Temperatures and Humidity Levels
Knowing how the weather will be will help you plan out what kinds of clothes to bring on your trip abroad. Of course you will be able to shop for more clothes while you are up there, but it's nice to plan ahead too. Since I will be in Japan from March until early August, I will be experiencing the spring and most of the summer seasons. The information below is from this website, so you can click the link for more details.
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February Weather:
Days will seem short in Tokyo because sunset is around 5:30 PM. Central Japan will be sunny and dry but still very chilly while northern Japan will have a lot of snowfall. The Sapporo Snow festival will be happening in Hokkaido from February 5-11, 2016.
If you go to Japan at this time (especially northern Japan) it can get very cold. Besides having a thick jacket, you will benefit from layering your clothes. You can go to Uniqlo to get some "heat tech" clothes (I got some last December and they were really warm and thin enough to layer) and also stop by a convenience store for hand warmers! |
March Weather:
Cherry blossom season starts at the end of March in certain regions of Japan and other flowering plants and trees deliver the first signs of Spring! The weather is still chilly and you would probably need a warm jacket even if you're in Tokyo.
I will be flying up at this time and will for sure need a warm jacket. I get cold easily lol. Update: March was sooooo cold for me!!! I actually got sick. Face masks help keep your face warm and stop germs from spreading, you might want to get one if you're freezing. But hanami week was hands down my favorite. I was shivering from cold under the cherry blossom trees at Yoyogi Park lol. If you go, you should dress warm and comfortable and go early to get a good spot.
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April Weather:
By April, the cherry blossoms will be in full bloom! The weather at this time will be pleasant, not too cold but not too hot either. Golden week will be towards the end of this month, so with the holidays, beautiful weather and cherry blossoms, many people will be traveling around this time.
April was still cold. I remember going to orientations at the start of the month and just freezing. Like I thought I'd be fine in a dress but my legs were so cold even with stockings on lol! I'm a baby. You can double or triple up on stockings for warmth.
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May Weather:
Golden week starts at the end of April and continues to the first week of May. Take into account that many people will be traveling at this time so hotels and flights may be completely booked.
The rainy season begins for Okinawa but other regions of the country will have relatively nice weather and lush green vegetation. Temperatures are warming up a little more but could still be a little chilly at night. You may be wearing lighter clothing but still keep that sweater around! May started getting warm. But it was still comfortable. I remember some days were really windy. I went to Osaka during golden week and it was very hot at Osaka Castle. I think that was the hottest I felt during the month of May (about 81F).
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June Weather:
The rainy season will be in full effect for most parts of Japan and the weather will tend to be overcast most days. Hot springs will become really great destinations at this time too. Carry an umbrella or keep a raincoat/rain boots with you so you don't get caught in the rain.
Hokkaido will be least effected by the rainy season so it might be a nice place to visit at this time. Okinawa's rainy season will end at the end of June. June was hot. It started getting really humid too. But some days were a whole lot worse than others. Toward the end of June, I almost couldn't believe how hot it was. But then some days were nice and tolerable.
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July Weather:
The rainy season will be ending at the first half of this month for the rest of Japan but it will be hot and humid! Simply standing outside will cause you to sweat. More comfortable destinations will be at higher elevations or more northern parts of the country like Hokkaido.
The beaches become really popular in Okinawa, Mt. Fuji opens for hiking, and there will be many local festivals with firework shows in certain parts of Japan. There was like an entire week in July where it was so hot and humid that I couldn't bear being outside for more than 20 min. I didn't want to leave my room. When the wind blows it feels like a hot hair dryer blowing in your face. It was gross and probably the worst heat I ever felt. And I live in Hawaii! The humidity makes your feel so icky. You should buy a fan (like the hand held kind that fold up) and a towel to wipe the sweat off your face. Drink lots of water! It's also been kind of rainy during this month. If you want to see Mt. Fuji you should go in the Spring when the weather is nicer. Otherwise, you won't be able to see him, even if you're relatively close (in Kawaguchiko or Hakone).
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August Weather:
August will be very hot and very humid. Obon week in mid-August brings festivities and an increase in travel for those who are on holidays from school.
Keio's Spring semester will be ending in early August, so I will be returning to Hawaii at this time. Summer dresses may be a good choice of attire to keep you cool and comfortable in the intense heat. August is the worst month in terms of heat and humidity....I'm glad I'll be leaving haha.
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Humidity
In addition to temperature, humidity plays a big factor in how 'comfortable' the weather may seem. Below is a chart of the Average Humidity in Tokyo, which I pulled from this website. On average, the least humid month is January and the most humid is July.