a chance to see both snowy scenes and vibrant autumn leaves.

Travel Tips

1. Located in the mountainous areas, Shirakawa-go has a large temperature gap between day and night, so it’s advisable to bring along a spare layer if you plan to go outside in late evenings.

2. Though long sunshine hours in summer make for leisurely exploration, as most scenic spots, restaurants and stores are closed before 17:00, you’d better start your day early.