Okayama: Seasonal Weather, What to Wear, and Best Places to Visit

Okayama's Weather Varies According to the Season

Okayama Prefecture has four distinct seasons, so it's necessary to dress according to the temperatures for each season.

While Okayama is known for its many sunny days, it also frequently rains in June and July. So it's also really important to dress appropriately for bad weather as well.

In this article, we explain Okayama Prefecture's weather characteristics, seasonal trends, and what clothing to wear when visiting. We also introduce our recommended cherry blossom spots and sightseeing spots.

Weather in Okayama

Okayama is surrounded by mountains in both the north and south and has a Seto Inland Sea-like climate that's not affected by seasonal winds. So throughout the year it has a mild climate.

Okayama has less precipitation than the national average and is blessed with long hours of sunshine. For this reason, the prefecture is also called the Sunny Country.

There's a relatively high amount of precipitation during the rainy season in June and July, but it's also less prone to damage from typhoons, heavy snow, and other natural disasters.

Spring and autumn are both pleasant seasons. In the summer the temperature can exceed 30 degrees. However, there's a refreshing wind from the north and a gentle breeze from the Seto Inland Sea, so the mornings and evenings feel cool.

It can get cold during the winter, but it hardly ever snows so you can spend your time comfortably. Also, public transportation rarely gets disrupted by bad weather so it's easy to get around.

On sunny days the temperature goes up, and on rainy days it tends to go down slightly. So it's best to decide what to wear after checking the weather report.

Okayama: Weather Trends and the Most Suitable Clothing

Next, we introduce Okayama's weather trends during the spring, summer, fall, and winter, and recommended clothing.

Spring (March-May) Weather and Climate

Okayama's average spring temperature for a ten-year period from 2014 to 2023 was 9.9℃ in March, 14.7℃ in April, and 19.7℃ in May.

Source: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Japan Meteorological Agency-Past Weather Data (Japanese)

In the spring, there are big differences in temperature between the daytime and that of the mornings and evenings. So we recommend wearing a sweater or shirt on top to handle these temperature changes.

March still tends to be cold so winter clothing is fine. In May it's warm enough during the day, so wearing just a top will be adequate.

Summer (June-August) Weather and Climate

Okayama's average summer temperature for a ten-year period from 2014 to 2023 was 23.1℃ in June, 27.3℃ in July, and 28.5℃ in August.

Source: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Japan Meteorological Agency-Past Weather Data (Japanese)

In Okayama, the rainy season starts around late June into early July, and the weather turns humid. So it's best to wear clothes made with materials that breathe well.

The end of the rainy season signals the start of summer, and the average monthly temperature hovers around 28℃. During the daytime, it's comfortable just wearing a short-sleeved shirt. We also recommend wide-leg pants that won't stick to your body even when you sweat.

On many days the temperature goes above 30℃ and the rays of the sun are really strong, so sun protection is essential. It's also important to be mindful of heat stroke.

Fall (September-November) Weather and Climate

Okayama's average autumn temperature for a ten-year period from 2014 to 2023 was 24.4℃ in September, 18.2℃ in October, and 12.5℃ in November.

Source: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Japan Meteorological Agency-Past Weather Data (Japanese)

From September, the days are often hot but the mornings and nights can easily get cold. So it's a good idea to bring a light sweater or other clothing to deal with these temperature differences.

A sweater is easy to bring along with you, and if it's a basic color it will mix and match with your other clothes.

Winter (December-February) Weather and Climate

Okayama's average winter temperature for a ten-year period from 2014 to 2023 was 6.9℃ in December, 5.0℃ in January, and 5.6℃ in February.

Source: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Japan Meteorological Agency-Past Weather Data (Japanese)

The winters in Okayama are relatively warm when compared to the national average. However, the mornings and evenings get chilly, so make sure to protect yourself from the cold with a thick coat or outerwear.

A scarf or turtleneck will help to keep your neck area warm, and full length pants and boots will keep your feet warm.

The Best Season for Travel in Okayama

Okayama Prefecture has a mild climate so it's suitable for travel at any time of the year. But the best season would be from March until early summer when the willow trees along the Kurashiki River start to bud.

We also recommend visiting some sakura viewing spots after checking with the cherry blossom forecast.

Although Okayama's annual precipitation is low, there's a high possibility of rain during the rainy season. So if you dislike the rain then it's best to avoid visiting during that time of the year.

However, even if it does rain, there are many enjoyable indoor spots including Kurashiki Ivy Square and the Ohara Museum of Art.

Okayama's Best Cherry Blossom Spots

The best time to see the cherry blossoms in Okayama is usually from late March until late April. We highly recommend visiting Korakuen, one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan.

Korakuen is a large traditional garden that was built during the Edo Period (1603-1868). It even received three stars from the Michelin Green Guide Japan. The garden has approximately 280 cherry trees, most of which are the Somei-Yoshino variety. There's also a Korakuen-limited bento box to enhance your cherry blossom viewing experience.

In addition to the charms of Korakuen, Takebenomori Park with its Shidarezakura cherry tree tunnel, and Maniwa City's Daigo-Sakura, a cherry tree that is estimated to be 1,000 years old, are two other highlights worth visiting.

The Tsuyama Cherry Blossom Festival is held annually in Tsuyama City. Visitors can enjoy the lively atmosphere of this event with Tsuyama Castle and the beautiful cherry blossoms in the background.

These cherry blossom spots are also illuminated at night, so we also recommend visiting them after dark.

Top 3 Places to Visit in Okayama

There are many sightseeing spots in Okayama. We'd especially like to recommend three of them: Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter, Hiruzen Plateau, and Saidoji Temple. Next, we'll introduce the attractive features of each one.

Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter

Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter is one of Okayama's top sightseeing spots. More than three million people visit annually, so throughout the year, it's a bustling area.

The attractive feature of this historical quarter is the beautiful townscape. It combines retro Western-style architecture with traditional buildings such as the white-walled storehouse and the namako walls that remain from the Edo Period.

The area is perfect for a leisurely stroll as you take photos of the white-walled storehouses, riverboats, and rows of willow trees.

If you join the Kurashiki Riverboat Tour, you can go for a pleasant ride and enjoy the town's picturesque scenery from the water. Riverboats, like the ones recreated here, were used to transport goods during the Edo Period.

Tickets for the boat are same-day only and very popular. When you arrive here it's best to go to the Kurashiki Tourist Information Center right away to pick up a ticket.

Nearby, there are shops selling famous Kurashiki brands such as Kurashiki canvas and Kurashiki denim. The area is also home to some cultural facilities including cafes renovated from traditional machiya townhouses, Kurashiki Ivy Square, and the Ohara Museum of Art. So visitors can spend the whole day walking about and not get bored.

After dark the area gets illuminated so you can even enjoy an evening stroll. The reflection of the white-walled buildings on the surface of the water is truly mystical.

Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter
Access: About 15 minutes on foot from JR Kurashiki Station.
Location: Okayama, Kurashiki, Chuo 1-4-8
Night Illumination: April to September (Sunset until 22:00), October to March (Sunset until 21:00)

Hiruzen Plateau

Hiruzen Plateau is one of Western Japan's leading highland resorts. Here there are wineries and herb gardens in addition to idyllic views of Jersey cows grazing in pastures.

The area also offers a full lineup of outdoor activities including cycling and camping.
At Hiruzen Kogen Center there are various retail shops and restaurants so visitors can have fun for the entire day.

Also be sure to check out Hiruzen's unique cuisine that includes Hiruzen yakisoba, a grilled mutton dish called Genghis Khan, and soft ice cream made with Jersey milk.

Hiruzen Plateau
Access: About 80 minutes by Maniwa City Community Bus (Maniwakun) from JR Chugoku Katsuyama Station.
Location: Okayama, Maniwa, Hiruzen, Kamifukuda 1205-197
Business Hours: 9:00-17:30 or 9:00-18:00

Saidoji Temple

Saidoji Temple was said to have been built by the Buddhist monk Kukai (Kobo Daishi) during the Heian Period (794-1185). This temple is famous for its white-colored senbon torii (one thousand torii gates).

Around the month of July, there are many hydrangeas in full bloom in front of the temple and on the mountain. So it's also called the hydrangea temple.

Senbon torii consists of 78 white-colored torii gates that extend for a distance of 86 meters. In recent years this has become a popular photo spot on social media. The contrast of the white gates with the blue hydrangeas is exquisitely beautiful.

In addition to the 11,000 hydrangeas in front of the temple, there are about 5,000 Japanese irises, water lilies, and camellia flowers. So during each season you can enjoy the beautiful scenery spreading out in front of you.

Saidoji Temple
Access: About 40 minutes by taxi from JR Niimi Station (The nearest station is JR Ikura Station, but there is no taxi service available).
Location: Okayama, Niimi, Hoso 661
Visiting Hours: 9:00-16:00

Enjoy Okayama: First Check the Weather for What To Wear!

When visiting Okayama, please be sure to dress appropriately after you check the weather forecast and temperature.

During the spring and fall, there can be big temperature differences between the daytime and that of the mornings and evenings. So it's a good idea to bring a sweater.

In the summer it's important to choose clothes made of material that breathes well, and in the winter you need to take measures to protect yourself from the cold.

Written by Kakutama editorial team
All pictures courtesy of pixta