Wakayama Weather in May

Season: Spring
What is the weather like in Wakayama in May: comfortably warm; not very high rainfall, but frequent and mostly light

Comfortably Warm

Judging from its average temperature of 16-23℃ (61-73℉), Wakayama climate in May is comfortably warm. In the first half of the month, highs normally hover between 20-25℃ (68-77℉), while it gets a bit warmer in the second half of the month, with a larger possibility of the highs going up to 26-28℃ (79-82℉). Lows vary significantly in early May, in the range of 8-17℃ (46-63℉); in the rest time of the month, lows are relatively stable, ranging from 13-19℃ (55-48℉). From the above figures, you can tell there is often a big temperature gap within a day, hitting 13 degrees Celsius (55 degrees Fahrenheit).

In general, short-term rainfall does not result in much lower temperatures, but if the rain lasts for more than half a day, the high temperature may drop to 17-20℃ (63-68℉).

Moderate Rainfall

Average Precipitation: 157 mm (6.2 in)
Average Rainy Days: 14 days

Despite increasing precipitation, light rain dominates in May, which does not badly disrupt your itinerary. Although it may rain heavily with the intraday rainfall of 70 mm (2.8 in) or more, it happens infrequently, only once or twice on average in this month. Short-lived rainfall occurs, but the likelihood of the over-half-day rain is greater. 

Although the rainfall may bring some inconvenience to the outdoor sightseeing, rainy landscapes have its own charm, particularly in mountainous areas like Nachikatsuura, where the bright red Three-story Pagoda is wrapped in thick swathes of fog against the backdrop of Nachi Falls cascading down the mountainside.

One of the Months with the Longest Daylight and Sunshine Hours

Sunrise Time: 4:50 - 5:10
Sunset Time: 18:42 - 19:04
Daylength: 13 hours 31 minutes - 14 hours 15 minutes
Sunshine Hours: around 9.6 hours on average per day

May is one of the months with the longest length of daylight and sunshine in a year, allowing you to not only enjoy a leisurely trip but also take more attractive pictures under bright sunlight. Of particular note is that ultraviolet rays get stronger, especially at the seaside, where UV index can reach as high as 11 - exposed skin is more likely to get sunburnt if you don’t take proper sun-protective measures.

Is May a Good Time to Visit Wakayama?

Yes, May is a well worthy time to visit Wakayama. Before the rainy season begins in early June, this month is the last good window for outdoor trips, because as mentioned above, the rain is mostly light. Plus, you have opportunities to enjoy elegant flowers such as wistarias, roses and rhododendrons, as well as cultural activities including Waka-matsuri Festival and Sanada Festival.

Packing List for Wakayama in May

 Upper & Lower:Long sleeve T-shirts and thin sweatpants are usually enough for your daily travelling, but it’s better to pack a light jacket if you have an outing plan in early mornings and evenings. If ladies would like to wear a short skirt, remember to pair it with thin tights. For hikers, single-layer outdoor jackets make better outerwear. In some days of late May, short-sleeved shirts may be needed.

 Footwear: Comfortable sneakers are the best, because they work well whether in cities or mountain areas.

 Accessories: Sun hats, sunglasses and sunblock are must-haves. Parasols and raincoats are both acceptable, but hikers had better opt for the latter to prevent restricted movement.

Travel Highlights in May: Spectacular Festivals in Wakayama

Waka-matsuri Festival

Waka-matsuri Festival, enjoying a history of over 400 years, is celebrated on the second Sunday of May. The festival starts with a group of men running down 108 stone steps from the Kishu Tosho-gu Shrine, carrying an elaborate portable shrine on their shoulders. Then, at around 12:00, a procession, featuring various performances of taiko drumming, Saika-odori dancing and Japanese wooden sword wielding, parades through the area near Wakanoura.

Sanada Festival

On May 4 and 5, Kudoyama hosts one of its largest traditional events - Sanada Festival. The highlight of the festival is the Warrior Parade, taking place in the afternoon on the final day. A procession of warriors in vermeil armors marches in formation along the streets, holding ancient weapons such as spears, fire lances and naginata swords. Combined with stage performances and Sanada Market, the entire scene is a fine spectacle.

Travel Suggestions for Wakayama in May

1. At the beginning of May, Golden Week is ongoing, making it the peak of domestic tourism in Japan, so you may see more visitors in Wakayama. But still, it’s far fewer than that in big cities such as Tokyo and Osaka.
2. If you’d like to visit Kada, a small coastal town, to catch the sunset during your trip in May 2026, apart from checking when the sun sets that day, be sure to arrange your dinner in advance as most restaurants there close as early as 16:30. 
3. Try to avoid hiking on rainy days, particularly during the periods of heavy rain. Otherwise, the difficulty gets way up: some trails get quite muddy and slippery; pants, hats and shoes may be completely wet. If you happen to arrange your hiking on these days, please wear waterproof high-top hiking boots and raincoat.

Wakayama Weather by Month