Everything You Need to Know about Rainy Season in Japan

Rainy season impacts the most areas of Japan at the end of spring and the beginning of summer. It often drizzles or cloud over, with increased rainfall as well as humidity. Kanto region, where Tokyo is, sees an average rainfall of 300mm (11.8in) or so during the rainy season, which is about the one fifth of the annual precipitation. Comparatively, Kyushu in the further south has much more rainfall in the time.

It is not raining every day, but the light rains would last for hours, one day or even a few days. Hokkaido, not influenced by the rainy season relatively, is a great destination to enjoy pleasant weather in Japan during the period.

When is rainy season in Japan?

The rainy season comes when spring turns to summer in Japan, generally from May to July. The further south you go, the earlier the rainy season comes in Japan. It would last for around one month or one and a half months in a region. By the middle or end of July, rainy season has gone away.

Region	The Start Time of Rainy Season
Okinawa	Early May or mid-May
Kyushu	Last days of May or early June
Shikoku	Early June
Kansai (Osaka, Kyoto, Nara) & Kanto (Tokyo, Mt. Fuji)	Early June to mid-June
Tohoku (Akita, Miyagi...)	Mid-June

Can I visit Japan in the rainy season?

Although the weather is unfriendly during rainy season in Japan, it has its advantages of low cost and places less crowded, for it is in the slack season generally.

It’s absolutely OK if you go for indoor activities like a museum visit during the rainy season in Japan. As for travelling outdoors, Hokkaido is a nice choice without rainy season.

June is the best time for travel in Japan during the rainy season, because the temperature is relatively pleasant in early summer. To July, it would be quite hot throughout Japan. Moreover, there are beautiful flowers such as hydrangeas blooming in June.

What to Pack & What to Wear

Rain gear is the necessity when travelling to Japan in rainy season. A convenient folded umbrella of good quality is the must. Raincoat, waterproof coat and shoes, rain boots, etc. are optional.

For the muggy weather, breathable and quick-dry clothes are the best. From late May to June, sweat shirt, light pants, dress, thin jacket, etc. are suitable, while thinner clothes like T-shirt and shorts for the hotter July, especially the second half of July. You should also add a top at night. In addition, some spare socks could be prepared to change particularly when you are caught in a rain.

Top Things to Do in Rainy Season in Japan

1. Hydrangea Viewing

Hydrangea is the most eye-catching highlight during rainy season in Japan, especially in June. You can explore some hydrangea spots when a rain stops or on a day not raining.

Best-known sites to admire hydrangeas:

  Michinoku Hydrangea Garden in Iwate
  Hakusan Shrine, Bunkyo, Tokyo
  Hakone Tozan Railway
  Meigetsu Temple, Kamakura, Kanagawa
  Fujinomori-jinjya Shrine, Kyoto

2. Indoor Amusement Parks

Indoor amusement park is great for family tours with kids. Parents can attend the rides and games, to have fun with the children together. Sega Tokyo JOYPOLIS, Sanrio Puroland in Tokyo, and LEGOLAND Japan in Nagoya are the most-visited.

3. Museums & Oceanariums

Osaka Castle Museum

A rainy day is the good time to visit museums, art galleries and aquariums, all of which are suitable for the rainy season in Japan. Here are the top ones:

  Tokyo National Museum, Ueno, Tokyo

  National Museum of Nature and Science, Tokyo

  Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum

  Sunshine Aquarium, Ikebukuro, Tokyo

  Osaka Aquarium, Kaigandori, Osaka

  Osaka Museum of History, Otemae, Osaka

  Osaka Castle Museum in Osaka Castle

  Kyoto National Museum, Higashiyama, Kyoto

  Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall

4. Hokkaido

Hokkaido is a nice destination to avoid rainy season as well as summer heat. You can enjoy hiking on the mountains or national parks, where various flowers stretch widely. Yosakoi Soran Festival at Odori Park in Sapporo is also a good chance to watch the group dance-off to the accompaniment of local folk songs in early June.

Furthermore, shopping malls and theaters are also alternative on rainy days. The traditional song and dance by geishas or the kabuki opera would be a distinctive cultural experience.

Tips

  When staying indoors, you could turn on the air conditioner in the dry mode.

  Please watch the local weather forecast, to avoid natural disasters especially like landslide and debris flow in mountainous areas.