Japan is a country with very distinct seasons. On top of that, the weather differs significantly in different parts of the country and between mountainous areas, as well as the big cities. So make sure you know the weather in the region you plan to visit so that you know what to pack for your next Japan trip to avoid catching a cold halfway through or fainting from the heat!
Table of Content
- A Brief Summary of the Four Seasons in Japan
- Japan’s Weather and Flower Guide
- Hokkaidō‘s Four Seasons
- Tōhoku Region‘s Four Seasons (Aomori, Akita, Iwate, Yamagata, Miyagi, and Fukushima)
- Hokuriku Region‘s Four Seasons (Toyama, Fukui, Ishikawa, and Niigata)
- Kantō Region‘s Four Seasons (Tokyo, Gunma, Tochigi, Ibaraki, Saitama, Chiba, and Kanagawa)
- Chūbu Region‘s Four Seasons (Shizuoka, Aichi, Gifu, Nagano, and Mie)
- Kansai Region‘s Four Seasons (Osaka, Kyoto, Hyōgo, Nara, Shiga, and Wakayama)
- Sanyo-San’in/Chūgoku‘s Four Seasons (Tottori, Shimane, Okayama, and Hiroshima)
- Shikoku‘s Four Seasons (Tokushima, Kagawa, Ehime, and Kōchi)
- Kyūshū‘s Four Season (Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Ōita, and Kumamoto)
- Okinawa‘s Four Season
A Brief Summary of the Four Seasons in Japan
| Seasons | Big Cities | Mountain/Northeastern Japan and Hokkaidō | Southern Kyūshū and Okinawa |
| Spring | March to May | May and June | Late February to early May |
| Summer | June to August | July and August | Mid-May to September |
| Autumn | September to November | September to early November | October to early December |
| Winter | December to February | Mid-November to April | Mid-December to mid-February |
A Rough Season Guide to Japan
Note that the temperature mentioned below is in Celsius.
Spring
The temperature at the beginning of spring can go below 15 degrees. Warm clothes, a jacket, a detachable inner layer, a sweater, a thermal undershirt, and thicker pants are the ideal outfit.
By the last month of spring, the temperature may exceed 20 degrees, so that a light jacket may suffice.
Summer
The rainy season takes place from late May to June. So rain gear is a must when you travel. Shoes with waterproof soles could also come in handy.
Also, note that the typhoon season starts in July and goes all the way to September. Wearing something light and airy with an outer layer that can be easily removed is probably the best outfit for the three months.
And don’t forget to put on sunscreen. Also, expect the weather to be hotter in big cities with many high-rise buildings due to the phenomenon called Urban Heat Island, where the buildings absorb the heat and block the winds making the cities even hotter and more humid.
Towels, handkerchiefs or wet wipes will be useful, and a water bottle is a must during the super hot and humid Japanese summer.
Autumn
As the temperature starts to cool down, the color of the natural landscape will start to change into beautiful bright colors.
September in big cities can still be as warm as 25 degrees on average. The most comfortable outfit is probably a cardigan, short sleeves, and long thin pants.
Thicker jackets are required during October if you are heading north or into the mountains.
November can be as cold as 10 degrees, so you will want to pack thick jackets, windbreakers, and boots into your luggage.
Winter
Thermal shirts, warm undergarments, boots, hats, gloves, and warm tights are necessary to keep you warm.
You can loosen up with the winter accessories towards the end of February, but thermal shirts and thick jackets are still a must.
Japan’s Weather and Flower Guide
Further to the seasonal attire summary above, below is a more detailed guide on the seasonal temperature in different regions in Japan, including the region’s flower and fall foliage guide.
Hokkaidō’s Four Season
Hokkaidō is located at the northern tip of Japan and is a region that has distinct seasons.
While Hokkaidō’s natural landscape is picturesque throughout the year and doesn’t have a rainy season from late spring to early summer, the region is extremely cold in winter and has a rather long snow season.
- Hokkaidō’s average winter temperature is -2 to – 4 degrees.
- Hokkaidō’s average summer temperature is 16 – 22 degrees.
- The temperature difference between day and night is significant. In mid-summer, the temperature can be as high as 35 degrees, so consider this when traveling.
- Hokkaidō’s cherry blossom season:
- Hakodate: Late April to early May
- Hokkaidō in general: early May
- Hokkaidō’s lavender blossom season:
- Lavender starts blooming in June
- Hokkaidō’s lavender peaks in July and can last until early August.
- Hokkaidō’s ginkgo season is from mid to late October.
- Hokkaidō’s fall foilage season is October.
- Hokkaidō’s snow season is from December to March.
- Many ski resorts are open from late November. But please confirm with the ski resort you want to visit beforehand to confirm same.
- Sapporo Snow Festival (さっぽろ雪まつり) is usually held in early February.
Tōhoku Region’s Four Season
Tōhoku Region has six prefectures. From north to south, they are Aomori, Akita, Iwate, Yamagata, Miyagi, and Fukushima Prefectures.
Tōhoku Region is known for its magnificent mountain scenery and old hot spring towns. In winter, the view of rime on trees, commonly known as snow monsters, is one of the main reasons tourists visit the region.
- Tōhoku’s average winter temperature is 0 to – 5 degrees.
- Tōhoku’s average summer temperature is 18 – 25 degrees.
- The temperature difference between day and night is significant. In mid-summer, the temperature can be as high as 35 degrees, so take this into account when traveling.
- Tōhoku’s cherry blossom season is from late April to early May.
- Tōhoku’s ginkgo season is from mid-October to late November, depending on the prefectures.
- Tōhoku’s fall foliage season starts in early October and peaks from late October to late November, depending on the prefectures.
- Tōhoku’s snow season is from December to March.
- Ski resorts are open from mid-December. But please confirm with the ski resort you want to visit beforehand to confirm same.
- Tōhoku’s rime on trees season is in January and February.
Hokuriku Region’s Four Season
Hokuriku Region includes Toyama, Fukui, Ishikawa, and Niigata Prefecture. Among them, Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, which spans across Nagano and Toyama prefectures, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the region.
Ishikawa Prefecture’s Kanazawa City is another spot in the Hokuriku area due to the Kenrokuen Garden and the city’s unique traditional vibe.
One thing to note about the Hokuriku Region is its winter. The region receives a lot of snow in winter and sometimes even snow storms! So bring enough warm clothes with you if you want to venture out to the snow kingdom.
- Hokuriku’s average winter temperature is 6 – 2 degrees.
- Hokuriku’s average summer temperature is 20 – 27 degrees.
- Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is usually accessible from mid-April to mid-November.
- Hokuriku’s cherry blossom season is from early to late April, depending on the prefecture.
- Hokuriku’s ginkgo season is from late October to early November, depending on the prefectures.
- Hokuriku’s fall foliage season starts around late October and peaks from early to late November, depending on the prefectures.
- Kurobe Gorge‘s fall foliage season starts in late October.
- Kanazawa‘s fall foliage season starts in mid-November and can last until early December.
- Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route‘s fall foliage season peaks from late September at the summit and can last until late October at Kurobe Dam.
- Hokuriku’s snow season is from late November to March, depending on the prefecture.
- If you plan to visit Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, the summit, Murodō, usually receives the first snow from mid to late October.
Kantō Region’s Four Season
Kantō Region is the most familiar area of Japan to tourists because apart from Tokyo, Kantō region also includes Kanagawa (Yokohama, Kamakura, Enoshima, and Hakone), Chiba (Narita Airport and Disney Resort), Gunma, Tochigi, Ibaraki, and Saitama Prefecture (Kawagoe).
Kantō area is warmer than Tōhoku and Hokuriku regions. While snow is rarer in the city centers, the mountainous areas still receive ample snow and there are a couple of ski resorts in the Kantō region.
So whether it is admiring the flowers in spring and summer, fall colors in autumn, or skiing in winter, Kantō region can fulfil your request!
- Kantō’s average winter temperature is 4 – 6 degrees.
- Kantō’s average summer temperature is 22 – 30 degrees.
- But note that the temperature in the mountain is generally a lot colder than in the city center.
- Kantō’s rapeseed season is from January to April, depending on the prefecture.
- Kantō’s cherry blossom season is from late March to early April.
- Kawazu-zakura can blossom as early as late February.
- Kantō’s wisteria season is from March to May, depending on the prefecture.
- Hitachi Seaside Park’s baby blue eyes season is from late April to early May.
- Ashikaga Flower Park’s hydrangea season is in June.
- Note that June is also the rainy season in Kantō region.
- Kantō’s ginkgo season is from early November to early December, depending on the prefectures.
- Kantō’s fall foliage season is from mid-November to early December.
- Note that the season may start earlier in mountainous areas in October.
- Kantō’s snow season is from late December to February. Please confirm with the ski resort you want to visit for the exact dates.
Chūbu Region’s Four Season
The Chūbu Region includes Shizuoka, Aichi, Gifu, Nagano, and Mie Prefecture. If you want to visit Mt. Fuji or Izu Peninsula, they are both in Shizuoka Prefecture.
The most famous city in Chūbu Region is probably Nagoya, where Chūbu Centrair International Airport is located. Another famous spot in the region is Shirakawa-gō in Gifu Prefecture, a village filled with traditional thatched roofs houses. If you love ancient legends, there are plenty in Mie Prefecture.
- Chūbu’s average winter temperature is 4 to 9 degrees.
- Chūbu’s average summer temperature is 22 to 28 degrees.
- But note that the temperature in the mountain is generally a lot colder than in the city center.
- Chūbu’s cherry blossom season is from late March to mid-April, depending on the prefecture.
- Chūbu’s ginkgo season is from early November to early December, depending on the prefectures.
- Chūbu’s fall foliage season is from early November to early December.
- Note that the season may start earlier in mountainous areas in October.
Kansai Region’s Four Season
Kansai is another part of Japan that most of us are familiar with. Whether it is Osaka‘s lively shopping districts, Kyoto‘s world heritages, the romantic port city Kobe in Hyōgo Prefecture, or the deer in Nara, they are all a part of the Kansai Region.
In addition, Shiga Prefecture, where Japan’s biggest lake, Lake Biwa, is located, and Wakayama Prefecture, where the sacred Kōyasan is located, are also in the Kansai region.
The weather in the Kansai region is similar to Kantō. Summer is warm, if not usually hot. While winter is cold, it rarely snows in big cities.
- Kansai’s average winter temperature is 4 – 9 degrees.
- Kansai’s average summer temperature is 21 – 30 degrees.
- But note that the temperature in the mountain is generally a lot colder than in the city center.
- Kansai’s cherry blossom season is from late March to early April, depending on the prefecture.
- Refer to our article on Shiga Prefecture’s cherry blossom spots to adore the gorgeous flowers with fewer crowds.
- Kansai’s hydrangea and rain season are around June.
- Kansai’s ginkgo season is from mid-November to early December, depending on the prefectures.
- Kansai’s fall foliage season is from mid-November to early December.
- Please note that the season tends to start earlier in mountainous areas, around late October.
Sanyo-San’in/Chūgoku’s Four Season
While it may sound confusing, the Sanyo-San’in is the same as the Chūgoku region. It is the birthplace of Japan’s mythology, which is the basis of Shintoism.
Tottori and Shimane prefectures in the north face the Sea of Japan, and the climate is generally cold and rainy. It is likely that these two prefectures will also suffer from snow storms in winter.
On the other hand, Okayama, Hiroshima, and Yamaguchi prefectures in the south enjoy relatively warmer weather and have a lot more sunny days. In fact, Okayama Prefecture is known as the Land of Sunshine, enabling the fruits produced in Okayama to be super delicious. Facing the Seto Inland Sea, these prefectures have spots for your to adore the magnificent ocean view.
- Chūgoku’s average winter temperature is 4 to 8 degrees.
- Chūgoku’s average summer temperature is 21 to 30 degrees.
- But note the temperature in the mountain is chiller than in the city center.
- Chūgoku’s cherry blossom season is from late March to early April, depending on the prefecture.
- Chūgoku’s fruit season is from May to October.
- Chūgoku’s ginkgo season is from mid-November to early December, depending on the prefectures.
- Chūgoku’s fall foliage season is from mid-November to early December.
- Note that the season tends to start earlier in mountainous areas, around late October.
Shikoku’s Four Season
Shikoku Region consists of Tokushima, Kagawa, Ehime, and Kōchi prefectures. Most islands scattered on the Seto Inland Sea are in the Shikoku region.
The climate along the coast of the Seto Inland Sea is usually sunny, so it is not surprising that many tourists hop between the islands when they visit Shikoku.
Kōchi Prefecture in the south is hotter than in other parts of the region. Winter in Kōchi usually doesn’t get too cold, either.
If you would like to visit Shimanto River (四万十川), the best time of the year to visit is from late spring to early summer. This way, you avoid the rainy season and the hot summer. During that time of the year, the amount of water flowing in the river is much more abundant than in winter. The scenery is also more stunning!
- Shikoku’s average winter temperature is 6 – 9 degrees.
- Shikoku’s average summer temperature is 22 – 30 degrees.
- Shikoku’s cherry blossom season is from late March to early April, depending on the prefecture.
- Shikoku’s rainy season is in June.
- Shikoku’s ginkgo season is from early to late November, depending on the prefectures.
- Shikoku’s fall foliage season is from early to late November.
Kyūshū’s Four Season
Kyūshū region includes Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Ōita, Kumamoto, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima prefectures. Due to the lower latitude, the climate is generally warmer, and the rainfall is abundant throughout the year. If you dislike the cold weather, Kyūshū is where you can consider visiting next time.
But one thing to note is that the Kyūshū region is largely affected by typhoons during the summer.
- Kyūshū’s average winter temperature is
- 6 – 9 degrees in northern Kyūshū
- 8 – 11 degrees in southern Kyūshū
- Kyūshū’s average summer temperature is between 23 – 30 degrees.
- Kyūshū’s cherry blossom season is from mid to the end of March, depending on the prefecture.
- Kyūshū’s rainy season is between
- Late May to June in northern Kyūshū
- Early to the end of June in southern Kyūshū
- Kyūshū’s typhoon season is from August to October.
- Kyūshū’s ginkgo season is from late November to mid-December, depending on the prefectures.
- Kyūshū’s fall foliage season is from mid-November to mid-December.
Okinawa’s Four Season
Okinawa Prefecture consists of a couple of islands, including Ishigaki and Miyakojima. The prefecture, renowned for its stunning beaches, is warm throughout the year. So you can still enjoy a nice swimming or diving session during the mid-winter at the beaches that are open for swimming!
Please note not all beaches in Okinawa have lifeguards stationed. For the ones that do, most of them only have lifeguards stationed from the end of March to October.
It is also best to avoid traveling during the Golden Week (the end of April to the beginning of May) and the Obon Festival (mid-August) as the beaches are generally crowded with international and Japanese tourists.
- Okinawa’s average winter temperature is 17 to 19 degrees.
- Okinawa’s average summer temperature is 26 to more than 30 degrees.
- Okinawa’s cherry blossom season is from mid to late January.
- Okinawa’s swimming season is from April to October.
- Okinawa’s rainy season is mid-May.
- Okinawa’s typhoon season is in August and September.
Planning Your Next Japan Trip?
Japan, where traditions, culture, and history meet with the most advanced technology and modern-day conveniences, also has the most picturesque landscapes! It is no wonder why Japan has been voted one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world!
So if you are planning to travel to this beautiful country, refer to our article, Plan Your Next Japan Trip – When and Where to Start, for some helpful information, advice, and tips to keep in mind when planning your visit.
