August marks the end of Japan’s summer (June to August). Average daily temperatures peak at 31°C (88°F). If you’d like to escape the heat, northern Japan and the Japanese Alps are ideal destinations.
Despite the heat, you’ll be rewarded with the driest weather of summer in Japan, with just a few short downpours, as the rainy season (June to August) fades away and the typhoon season (September/October) is yet to arrive.
You could also enjoy world-class fireworks displays and abundant Nipponese festivals in August.
Find out about average temperatures, rainfall, and tips on where to go and what to wear in Japan in August below...
Japan Weather in August: Averages

- Temperature range: 24–31°C (74–88°F)
- Rainfall: 155 mm (6 inches)
- Rainy days: 9
- Sunny days: 22
Weather of Japan’s Major Cities in August
Japan City | Ave. Min. Temp. | Ave. Max. Temp. | Average Rainfall |
---|---|---|---|
Sapporo | 19°C (66°F) | 26°C (80°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
Tokyo | 24°C (74°F) | 31°C (88°F) | 155 mm (6 in) |
Kyoto | 25°C (76°F) | 34°C (93°F) | 154 mm (6 in) |
Osaka | 26°C (78°F) | 34°C (93°F) | 113 mm (5 in) |
Hakone | 23°C (73°F) | 30°C (86°F) | 145 mm (6 in) |
Nara | 23°C (73°F) | 33°C (91°F) | 128 mm (5 in) |
Hiroshima | 25°C (76°F) | 33°C (91°F) | 131 mm (5 in) |
Okinawa | 27°C (80°F) | 32°C (90°F) | 240 mm (9 in) |
Hokkaido and Northern Japan in August: Summer Retreat

With higher latitudes, you could enjoy cooler weather in northern Japan than in central and southern Japan.
In late August, Hokkaido receives its heaviest rainfall, averaging 127 mm (5 in) for the month. However, this is only moderate and drier than further south. If you’re looking for outdoor adventures, early August should be a bit drier.
August is also the best time to spot animals like whales and birds. Fully-blooming flowers light up the cities as well.
Check the hand-picked itinerary of a classic summer trip in Hokkaido>>>
Tokyo and Central Japan in August: Hot but Best for Mountain Climbing

August is the hottest month in central Japan, averaging 31°C (88°F) at maximum. Its average rainfall is moderate at 147 mm (6 inches), and occasionally comes as afternoon downpours.
August is a good time for mountain-climbing expeditions, like up Mount Fuji or the Japanese Alps. You’ll experience cooler temperatures, fresh air, and dense forests in the mountains.
When travelling in central Japan, the heat actually wouldn’t bring too many problems. You could enjoy plenty of indoor activities inside air-conditioned buildings and travel in a private air-conditioned car, which is also helpful to minimize the inconvenience/discomfort of any rainfall.
As August is a peak time for family trips, you might be interested in our hand-picked family tour: 2-Week Japan Private Family Vacation>>> or would like to get some inspiration about planning your family trip in August.
Okinawa and Southern Japan in August: Hot Beach Destination
In August, the temperature range is from 27°C (80°F) to 32°C (90°F) in Okinawa. With occasional typhoons, southern Japan receives a high rainfall of 240 mm (10 in).
Packed with white sand beaches and water sports, Okinawa is a popular destination for summer beach holidays.
Wanna know more about planning your Japan trip? Read about How to Plan Your Trip to Japan >>>




98.8% positive customer reviews among 10,000+
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Wonderful 10 day trip in Japan!!!
Well planned trip by Alisa . Everything was well scheduled, guides and drivers were excellent!! The cars were extremely comfortable and the hotel she chose for us was beautiful!! Enjoyed planning with her she was very professional and always offered other choices. More
Lianne Stone,
May 2023
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11 days trip to Japan
I am planning my trip to Japan in November with Sharon's help and she has provided amazing customer service.She is very responsive and put together very quickly an incredible plan for 11 days in Japan. She provided recommendations and made changes based on our interests and budget. She also provided information about visa restrictions and the best way to get tickets for transportation services. Thanks so much Sharon, looking forward to this trip! More
LE,
May 2023
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Japan trip
Hi Cathy! I just want to thank you for making our Japan trip so much fun & memorable! We loved everything that you had scheduled for us! All the guides and drivers were great & punctual! We love Japan so much that we’re planning to go back next year to different part of Japan! We’ll definitely contact Asia Highlights for our trip again! Serene More
Serene Storslett,
May 2023
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Quick, easy and detailed service
Alisa was our advisor from Asia highlights and she prepared for us a wonderful 28 day trip to Japan, taking into consideration our needs and desire not to be traveling everyday and to have a mixture of slow and busy days. We've not yet taken our trip, but very much looking forward to it Thank you Alisa for the quick response and wonderful itinerary More
Lynette Whittle,
Apr 2023
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Japan Tour
Sharon Huang did an excellent job in planningour 15 day Cherry Blossom Japan tour. Shewas available during our trip to answer our questions and readily agreed to the itinerary changes.Everything was arranged - accommodation,breakfast, guide, car, entrance fees and train tickets. The guides were knowledgeable, and managed the tour very efficiently. The drivers were punctual and very patient. We visited must see places in and near Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Hiroshima. We also got to experience Japanese Tea ceremony, Sushi making, Sake tasting, shopping etc.We highly recommend Asia Highlights for your travel needs. More
Madhu,
Apr 2023
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I organized a trip to Japan for my
I organized a trip to Japan for my parents who don’t speak English and Alisa was so amazing helping make an itinerary for them. They needed a Spanish guide and she coordinated everything so they wouldn’t have any trouble when they got there. She was so patient changing and adjusting the itinerary to their needs and wants, it’s been a total pleasure working with her and she always responds promptly to any question I have. I definitely recommend this company and if you can ask to work with Alisa. More
Luisa,
Apr 2023
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Trip to Japan. I have had the pleasure to book with…
For the reasons above, I decided to book again with Asia highlights for our trip to Japan this year in September. Until now it’s been a pleasure dealing with Albee Ning. She was so efficient and pleasant in adjusting our itinerary. Whenever I had any questions I could count on her to answer promptly. I am very lucky to have her as our organiser for our future trip to Japan. I have had the pleasure to book with Asia Highlights when we went to China in 2018. We were extremely satisfied with the exceptional services rendered by our organiser, Robert Hui and private guide William. More
Mrs Cristina Hidalgo Loris,
Apr 2023
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Albee Ning and Asia Highlights - wonderful to work with.
I and my daughter planned a trip to China and Japan. We worked with Albee Ning who was fantastic in developing a itinerary based on our desires and needs. She was extremely responsive, taking into account all of our requests and worked closely with us, it wasn't just selecting from one of several pre-developed itineraries. We decided to postpone the trip until next year and received the guaranteed refund, minus a small deposit on next years trip. We look forward to working with her again on next years trip and trips in the future. We highly recommend Asia Highlights and Albee Ning More
Nancy K,
Apr 2023
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Very professional, great customer service
We travelled to Japan this May (2018). We had contacted Asia Highlights to organise our trip for us. Miss Peggie Lyoo was very helpful, super-friendly, very professional and very prompt with all her replies! More
Tibor Marton,
May 2018
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Great job!
Great job!! We had an amazing vacation to Japan. We will use Asian highlights for all of our trips to Asia More
Joe,
May 2018
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Trip-of-a-lifetime
In addition, I want to specifically mention the guides provided in certain locations. Rum, in Siem Reap, made the most memorable experience possible. His positivity was contagious - even when it felt like 1000 degrees and we were tired. He brought it all to life, and created a couple days of Ankor Wat, etc. that we will never forget! He heard my daughter's request for specific Cambodian food, and changed our itinerary to go to a village and eat at a locally known shop. He brought the dessert she asked about to us in the car! Overall, he and his driver "Lucky" were a reason to go to Siem Reap. In addition, the other guides (minus one which was switched out immediately) were stupendous. Mon in Bangkok was friendly and provided a great day there; Eak in Chiang Mai gave us a world-class food-tour and day touring the city and its surrounding temples with lots of laughs; Tommy in Hanoi kept us from getting killed in the traffic and gave a stupendous food and architecture/history tour - so very friendly and funny; the fishing village tour in Hoi An, as well as the side-car tour in Saigon, were both unforgettable! Thank you Sharon, and Asia Highlights. Would definitely use again for future trips! More
Teri Simpson,
Apr 2023
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Cambodia and Vietnam adventure!
Our guide in Cambodia, Meas Darapolaith (Pol), was absolutely amazing. He was knowledgeable, friendly and so helpful. His English was excellent and he shared important insights about history and the magnificent sites we visited. We highly recommend him! More
Jennifer Roth Krieger,
Apr 2023
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My daughter and I wanted to discover SE…
My daughter and I wanted to discover SE Asia. Being the first in that region, we wanted to use a tour service company. We ended up using Asia Highlights. From the beginning we were impressed with their services. We left home with of mind because all the pre-travel arrangements were taking care and communicate to us efficiently. All our questions were answered promptly. Once in the countries, we were welcome by our excellent tour guides. Everything was taking care for us. We did not have one issue. They selected the right tours guides for us, they were highly knowledgeable and so much attentive to our needs. We had Dhat in Vietnam and Borin in Siem Reap, Cambodia. I highly recommend Asia Highlights. I came back home so much rested, and with plenty of wonderful pictures and memories. I will definitely use Asia Highlights again for my next trip to Asia. More
Isabelle Dessaux,
Apr 2023
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Fabulous tour and guide in Cambodia
We have been touring Cambodia, guided by Borin ( and driver 007) for the last 2 days. What a fabulous experience! Borin has been a wonderful guide, the best so far in Southeast Asia, explaining the history and culture of Cambodia through his tours of the temples in and around Angkor, as well as the Landmine museum. He has answered all our questions, made sure we were comfortable, and that we have had great food. 007 made sure we always had enough water and cool towels for our face/neck.We highly recommend Borin as a tour guide for Cambodia!! More
Monica,
Mar 2023
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Best Travel Service for Asia Travel
Alisa Liu was in charge of making the arrangements and she helped us from the start to make all of the arrangements and also helped us when we had questions and requested some adjustments. Her service is of the highest professional level. We are 100% confident that our trip will be perfect. We’re also 100% confident that, if anything comes up during our trip, that Alisa will be there to guide us through and take care of us. We won’t even consider using another agency for travel around Asia and we would like to have Alisa work for us again. More
Leo Pospichal,
Mar 2023
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5 Best Places to Visit in Japan in August

Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka are must-sees for a Japan first trip. August heat only slightly affects your trip there, as public places are well-equipped with air conditioners. What’s more, our experienced guide knows how to make your private tour more comfortable by avoiding spending the hottest times of the day outdoors etc.
Here are some top suggestions for August, including Aomori for colorful summer festivals and Hiroshima, where the rain/heat won’t stop you appreciating its tragic war history and promotion of peace.
To well discover the above 5 places, you might need at least 2 weeks. Get some inspiration about 2-week Japan itineraries or 3-week Japan itineraries...
1. Tokyo: Showcase of Japan Packed with Indoor Activities

Tokyo, the capital of Japan, offers a varied mix of advanced technologies, unique anime culture, and traditional culture. Undoubtedly, Tokyo is the No. 1 destination for a Japan trip, especially for families with school-age children.
Besides exploring its modernity, you and your kids could try on kimonos for family photos, wander through shrines and hunt for seasonal fruit-themed treats in August...
As the anime mecca, you could immerse yourself in hundreds of anime stores, anime museums, and anime cafes in Tokyo, all away from the heat of day.
Suggested reading: How to Plan a Japan Summer Trip>>>
2. Kyoto: Indoor River Dining with Traditional Japanese Food

Kyoto can be hot and humid in August. But a well-organized private tour would keep your trip comfortable nevertheless.
You’re suggested to visit the iconic shrines and temples in the cooler early morning or late afternoon. For the hotter hours after noon, what could be cooler and more interesting than savoring delicious food while soaking your feet in floating water in a river restaurant?
If your trip is during Obon Festival (August 13 to 16), you could see its huge ceremonial bonfires and well-decorated streets with beautiful lanterns. If you like, you could join in with floating paper lanterns, giving the special experience of celebrating with the locals.
3. Osaka: Food Hunting and Castle Exploring

With similar temperatures, Osaka is a little bit drier than Tokyo and Kyoto.
Always known as a foodie paradise, you could easily find yummy food to suit you, whether you’re traveling with kids or aging parents. Its fantastic theme parks are family-friendly too.
History buffs, you could wander around Osaka Castle to learn about Japanese history and architecture. You could also take a side trip to Himeji Castle, the largest castle in Japan (just 1½ hours’ driving away).
4. Hiroshima: Reminder of the Price of Peace

In August, you can not only see the beautiful torii (symbolic shrine gateways) over the water, but also learn about the tragic history of Hiroshima.
For families with kids, a trip to Hiroshima can be an educational opportunity to explore the site of the world's first atomic-bomb strike. You could join in the Peace Memorial Ceremony on August 6th as well.
5. Aomori: Join in Nebuta Festival

Located in northern Japan, the pleasant, cooler weather makes Aomori a perfect summer retreat. You could refresh yourself by hiking in a dense forest with waterfalls. You and your kids could have a night adventure with fireflies there!
If you’re travelling in early August, go and see Aomori’s Nebuta Festival (summer festival, August 2 to 7). Giant illuminated floats, majestic fireworks, and bustling food stalls create a memorable experience during your trip!
Costs and Crowding in August

Being the main school-holiday month in most countries, August is the peak time for family tours to Japan. With more festivals as well, you can expect more travelers and higher costs than that in June and July.
Due to the high demand, booking at least 6 months in advance is necessary to guarantee rooms and guides. For a worry-free booking, contact us to enjoy our free cancellation policy, and personalize your private tour itinerary.
Check more details about the best times to visit Japan: for the most comfortable weather, for the lowest crowds...
If you'd like to know the general idea about travel costs in Japan, read: How Much Is a Trip to Japan?>>>
What to Pack in August

Because of the hot weather, summer clothing with breathable fabrics is advisable, such as short-sleeved shirts, dresses, and shorts with sandals.
Sun protection is a must due to the high UV on sunny days, so pack your sunscreen, hat, sunglasses...
You’re also suggested to take some insect repellent as mosquito numbers peak in summer.
Monthly Weather and Travel Information for Japan
Learn about the weather in Japan for 12 months and find out the best places to visit each month.Japan in January | Japan in February | Japan in March |
Japan in April | Japan in May | Japan in June |
Japan in July | Japan in August | Japan in September |
Japan in October | Japan in November | Japan in December |
Exploring Japan with Asia Highlights
At Asia Highlights, we have created over 10,000+ big trips for insightful travelers, mostly for families and couples. August in Japan is a time for spectacular fireworks, interesting festivals, and delicious food. We will be happy to assist you to craft a summer tour and holiday vacation that offers you an unforgettable Japan summer!
Get inspiration from the below hands-on itineraries. All of them could be customized to your interests/schedule within 24 hours!
Why Travel with Asia Highlights (98.8% positive customer reviews among 10,000+)
- Unique experiences tailored to your interests: Enjoy a premium trip that goes beyond the typical tourist attractions.
- Hassle-free travel and peace of mind: Every aspect of your trip will be carefully planned and organized by your 1:1 travel consultant.
- Experienced and knowledgeable guides: Your guides will be local and love to work for travelers' smiles.
Get Inspired with Our Sample Itineraries
At Asia Highlights, we create your kind of journey — your dates, your destinations, at your pace. You can have any trip tailor made for your travel.