Month guide · Hiroshima · Japan
Hiroshima in May
What May is really like in Hiroshima: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
May is one of the best months to visit Hiroshima. Expect average highs of 25°C (77°F), lows of 15°C (59°F), about 10 rainy days and roughly 13.9 hours of daylight. Warm and pleasant, with azaleas; Golden Week and the Flower Festival bring large crowds early in the month.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 25°C (77°F) / 15°C (59°F)
- Rainy days
- About 10
- Daylight
- About 13.9 hours
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in May
May is the 5th-warmest month in Hiroshima: days average 25°C (77°F) against a yearly average high of 21°C (70°F), and nights fall to about 15°C (59°F). Rain falls on roughly 10 of its 31 days. Compared with April (20°C (68°F)), May is warmer; by June highs climb to around 28°C (82°F).
- Sunrise (15 May)
- About 05:08
- Sunset (15 May)
- About 19:05
- Daylight
- About 13.9 hours
Spring (March–May). Cherry blossom in early April, mild days and busy Golden Week holidays with the Flower Festival in early May.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, May rates 4 for crowds (the peak is April at 4) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in April). Book accommodation early: May is one of the pricier months.
Events in May
- Hiroshima Flower Festival on Peace Boulevard (3–5 May)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in May
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Gallery · Hakushima and the castle
Hiroshima Museum of Art
Combine it with Hiroshima Castle's grounds and Shukkei-en, all within a 10-minute walk.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Art
- Rainy day
Gallery · Hiroshima Station area
Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art
Japan's first public museum devoted to contemporary art sits in Hijiyama Park, a wooded hill south of the station, in a building by Kisho Kurokawa.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Rainy day
- Architecture
Park · Peace Park and Hondori
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park
Stand behind the cenotaph to see the flame and the Atomic Bomb Dome framed in one line, then walk the riverbank.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- History
- Free
- Outdoors
Historic site · Peace Park and Hondori
Atomic Bomb Dome
The skeletal ruin of the former Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall stood about 160 m from the hypocentre and was one of the few structures left standing.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- History
- Free
- After dark
What to pack
For highs near 25°C, lows near 15°C and 10 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is May a good time to visit Hiroshima?
One of the best months to visit Hiroshima, with a notable event on the calendar. The other best months are March–April and October–November. Compare every month.
Hiroshima in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is May a good time to visit Hiroshima?
It is one of the best months to visit Hiroshima. Warm and pleasant, with azaleas; Golden Week and the Flower Festival bring large crowds early in the month.
+How warm is Hiroshima in May?
Average highs are around 25°C (77°F) and lows around 15°C (59°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Hiroshima in May?
Expect rain on about 10 days of the month.