Best Time to Visit Shirakawa-go

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

Enjoying abundant snowfall, Shirakawa-go has been hailed as a winter resort, attracting large numbers of tourists to admire breathtaking snow landscapes. In January and February, Shirakawa-go 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 to appreciate the snowy scenery include Ogimachi Castle Observation Deck, Shiroyama Tenshukaku Observation Deck, Deai Bridge and Three Small Houses.  

Winter Snow Pile

For your reference, 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 against the white land.

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Without the stimulus of light-up events, visitors are fewer in December and March than in January and February, and December receives more people than March. Especially in late December, snow gradually accumulates and Shirakawa-go lies beneath a blanket of snow. Though snowfall is not frequent in March, snow cover usually remains, still allowing you to admire winter landscapes.

Japanese-style Stove

Gassho-style House Interior

Best Time for Fall Foliage: Mid-October to Mid-November

Around middle October, leaves begin to turn golden or red, and from late October through middle November, gassho-style houses in a harmonious layout are nestled among iridescent mountains. Shirakawa Hachiman Shrine and Myozenji Temple are both great destinations to admire autumn foliage. Meanwhile, temperatures are quite cool, and the sunshine is not intense, making it a pleasant time for travel.

Moreover, grand Doburoku Festival falls on October 14 - 19, when you have opportunities to feel the festive vibe by drinking Japanese unstrained sake, seeing lion dances and so on.

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.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.
Visitors Seeing Sakura Flowers

Visitors Seeing Sakura Flowers

Best times are also the busiest times in Shirakawa-go.

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 and tickets of shuttle buses to 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 may spend much time on queuing up.

A reminder: Most restaurants may be shut down during New Year holiday, particularly in the first few days of January, so remember to check whether they are open before setting out.

Gassho-style House

Travel to Shirakawa-go in Summer from June to August

In summer, lush green Shirakawa-go feels like a fairytale world straight out of Miyazaki’s animations. Coupled with the temperature a tad lower than surrounding cities, it attracts many visitors.

Shirakawa Hachimangu Shrine

However, summer 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. Besides, summer vacation right falls on these two months, possibly resulting in a growing number of visitors. Though this period is not as crowded as Shirakawa-go’s busiest time, given limited restaurants, it’s difficult to have a meal during regular mealtimes.

Useful Information for Shirakawa-go Trip

1. Though the cherry blossom season is nearing the end, mid to late May is still a nice period for travel, because it has mild weather and low rainfall, suitable for outdoor visiting. Plus, Rice Planting Festival is held around the end of the month, which is a good way to understand local rural culture.
2. 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.
3. Though long daylight 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.