Shirakawa-go, Japan: What to pack, what to wear, and when to go [2022]

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Traveling to Shirakawa-go, Japan? If you're planning to go to Shirakawa-go, we've got some important information about when to go, what to wear, and what to pack.

Contents

About your travel guide

Hi! I'm Dev. I've traveled all over the world and in my travels, I have made many packing lists. In this series, my team and I have compiled the most useful information, as well as things we couldn't live without, to help you plan your trip.


When to go to Shirakawa-go, Japan

Based on the climate and weather in Shirakawa-go, the best time to go is August. See below for details.

Important essentials for Shirakawa-go, Japan

Here are some general tips on what to wear in Shirakawa-go, as well as several items to remember to pack when traveling there.

COVID-19 ESSENTIALS FOR 2022


  • Travel insurance that includes COVID-19 coverage

    Cases are climbing again, and areas are returning to lockdown. If you or a companion get COVID-19, you may be stuck with no way home -- but travel insurance can protect you. Learn more about COVID-19 and travel insurance


  • Kids' KN95 masks

    N95 masks don't exist for kids. These are a good alternative (and can also be used by adults if N95 masks are not available).


  • Travel disinfecting wipes

    Use these to sanitize plane and hotel surfaces.


  • N95 masks

    These N95 masks provide the best level of COVID protection possible.


  • A vaccine card protector

    Vaccine cards frequently become worn. An unreadable vaccination card can have severe consequences. This vaccine card protector helps avoid that.


  • Touchless thermometer

    A touchless thermometer is important to have.

  • (U.S. Residents) Telehealth COVID-19 test for entry to U.S.

    U.S. residents still need a certified COVID-19 test to return home, but it can now be via Zoom. Learn more


  • Hand sanitizer

    This hand sanitizer is an excellent plane-friendly option.

General health necessities


  • Emergency water purifier

    Some areas may have potentially unsafe tap water, so it's important to take an emergency water purifier like this one.


  • Travel first aid kit

    This one is a excellent choice.


  • Emergency motion sickness relief

Don't forget these

What to wear/what to pack for Shirakawa-go, Japan by month

Already know when you're traveling?

January

If you go to Shirakawa-go in January, you will notice that it is frosty, very snowy and somewhat rainy. Expect it to rain about half of the time and snow about half of the time. Daytime temperatures are in the 30s F (single digits C).

What to wear/what to pack:

February

If you go to Shirakawa-go in February, you will notice that it can be very chilly, somewhat snowy and somewhat rainy. Expect it to rain about a third of the time and snow about half of the time. Daytime temperatures are in the high 30s F (single digits C).

What to wear/what to pack:

March

March in Shirakawa-go can be very chilly and very rainy. The average overnight temperatures in the area are in the high 20s F (single digits below 0 C). It tends to rain about half of the time. It also snows 5-10 days this month. But the colder weather doesn't bring low humidity, which is in the 60% to 70% range on average.

What to wear/what to pack:

April

If you are traveling to Shirakawa-go in April, you will notice that it is cool and somewhat rainy. Expect it to rain about half of the time. Daytime temperatures are in the low 60s F (mid 10s C).

What to wear/what to pack:

May

May in Shirakawa-go is mild and somewhat rainy. Temperatures average in the low 60s F (low 20s C) during the day. It rains about half of the time.

What to wear/what to pack:

June

In June, Shirakawa-go is warm and somewhat rainy. Temperatures routinely are in the 70s F (mid 20s C) range. At night, lows are in the 50s F (low 10s C). This is also a rainy time for Shirakawa-go, with more than half of the days of the month having rain. In June, humidity reaches as high as 70%.

What to wear/what to pack:

July

July is pretty consistently hot and somewhat rainy. Temperatures average in the low 80s F (high 20s C) during the day. It rains about half of the time.

What to wear/what to pack:

August

August is extremely warm and somewhat rainy. Temperatures average in the 80s F (high 20s C) during the day. It rains about half of the time.

What to wear/what to pack:

September

September in this region is a perfect temperature and very rainy. Temperatures average in the 70s F (mid 20s C) during the day. It rains about half of the time.

What to wear/what to pack:

October

If you go to Shirakawa-go in October, you will notice that it can be chilly and very rainy. Expect it to rain about half of the time. Daytime temperatures are in the 60s F (high 10s C).

What to wear/what to pack:

November

November in Shirakawa-go can be very chilly and very rainy. The average overnight temperatures in the area are in the 30s F (single digits C). It tends to rain about two thirds of the time. But the colder weather doesn't bring low humidity, which is in the 60% to 70% range on average.

What to wear/what to pack:

December

December in this region is cold and very rainy. Temperatures average in the low 40s F (single digits C) during the day. It rains about two thirds of the time and snows about a third of the time.

What to wear/what to pack:

Activities for Shirakawa-go, Japan

Here are some activity recommendations and activity-specific packing tips for Shirakawa-go.

If you go to the Jin Homura Art Museum, wear museum-appropriate clothing and take:

Castle hopping? For Kaerikumo Castle, take:


  • Ultralight day pack

    Like this, so you can carry your stuff.

If you're planning to visit Shiramizu Falls, prepare to get wet, and take these:

Check out our guides for these other locations: Palisade, Colorado, United States of America, Meghalaya, India, Billerica, Massachusetts, United States of America, Torridon, Scotland, United Kingdom, Tranquebar, India, Cuc Phuong National Park, Vietnam, Marazion, England, United Kingdom, Texhoma, Oklahoma, United States of America, Bad Kreuznach, Germany, Collie, Western Australia, Australia, and Swamithoppe, India.