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
Days are cold, with highs of 4°C and lows of -4.6°C. Rain or snow falls on about 8 days, and the month gets 8.1 hours of sun a day. This is one of the lowest-scoring months on the site, mainly because of the cold. New Year's Day on 1 January and Coming of Age Day on 12 January bring holiday crowds and closures.
5°C / -4°C · 8 rain days · 8.4 h sun
February stays cold, with highs near 5.3°C and lows of -3.9°C. There are about 8 rain or snow days and 8.4 hours of sun daily. The score is low, so this is tough-weather season for most travellers. Foundation Day (11 February) and the Emperor's Birthday (23 February) are public holidays to plan around.
10°C / -1°C · 11 rain days · 8.9 h sun
Highs climb to 10.1°C but nights can still dip below zero, averaging -0.5°C. Rain picks up, with 10.6 wet days and 112mm of rainfall. The score stays low because the weather is still unsettled between winter and spring. Vernal Equinox Day on 20 March is a public holiday.
15°C / 4°C · 11 rain days · 9.2 h sun
Spring brings milder weather: highs of 15.4°C, lows of 4.2°C, and 9.2 hours of sun a day. Rain falls on about 11 days, with 139mm total. This is a good month on the scorecard, helped by comfortable temperatures. Shōwa Day on 29 April starts the Golden Week holiday stretch, so expect busier travel.
20°C / 9°C · 10 rain days · 9.8 h sun
May is the top-scoring month. Highs reach 20.3°C, lows average 9.3°C, and there's 9.8 hours of sun daily, with 9.7 rain days. Golden Week holidays run into early May, including Greenery Day (4 May), Children's Day (5 May) and Constitution Memorial Day (6 May), so sites and transport get crowded.
23°C / 14°C · 14 rain days · 9.4 h sun
June turns warmer and wetter, with highs of 22.9°C and 13.7 rain days bringing 175mm of rainfall. This is Japan's rainy season, so expect frequent showers and higher humidity. Despite the rain, the month still scores well for travel, thanks to warm temperatures and long days.
27°C / 18°C · 17 rain days · 9.4 h sun
July is hot and humid, with highs of 26.7°C and lows of 18°C. It's the wettest month of the year, with 17.1 rain days and 179mm of rain, so pack for frequent downpours. The score is still good, as sunshine hours rise to 9.4 once the rainy season eases. Marine Day falls on 20 July.
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, plus the most sunshine of the year at 10.4 hours a day. Rain falls on about 15 days, totalling 128mm. The score holds steady despite the heat and humidity. Mountain Day on 11 August adds to the summer holiday season.
24°C / 15°C · 13 rain days · 8.5 h sun
Highs ease to 24.1°C but rain increases again, with 12.9 rain days and 158mm of rainfall as typhoon season continues. Sun hours drop to 8.5. The month still scores well overall. Respect for the Aged Day (21 September) and the Autumnal Equinox (23 September) are both public holidays.
18°C / 9°C · 10 rain days · 8.1 h sun
October is one of the best-scoring months, with highs of 17.6°C, lows of 8.5°C, and rain easing to 10.3 days. Sunshine averages 8.1 hours a day, giving comfortable, mostly dry conditions. Sports Day falls on 12 October, often marking long weekends and travel.
13°C / 3°C · 8 rain days · 7.8 h sun
Temperatures drop to highs of 12.6°C and lows of 2.6°C, with rain easing further to 8.2 days. The month scores moderately, as cooler weather sets in before winter. Culture Day (3 November) and Labour Thanksgiving Day (23 November) are public holidays worth noting for crowds.
7°C / -2°C · 9 rain days · 7.8 h sun
December brings cold weather back, with highs of 6.9°C and lows of -2.2°C. Rain or snow falls on about 8.5 days, and sunshine drops to 7.8 hours a day. The score is low, reflecting the cold conditions, though some travellers come for winter scenery and illuminations around the year-end holidays.
By trip type
City sightseeing
May and October are the best months for city trips. May highs reach 20.3°C with 9.8 hours of sun daily, while October cools to 17.6°C, both offering comfortable walking weather without summer's heat and humidity.
Hiking & nature
April, May and October suit hiking best. April highs hit 15.4°C, May reaches 20.3°C with 9.8 sun hours, and October sits at 17.6°C. All three avoid the heavy rain of June through September, when rain days climb to 13.7–17.1 per month.
Events calendar
Public holidays: New Year's Day (1 Jan), Coming of Age Day (12 Jan)
Public holidays: Foundation Day (11 Feb), The Emperor's Birthday (23 Feb)
Public holidays: Vernal Equinox Day (20 Mar)
Public holidays: Shōwa Day (29 Apr)
Public holidays: Greenery Day (4 May), Children's Day (5 May), Constitution Memorial Day (6 May)
Public holidays: Marine Day (20 Jul)
Public holidays: Mountain Day (11 Aug)
Public holidays: Respect for the Aged Day (21 Sep), Autumnal Equinox Day (23 Sep)
Public holidays: Sports Day (12 Oct)
Public holidays: Culture Day (3 Nov), Labour Thanksgiving Day (23 Nov)
Keep planning
FAQ
Yes, but expect heat. August is Japan's warmest month, with a high of 28°C and a low of 18.9°C. It scores 6 out of 10, rated good. Rain falls on 15.2 days with 128mm total, less than July's 179mm, and sun hours peak at 10.4, the highest of the year.
Yes, May is one of the two best months, scoring 8.1 out of 10. Highs reach 20.3°C and lows 9.3°C, giving mild, comfortable weather. Rain falls on 9.7 days totalling 137mm, and sun hours reach 9.8, among the sunniest months of the year.
Yes, October is the other top-rated month, scoring 7.7 out of 10. Temperatures cool to a high of 17.6°C and low of 8.5°C. Rain days drop to 10.3 with 155mm total, and sun hours are 8.1, making for comfortable, moderate conditions.
January scores 3.3 out of 10, rated avoid, mainly due to cold. The high is just 4°C and the low drops to -4.6°C. Rain or snow falls on 8.3 days with 65mm, and sun hours are 8.1, so travellers should expect cold, crisp conditions rather than warmth.
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