Which month should you visit Japan, and how on earth do you pack for it? This guide runs through all 12 months — Tokyo's average temperatures, rain and snow, exactly what to wear, each month's highlights and when the crowds hit, with notes for the north (Sapporo) and the south (Okinawa), where the weather is worlds apart.
Ever scored a cheap flight to Japan, only to land and hit a week of drizzle — or heat so humid your shirt's soaked by breakfast? Here's the honest truth: Japan's weather changes sharply from month to month, and even in the same month, two different destinations can call for two completely different wardrobes. So this page walks through all 12 months, so you know exactly what to stuff in your bag before you even buy it.
We use Tokyo as the main reference, since it's where most travellers land, then add notes for Sapporo (Hokkaido · the cold, snowy north) and Okinawa (the far south · warm and subtropical) in each month — because Japan runs more than 3,000 kilometres from top to bottom. In February, when Sapporo is buried in snow, Okinawa is mild enough for a light jacket and a stroll by the sea. If you'd rather see the big picture by season — the best time of year to visit Japan — open that guide instead; this page goes deep month by month, with a focus on what to wear.
These figures are averages for Tokyo (daily high/low and monthly rainfall) — one row gives you the shape of the whole year. Sapporo and Okinawa, which differ a lot, get their own month-by-month cards below.
| Month | High / Low (Tokyo) | Avg. rain | Highlight of the month |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 10° / 0°C | ~43 mm | Coldest but dry and sunny — great for snow play up north |
| February | 10° / 1°C | ~58 mm | Still cold, the Sapporo Snow Festival, plum blossoms begin |
| March | 13° / 4°C | ~94 mm | Warming up, cherry blossoms open in Tokyo late in the month |
| April | 19° / 9°C | ~119 mm | Cherry blossoms in full bloom, the finest weather · Golden Week from late month |
| May | 23° / 14°C | ~132 mm | Fresh greenery, clear skies, perfectly warm — before the rainy season |
| June | 25° / 18°C | ~181 mm | Rainy season (tsuyu) begins, humid, hydrangeas in bloom |
| July | 29° / 22°C | ~128 mm | Rain eases late month, hot and humid, festival and fireworks season |
| August | 31° / 24°C | ~147 mm | Hottest of the year, very humid · Obon mid-month · typhoons |
| September | 27° / 20°C | ~181 mm | Still hot, wet, the peak window for typhoons hitting Japan |
| October | 21° / 14°C | ~158 mm | Cooling down, comfortable, leaves start turning in the north |
| November | 17° / 8°C | ~84 mm | Superb weather, autumn leaves peak in Tokyo late month |
| December | 12° / 3°C | ~44 mm | Turning cold, dry, beautiful illuminations · busy at New Year |
Before we go month by month, get the big picture — Japan is long, and the three favourite cities for travellers sit in different climate zones. Pack for Tokyo alone and you may be far too cold, or far too hot, in the other two.
The number in the circle = the month (1 = January … 12 = December). Each one gives Tokyo's temperature, exactly what to wear, the highlights, and notes for the north (Sapporo) and the south (Okinawa).
Not every month is clear skies. These two stretches are when the weather is least predictable — go during them knowing what to expect, and you can build in some slack (it doesn't mean don't go — just be ready).
What kind of atmosphere are you after, and how busy will it be? This table sums up the price and value of each season before you settle on a month.
| Season (months) | Tokyo weather | Vibe | Crowds | Accommodation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (Mar–May) |
Comfortable 13–23°C, clear skies | Cherry blossoms, flowers, fresh greenery | Busy (blossoms + Golden Week) | Pricey · book ahead |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) |
Humid/hot 25–31°C, rain & typhoons | Festivals, fireworks, the sea | Moderate (spikes at Obon) | June is cheaper (rainy season) |
| Autumn (Sep–Nov) |
Cool, comfortable 17–27°C (best late in the season) | Autumn leaves, clear skies, easy walking | Busy (autumn leaves in Nov) | Pricey at the autumn-leaf peak |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) |
Cold 0–12°C, dry · snow in the north | Illuminations, snow, skiing, onsen | Quiet (except New Year) | Cheapest (outside New Year) |
Once you know the weather and what to pack, the next step is choosing the right window and roughing out a budget — open the by-season overview to decide, then run a quick trip-cost estimate.
Open our other prep guides to plan your days, pick your travel window, sort mobile data, and brush up on etiquette before you fly to Japan.
The by-season overview — which season suits whom, cherry blossoms, autumn leaves and snow. Read this before you decide.
See the by-season overview →A trip covering Japan's main cities, mapped out day by day, with budgets and transport.
Open the 7-day plan →Mobile data to check the forecast, navigate, and pull up real-time train schedules.
Choose a data plan →What to know before you go — riding the train, tipping, onsen, rubbish and the basics.
Read the etiquette →Landed at Narita — now how do you get into Tokyo? Trains, buses, fares and travel times.
Open the Narita guide →Visa · eSIM · IC card · JR Pass · budgets — and everything else to know before flying to Japan.
Japan guide →Now you know which month you're going and what to wear, the next step is locking in a hotel with a good location and price — especially for cherry-blossom season, the autumn leaves, or busy long weekends. The earlier you book, the better placed you are.