Event Calendar
In Shirakawa-go, it begins to snow from around late December. Located at the foot of Mt. Hakusan, winter in Shirakawa-go brings deep drifts of snow. In the past, this meant becoming isolated from the outside world, but these days the village’s unique winter charm can be enjoyed by visitors alongside other attractions such as skiing and illumination of the gassho style houses.
Last Updated：October 14, 2016
Snowfall
In Shirakawa-go, snow falls from around late December until early March. You can enjoy the winter scenery of the snow covered gassho style village together with a backdrop of brilliant white mountains.
Shirayumi Ski Resort opens for business
The Shirayumi Ski Resort usually operates from late December until early-March, though it depends on how much snow falls each year.
Harukoma dance
On New Year’s Day, ‘harukoma’ dancers from the harukoma preservation society are paraded through the gassho style village. Dancers impersonating the Seven Deities of Good Fortune perform happy dances.
Icicles
You can also see icicles hanging from the eaves of the gassho style houses.
Deep Snow Shirakawa-go
Gassho style houses decorated with a thick layer of snow create a particularly magical atmosphere. Visitors should be sure to wear warm clothes and long boots or footwear with deep treads as the icy roads can be slippery.
Silkworm Festival
An open-air museum held around the beginning of February in the gardens of private gassho style residences.
Snow-dyeing Ceremony
A ceremony in which dyed material is laid out on the snow to promote deeper coloring in the finished cloth. It takes place around mid-February.
Katteko Snow Fireworks
Held in the Hirase hot spring district around mid-February.
Snowfall
In Shirakawa-go, snow falls from around late December until early March. You can enjoy the winter scenery of the snow covered gassho style village together with a backdrop of brilliant white mountains.
Shirayumi Ski Resort opens for business
The Shirayumi Ski Resort usually operates from late December until early-March, though it depends on how much snow falls each year.
Harukoma dance
On New Year’s Day, ‘harukoma’ dancers from the harukoma preservation society are paraded through the gassho style village. Dancers impersonating the Seven Deities of Good Fortune perform happy dances.
Icicles
You can also see icicles hanging from the eaves of the gassho style houses.
Deep Snow Shirakawa-go
Gassho style houses decorated with a thick layer of snow create a particularly magical atmosphere. Visitors should be sure to wear warm clothes and long boots or footwear with deep treads as the icy roads can be slippery.
Silkworm Festival
An open-air museum held around the beginning of February in the gardens of private gassho style residences.
Snow-dyeing Ceremony
A ceremony in which dyed material is laid out on the snow to promote deeper coloring in the finished cloth. It takes place around mid-February.
Katteko Snow Fireworks
Held in the Hirase hot spring district around mid-February.