Many travellers who arrive in Japan aren’t quite prepared for the weather. The wind and the rain can take people by surprise, as can the sticky heat of a Tokyo summer and the frosty nights that hit the country’s north. One of the first steps towards a great adventure is deciding when to travel, so check out our easy guide below to get a sense of your ideal season in some key destinations.
Weather in Tokyo
Located in the centre-east of the archipelago, Tokyo experiences fairly mild temperatures (outside the depths of winter), which makes it an attractive destination all year. Temperatures are crisp through spring, very hot in summer, and remain warm until October. The highest rainfall generally occurs during late September, with an average rainfall of about 191mm.
|
MONTH |
AVERAGE HIGH |
AVERAGE LOW |
|
March to May |
18°C/64°F |
11°C/52°F |
|
June to August |
28°C/82°F |
22°C/72°F |
|
September to November |
21°C/70°F |
15°C/60°F |
|
December to February |
10°C/51°F |
4°C/39°F |
Weather in Yamagata
Located in the north, Yamagata sees its heaviest month of rainfall in January when the temperature is unlikely to crack 3°C. July and September also experience moderate rain. While the summer can be warm during the day, the evenings cool down considerably. Temperatures in December drop hard and stay low throughout winter, with lots of snow – along with the rain expected in January.
|
MONTH |
AVERAGE HIGH |
AVERAGE LOW |
|
March to May |
12°C/54°F |
4°C/39°F |
|
June to August |
25°C/76°F |
18°C/64°F |
|
September to November |
17°C/62°F |
18°C/34°F |
|
December to February |
2°C/36°F |
–4°C/24°F |
Weather in Hiroshima
Hiroshima is southern and subtropical, with sweaty summers featuring heavy rainfall. It's not unusual for June and July to see 260 mm of rainfall as humidity goes above the 70 per cent mark. Winters in Hiroshima, on the other hand, can feature light snowfall through December, January and February.
|
MONTH |
AVERAGE HIGH |
AVERAGE LOW |
|
March to May |
18°C/64°F |
10°C/50°F |
|
June to August |
29°C/85°F |
23°C/73°F |
|
September to November |
22°C/71°F |
14°C/57°F |
|
December to February |
10°C/49°F |
2°C/36°F |
Weather in Osaka
Osaka experiences a long warm period, as the temperatures increase sharply in May and stay high until the end of September before cooling in October. Rainfall peaks in June, with an average of 210 mm of rain throughout the month. Winter is relatively mild, with many clear days and a little snow in February.
|
MONTH |
AVERAGE HIGH |
AVERAGE LOW |
|
March to May |
19°C/66°F |
10°C/50°F |
|
June to August |
31°C/807°F |
23°C/74°F |
|
September to November |
17°C/63°F |
9°C/49°F |
|
December to February |
10°C/50°F |
3°C/37°F |
Related Topics
Is tipping customary in Japan?
Our tours in Japan
12 Days
From
9311
Uncover the wonders of Japan on this immersive 12-day Premium tour; encompassing Tokyo,...
10 Days
From
2165
Shop in Tokyo, see Samurais in Kanazawa, soak up history in Hiroshima, wander the...
13 Days
From
5976
Discover Japanese culture on this 13-day tour. Travel with a local from Tokyo to Kyoto...
11 Days
From
6486
Journey from Kyoto to Tokyo with Intrepid and explore temples, post towns and lush...
9 Days
From
2709
See Japan in nine days on a trip visiting Tokyo, Nikko and Kyoto. Say konnichiwa to...
Tailor-Made trips
Take four or more on an exclusive trip and tailor your itinerary
9 Days
From
2709
See Japan in nine days on a trip visiting Tokyo, Nikko and Kyoto. Say konnichiwa to...
12 Days
From
7232
Discover Japan on this 12-day family tour. Sample fresh sushi in Tokyo, soak in onsen...
8 Days
From
4064
See the best of Japan on this eight-day adventure from Tokyo via Kamakura to Osaka....
8 Days
From
4064
See the best of Japan on this eight-day adventure from Tokyo via Kamakura to Osaka....
11 Days
From
5963
Take a foodie’s adventure to Japan, starting in Tokyo and hitting the streets of...
12 Days
From
7232
Get a cultural workout on a 12-day Japan active adventure. Hike the Nakasendo Way and...
9 Days
From
6660
Take a Premium trip through the highlights of Japan, including Tokyo, Kyoto, Kamakura,...
24 Days
From
12569
Take an epic adventure through Japan, visiting Tokyo, Kyoto, Takayama, Nikko, Hakone,...
12 Days
From
6231
Get off the tourist track in Japan and discover a beautiful region south-west of Osaka.
12 Days
From
6231
Take a journey through southern Japan, starting and ending in Osaka. Wander Takamatsu,...
8 Days
From
4518
Take a fun family adventure to Japan and visit Tokyo, Kawane, Kyoto and Osaka. Travel...
11 Days
From
7625
Experience the best of this fascinating country on a comprehensive cycling tour of...
8 Days
From
3951
Get a cultural workout on an eight-day small group trek on the Koya-san and Kumano Kodo...
