Month guide · Nara · Japan
Nara in May
What May is really like in Nara: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Gaodanielbo, CC BY 4.0
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Quick answer
May is one of the best months to visit Nara. Expect average highs of 25°C (77°F), lows of 13°C (55°F), about 10 rainy days and roughly 14 hours of daylight. Warm and green; Golden Week in early May is crowded, and the first deer fawns are born from late May.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 25°C (77°F) / 13°C (55°F)
- Rainy days
- About 10
- Daylight
- About 14 hours
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in May
May is the 5th-warmest month in Nara: days average 25°C (77°F) against a yearly average high of 21°C (70°F), and nights fall to about 13°C (55°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 04:54
- Sunset (15 May)
- About 18:52
- Daylight
- About 14 hours
Spring (March–May). Omizutori fire rituals in March, cherry blossom in early April and fresh green in May; busy at Golden Week.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, May rates 4 for crowds (the peak is April at 5) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in April). Book accommodation early: May is one of the pricier months.
Events in May
- Golden Week holidays (late April to early 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.
Garden · Nara Park
Isui-en and Yoshiki-en gardens
Combine both with lunch at Isui-en's restaurant overlooking the pond; Yoshiki-en has been free for foreign visitors showing a passport.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Couples
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
- Off the beaten path
Religious site · Nara Park
Nigatsu-do Hall
A hillside hall of Todai-ji with a wooden veranda looking over the Great Buddha Hall's roof and the city.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- History
- Couples
Neighbourhood · Naramachi
Naramachi
Visit the free Koshi-no-Ie townhouse to see how a narrow, deep machiya works inside.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Food
- Shopping
- Architecture
Religious site · Naramachi
Gango-ji
This UNESCO-listed temple in Naramachi traces its origins to Asuka-dera, one of Japan's first Buddhist temples, and some of its roof tiles date from the late 6th century.
- Time needed
- 40 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Off the beaten path
- Architecture
What to pack
For highs near 25°C, lows near 13°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 Nara?
One of the best months to visit Nara, with a notable event on the calendar. The other best months are March–April and October–November. Compare every month.
Nara in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is May a good time to visit Nara?
It is one of the best months to visit Nara. Warm and green; Golden Week in early May is crowded, and the first deer fawns are born from late May.
+How warm is Nara in May?
Average highs are around 25°C (77°F) and lows around 13°C (55°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Nara in May?
Expect rain on about 10 days of the month.