Shirakawa-go in November: weather, what to wear and what's on
In November, Shirakawa-go averages a high of 12.9°C (55°F) and a low of 2.8°C (37°F), with 181.6 mm of rain or snow on about 15.4 days (JMA, 1991–2020).
Chilly
Shirakawa-go weather in November
Averages for 1991–2020 at the JMA's Shirakawa station (478 m above sea level).
- High
- 12.9°C (55°F)
- Low
- 2.8°C (37°F)
- Precipitation
- 181.6 mm
- Wet days
- 15.4 days
- Sunshine
- 89 hours
Highs fall 6.3°C from October and drop another 7.0°C into December.
That is 3.6°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 November: 0.2°C cooler than Takayama and 4.2°C warmer than Sapporo.
November is Shirakawa-go's 4th driest month (181.6 mm).
Of our 15 places, Shirakawa-go has the 3rd highest precipitation in November: 15.5 mm less than Hakone and 62.5 mm more than Naha.
Rain or snow of 1 mm or more falls on 15.4 days, and 10 mm or more on 6.4 days.
Rain or snow of 30 mm or more in one day falls on 1.4 days.
The temperature drops below 0°C on 6.5 nights.
12 cm of snow falls in an average November; snow 5 cm or deeper lies on the ground on 1.7 days.
The sun is out for 40% or more of the possible hours on 10.8 days, and 8.6 days have under 0.1 hours of sunshine.
- Average temperature
- 7.1°C (45°F)
- Deepest snow (average of each year's deepest)
- 5 cm
Early, mid and late November
| Days | High | Low | Precipitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–10 November | 15.4°C | 4.4°C | 53.3 mm |
| 11–20 November | 12.7°C | 2.8°C | 66.2 mm |
| 21–30 November | 10.5°C | 1.2°C | 62.2 mm |
By the last ten days of November the average high in Shirakawa-go is 4.9°C lower than in the first ten.
By ten-day totals, 11–20 November is the wettest (66.2 mm) and 1–10 November the driest (53.3 mm).
What to wear in Shirakawa-go in November
Chilly: highs around 12.9°C
- A warm jacket or light coat over a sweater.
- Gloves and a hat for mornings and nights: the temperature drops below 0°C on 6.5 nights.
- Layers you can take off: afternoons are 10.1°C warmer than early mornings on average.
- Rain gear every day: a sturdy umbrella and a water-resistant jacket. Rain or snow falls on 15.4 days.
Pack
- Sturdy umbrella and rain jacket
- Gloves and a warm hat
November records in Shirakawa-go
The extremes the JMA has measured in November at its Shirakawa station.
- Hottest November day
- 25.5°C (78°F) on 3 November 2023 (records since 1978)
- Coldest November night
- −8.3°C (17°F) on 29 November 1983 (records since 1978)
- Wettest November day
- 90.5 mm on 2 November 2024 (records since 1978)
- Deepest November snow
- 94 cm on 26 November 1988 (records since 1983)
- Most snow in one November day
- 66 cm on 25 November 1988 (records since 1983)
Holidays and crowds in November
National holidays in November 2026:
- Tue 3 November — Culture Day
- Mon 23 November — Labor Thanksgiving Day
- Sat 21 November to Mon 23 November: 3 days off in a row
In November 2025, hotels and inns across Gifu Prefecture were 60.6% full on average (3rd busiest of 12 months). Foreign guests spent 175,550 nights there that month (Japan Tourism Agency). That compares with 63.6% in October and 50.0% in December.
What's on in Shirakawa-go in November
| Event | When | Where and what |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn colours in Shirakawa-go白川郷の紅葉 | From early to mid October; the mountain roads close for winter, so colour there can be seen until around the end of October | Mountains around Shirakawa-go (Shiramizu Falls, Hakusan Shirakawa-go White Road, Amou Pass) and the trees of the village. Trees in the mountains turn yellow and red from early October, and the trees in the village colour slightly later. The Hakusan Park Line, Hakusan Shirakawa-go White Road and Amou Pass are closed in winter, so the colour there can be seen until around the end of October. In November the village starts to see first frost and first snow and prepares for winter with yukigakoi (straw and thatch wrapping of houses). Official page |
| All-at-once water discharge fire drill一斉放水 | Around early November (the village calendar gives no exact date) | Shirakawa-go (the village calendar does not name the exact location). A fire-prevention drill in which water is discharged all at once, held to prepare for fires. Listed in the village's autumn calendar with only an approximate timing. Official page |
Shirakawa-go before and after November
Other places in November
| Place | High | Against Shirakawa-go | Wet days | Against Shirakawa-go |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo | 16.7°C | +3.8°C | 7.4 days | −8.0 days |
| Kyoto | 17.3°C | +4.4°C | 6.3 days | −9.1 days |
| Osaka | 17.8°C | +4.9°C | 6.2 days | −9.2 days |
| Sapporo | 8.7°C | −4.2°C | 14.6 days | −0.8 days |
| OkinawaNaha | 25.0°C | +12.1°C | 8.2 days | −7.2 days |
Frequently asked questions
What is the weather like in Shirakawa-go in November?
The average high is 12.9°C (55°F) and the average low 2.8°C (37°F). 181.6 mm of rain or snow falls on about 15.4 days (JMA, 1991–2020).
What should I wear in Shirakawa-go in November?
A warm jacket or light coat over a sweater. Gloves and a hat for mornings and nights: the temperature drops below 0°C on 6.5 nights. Layers you can take off: afternoons are 10.1°C warmer than early mornings on average. Rain gear every day: a sturdy umbrella and a water-resistant jacket. Rain or snow falls on 15.4 days.
Does it snow in Shirakawa-go in November?
Yes. 12 cm of snow falls in an average November, and snow 5 cm or deeper lies on the ground on 1.7 days (JMA, 1991–2020).
Is Shirakawa-go busy in November?
In November 2025, hotels and inns across Gifu Prefecture were 60.6% full on average (3rd busiest of 12 months). Foreign guests spent 175,550 nights there that month (Japan Tourism Agency).
What are the record temperatures for November in Shirakawa-go?
The highest temperature the JMA has recorded in Shirakawa-go in November is 25.5°C (78°F), on 3 November 2023. The lowest is −8.3°C (17°F), on 29 November 1983.
What events are on in Shirakawa-go in November?
Autumn colours in Shirakawa-go: From early to mid October; the mountain roads close for winter, so colour there can be seen until around the end of October. All-at-once water discharge fire drill: Around early November (the village calendar gives no exact date).
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 November: 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) Autumn colours in Shirakawa-go (白川郷の紅葉)checked October 2, 2026
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Compiled by Japan Japan !! · Updated October 2, 2026