Shirakawa-go Weather in October

Season: Autumn

What is the weather like in Shirakawa-go in October?
1. The weather is generally mild, neither too hot nor too cold.
2. Rainfall is not very high compared with other months, but not low yet, and 12 rainy days mostly see light rain.
3. Late October is fall foliage season and a peak travel time here.

Autumn Color in Late Oct.

Comfortable Weather

Average Temperature: 9 - 19℃ (48.2 - 66.2℉)

October brings fresh and cool air to Shirakawa-go, making it one of the most pleasant periods for travel. In the beginning of the month, you feel comfortably warm as day temperatures usually stay at around 20 - 25 degrees Celsius (68 - 77 degrees Fahrenheit). Then, it gets mild with the day temperatures slowly going down to 15 - 20℃ (59 - 68℉) by the end of the month. Night temperature also has a downward trend, ranging from 10 - 15℃ (50 - 59℉) at the beginning of the month to under 10℃ (50℉) by the end, but in some years, it can reach as low as 0℃ (32℉).

With the temperature dropping, the leaves gradually change their colors. Around the late October, Shirakawa-go steps into the best time to admire autumn foliage.

Rainfall

Nagase House

October’s rainfall in Shirakawa-go decreases to 239mm (9.4 in), still higher than other plain cities in Japan, such as Tokyo and Nagoya. There would be around 12 rainy days, frequently with light rain. Meanwhile, the first half of the month is prone to receive heavy rain, but don’t worry too much as it only happens occasionally. Besides, most rainfall lasts a bit long, more than 6 hours, so be sure to bring along raingear, if you plan to come here during this period of 2026.

The relative humidity in October falls to 83%, still at a high level. But thanks to dropping temperatures, you won’t feel uncomfortable about it.

Daylight Hours & Sunshine Hours

As sunrise is delayed from 5:25 to 5:48 and sunset is advanced from 18:23 to 17:38, the daily length decreases from 13 to 12 hours on average, meaning that you need to speed up your travel pace a little bit. As overcast weather predominates in Shirakawa-go in October, the daily average sunshine is roughly 5.6 hours only.

During this month, UV rays weaken a lot, but its index still reaches up to 7. Thus, some sun-protective measures are required during sunny periods. For example, wear a sunbonnet or sunglasses, and apply SPF 30+ sunblock.

Outfit Ideas for Shirakawa-go in October

Clothes & Pants: To cope with Shirakawa-go climate in early October, short-sleeve shirts and thin sweatpants are highly recommended. As the temperature becomes cooler and cooler, you need to wear thicker clothes. For instance, you can wear a long-sleeve shirt or hoodie and jeans. You also need to wear a warmer outwear such as a windbreaker or trench coat when it is raining or after the sun goes down.

Footwear: Walking is the primary way to visit Shirakawa-go, so lightweight sports shoes with good-supportive cushions are optimal. Rainwater makes stone-paved paths more slippery, so shoe soles should be deeply-grooved to improve friction.

Travel Highlights of Shirakawa-go in October

Colorful Autumn Leaves

At the end of the month, the leaves on nearby mountains turn yellow and orange. In this period, the view from the Deai Bridge is as breathtaking as a postcard: in early mornings, when a mist floats above the river, rural houses and colorful foliage make people stop; at dusk, the setting sun casts a warm glow upon the river and the colorful leaves afar, showing amazing natural charm.

Doburoku Festival

As the grandest celebration in Shirakawa-go, Doburoku Festival is absolutely a must-see. It consists of a series of ceremonies held from October 14 to 19 at local shrines successively. Apart from enjoying lion dances, you have a chance to see distinctive possession with an ornate portable shrine and taste unstrained sake brewed by the shrines. The celebrations are going on in Shirakawa Hachiman Shrine in October 14 - 15, in Hatogaya Hachiman Shrine in October 16 - 17 and in Iijima Hachiman Shrine in October 18 - 19.

Girls in Kimono

Travel Advice

1. As autumn foliage season is coming by end of October, a peak time of travelling also arrives. Therefore, booking accommodations and confirming transportation options ahead of time are wise ideas. And if you prefer a peaceful and less crowded environment, it’s better to start your visit before 10:00 to avoid the main crowds of tour groups.
2. In autumn, bears are more likely to appear in the village to hunt for food, causing the closure of the hiking trail to Shiroyama Tenshukaku Observation Deck, when visitors can only take a shuttle bus to get there. So, there may be many people waiting in long lines. In the case, it’s advisable to go for it early. In more severe cases, even shuttle service suspends, so keep an eye on local notice and make your itinerary more flexibly.

Local Specialty Gohē Mochi

Gassho-style Shop