Shirakawa-go Weather in March
Season: Winter In short: 1. In March, temperatures are in a slight uptrend, along with a huge temperature gap between day and night.
2. Shirakawa-go has a lot of precipitation, and thick snow accumulation can be seen.
3. The peak season falls in March, because of its beautiful snowy scenes.
Temperature
In March, the temperature in Shirakawa-go slightly goes up. Specifically, from early to late March, the lowest temperatures increase from -3℃ (26.6℉) to 3℃ (37.4℉), while the highest ones rise from under 5℃ (41℉) to above 10℃ (50℉). In 2025, the daily high even reached 21 degrees Celsius (69.8 degrees Fahrenheit) at the end of the month.As a season-transitional period, March in Shirakawa-go brings changeable weather, and some days may experience plummeting or soaring temperatures. Located in the mountains, the daily temperature variation of the village is extremely large, occasionally exceeding 15℃ (59℉).
Precipitation
The total precipitation of Shirakawa-go averages 216mm (8.5 in), scattering in around 6 rainy days and 12 snowy days. Sleet becomes more common during this month, often occurring before rainfall. Most of time the snowfall is heavy, but it seldom lasts a whole day.Snow Depth
In March, you still have a chance to see plenty of accumulated snow on the ground, with drifts being more than one meter, but the snow on the thatched roof of gassho-style houses may melt away.
Daylight Hours/ Sunshine Hours
Both daylight hours and sunshine hours are growing longer this month, averaging roughly 12 hours and 6 hours respectively per day. The opening hours of some travel destinations are prolonged. For example, that of Gasshozukuri Minkaen Outdoor Museum is extended from 9:00 - 16:00 to 8:40 - 17:00. The above-mentioned reasons allow you to explore the village at a more leisurely pace.The UV rays in March become stronger, with the maximum UV Index reaching up to 7. Therefore, Applying SPF 30+ sunscreen is necessary, particularly during midday hours when the sunlight is strong on sunny days.
What to Wear in Shirakawa-go in March
Females: Given the climate features of Shirakawa-go in March, turtleneck sweaters and woolen overcoats are suitable top outfits; for bottoms, if you would like to wear skirts, try to choose a long one, paired with thick leggings. Anti-slip leather boots or Dr. Martens, allowing for a long walk, are both acceptable. Males: Hoodies, thick down jackets and fleece joggers are highly recommended. Warm and comfortable shoes such as sneakers or hiking shoes are always good options. You had better put crampons on the soles to avoid falling down on the frozen roads. Others:1. It’s advisable to wear winter hats, gloves and scarves, especially in rainy and snowy days when the temperature sharply drops. And bring along a compact umbrella or light raincoat.
2. Plus, there are some puddles formed by melted snow on the streets and muddy water may splash onto the legs of your pants, so a small bottle of waterproof spray or plastic shoe covers are helpful to deal with the situation.
Travel Advice and Tips for Shirakawa-go in March
1. Shirakawa-go in March is worth visiting, and the most recommended thing is to appreciate winter landscapes. Apart from the hottest snow-viewing destinations including Ogimachi Castle Observation Deck and Shiroyama Tenshukaku Observation Deck, Kanda House is a nice spot with fewer tourists. Looking out from its second-floor window, a beautiful scene - faraway snowy mountains embracing the quiet village - unfolds. Besides, there is an irori fireplace with a burning fire on the first floor, around which you can get warm before starting your tour.2. Though without wide appeal of winter lighting events from middle January to early February, Shirakawa-go sees less visitors, March is still the peak season, resulting in high demand for hotels, flights and shuttle tickets of observation desks. Thus, early reservation is required if you would like to come here in March 2026.
3. To ward off the cold in chilly evenings, people tend to consume some foods with high calories. Hida beef, famous for its excellent nutrition and soft texture, right possesses this property and is one of local specialties in Shirakawa-go. It’s advisable to order a popular dish, called Hida Beef with Mison Paste on Hoba Leaf.
4. You are required to remove your shoes before entering some scenic spots like Wada House and Nagase House, so it’s better to wear an extra pair of socks to keep the feet warm.
