Shirakawa-gō and Gokayama, Japan - Weather and Climate
The climate in Shirakawa-gō and Gokayama, Gifu, Japan, is marked by big temperature swings throughout the year.
Temperatures range from warm during the warmest months
to very cold in the cooler months.
It also has a relatively rain/snowy climate with high levels of precipitation.
Let’s explore the climate details to provide you with a complete overview.
Average maximum day and minimum night temperature
In Shirakawa-gō and Gokayama, temperatures differ significantly between summer and winter months. On average, daytime temperatures range from a comfortable 28°C in August to a very cold 2°C in January.
Nighttime temperatures can drop, with average lows reaching -7°C in January.Check out our detailed temperature page for more information.
Temperature ranges by month
Precipitation and rainy days
Shirakawa-gō and Gokayama experiences significant rain/snowfall throughout the year, averaging 2900 mm of precipitation annually. The amount of precipitation varies moderately throughout the year. The wettest month, July, sees around 363 mm of rainfall, perfect for those who enjoy a bit of rain now and then. The driest month, November, still receives a respectable 189 mm of rainfall.
The mean monthly precipitation over the year, including rain, hail and snow
The average number of days each month with precipitation
Sunshine over the year
In Shirakawa-gō and Gokayama, summer days are longer and more sunny, with daily sunshine hours peaking at 6.9 hours in August. As the darker season arrives, the brightness of the sun becomes less. January sees a soft sun for only 2.1 hours per average day.
Visit our detailed sunshine hours page for more information.
Monthly hours of sunshine
Daily hours of sunshine
Average monthly humidity
The relative humidity is high throughout the year in Shirakawa-gō and Gokayama.
The city experiences its highest humidity in January, reaching 83%. In April, the humidity drops to its lowest level at 68%. What does this mean? Read our detailed page on humidity levels for further details.
Relative humidity over the year
Forecast for Shirakawa-gō and Gokayama
Select a Month of Interest
Check the conditions for any month of the year.
The best time of year to visit Shirakawa-gō and Gokayama in Japan
During the months of June and September you are most likely to experience good weather with pleasant average temperatures that fall between 20°C and 26°C.The average rainfall figures in Shirakawa-gō and Gokayama are quite high. Throughout the year, you have a chance of prolonged precipitation. So no matter what time of year you go, you will always have to deal with a high number of rainy days. This makes it more challenging to point out the best time of year to visit. If we needed to pick one month we would choose August which is the sunniest month of the year.
Other facts from our historical weather data:
August has an average maximum temperature of 28°C and is the warmest month of the year.
The coldest month is January with an average maximum temperature of 2°C.
July tops the wettest month list with 363 mm of rainfall.
November is the driest month with 189 mm of precipitation.
August is the sunniest month with an average of 208 hours of sunshine.
No idea where to travel to this year? We have a tool that recommends destinations based on your ideal conditions. Find out where to go with our weather planner.
