January–FebruaryShirakawa-go Winter Light-up
Chubu & Hokuriku ・ Shirakawa-go
Usually a few days in January–February (fully reservation-only)
2027 (41st): 4 days, Jan 11 (Mon, holiday), Jan 17 (Sun), Jan 24 (Sun) & Jan 31 (Sun)
Chubu & Hokuriku Weather Guide
Chubu & Hokuriku: Weather & What to Wear Guide
Chubu & Hokuriku is a region where the weather varies enormously from place to place. Nagoya on the Pacific side has hot, humid summers with highs around 33°C, but its winters bring lots of sunny days and snow hardly ever settles. By contrast, Kanazawa and Toyama on the Sea of Japan side, Shirakawa-go and Takayama in the mountains, and Hakuba and Nagano in Shinshu get heavy snow in winter, with Shirakawa-go's average maximum snow depth in February reaching 173 cm. Kamikochi in the Northern Alps (about 1,500 m above sea level) and Murodo on Tateyama (2,450 m) are a mountain world much cooler than the lowlands. This guide covers 10 areas popular with travelers, with monthly temperatures based on Japan Meteorological Agency climate normals, plus what to wear and what to see.
By Month
Chubu & Hokuriku Weather by Month
January
The coldest month of the year: the season for snowy gassho-zukuri villages and hot springs
Nagoya 9.3℃ / 1.1℃
February
The snowiest time of year: perfect for skiing and hot springs with snow views
Nagoya 10.5℃ / 1.4℃
March
Cherry blossoms open in Nagoya late in the month; the mountains are still under snow
Nagoya 14.5℃ / 4.6℃
April
Cherry blossoms in Hokuriku and Shinshu, plus the spring Takayama Festival; the Alpine Route opens mid-month
Nagoya 20.1℃ / 9.7℃
May
The Yuki-no-Otani snow walls and fresh greenery: a dry, comfortable season
Nagoya 24.6℃ / 14.9℃
June
The rainy season begins; Kurobe Dam's sightseeing water discharge starts late in the month
Nagoya 27.6℃ / 19.4℃
July
Intense heat in Nagoya after the rainy season ends; the highlands and mountains offer an escape from the heat
Nagoya 31.4℃ / 23.5℃
August
The hottest month of the year: stay cool in Kamikochi or Hakuba
Nagoya 33.2℃ / 24.7℃
September
Lingering heat and frequent rain; autumn leaves begin on Tateyama from mid-month
Nagoya 29.1℃ / 21.0℃
October
The autumn Takayama Festival and autumn leaves in Kamikochi: clear skies and sightseeing season
Nagoya 23.3℃ / 14.8℃
November
Autumn leaves move down to the lowlands; yukitsuri snow ropes go up at Kenrokuen
Nagoya 17.3℃ / 8.6℃
December
Snow season arrives in Hokuriku, Hida and Shinshu: the best time for winter hot springs
Nagoya 11.7℃ / 3.4℃
Nagoya high / low (climate normals).
Best Time to Visit
Best Time to Visit
❄️
Snow Scenery & Gassho-zukuri
December–February
The season when the gassho-zukuri farmhouse villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama are blanketed in snow. In Shirakawa-go, the village is illuminated on a few days each January and February (advance reservation required).
🏔️
Yuki-no-Otani & the Alpine Route
Mid-April–Late June
The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route usually opens fully in mid-April and operates until the end of November. You can walk through Yuki-no-Otani, the snow walls on the Murodo plateau, from mid-April to late June. Kurobe Dam's sightseeing water discharge can also be seen from June 26 to October 15.
🌸
Cherry Blossoms
Late March–Mid-April
On average, cherry blossoms open on March 24 in Nagoya, April 3 in Kanazawa and Toyama, and April 11 in Nagano. They bloom in turn from south to north and from the lowlands up into the mountains, so you can catch them at different times.
🏮
Takayama Festival
April & October
Takayama's spring festival (Sanno Matsuri) is held every year on April 14–15, and the autumn festival (Hachiman Matsuri) every year on October 9–10. Ornate festival floats line the old streets.
🍁
Autumn Leaves
Mid-September–November
The colors move down from the highest ground: the Murodo plateau on Tateyama from mid-September to early October, Kamikochi from early to late October, and Tateyama Station and Shomyo Falls from late October to mid-November.
♨️
Skiing & Hot Springs
December–March
Hakuba is a snowy ski area, with an average maximum snow depth of 97 cm in February. Only in winter can you see monkeys bathing in the hot spring at Jigokudani Monkey Park, and Gero Onsen, Okuhida Onsen and Shibu Onsen are also popular in winter.
🌲
Escaping the Summer Heat
July–August
The average August high is 28.4°C in Hakuba, compared with 33.2°C in Nagoya. Kamikochi and Murodo on Tateyama are much cooler than the lowlands and ideal for summer walks in the highlands.
Temperature
Average Temperature by Area and Month
Average temperature normals (°C). Blue is colder, deeper orange is warmer. Tap a month to see the full guide.
| Area | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nagoya | 4.8 | 5.5 | 9.2 | 14.6 | 19.4 | 23.0 | 26.9 | 28.2 | 24.5 | 18.6 | 12.6 | 7.2 |
| Kanazawa | 4.0 | 4.2 | 7.3 | 12.6 | 17.7 | 21.6 | 25.8 | 27.3 | 23.2 | 17.6 | 11.9 | 6.8 |
| Shirakawa-go | -1.0 | -0.8 | 2.5 | 8.8 | 14.9 | 19.0 | 22.7 | 23.6 | 19.4 | 13.2 | 7.1 | 1.7 |
| Takayama | -1.2 | -0.6 | 3.4 | 9.7 | 15.6 | 19.7 | 23.5 | 24.4 | 20.0 | 13.5 | 7.1 | 1.6 |
| Gero Onsen | 0.6 | 1.3 | 5.1 | 10.9 | 16.3 | 20.2 | 23.7 | 24.8 | 20.9 | 14.9 | 8.5 | 3.1 |
| Toyama / Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route | 3.0 | 3.4 | 6.9 | 12.3 | 17.5 | 21.4 | 25.5 | 26.9 | 22.8 | 17.0 | 11.2 | 5.7 |
| Matsumoto / Kamikochi | -0.3 | 0.6 | 4.6 | 10.8 | 16.5 | 20.2 | 24.2 | 25.1 | 20.4 | 13.9 | 7.8 | 2.5 |
| Hakuba | -2.8 | -2.4 | 1.2 | 7.6 | 13.8 | 17.7 | 21.5 | 22.6 | 18.2 | 11.9 | 5.5 | -0.1 |
| Nagano / Yudanaka-Shibu Onsen | -0.4 | 0.4 | 4.3 | 10.6 | 16.4 | 20.4 | 24.3 | 25.4 | 21.0 | 14.4 | 7.9 | 2.3 |
| Kiso Valley (Tsumago & Magome) | -0.6 | 0.4 | 4.6 | 10.2 | 15.2 | 19.0 | 22.6 | 23.5 | 19.8 | 13.7 | 7.5 | 1.9 |
Areas
10 Areas of Chubu & Hokuriku
Nagoya→
Station: NagoyaNagoya, Nagoya Castle, Atsuta Jingu, Inuyama
- Jan low
- 1.1℃
- Aug high
- 33.2℃
- Max snow depth
- 3cm
TodaySunny25° / 19°
Kanazawa→
Station: KanazawaKanazawa, Kenrokuen, Higashi Chaya District, 21st Century Museum
- Jan low
- 1.2℃
- Aug high
- 31.3℃
- Max snow depth
- 27cm
TodaySunny, cloudy at times20° / 15°
Shirakawa-go→
Station: ShirakawaShirakawa-go, Gassho-zukuri Farmhouses, Ogimachi Observatory, Gokayama
- Jan low
- −4.4℃
- Aug high
- 29.6℃
- Max snow depth
- 173cm
TodaySunny, then cloudy
Takayama→
Station: TakayamaTakayama, Sanmachi, Miyagawa Morning Market, Okuhida Onsen
- Jan low
- −4.8℃
- Aug high
- 31.0℃
- Max snow depth
- 45cm
TodaySunny, then cloudy19° / 13°
Gero Onsen→
Station: HagiwaraGero Onsen, Hida River, Gassho Village
- Jan low
- −2.8℃
- Aug high
- 31.1℃
- Max snow depth
- —
TodaySunny, then cloudy
Toyama / Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route→
Station: ToyamaToyama, Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, Kurobe Dam, Unazuki Onsen
- Jan low
- 0.2℃
- Aug high
- 31.4℃
- Max snow depth
- 40cm
TodayCloudy, sunny at times20° / 14°
Matsumoto / Kamikochi→
Station: MatsumotoMatsumoto, Matsumoto Castle, Kamikochi, Norikura Highlands
- Jan low
- −4.9℃
- Aug high
- 31.4℃
- Max snow depth
- 19cm
TodayCloudy, then sunny18° / 12°
Hakuba→
Station: HakubaHakuba, Happo-one, Tsugaike Kogen, Hakuba Goryu
- Jan low
- −7.2℃
- Aug high
- 28.4℃
- Max snow depth
- 97cm
TodayCloudy, then sunny
Nagano / Yudanaka-Shibu Onsen→
Station: NaganoNagano, Zenkoji, Jigokudani Monkey Park, Shibu Onsen, Shiga Kogen
- Jan low
- −3.9℃
- Aug high
- 31.1℃
- Max snow depth
- 26cm
TodayCloudy, then sunny18° / 12°
Kiso Valley (Tsumago & Magome)→
Station: NagisoTsumago-juku, Magome-juku, Narai-juku
- Jan low
- −4.5℃
- Aug high
- 30.0℃
- Max snow depth
- —
TodaySunny
Max snow depth is the normal for the snowiest month of the year.
Events
Events & festivals in Chubu & Hokuriku
January–February
AprilInuyama Matsuri
Chubu & Hokuriku ・ Nagoya
Usually the first Saturday and Sunday of April (Saturday is the Shigaku-sai, Sunday the Honraku-sai)
AprilSpring Takayama Festival (Sanno Matsuri)
Chubu & Hokuriku ・ Takayama
Every year April 14 and 15
2027: Apr 14 (Wed) – Apr 15 (Thu), 2 days
April–JuneYuki no Otani Snow Wall Walk (Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route)
Chubu & Hokuriku ・ Toyama / Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route
Usually mid-April (the day the Alpine Route fully opens) to late June
JuneKanazawa Hyakumangoku Matsuri
Chubu & Hokuriku ・ Kanazawa
Usually 3 days in early June (the Hyakumangoku Procession is on Saturday; June 5–7 in 2026, procession on June 6)
August
August
September
OctoberNagoya Festival
Chubu & Hokuriku ・ Nagoya
Usually a Saturday and Sunday in mid-October
2026 (72nd): Oct 17 (Sat) – Oct 18 (Sun), 2 days (no Nagoya Festival processions)
OctoberAutumn Takayama Festival (Hachiman Matsuri)
Chubu & Hokuriku ・ Takayama
Every year October 9 and 10
2026: Oct 9 (Fri) – Oct 10 (Sat), 2 days
Cherry Blossoms
Cherry Blossoms in Chubu & Hokuriku
RiversideMatsukawa River Cherry Blossoms
Chubu & Hokuriku ・ Toyama / Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route
🌸 Typical peak: Late Mar – Early Apr
✦ Night sakura
Castle
Garden
CastleMatsumoto Castle (National Treasure)
Chubu & Hokuriku ・ Matsumoto / Kamikochi
🌸 Typical peak: Early Apr – Mid Apr
✦ Night sakura
Park
CastleTakato Castle Ruins Park
Chubu & Hokuriku ・ Ina, Nagano
🌸 Typical peak: Early Apr – Mid Apr
✦ Night sakura
Winter Scenery
Winter Scenery in Chubu & Hokuriku
Mountain & highland
Mountain & highland
Park & natureJigokudani Snow Monkey Park
Chubu & Hokuriku ・ Nagano / Yudanaka-Shibu Onsen
❄ Best season: Mid Dec – Late Feb
Park & natureKenroku-en Garden Yukitsuri
Chubu & Hokuriku ・ Kanazawa
❄ Best season: Mid Dec – Late Feb
✦ Illumination
Mountain & highland
Frozen waterfall & iciclesFukuji Onsen Aodaru Ice Pillars
Chubu & Hokuriku ・ Okuhida, Gifu
❄ Best season: Late Dec – Late Feb
✦ Illumination
Fireworks
Fireworks festivals in Chubu & Hokuriku
🎆 AugustGifu Nagara River Fireworks Festival
Chubu & Hokuriku ・ Gifu, Gifu
🎆 Early August (Saturday, August 8 in 2026)
Paid seats
🎆 AugustNagaoka Festival Fireworks
Chubu & Hokuriku ・ Nagaoka, Niigata
🎆 Every year on August 2 and 3 (August 2 (Sun) and 3 (Mon), 2026)
Paid seats
🎆 AugustLake Suwa Fireworks Festival
Chubu & Hokuriku ・ Suwa, Nagano
🎆 Every year on August 15 (August 15 (Sat), 2026)
Paid seats
🎆 SeptemberKatakai Festival Fireworks (Asahara Shrine Autumn Festival Offering Fireworks)
Chubu & Hokuriku ・ Katakai-machi, Ojiya, Niigata
🎆 Every year on the second Saturday of September and the Friday before (Friday, September 11 and Saturday, September 12 in 2026)
About 15,000 shells over 2 days (planned for 2026, official)Paid seats
Onsen
Onsen towns in Chubu & Hokuriku
♨ OnsenGero Onsen
Chubu & Hokuriku ・ Gero, Gifu
♨ Day use Adults ¥470, elementary school students ¥180, preschoolers ¥100 (as of October 2026)
♨ OnsenOkuhida Onsen-go
Chubu & Hokuriku ・ Takayama, Gifu
♨ Day use Adults ¥700, children ¥500 (as of October 2026)
Private baths
♨ OnsenShibu & Yudanaka Onsen
Chubu & Hokuriku ・ Yamanouchi, Nagano
♨ Day use Junior high school students and up ¥500, elementary school students ¥300 (bathing tax included) (as of October 2026)
♨ OnsenNozawa Onsen
Chubu & Hokuriku ・ Nozawaonsen, Nagano
♨ Day use Free (a small donation as a contribution to the yunakama) (as of October 2026)
♨ OnsenYamanaka Onsen
Chubu & Hokuriku ・ Kaga, Ishikawa
♨ Day use Age 12 and up ¥500, ages 6–11 ¥150, ages 3–5 ¥70, under 3 free (as of October 2026)
Autumn Leaves
Autumn Leaves in Chubu & Hokuriku
Mountain & highland🍁 Typical peak
Park🍁 Typical peakAkasawa Natural Recreation Forest
Chubu & Hokuriku ・ Agematsu, Nagano
🍁 Typical peak: Mid Oct – Late Oct
Mountain & highland🍁 Typical peak
Gorge🍁 Typical peak
Avenue & old town🍁 Typical peak
Castle🍁 Typical peakAttractions
Attractions in Chubu & Hokuriku
ExperienceFukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum
Chubu & Hokuriku ・ Katsuyama, Fukui
A dinosaur-themed museum in Katsuyama, Fukui Prefecture. It displays 51 complete dinosaur skeletons along with fossils, dioramas, and life-size models, and a new wing was added in 2023. Tickets are generally bought in advance for a specific date and time, so book on the official website once your itinerary is set.
☂ Mostly indoors · rain-friendlyAdvance, date-specific tickets required
Theme parkGhibli Park
Chubu & Hokuriku ・ Nagakute, Aichi
A park facility recreating the worlds of Studio Ghibli films, located inside Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park in Nagakute, Aichi Prefecture. It's divided into five areas, and all tickets are date-specific and must be bought in advance; you cannot buy admission at a ticket window on the day. Tickets go on sale at 14:00 on the 10th of the month two months before your visit, so plan your purchase early once your itinerary is set.
Advance, date-specific tickets required
ExperienceHida Folk Village (Hida no Sato)
Chubu & Hokuriku ・ Takayama
An open-air museum in Takayama where more than 30 buildings, including thatched- and shingle-roofed farmhouses relocated from across the Hida region, are arranged like a village. It's about 9 minutes by Sarubobo Bus from the Takayama Nohi Bus Center, making it easy to combine with sightseeing in Takayama's old town.
ZooHigashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens
Chubu & Hokuriku ・ Nagoya
A zoo and botanical garden run by Nagoya City, home to about 450 animal species and about 7,000 plant species on roughly 60 ha. It's a 3-minute walk from Higashiyama-koen Station on the Higashiyama Subway Line, easy to reach from the city center, and you can spend a full day enjoying the zoo, the botanical garden, and Higashiyama Sky Tower. Admission fees were revised on October 1, 2026.
ZooJigokudani Yaen-koen (Snow Monkey Park)
Chubu & Hokuriku ・ Nagano / Yudanaka-Shibu Onsen
A park in the mountains of Yamanouchi, Nagano Prefecture, where you can observe wild Japanese macaques up close. It's famous for its monkeys bathing in hot springs in winter. The entrance is about a 30-minute walk along a mountain path from the parking lot or bus stop, so wear shoes and clothing suited to the season.
ExperienceKurobe Gorge Railway (Torokko Train)
Chubu & Hokuriku ・ Toyama / Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route
A torokko (open-air) train running from Unazuki Onsen deep into the Kurobe Gorge. Full-line service between Unazuki and Keyakidaira resumed on October 1, 2026, and you can ride all the way to the Keyakidaira terminus during the operating season until November 30. From the windowless open cars, you can enjoy the beauty of the gorge and the views from the railway bridges.
Theme parkLEGOLAND Japan Resort
Chubu & Hokuriku ・ Nagoya
An outdoor theme park based on the world of LEGO bricks, located at Kinjo Pier in Nagoya Port. Aimed mainly at children aged 2–12 and their families, it has more than 40 rides, shows, and attractions. Together with the adjoining SEA LIFE Nagoya aquarium and hotel, it forms a resort.
ExperienceMuseum Meiji-mura
Chubu & Hokuriku ・ Inuyama, Aichi
An open-air museum in Inuyama, Aichi Prefecture, where buildings from the Meiji era have been relocated, preserved, and opened to the public. The buildings are spread across the large village grounds, and you can walk through Meiji-era streetscapes while touring their interiors. You can also ride the SL (steam locomotive) and streetcar that run through the village.
AquariumPort of Nagoya Public Aquarium
Chubu & Hokuriku ・ Nagoya
A large aquarium at Garden Pier in Nagoya Port, made up of two buildings: the North Building, showing marine mammals such as orcas, belugas, and dolphins, and the South Building, themed on a journey to Antarctica. It's a 5-minute walk from Nagoyako Station on the Meiko Subway Line, and conveniently reachable from central Nagoya by subway alone.
ExperienceSCMAGLEV and Railway Park
Chubu & Hokuriku ・ Nagoya
A railway museum run by JR Central, displaying real Shinkansen, conventional line, and superconducting maglev vehicles. It's entirely indoors and about a 2-minute walk from Kinjofuto Station on the Aonami Line. With driving simulators and a large diorama, it's fun for families as well as railway fans.
☂ Mostly indoors · rain-friendly
Airport Access
Getting to Chubu & Hokuriku from the airport
Compare trains, buses and taxis from the airport by travel time and fare.
✈ Chubu Centrair International Airport→ Nagoya Station
🚃 Train🚌 Bus🚕 Taxi
✈ Chubu Centrair International Airport→ Sakae / Fushimi🚌 Bus🚃 Train🚕 Taxi
✈ Chubu Centrair International Airport→ Kanayama Station🚃 Train
✈ Chubu Centrair International Airport→ Ghibli Park (Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park)🚌 Bus🚃 Train
✈ Chubu Centrair International Airport→ Takayama (Hida-Takayama)🚃 Train🚌 Bus
Travel Passes
Travel passes you can use in Chubu & Hokuriku
🎫 Combo ticket
🎫 Combo ticketAlpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass
Chubu & Hokuriku ・ 5 consecutive days (in 2026, usable from April 15 to November 10)
From ¥24,500
🚄 JR
🚃 Private railwayKINTETSU RAIL PASS
Kansai ・ 1day is valid for 1 day of use, 2day for 2 consecutive days, and 5day and 5day plus for 5 consecutive days (from the first day of use)
From ¥1,900
🚄 JRJapan Rail Pass
Nationwide ・ Three types: 7, 14 or 21 days. The period of use cannot be extended or changed
From ¥50,000
Getting Around
Getting to and from Chubu & Hokuriku
Tokyo → Nagano
Fastest: Approx. 1 hr 20 min (example timetable: Kagayaki 501)
🚄 Shinkansen🚌 Highway bus
Osaka → Kanazawa
Fastest: Fastest 2 hr 9 min (change at Tsuruga)
🚆 Limited express🚌 Highway bus🌙 Overnight bus
FAQ
FAQ
Q. When is the best time to visit Chubu & Hokuriku?＋
For the most comfortable weather, we recommend May and October. For the Yuki-no-Otani snow walls, go from mid-April to late June; for autumn leaves in the mountains, from mid-September to October; and for snowy gassho-zukuri scenery, in January and February. Watch out for the rainy season in June and July, and intense heat in Nagoya from late July through August.
Q. How hot is summer in Nagoya?＋
The average August high is 33.2°C and the low is 24.7°C, so it stays hot and humid even at night. Some days top 35°C, so combine daytime sightseeing with indoor attractions and drink water frequently.
Q. Where does it snow the most in winter?＋
Average maximum snow depths are 173 cm in Shirakawa-go (Shirakawa) in February, 97 cm in Hakuba in February, 45 cm in Takayama in February, 40 cm in Toyama in January and 27 cm in Kanazawa in January. Nagoya, by contrast, gets only about 3 cm, and snow settles on very few days. Non-slip shoes are a must for the snowy areas.
Q. When is the rainy season in Chubu & Hokuriku?＋
On average, the rainy season starts around June 6 in Tokai (including Nagoya), around June 11 in Hokuriku (Kanazawa and Toyama) and around June 7 in Kanto-Koshin, which includes Nagano and Matsumoto. It ends around July 19 in Tokai and Kanto-Koshin, and around July 23 in Hokuriku.
Q. How cold is it on the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route and in Kamikochi?＋
Murodo sits at 2,450 m and Kamikochi at about 1,500 m in the mountains, so temperatures are much lower than down in Toyama City or Matsumoto City, and the weather changes quickly. Bring a long-sleeved jacket even in summer, and pack near-winter warm clothing for the Yuki-no-Otani snow walls in spring and the autumn leaf season.
Plan Your Trip
Plan Your Chubu & Hokuriku TripPR
More Guides
Weather Guides for Other Regions
🗾 Japan Weather →Hokkaido Weather & What to Wear Guide →Tohoku: Weather & What to Wear Guide →Tokyo & Around: Weather & What to Wear Guide →Kansai: Weather & What to Wear Guide →Chugoku & Shikoku: Weather & What to Wear Guide →Kyushu: Weather & What to Wear Guide →Okinawa: Weather & What to Wear Guide →
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (climate normals 1991-2020). Compiled by tripuuu.log. Temperatures are from a representative station in each area; actual weather varies from year to year.