Hakata Weather in May

Season: Spring

What’s the weather like in Hakata in May:

1. It is warm during the day but gets a bit cold in the early mornings and evenings.
2. Hakata sees the most overcast days of the year in May. Rainy days are around 10, mostly receiving light or moderate showers.
3. The beginning of the month is the high season with more tourists and higher prices.

Warm Temperature

At the transition from spring to summer, generally, May in Hakata is warm with the average temperature of 14 - 23℃ (57.2 -73.4℉). In specific, maximum temperatures often fluctuate between 21℃ (70℉) and 25℃ (77℉), seldom exceeding 29℃ (84.2℉); minimum ones hover around 14 - 18℃ (57.2 - 64.4℉), so you can feel a little chilly in early mornings and at nights, but don’t worry as they rarely fall below 10 degrees Celsius (50 degrees Fahrenheit). Moreover, the weather is not stable: the temperatue may fluctuate widely over two consecutive days.

Moderate Rainfall

The rainfall of Hakata in May is a moderate level of the year with an average of 117mm (4.6 in) spreading in 10 days. Light or moderate showers are more common and they do not span a long time, but it possibly rains several times in a day and the sky mostly clears up after the rain.

The humidity is at a comfortable level in early and middle May, but into the end of the month, as it gradually goes up, you may feel stuffy sometimes.

Long Daylight Hours/ Sunshine Hours

The length of daytime is increasing from 13.5 hours to 14 hours on average, and Hakata sees the sunrise and sunset at 5:10 - 5:30 and 19:01 - 19:24 respectively. Though Hakata sees around 13 cloudy days and some 10 rainy days, daily sunshine hours are still relatively long, averaging around 6 hours.

The average UV Index is 9, a high level of the year, and in sunny days the sunlight is intense at noon.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Visiting Hakata in May

Advantages:
1. May in Hakata enjoys a warm climate conductive to outdoor travel, and long duration of daytime allows you to slow down and carefully visit every scenic spot.
2. There is delightful natural scenery: colorful flowers and lush vegetation can be seen everywhere.
3. Numerous grand activities are held during this month, among which over-800-year-old Hakata Dontaku Port Festival is the most famous.

Disadvantages:
1. Cloudy days dominate the whole May, making it difficult to take beautiful photos.
2. Early May coincides with Golden Week when Japanese take a long vacation lasting for one week or more from April 29, so Hakata receives more tourists bringing many challenges such as accommodation shortage, long queueing time and crowded attractions, stores and restaurants.

What to Wear in Hakata in May

Clothes: During the daytime, choose breathable clothes such as short-sleeved T-shirts or thin hoodies. In the early morning and evening, add a denim jacket or trench coat. For the lower part, jeans, casual pants or sweatpants are good choices while females can wear a long dress.

Footwear: Choose anti-slip sneakers or walking shoes, comfortable and suitable for a long walk.

Others: Because of strong UV rays, sun protective things are indispensable like sun hats, sunglasses and sunblock. Remember to bring along an umbrella or a raincoat.

Seasonal Highlights of Hakata in May

Hakata Dontaku Port Festival

Every May 3 to 4, Hakata Dontaku Port Festival, the locally grandest celebration during Golden Week is held. Two highlights are worth a visit: one is a 1.3-kilometer-long (0.81 mile) parade along main streets when performers dressed in vibrant ethnic costumes and holding ladles in hand dance to the drumbeats; the other is General Dance Carnival, when visitors are encouraged to join the dancing groups to welcome the climax of the festival.

If you would like to feel the festive atmosphere in this time of 2026, please refer to local announcements to get the exact start times for these events.

Maizuru Park

From April 25 to May 6, Sannomaru Plaza in Maizuru Park has Craft Gyoza Festival, offering nearly 30 types of craft gyoza such as steamed, boiled and fried dumplings. Meanwhile, you can admire showy peony flowers and purple wisterias around the park.

Kabuki Boat Parade

On the last day of the month, popular Kabuki actors take a boat cruising along Hakata River toward Hakataza Theater to promote the coming performance June Grand Kabuki at the theater. By the parade, you have a chance to experience Japanese traditions and admire the wonderful scenery along the riverbank.

Travel Advice for Hakata in May

1. Early May is the peak tourism season, so it’s better to book hotels and airline tickets ahead of time.
2. There are recommended indoor spots to avoid strong sunlight at noon: Canal City Hakata, JR Hakata City, Kawabata Shopping Arcade and Fukuoka Asian Art Museum.
3. To prevent catching a cold due to variable temperatures, keep an eye on the weather forecast to add or remove clothes in time.
The Golden Week in Japan, from the end of April to the beginning of May, coincides with the cherry blossom season in some years in Hakodate, resulting in an influx of domestic tourists here. Thus, it is advisable to make reservations ahead of time.