Month guide · Tokyo · Japan
Tokyo in May
What May is really like in Tokyo: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Rs1421, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
May is one of the best months to visit Tokyo. Expect average highs of 24°C (75°F), lows of 15°C (59°F), about 11 rainy days and roughly 14 hours of daylight. Warm and pleasant, with azaleas and irises; trains and attractions are packed in the Golden Week days at the start of the month.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 24°C (75°F) / 15°C (59°F)
- Rainy days
- About 11
- Daylight
- About 14 hours
- Sea temperature
- 19°C (66°F)
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in May
May is the 5th-warmest month in Tokyo: days average 24°C (75°F) against a yearly average high of 20°C (68°F), and nights fall to about 15°C (59°F). Rain falls on roughly 11 of its 31 days. Compared with April (19°C (66°F)), May is warmer; by June highs climb to around 26°C (79°F).
- Sunrise (15 May)
- About 04:36
- Sunset (15 May)
- About 18:39
- Daylight
- About 14 hours
- Sea
- 19°C (66°F)
Spring (March–May). Plum and then cherry blossom, mild days and fresh greenery; hotel prices peak during blossom season and 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 (until about 5 May)
- Sanja Matsuri at Asakusa Shrine (usually the third weekend of May)
- May Grand Sumo Tournament at Ryogoku (usually mid-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.
Museum · Ueno
Tokyo National Museum
Start in the main Honkan building for an overview of Japanese art, then save the dimly lit Horyuji gallery for a quiet finish.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- History
- Rainy day
Experience · Toyosu
teamLab Planets
In this immersive digital-art museum you walk barefoot through rooms of knee-deep water, mirrored light installations and a garden of suspended orchids, with artworks that respond to your movement.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Art
- Rainy day
- Photo spot
Museum · Mitaka
Ghibli Museum
Walk to the museum through Inokashira Park from Kichijoji Station, about 15 minutes.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Art
- Rainy day
Religious site · Asakusa
Senso-ji Temple
Tokyo's oldest temple, founded according to tradition in 628, is approached through the Kaminarimon gate with its giant red lantern and along Nakamise-dori, a 250-metre street of snack and souvenir stalls.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- History
- After dark
- Photo spot
What to pack
For highs near 24°C, lows near 15°C and 11 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 Tokyo?
One of the best months to visit Tokyo, with 3 notable events on the calendar. The other best months are March–April and October–November. Compare every month.
Tokyo in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is May a good time to visit Tokyo?
It is one of the best months to visit Tokyo. Warm and pleasant, with azaleas and irises; trains and attractions are packed in the Golden Week days at the start of the month.
+How warm is Tokyo in May?
Average highs are around 24°C (75°F) and lows around 15°C (59°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Tokyo in May?
Expect rain on about 11 days of the month.