Winter
Dec → Feb9 to 12°
nights 0 to 2°
- 6 rainy days · 55 mm
- 7.7 h of sun
When is the best time to visit Japan?
In short: March to May and October and November, when Tokyo sees 15 to 23 °C in the afternoon: the cherry trees blossom in spring, the maples turn red in autumn. November is the best compromise, drier (81 mm of rain in Tokyo) and less crowded than the blossom season, while winter remains the ski season in the north.
- Cherry blossom: From March to May depending on latitude: the blossom starts in the south of the archipelago, then gradually moves north.
- Autumn leaves: From late September to early December depending on altitude; in the cities, it is mostly in November, with 18 °C in the afternoon in Tokyo.
- Climbing Mount Fuji: From early July to the first week of September, the only period when the climbing season is open.
- Matsuri and fireworks: In July and August: fireworks across the whole country and the big festivals of the north in early August, such as the Aomori Nebuta from 2 to 7 August.
- Skiing and powder: From December, when the ski season opens and the north of the country, Hokkaido above all, is covered in renowned powder snow.
Best avoided: July and August: sticky heat (31 to 32 °C in the afternoon in Tokyo, 219 mm of rain in July), then in August and September typhoons that can disrupt journeys.
Sources: japan.travel, japan.travel, diplomatie.gouv.fr
- Jan9°fair
- Feb11°fair
- Mar15°recommended
- Apr19°recommended
- May23°recommended
- Jun27°fair
- Jul31°not recommended
- Aug32°not recommended
- Sep28°fair
- Oct22°recommended
- Nov18°recommended
- Dec12°fair
RecommendedFairNot recommended· afternoon temperature
The weather in Japan, month by month
The table of records, month by month
| Month | High | Low | Sunshine | Rainfall | Rainy days | Best |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 9° | 0° | 7.8 h | 55 mm | 6 d | |
| February | 11° | 1° | 7.9 h | 59 mm | 7 d | |
| March | 15° | 5° | 8.1 h | 151 mm | 12 d | ✓ |
| April | 19° | 10° | 8.6 h | 162 mm | 12 d | ✓ |
| May | 23° | 14° | 8.9 h | 168 mm | 13 d | ✓ |
| June | 27° | 19° | 8.2 h | 203 mm | 15 d | |
| July | 31° | 23° | 8.7 h | 219 mm | 18 d | |
| August | 32° | 25° | 10 h | 145 mm | 14 d | |
| September | 28° | 21° | 7.4 h | 188 mm | 15 d | |
| October | 22° | 14° | 7 h | 158 mm | 12 d | ✓ |
| November | 18° | 9° | 7.3 h | 81 mm | 8 d | ✓ |
| December | 12° | 2° | 7.5 h | 50 mm | 6 d |
The four seasons in Japan, in figures
What the 2015-2024 records (Tokyo) show, season by season, to compare at a glance instead of reading twelve rows of a table.
Spring
Mar → May15 to 23°
nights 5 to 14°
- 12 rainy days · 160 mm
- 8.5 h of sun
Summer
Jun → Aug27 to 32°
nights 19 to 25°
- 16 rainy days · 189 mm
- 9 h of sun
Autumn
Sep → Nov18 to 28°
nights 9 to 21°
- 12 rainy days · 142 mm
- 7.2 h of sun
Book early for March to May and October to November
The timing is right, so it is right for everyone: in these months the best places to stay and the small-group tours go first. Here is where to start.
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Daylight in Japan, month by month
The time between sunrise and sunset, from shortest to longest. Not to be confused with the sunshine hours in the table above, which count clear skies. In June there are 14h34 of daylight, in December 9h45, a difference of 4h48.
9h59Jan
10h50Feb
11h52Mar
13h03Apr
14h02May
14h34Jun
14h21Jul
13h30Aug
12h21Sep
11h13Oct
10h14Nov
9h45Dec
Calculated for the latitude of the reference point "Tokyo" (35.68°). Values on the 15th of each month, local solar time.
What to do in Japan, month by month
EventsCherry blossomMarch to AprilGion MatsuriJulyObonAugustAutumn leavesNovemberDetails ↓
favourablewith compromisesunfavourable
- Hiking: November, December
- Towns & culture: January, February, March, April, October, November, December
- Long days: May, June, July
Grid derived from the records (temperature, rainfall), not from an opinion.
What's on in Japan, month by month?
What comes back every year, and when. These events fill the hotels and push prices up: something to aim for or to avoid, depending on what you want.
- March to AprilCherry blossom big crowds
The sakura front moves up from Kyushu to Tokyo and then north, with each city enjoying it for about ten days.
- JulyGion Matsuri big crowds
Kyoto brings out its monumental floats, the central streets close and the yoiyama evenings draw crowds in yukata.
- AugustObon big crowds
Trips home to the village, bon dances and lanterns on the water in mid-August: trains and domestic flights are fully booked.
- NovemberAutumn leaves big crowds
The maples turn red from Nikko to Kyoto, with night-time illuminations in temple gardens.
Travelling off-peak
When to visit Japan, region by region
A country's best time is an average, and it hides big differences. Here is what the records say for each area, month by month: ✓ for a recommended month, ~ for a fair one, a dot for a month to avoid. Hover over a cell for the temperature.
| Area | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇯🇵 Tokyo | · | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | · | · | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ |
| 🇯🇵 Kyoto | · | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | · | · | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ |
| 🇯🇵 Miyajima | · | · | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | · | · | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ |
| 🇯🇵 Nara | · | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | · | · | · | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ |
| 🇯🇵 Hokkaido | ~ | ✓ | ~ | · | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | · | · |
| 🇯🇵 Okinawa | · | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | · | · | · | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ |
Month by month, in detail
January
Fair9°0° at night
- 55 mm · 6 d
- 7.8 h
Low season, lower prices
February
Fair11°1° at night
- 59 mm · 7 d
- 7.9 h
Low season, lower prices
March
Recommended15°5° at night
- 151 mm · 12 d
- 8.1 h
High season, book early
April
Recommended19°10° at night
- 162 mm · 12 d
- 8.6 h
High season, book early
May
Recommended23°14° at night
- 168 mm · 13 d
- 8.9 h
Busy, without the crush
June
Fair27°19° at night
- 203 mm · 15 d
- 8.2 h
Low season, lower prices
July
Not recommended31°23° at night
- 219 mm · 18 d
- 8.7 h
Busy, without the crush
August
Not recommended32°25° at night
- 145 mm · 14 d
- 10 h
Busy, without the crush
September
Fair28°21° at night
- 188 mm · 15 d
- 7.4 h
Low season, lower prices
October
Recommended22°14° at night
- 158 mm · 12 d
- 7 h
Busy, without the crush
November
Recommended18°9° at night
- 81 mm · 8 d
- 7.3 h
High season, book early
December
Fair12°2° at night
- 50 mm · 6 d
- 7.5 h
Quiet, then the holidays
Read the twelve months in detail
January. Cool: 9 °C at best, 0 °C at night. Rain stays light: 55 mm over 6 days. Expect 7.8 h of sunshine a day. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
February. Cool: 11 °C at best, 1 °C at night. Rain stays light: 59 mm over 7 days. Expect 7.9 h of sunshine a day. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
March. Cool: 15 °C at best, 5 °C at night. Expect 12 days of rain in the month (151 mm). Expect 8.1 h of sunshine a day. High season: book early.
April. Mild, 19 °C in the afternoon and 10 °C early in the morning. Expect 12 days of rain in the month (162 mm). Expect 8.6 h of sunshine a day. High season: book early.
May. Mild, 23 °C in the afternoon and 14 °C early in the morning. Expect 13 days of rain in the month (168 mm). Expect 8.9 h of sunshine a day. Busy season, without the crush.
June. 27 °C in the afternoon and 19 °C at night. Frequent rain: 203 mm over 15 days. Expect 8.2 h of sunshine a day. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
July. 31 °C in the afternoon and 23 °C at night. A very wet month, 219 mm of rain over 18 days. Expect 8.7 h of sunshine a day. Busy season, without the crush.
August. Real heat: 32 °C at the warmest of the day, 25 °C at night. A very wet month, 145 mm of rain over 14 days. Plenty of sunshine: 10 h a day on average. Busy season, without the crush.
September. 28 °C in the afternoon and 21 °C at night. Frequent rain: 188 mm over 15 days. Expect 7.4 h of sunshine a day. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
October. Mild, 22 °C in the afternoon and 14 °C early in the morning. Expect 12 days of rain in the month (158 mm). Expect 7 h of sunshine a day. Busy season, without the crush.
November. Mild, 18 °C in the afternoon and 9 °C early in the morning. Expect 8 days of rain in the month (81 mm). Expect 7.3 h of sunshine a day. High season: book early.
December. Cool: 12 °C at best, 2 °C at night. Rain stays light: 50 mm over 6 days. Expect 7.5 h of sunshine a day. Quiet at the start of the month, then busier as the holidays approach.
Same season, other ideas
Their best time overlaps with this one: worth comparing before you book.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Japan?
March to May and October and November, when Tokyo sees 15 to 23 °C in the afternoon: the cherry trees blossom in spring, the maples turn red in autumn. November is the best compromise, drier (81 mm of rain in Tokyo) and less crowded than the blossom season, while winter remains the ski season in the north.
Which month should you avoid in Japan?
July and August: sticky heat (31 to 32 °C in the afternoon in Tokyo, 219 mm of rain in July), then in August and September typhoons that can disrupt journeys.
What is the hottest month in Japan?
August, with 32 °C on average in the afternoon and 25 °C at night. 2015-2024 records (Tokyo).
What is the coldest month in Japan?
January, with 9 °C at best during the day and 0 °C at night. 2015-2024 records (Tokyo).
What is the driest month in Japan?
December: 50 mm over 6 days of rain, against 219 mm in July, the wettest month.
Which month has the most sunshine in Japan?
August, with 10 h of sunshine a day on average. Note that this counts clear skies, not the length of the day.
When is the best time to hike in Japan?
November, December: highs between 12 and 29 °C and no more than 9 days of rain a month according to 2015-2024 records (Tokyo), the safest windows for walking.
Plan this trip
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