Best time to go to Japan for a perfect weather and where to go?

Where and when to go based on the weather?

Best time to travel to Japan by cities

Best time to go to Tokyo

Best time to go to Fukuoka

Best time to go to Hiroshima

Best time to go to Kochi

Best time to go to Kyoto

Best time to go to Nagoya

Best time to go to Osaka

Best time to go to Sapporo (Hokkaido)

Best time to go to Abashiri

Best time to go to Akita

Best time to go to Aomori

Best time to go to Hakodate

Best time to go to Hakone

Best time to go to Izumo

Best time to go to Kagoshima (Kyushu)

Best time to go to Kanazawa

Climate and Weather in Japan

In general, Japan, neighboring China, Korea, and Russia, benefits from a temperate and rather pleasant climate. However, this country stretches over nearly 3000 kilometers long and includes numerous islands.

Thus, Japan's weather experiences great variations in climates from one region to another. Indeed, the weather can be cold and dry in the extreme north while it can be hot and humid in the south.

However, overall, Japan's climate is considered quite humid, due to numerous rainy episodes.

Climate of Northern Japan

Northern Japan includes Hokkaido Island, a region close to Russia and the Asian continent.

This area experiences hot summers, but particularly long and cold winters. Indeed, especially around Sapporo, there are heavy snowfalls from December to February.

Due to its proximity to Siberia, northern Japan experiences episodes of intense cold with temperatures often below zero. For example:

• temperatures range between -5 and 2 °C on average in the city of Wakkanai
• they average -7 to 0°C in winter in Sapporo.

Moreover, from April to October, the climate is relatively sunny but temperatures remain cool in April-May (between 3 and 12 °C). Showers are also frequent.

Summer temperatures are around 20 °C and the months of July-August are quite rainy. However, Hokkaido Island is less affected by the summer monsoon than the rest of Japan. It is actually the least rainy area in the country.

Finally, the northern part of Honshu Island has a fairly similar climate to Hokkaido Island. Indeed, the Tohoku region, such as Aomori, experiences icy winters and heavy snowfall in winter. The months from May to September are cool but sunny, with some showers in summer.

Climate of Central Japan

Central Japan, located in the heart of Honshu Island, has a hot and very humid climate, notably due to the presence of large ocean currents. The west-central part of the island is known to be one of the rainiest areas in Japan.

Indeed, rainfall is abundant even in winter because the island is affected by the northwest monsoon.

For example, in Kyoto:

• over 200 mm of precipitation in July
• nearly 100 mm in February and March
• it rains 10 to 15 days per month on average between December and September.

In this region, summers and winters are rather short, and temperatures are always relatively pleasant. There is an average of 5 to 10 °C in winter and 25 to 30 °C in summer in Tokyo.

Moreover, from June to October, swimming is pleasant in Shingu, on the side of the Kumano Sea. Indeed, the sea temperature ranges between 23 and 27 °C during this period.

Finally, spring is a mild season on site where you can admire the numerous cherry blossoms.

Autumn is also a recommended season for a trip. In Osaka, for example, temperatures range between 18 and 29 °C between September and October.

Climate of Southwest Japan

Southwest Japan, around the cities of Hiroshima, Fukuoka, and Nagasaki, has a hot and humid climate. The weather varies compared to the center of the archipelago as it experiences milder temperatures but more intense rainfall.

Indeed, the Kii Peninsula, the north of Shikoku Island, and western Kyushu are particularly rainy regions.

Generally, rainfall is more frequent in summer due to the presence of tropical air from the Pacific Ocean.

The wet season lasts about a month, starting from mid-June. It is worth noting that 80% of annual precipitation occurs during this period.

For example:

• in Nagasaki, it rains about 150 mm per month all year round and up to 400 mm in June and July.
• in Hiroshima, it rains 10 days or more per month all year round and about 220 mm in June and July.

This period is also the typhoon season, which brings strong winds and torrential rains. Indeed, Japan is affected by several cyclonic phenomena each year, especially during the months of August and September. Although preventive measures are in place, the damage is often significant.

Despite the humidity, the climate in southwest Japan is relatively pleasant. For example, the temperature is around 5 to 10 °C in winter and 22 to 30 °C in summer in the city of Hiroshima.

Overall, the weather is quite sunny from spring to autumn. As the precipitation falls in the form of passing showers, the sun quickly returns. Thus, the weather is favorable for a trip from April to November, although summer should be avoided.

Temperatures and rainfall in Japan

On these 3 graphs, we present the evolution of temperatures of Japan and month-by-month rainfall for the cities of Tokyo, Fukuoka, Hiroshima, Kochi and Kyoto, as well as the month-by-month sea temperature for coastal cities.

Peak visitor numbers and tourist seasons in Japan

Find out when Japan has its high tourist season (the period when the influx of tourists is highest) and off-peak tourist season using our data and figures.

Tourist seasons in Japan

The months with low numbers of tourists are: January, February, March and June. The number of visitors to Japan is high in: April, May, July, August, September, October, November and December.

• Very low season in Japan: January.
• Low season in Japan: February, March and June.
• High season in Japan: April, May, July, September, November and December.
• Peak season in Japan: August and October.

Figure: Visitor index for Japan month by month

Average price for flights to Japan

Find the best price for your flight Flight prices to Japan

Where to go in Japan?

This table allows you to see the maximum temperature for each city and our opinion on the weather month by month (see colour legend below the table).

Legend:

About Japan

What can I do in Japan?

Beaches / swimming

Nature and countryside

Culture and heritage

Sports

Family travel

Crafts / shopping

Gastronomy

Nightlife