Weather by month for central Japan, the best months to go and how Japan's regions differ, scored from 10 years of climate data.
May, Oct
The highest month scores: comfortable temperatures, little rain and plenty of sun.
Highs 18°C to 20°C · 10 rain days
Apr, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Still good weather, just not quite the top months.
Highs 15°C to 28°C · 11–17 rain days
Jan, Feb, Mar, Dec
The weakest weather of the year: too hot, too cold or too wet.
Highs 4°C to 10°C · 8–11 rain days
Weather by month
Average highs and lows, rain days, sunshine and our month score out of 10.
| Month | High / low | Rain days | Sunshine | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 4°C / -5°C | 8 days (65 mm) | 8.1 h/day | 3.3/10 |
| February | 5°C / -4°C | 8 days (74 mm) | 8.4 h/day | 3.5/10 |
| March | 10°C / -1°C | 11 days (112 mm) | 8.9 h/day | 3.9/10 |
| April | 15°C / 4°C | 11 days (139 mm) | 9.2 h/day | 6.6/10 |
| Best month: May | 20°C / 9°C | 10 days (137 mm) | 9.8 h/day | 8.1/10 |
| June | 23°C / 14°C | 14 days (175 mm) | 9.4 h/day | 7.3/10 |
| July | 27°C / 18°C | 17 days (179 mm) | 9.4 h/day | 6.7/10 |
| August | 28°C / 19°C | 15 days (128 mm) | 10.4 h/day | 6.0/10 |
| September | 24°C / 15°C | 13 days (158 mm) | 8.5 h/day | 7.4/10 |
| Best month: October | 18°C / 9°C | 10 days (155 mm) | 8.1 h/day | 7.7/10 |
| November | 13°C / 3°C | 8 days (80 mm) | 7.8 h/day | 5.6/10 |
| December | 7°C / -2°C | 9 days (62 mm) | 7.8 h/day | 3.3/10 |
Figures for central Japan; the country's best months are weighted across its cities. Best months are highlighted. How we score months
Month by month
4°C / -5°C · 8 rain days · 8.1 h sun
January is cold, with highs of 4°C and lows of -4.6°C. Expect about 8 rain days and 65 mm of rain. It shares the lowest score of the year, 3.3, so our verdict is avoid. The cold makes long days of sightseeing hard work.
5°C / -4°C · 8 rain days · 8.4 h sun
February stays cold, with highs of 5.3°C and lows of -3.9°C. It has the fewest rain days of the year, 7.7, and 74 mm of rain. Even so, it scores just 3.5 and we rate it avoid, because the cold outweighs the dry weather.
10°C / -1°C · 11 rain days · 8.9 h sun
March warms up to highs of 10.1°C, but nights still drop to -0.5°C. Rain picks up to 10.6 days and 112 mm. With a score of 3.9, it is still a month to avoid. Wait for April if you can.
15°C / 4°C · 11 rain days · 9.2 h sun
April brings highs of 15.4°C and lows of 4.2°C. Rain falls on about 11 days, with 139 mm in total. It scores 6.6, a good month, and the first of the year we recommend. Pack a light jacket for cool evenings.
20°C / 9°C · 10 rain days · 9.8 h sun
May is the top month, with a score of 8.1 and a best verdict. Highs reach 20.3°C, lows 9.3°C, and there are 9.8 hours of sun a day. Rain days drop to 9.7, fewer than in April. If you can only choose one month, choose this one.
23°C / 14°C · 14 rain days · 9.4 h sun
June is warmer, with highs of 22.9°C and lows of 13.5°C. Rain rises to 13.7 days and 175 mm, so bring an umbrella. It still scores 7.3, a good month, but it is noticeably wetter than May.
27°C / 18°C · 17 rain days · 9.4 h sun
July is the wettest month, with 17.1 rain days and 179 mm of rain. Highs reach 26.7°C and nights stay at 18°C. It scores 6.7, still a good month, but plan some indoor options for rainy days.
28°C / 19°C · 15 rain days · 10.4 h sun
August is the hottest month, with highs of 28°C and lows of 18.9°C. It is also the sunniest, with 10.4 hours of sun a day, and rain eases to 15.2 days and 128 mm. It scores 6, the lowest of the good months, as the heat can be tiring.
24°C / 15°C · 13 rain days · 8.5 h sun
September cools to highs of 24.1°C and lows of 15.4°C. Rain falls on 12.9 days, with 158 mm in total. It scores 7.4, a good month, and a solid choice if you cannot travel in May or October.
18°C / 9°C · 10 rain days · 8.1 h sun
October is the second-best month, scoring 7.7 with a best verdict. Highs are a comfortable 17.6°C and lows 8.5°C. Rain days fall to 10.3, though the total is still 155 mm. It is a strong alternative to May.
13°C / 3°C · 8 rain days · 7.8 h sun
November turns cool, with highs of 12.6°C and lows of 2.6°C. It is fairly dry, with 8.2 rain days and 80 mm of rain, but sun drops to 7.8 hours a day. It scores 5.6, an ok month. It is fine if you dress warmly.
7°C / -2°C · 9 rain days · 7.8 h sun
December is cold again, with highs of 6.9°C and lows of -2.2°C. It has the least rain of the year, 62 mm over 8.5 days. It scores 3.3, tied with January for the lowest, so we say avoid unless cold weather does not bother you.
By trip type
City sightseeing
May and October are best for exploring cities on foot. Average highs are about 20°C in May and 18°C in October, with around 10 rain days each. July is harder, with highs of 27°C and rain on 17 days.
Hiking & nature
April, May and October suit hiking. Highs are between 15°C and 20°C, and lows stay above 4°C. Expect 10 to 11 rain days, so pack a rain jacket. Avoid July, which has 17 rain days and 179 mm of rain.
Keep planning
FAQ
May is the best month to visit Japan, with October a close second. May scores 8.1 out of 10. Days reach about 20°C, nights drop to about 9°C, and you get about 10 hours of sun a day. October scores 7.7. It is a little cooler, with highs near 18°C, but it gets more rain, at 155 mm over about 10 days.
Yes, August is a good month, but it is not the best. It scores 6 out of 10. It is the warmest month, with highs of 28°C and nights near 19°C. It also has the most sun, at 10.4 hours a day. The downside is rain on about 15 days. July is wetter still, with 179 mm over about 17 days.
No, we suggest you avoid January. It scores only 3.3 out of 10. Highs reach just 4°C and nights fall to about -5°C. It is fairly dry, with 65 mm of rain over about 8 days, but the cold is the main problem. December is almost as bad. It also scores 3.3, with nights around -2°C.
Yes, by our data March is still too early, and we rate it as a month to avoid. It scores 3.9 out of 10. Highs reach only about 10°C, and nights stay just below freezing, at -0.5°C. Rain falls on about 11 days. April is a better choice. It scores 6.6, with highs near 15°C and nights around 4°C.
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