Shirakawa-go in December: weather, what to wear and what's on
In December, Shirakawa-go averages a high of 5.9°C (43°F) and a low of −1.7°C (29°F), with 282.8 mm of rain or snow on about 21.2 days (JMA, 1991–2020). It is Shirakawa-go's wettest month. Snow 5 cm or deeper lies on the ground on 15.9 days, and the deepest snow averages 84 cm.
Cold
Shirakawa-go weather in December
Averages for 1991–2020 at the JMA's Shirakawa station (478 m above sea level).
- High
- 5.9°C (43°F)
- Low
- −1.7°C (29°F)
- Precipitation
- 282.8 mm
- Wet days
- 21.2 days
- Sunshine
- 47 hours
Highs fall 7.0°C from November and drop another 3.1°C into January.
That is 10.6°C below Shirakawa-go's yearly average high of 16.5°C.
Of our 14 places with temperature records, Shirakawa-go is the 2nd coldest in December: 0.3°C cooler than Takayama and 3.9°C warmer than Sapporo.
Of our 15 places, Shirakawa-go has the 2nd highest precipitation in December: 18.3 mm less than Kanazawa and 168.3 mm more than Sapporo.
Rain or snow of 1 mm or more falls on 21.2 days, and 10 mm or more on 10.5 days.
Rain or snow of 30 mm or more in one day falls on 2.7 days.
The temperature drops below 0°C on 23.0 nights.
On 1.8 days it stays below 0°C all day.
201 cm of snow falls in an average December; snow 5 cm or deeper lies on the ground on 15.9 days.
The sun is out for 40% or more of the possible hours on 5.9 days, and 13.3 days have under 0.1 hours of sunshine.
- Average temperature
- 1.7°C (35°F)
- Deepest snow (average of each year's deepest)
- 84 cm
Early, mid and late December
| Days | High | Low | Precipitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–10 December | 8.1°C | −0.2°C | 79.5 mm |
| 11–20 December | 5.4°C | −1.6°C | 104.1 mm |
| 21–31 December | 4.3°C | −3.0°C | 99.2 mm |
By the last ten days of December the average high in Shirakawa-go is 3.8°C lower than in the first ten.
By ten-day totals, 11–20 December is the wettest (104.1 mm) and 1–10 December the driest (79.5 mm).
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What to wear in Shirakawa-go in December
Cold: highs around 5.9°C
- A winter coat over layers, and a scarf.
- Gloves and a hat for mornings and nights: the temperature drops below 0°C on 23.0 nights.
- A waterproof jacket with a hood: rain or snow falls on 21.2 days.
Shoes
- Waterproof boots with good grip: snow 5 cm or deeper lies on the ground on 15.9 days (deepest 84 cm on average).
Pack
- Waterproof jacket with a hood
- Gloves and a warm hat
- Scarf
- Waterproof boots with grip
December records in Shirakawa-go
The extremes the JMA has measured in December at its Shirakawa station.
- Hottest December day
- 20.0°C (68°F) on 15 December 2023 (records since 1978)
- Coldest December night
- −14.9°C (5°F) on 28 December 1995 (records since 1978)
- Wettest December day
- 72.5 mm on 11 December 2015 (records since 1978)
- Deepest December snow
- 262 cm on 27 December 2005 (records since 1983)
- Most snow in one December day
- 77 cm on 31 December 2009 (records since 1983)
Holidays and crowds in December
There are no national holidays in December 2026.
In December 2025, hotels and inns across Gifu Prefecture were 50.0% full on average (11th busiest of 12 months). Foreign guests spent 153,770 nights there that month (Japan Tourism Agency). That compares with 60.6% in November and 50.5% in January.
What's on in Shirakawa-go in December
| Event | When | Where and what |
|---|---|---|
| Snow season in Shirakawa-go白川郷の降雪期 | Snow falls from late December to early March | Shirakawa-go gassho village and the surrounding mountains. Snow falls from late December to early March, covering the mountains and the gassho-zukuri houses; icicles form on the houses. Visitors are asked to wear warm clothing and winter boots or shoes with deep treads, because some places are frozen and slippery. Official page |
Shirakawa-go before and after December
Other places in December
| Place | High | Against Shirakawa-go | Wet days | Against Shirakawa-go |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo | 12.0°C | +6.1°C | 5.2 days | −16.0 days |
| Kyoto | 11.6°C | +5.7°C | 6.6 days | −14.6 days |
| Osaka | 12.3°C | +6.4°C | 6.1 days | −15.1 days |
| Sapporo | 2.0°C | −3.9°C | 16.0 days | −5.2 days |
| OkinawaNaha | 21.5°C | +15.6°C | 9.3 days | −11.9 days |
Frequently asked questions
What is the weather like in Shirakawa-go in December?
The average high is 5.9°C (43°F) and the average low −1.7°C (29°F). 282.8 mm of rain or snow falls on about 21.2 days (JMA, 1991–2020).
What should I wear in Shirakawa-go in December?
A winter coat over layers, and a scarf. Gloves and a hat for mornings and nights: the temperature drops below 0°C on 23.0 nights. A waterproof jacket with a hood: rain or snow falls on 21.2 days.
Does it snow in Shirakawa-go in December?
Yes. 201 cm of snow falls in an average December, and snow 5 cm or deeper lies on the ground on 15.9 days (JMA, 1991–2020).
Is Shirakawa-go busy in December?
In December 2025, hotels and inns across Gifu Prefecture were 50.0% full on average (11th busiest of 12 months). Foreign guests spent 153,770 nights there that month (Japan Tourism Agency).
What are the record temperatures for December in Shirakawa-go?
The highest temperature the JMA has recorded in Shirakawa-go in December is 20.0°C (68°F), on 15 December 2023. The lowest is −14.9°C (5°F), on 28 December 1995.
What events are on in Shirakawa-go in December?
Snow season in Shirakawa-go: Snow falls from late December to early March.
Related items
Sources for this page
- Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) Normals for 1991–2020: Shirakawa (白川), month by month (平年値 年・月ごとの値)checked October 2, 2026
- Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) Normals for 1991–2020: Shirakawa (白川), rain days, temperature days and snow (詳細)checked October 2, 2026
- Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) Ten-day normals for 1991–2020: Shirakawa (白川) (平年値 旬ごとの値)checked October 2, 2026
- Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) Records for December: Shirakawa (白川) (観測史上1〜10位の値)checked October 2, 2026
- Cabinet Office National holidays (国民の祝日について)checked October 2, 2026
- Japan Tourism Agency Overnight Travel Statistics Survey, 2025 final figures (宿泊旅行統計調査 2025年 年の確定値)checked October 2, 2026
- Shirakawa Village (official Shirakawa-go tourism pages) Snow season in Shirakawa-go (白川郷の降雪期)checked October 2, 2026
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Compiled by Japan Japan !! · Updated October 2, 2026