Best time to visit · Tokyo · Japan
The best time to visit Tokyo
Weather, crowds, prices and events for every month, so you can pick the trip that suits you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Sakura Torch, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
The best times to visit Tokyo are late March to May and October to November, with comfortable temperatures, cherry blossom in spring and autumn leaves in late November. Winter is cold but dry and sunny, with clear Mount Fuji views and lower prices outside the New Year. June brings the rainy season, and July to September is hot and humid, with a risk of typhoons.
Key facts
- Best months
- March–May and October–November
- Shoulder season
- December–February
- Warmest month
- August (avg high 31°C (88°F))
- Coldest month
- January (avg high 10°C (50°F))
- Rainiest month
- June (~13 rainy days)
- Lowest hotel prices
- January–February
Seasons
Tokyo has a humid subtropical climate: hot, humid summers above 30°C, a rainy season from early June to mid-July, typhoons possible from August to October, and cool, dry, mostly sunny winters with rare light snow. Spring and autumn are mild and the most comfortable seasons.
March–May
Spring
Plum and then cherry blossom, mild days and fresh greenery; hotel prices peak during blossom season and Golden Week.
June–August
Summer
The rainy season in June and early July, then hot, humid weather with fireworks, festivals and Bon dances.
September–November
Autumn
Heat and typhoon risk in September give way to clear, comfortable October days and autumn leaves in November.
December–February
Winter
Cold, dry and sunny, with illuminations, New Year traditions, plum blossom in February and clear views of Mount Fuji.
Month by month
Long-term averages (rounded). Crowds and prices are relative, 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). Daylight is sunrise to sunset on the 15th.
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Sea | Daylight | Crowds | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 10°C | 1°C | 5 | 15°C | 10 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| February | 11°C | 2°C | 6 | 14°C | 10.8 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| March | 14°C | 5°C | 10 | 15°C | 11.9 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| April | 19°C | 10°C | 10 | 17°C | 13.1 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| May | 24°C | 15°C | 11 | 19°C | 14 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| June | 26°C | 19°C | 13 | 22°C | 14.6 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| July | 30°C | 23°C | 12 | 25°C | 14.3 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| August | 31°C | 24°C | 8 | 27°C | 13.5 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| September | 27°C | 21°C | 11 | 26°C | 12.3 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| October | 22°C | 15°C | 10 | 23°C | 11.2 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| November | 17°C | 9°C | 8 | 20°C | 10.2 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| December | 12°C | 4°C | 5 | 17°C | 9.8 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
Yearly events
Recurring dates shift from year to year; confirm with the organiser before you book.
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| January | Hatsumode New Year shrine visits, busiest at Meiji Jingu (1–3 January); January Grand Sumo Tournament at the Ryogoku Kokugikan (usually mid-January) |
| February | Setsubun bean-throwing at temples and shrines (around 3 February); Plum blossom festivals at Yushima Tenjin and other shrines (February to early March) |
| March | Tokyo Marathon (usually early March); Cherry blossom season begins (usually late March) |
| April | Cherry blossom viewing in Ueno Park, Shinjuku Gyoen and along the Meguro River (usually late March to early April); Golden Week holidays begin (29 April) |
| May | Golden Week holidays (until about 5 May); Sanja Matsuri at Asakusa Shrine (usually the third weekend of May); May Grand Sumo Tournament at Ryogoku (usually mid-May) |
| June | Hydrangea season at temples and parks (June); Sanno Matsuri at Hie Shrine (mid-June, with a grand procession in even-numbered years) |
| July | Sumidagawa Fireworks Festival (usually the last Saturday of July); Neighbourhood summer festivals and Bon dances (July–August) |
| August | Obon holidays (around 13–16 August); Koenji Awa Odori dance festival (usually late August) |
| September | September Grand Sumo Tournament at Ryogoku (usually mid-September) |
| October | Tokyo International Film Festival (usually late October to early November) |
| November | Autumn leaves in Rikugien, Shinjuku Gyoen and Meiji Jingu Gaien (usually mid-November to early December); Tori-no-ichi fairs at Otori shrines (November) |
| December | Winter illuminations in Marunouchi, Roppongi and elsewhere (usually mid-November to December); New Year's Eve temple bells (31 December) |
Cheapest and quietest times
Hotel prices are usually lowest in January–February, and the sights are quietest in January–February.
What to pack
| Season | Pack |
|---|---|
| Spring | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Summer | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Autumn | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Winter | Layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; Comfortable walking shoes |
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best month to visit Tokyo?
The best times to visit Tokyo are late March to May and October to November, with comfortable temperatures, cherry blossom in spring and autumn leaves in late November. Winter is cold but dry and sunny, with clear Mount Fuji views and lower prices outside the New Year. June brings the rainy season, and July to September is hot and humid, with a risk of typhoons.
+When are hotel prices lowest in Tokyo?
Usually in January–February. Cold, dry and sunny, with the clearest views of Mount Fuji; quiet once the New Year holidays end.
+What is the rainiest month in Tokyo?
June, with about 13 days of rain on average.
+How hot does Tokyo get?
The warmest month, August, averages highs of 31°C (88°F) and lows of 24°C (75°F).