Weather in Japan
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 make an attractive destination all year. Temperatures are crisp through spring, very hot in summer and remain warm until October. Rainfall increases as the temperatures do, peaking in June and September, which both average 20 days and 181 mm of rainfall.
MONTH |
AVERAGE HIGH |
AVERAGE LOW |
March to May |
17°C/63°F |
10°C/50°F |
June to August |
27°C/81°F |
21°C/70°F |
September to November |
20°C/68°F |
15°C/59°F |
December to February |
9°C/48°F |
3°C/37°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 |
15°C/60°F |
4°C/40°F |
June to August |
28°C/82°F |
18°C/65°F |
September to November |
19°C/66°F |
9°C/49°F |
December to February |
4°C/40°F |
–2°C/28°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 250 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 |
19°C/67°F |
9°C/49°F |
June to August |
30°C/86°F |
22°C/72°F |
September to November |
23°C/73°F |
14°C/57°F |
December to February |
10°C/50°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 230 mm of rain falling over 17 days. Winter is relatively mild, with many clear days and a little snow in February.
MONTH |
AVERAGE HIGH |
AVERAGE LOW |
March to May |
15°C/59°F |
11°C/52°F |
June to August |
31°C/88°F |
23°C/73°F |
September to November |
23°C/73°F |
15°C/59°F |
December to February |
10°C/50°F |
4°C/39°F |
Related Topics
Is tipping customary in Japan?
Our tours in Japan
13 Days
From
4755
Discover Japanese culture on this 13-day tour. Travel with a local from Tokyo to Kyoto...
10 Days
From
1805
Take Tokyo shopping, add Kanazawa samurais, Hiroshima history, Kyoto temples, Osaka...
12 Days
From
4199
Journey from Kyoto to Tokyo with Intrepid and explore temples, post towns and lush...
12 Days
From
5435
Uncover the wonders of Japan on this immersive 12-day Premium tour; encompassing Tokyo,...
9 Days
From
1691
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
12 Days
From
4600
Travel from Tokyo to Takayama, Kanazawa, Osaka, Koya-san and Kyoto in 12 days on a food...
12 Days
From
4790
Get a cultural workout on a 12-day Japan active adventure. Hike the Nakasendo Way and...
8 Days
From
2385
See the best of Japan on this eight-day adventure from Tokyo via Kamakura to Osaka....
12 Days
From
3560
Get off the tourist track in Japan and discover a beautiful region south-west of Osaka.
24 Days
From
8370
Make the most of Japan on a 24-day adventure from Tokyo to Osaka via art, culture and...
11 Days
From
5085
Experience the best of this fascinating country on a comprehensive cycling tour of...
12 Days
From
4870
Discover Japan on this 12-day family tour. Sample fresh sushi in Tokyo, soak in onsen...
8 Days
From
2735
Get a cultural workout on an eight-day small group trek on the Koya-san and Kumano Kodo...