Rainy Season in Japan (2023/2024): When & Where to Go

There are two wet seasons in Japan: the rainy season and the typhoon season. The rainy season (Tsuyu in Japanese) prevails in most of Japan from early June to mid-July. The heaviest rain typically hits central Japan at the end of June.

Rainfall rarely lasts a full day and the rainy season weather systems are quite predictable. So, you can still have wonderful experiences in between the rain if you prepare well with a flexible itinerary.

In this article, you’ll get to know more info about the dates of the rainy season, the best places to go and the best time to visit Japan.   

When is the Rainy Season in Japan?

The Rainy Season in Japan

Most of Japan, including Kyoto, Osaka, and Tokyo, sees its summer rainy season peak from June to mid-July. You might feel discomfort due to the humidity when traveling in this season, but the rainfall cools temperatures down to around 26°C (79°F).

Owing to Japan’s long north-south extent, Okinawa in the extreme south receives increased rainfall one month earlier, while Hokkaido in the far north is hardly affected by seasonal rainfall, with low to moderate amounts throughout the year.

Sapporo’s (Hokkaido’s) rainfall peaks in August/September with an amount of just around 130 mm (5 in). For a drier experience in the rainy season, Hokkaido is a wonderful escape. 

Check more details about the weather in June and July. Or get to know how to plan your trip to Japan>>>

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Typhoon Season: Second Rainy Season

Shrines in Typhoon Season

Japan has a typhoon season, which mainly peaks from late August to September.

In Japan, you're likely to experience light rains during the rainy season, but you could expect downpours during the typhoon season! Typhoon rain is typically concentrated to a day or two at a time. Japan gets zero-to-two typhoons per month from July through to October.

Japan’s typhoon season actually brings more rain on average than its monsoon-influenced “rainy season” in more northern places like Tokyo and Sapporo. Typhoons are also a feature in Okinawa, but are less felt in the more-sheltered Kyoto area.

Get some ideas about 2-week Japan itineraries>>>

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Rainy Season by Area with Average Dates

Handcrafted tour of Japan by Asia Highlights My initial inquiry to this company (based in China) was answered in under 10 hours by an amazing travel consultant, named Alisa. She is such a professional in the ways she conducts herself and serves her clients. Alisa is a great communicator and listener. She is very open to requests for additional experiences which require research on her part to arrange. Alisa also provides very detailed information about each experience, location, guides, private car transfers, trains, hotels. This approach is very appealing since detailed communication is so useful and important to me. Alisa also makes the process simple and easy to follow. Answered tons of questions and created the perfect tour for us. We are looking forward to this once in a lifetime visit to Japan and are so grateful we have had the chance to work with Alisa at Asia Highlights! More Laurie Lee, Feb 2023

Handcrafted tour of Japan by Asia Highlights I am planning a private, very “hands-on” experiential tour of Japan for my family and friends. I chose to work with the 11 day Classic Japan tour and add our own spin. This will be our first visit to the home of our ancestors. I reviewed 20+ travel companies before making the choice to use Asia Highlights because of their private “handcrafted” tours. More Laurie Lee, Feb 2023

Great Overall Experience Our guide in Tokyo, Fuki, was outstanding. We saw things we would never have otherwise seen, if Fuki had not been there. More Todd Hankinson, Dec 2022

Great Overall Experience Albee was always available, helpful and forthright with what was available and what was not.She was very helpful. More Todd Hankinson, Dec 2022

Plenty of options and personalized tours as needed Monica Mo was very helpful from the beginning after I enquired about my travel plans to Japan. She listened with understanding and took careful notes and clarified things to make sure she got everything. More Ginybel Belgira, Sep 2022

Asia Highlights especially Ms. Kanae Chida superb Asia Highlights and particularly our Tokyo guide, Ms. Kanae Chida, were the best. When Kanae met us, she asked for details of what we wished to see and she constructed an outstanding combination of visits for the day. More Geoff Rayner-Canham, May 2019

Asia Highlights especially Ms. Kanae Chida superb When Kanae met us, she asked for details of what we wished to see and she constructed an outstanding combination of visits for the day. In addition to the temples and the old historic streets, she discovered that I loved azelia flowers. More Geoff Rayner-Canham, May 2019

I have arranged a 27 day tour of China, Japan and Hong Kong China Peggie's English is impeccable and she uses lots of nuances which usually only a native English speaker would know. I have found her very prompt in responding to emails and her knowledge is terrific. More Ailsa West, Jul 2018

Is It OK to Visit Japan in Its Rainy Season?

Though Japan’s rainy season doesn’t have such favorable weather for travelling, lower crowding and costs are its benefits.  

Away from the crowds, you could enjoy this low-season time to check out Japan’s normally-crowded attractions.

Since the rainy season is generally considered the off-season, you could perfectly take advantage of the lowest-priced flights and hotels.

To make your trip more relaxed and stress-free, contact us for a private tour with a well-organized and flexible itinerary that copes well with the rainy season.

With us, you enjoy 100% refund of any payments made to Aisa Highlights prior to 3 weeks before departure (detail⇒).

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5 Best Places to Visit in Japan in the Rainy Season

Travelling during Japan’s rainy season, you could seek out drier places to go, like Hokkaido. Or you could visit cities with abundant indoor activities, such as Tokyo, Kyoto, and Hakone. Shirakawa-go actually becomes appealing with rainfall!

1. Hokkaido: Great for Outdoor Activities

Sunny days in Hokkaido

Escaping from the wet areas of Japan, you could enjoy relatively mild and sunny days in Hokkaido’s summer, with temperatures averaging 22°C (72°F).

You may enjoy scenic biking around the countryside, hiking in the lush-green mountains or national parks, and even going on a whale-watching tour.

Learn more excursions beyond Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka from 3-Week Japan Itineraries >>>

2. Tokyo: Heaven for Indoor Activities

Being a more-northerly city of Japan, the summer rainfall comes to Tokyo more gently than in other coastal cities. Thus, your rainy-season trip would be less affected in Tokyo.

Characterized by diversity, you would have abundant indoor options for discovering Tokyo culture, away from rain and humid heat. For families with kids, anime (e.g. Pokemon), samurai, and food tours are good ways to get your kids involved in the trip.

If you’re a (retired) couple, you might be enthralled by Tokyo’s art galleries and museums. Taking a cooking class together could also be beneficial to enhance intimacy.

Learn more family-friendly activities in How to Plan an Incredible Family Trip to Japan>>>

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3. Kyoto: Soak in Cultural Experiences

The appetizer of Kaiseki in Japan

Known for its cultural experiences, Kyoto is still quite visitable during the rainy season.

Rainfall can make your trip more atmospheric: listen to the pitter-patter of rain as you partake in a tea ceremony with a geisha or taste an elaborate kaiseki feast...

With few crowds, you could slow down and appreciate Kyoto’s iconic temples and shrines in peace. The rainy season is the best time to admire Kyoto’s gardens when they’re full of lush greenery.  

4. Hokane: Relax in a Ryokan with Hot Springs

Seeing Mt.Fuji from Hakone

Ryokans (traditional Japanese inns) with hot springs offer a great indoor getaway during the rainy season’s inclement weather. After several days’ travelling, what could be more relaxing than soaking in a hot spring?

Beyond the ryokans, world-class art museums are not to be missed in Hakone. With various art museum themes, you could choose what you’re interested in seeing — from paintings to arts and crafts. If weather permits (there are non-rainy days in the rainy season), you might have a chance to see a clear view of Mt. Fuji from Hakone.

5. Shirakawa-go: Enjoy Idyllic Rural Scenery

Unique Traditional Hourses in Shirakawa-go

Hidden in Japan’s mountainous interior, Shirakawa-go is famous for its gassho-zukuri farmhouses (traditional Japanese farmhouses with long thatched roofs).

You may feel particularly awe-inspired when looking at the quaint rural dwellings surrounded by lush-green rice fields and colorful summer blooms. Staying in a traditional farmhouse offers more contact with locals.  

Your trip would not be spoiled by rainfall… On the contrary: the winding mist following a downpour makes Shirakawa-go still more attractive!

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Best Times to Visit Japan for Dry Weather

Family trip to Japan during cherry blossom season

For a dry and comfortable experience, the best time to visit Japan is spring (March to May), followed by late autumn (October to November).

During these months, you can experience less rainfall and mild temperatures without worrying about getting caught in a downpour.

With the pleasant weather, you could indulge yourself in the breathtaking cherry blossom of spring or vibrant autumn colors.

If you are willing to bear some cold weather (around 10°C (50°F)), winter (December to February) is actually the driest time in most areas of Japan. It's a good time to go to Sapporo or the Japanese Alps for appealing winter sports and snow scenes. 

Get more ideas about best times to visit Japan>>>

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Visit Japan with Asia Highlights

Japan is truly a year-round destination. Contact us to create a customized itinerary based on your interest and time. Your guide can call or email you within 24 hours! Or get inspiration from the below sample itineraries:

• 9-Day Japan Highlights Tour (Tokyo-Hokane-Kyoto) 
• 10-Day Japan Cherry Blossom Spring Mini-Group Tour
• 11-Day Traditional Japan Tour( Osaka-Hiroshima- Kyoto-Tokyo)
• 2-Week Japan Private Family Vacation
• 17-Day Japan Summer Family Vacation