Japan
9 to 30°C
temperature
2912 hours
sunshine per day
266 mm
rain
242 days
dry
120 days
rain
3 days
snow

Climate of Japan

Japan has a unique climate due to its location between subtropical and temperate zones. The country has all four seasons and a wide variety of temperatures and meteorological conditions.

Climate averages for the whole year

  • Day: the average daily temperature during the day is between 9°C and 30°C
  • Night:the average nighttime temperature is between 3°C and 25°C
  • Rain: it rains 120 days and there is a total of approximately 266 mm rainfall
  • Snow: it snows an average of 3 days per year
  • Sun hours: throughout the year there are 2912 sun hours
Maximum temperature: between 9°C and 30°C
Warmest month: 30°C in August
Coldest month: 9°C in January
Night temperature: between 3°C and 25°C
Dry days: 242 days
Days with rain: 120 days
Days with snow: 3 days
Total rain sum: 266 mm
Hours of sunshine: 2912 hours

Over all, Japan has something for everyone, from the splendour of the cherry blossom in spring to the vibrant and colourful autumn foliage. There is no bad time to visit Japan, whether you want to explore its diverse culture or admire its natural beauty.

Variations by region

Japan is a long and thin country with different climates. Kyushu, Japan's southernmost island, has a subtropical climate with moderate winters and hot, humid summers. In contrast, the northern island of Hokkaido has a more temperate climate, with fresher winters and cool summers.

Spring in Japan

As the country recovers from the cold of winter, spring in Japan is a season of renewal and growth. Spring temperatures range on average from 10 to 20 degrees Celsius, while it can still be cold in some areas of the country.

The cherry blossom season, which usually lasts from late March to early April, is a popular time to visit Japan, as the country is awash with beautiful pink and white flowers.

Summer time in Japan

Summer in Japan is hot and humid, with temperatures averaging 25 to 30 degrees Celsius. Tsuyu, or the rainy season, usually lasts from June to mid-July and brings torrential rain and thunderstorms to many regions of the country. Summer is a popular time to visit Japan, despite the rain, as there are numerous outdoor festivals and activities to enjoy.

Japan in autumn

Autumn is a beautiful season in Japan, when the leaves change colour and temperatures begin to drop. Autumn temperatures range from 10 to 20 degrees Celsius, making it a pleasant time to explore the country.

Autumn foliage season is a beautiful season in Japan. The autumn foliage season often reaches its peak in mid-November, when trees turn red, orange and yellow in various regions of the country.

Japan in winter

Winter in Japan is chilly, with average temperatures ranging from 0 to 10 degrees Celsius across the country. On the northern island of Hokkaido, temperatures are considerably lower, and snow is common. Due to the low temperatures and snowfall, Japan offers a variety of winter sports, such as skiing, snowboarding and hot springs.

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Temperature graph

This graph shows the average maximum temperature (red) and minimum temperature (blue) for Japan.

Precipitation graph

This graph shows the average amount of rainfall per month for Japan.

Climate table of Japan

In this climate table you can see at a glance what the average weather per month is for Japan. The data has been collected over a 30-year period, from which an average per month has been derived. From year to year the differences may be larger or smaller, but with this climate table you have a good idea of what the weather for Japan might be like in a given month.

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Day temp. (°C) 9 9 13 18 23 25 29 30 27 21 16 11
Night temp. (°C) 3 3 6 10 16 19 24 25 21 16 11 6
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Precipitation (mm) 14 21 32 21 19 26 19 17 33 28 20 16
Days with rain 6 9 14 11 9 12 9 8 12 12 10 8
Days with snow 1 2 - - - - - - - - - -
Dry days 24 17 17 19 22 18 22 23 18 19 20 23
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Sun hours per day 7 6 7 9 10 9 10 10 8 7 6 6
Wind force (Bft) 3 3 3 3 3 2 3 3 3 3 3 3
UV-index 3 3 3 5 5 6 7 6 5 4 3 3

Best time to visit Japan

To go to Japan, the best time to visit is April through October. In this period you have a warm temperature and almost no precipitation. In Japan, August is the warmest month with 30°C and the most cold month is 9°C in January.

Climate of Japan by month

What is the average climate in a given month for Japan? Click on a month to see all monthly averages for sunshine, maximum and minimum temperatures, percent chance of rain per day, snowfall and number of rainy days.

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