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Rainy Season In Japan - Regional Breakdown And Travel Tips

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The rainy season In Japan starts in early or late June, depending on the region. Use this rainy season area guide to figure out the best timing for your trip.

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The Rainy Season in Japan - When Does It Start?

Rainy Season In Japan - Regional Breakdown And Travel Tips

If you’re traveling somewhere, you’ll want to know what the weather is like. One thing to note about travel in Japan is tsuyu, the rainy season.

The rainy season spans from May through July, and there will be many cloudy, rainy days during this time. The timing of tsuyu varies by region, usually with Okinawa in early May, and Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka in early June.

Continue reading to see when the rainy season begins and ends in the area you're visiting. We will start from the south, where tsuyu comes and goes earliest, so use this as a reference when you travel to Japan. If it’s rainy, you may not be able to see the scenery you were hoping for, or outdoor events may be canceled, so make sure to incorporate this into your travel plans.

Note that Hokkaido and the Ogasawara Islands do not experience a rainy season.

Okinawa: First Half of May

rainy season in Japan

Okinawa is known for its beach resort areas.

Okinawa, the southernmost prefecture in Japan, experiences the rainy season the earliest. While it has quite charming beaches, don’t forget your rain gear if you plan to visit during May or June.

Usual timing: Starts around May 9, ends around June 23
2018: Started around June 1, ended around June 23

Kagoshima (Southern Kyushu): Late May

Sakurajima

Kagoshima’s symbol, Sakurajima

Kagoshima, on the southern tip of Kyushu, is rich with nature and also known as an onsen resort area. The rainy front coming from Okinawa splashes down in late May.

Usual timing: Starts around May 31, ends around July 14
2018: Started around June 5, ended July 9

Fukuoka (Northern Kyushu): First Half of June

Fukuoka Nakasu Yatai Street

Fukuoka’s Famous Nakasu Yatai Street

Fukuoka, a popular sightseeing destination in Kyushu, is visited by the rainy season in the first half of June. Some of its famous yatai street stalls may close during heavy rain.

Usual timing: Starts around June 5, ends around July 19
2018: Started around June 5, ended around July 9

Hiroshima (Chugoku Area): First Half of June

Atomic Bomb Dome

The Genbaku Dome relays the tragedy of the victims of nuclear weapons to the present

Hiroshima and Fukuoka, along with most of western Japan, get their rainy seasons around early June.

Usual timing: Starts around June 7, ends around July 21
2018: Started around June 7, ended around July 9

Kyoto (Kinki Area): First Half of June

Kiyomizudera Temple in Kyoto

You can get an unbroken view of the Kyoto cityscape from Kiyomizudera

The ancient capital of Kyoto can be difficult to explore in the rain, which comes in June, but the rain-drenched temples and shrines have their own unique majesty.

Usual timing: Starts around June 7, ends around July 21
2018: Started around June 5, ended around July 9

Nagoya (Tokai Area): First Half of June

Nagoya Castle

Nagoya Castle and its famous shachihoko

In Nagoya, we recommend checking out indoor attractions like Nagoya Castle and the Tokugawa Art Museum during the rainy season.

Usual timing: Starts around June 8, ends around July 21
2018: Started around June 5, ended around July 9

Tokyo (Kanto/Koshin'etsu): First Half of June

Asakusa Temple

On long weekends, tourists flood to Asakusa Temple

Tokyo has many exciting things to do during rainy season, like checking out the hydrangeas and buying goods to handle the rain.
Usual timing: Starts around June 8, ends around July 21
2018: Started around June 6, ended around June 29

Kanazawa (Hokuriku Area): Mid-June

Tsuzumi Gate

The Tsuzumi Gate in front of Kanazawa Station

Kanazawa and the surrounding areas get a late start to the rainy season.

Usual timing: Starts around June 12, ends around July 24
2018: Started around June 9, ended around July 9

Sendai (Southern Tohoku): Mid-June

Date Masamune

Sendai’s hero, Date Masamune

Sendai and Kanazawa have the same rainy season schedule. Once the rain is over, it will be time for the Sendai Tanabata Festival.

Usual timing: Starts around June 12, ends around July 25
2018: Started around June 9, ending date not July 14

Aomori (Northern Tohoku): Mid-June

Aomori Nebuta Festival

The Aomori Nebuta Festival, one of Japan’s Three Great Festivals

Once rainy season in Aomori finishes, it will soon be time for one of the famous Aomori Nebuta Festival.

Usual timing: Starts around June 14, ends around July 28
2018: Started around June 11, ended July 19

How to Enjoy Japan's Rainy Season

Rainy Season In Japan - Regional Breakdown And Travel Tips

Picture from Hydrangea Festival In Toshimaen: A Flower Paradise In The Rainy Season

The weather in June might be mostly cloudy and it might rain a lot but this shouldn't stop you to enjoy your trip to Japan.

How about buying a nice Japanese umbrella and go to a hydrangea festival? The hydrangeas bloom during the rainy season, gracing the gardens and parks with their vivid blue and purple colors.

There are several hydrangea festivals held in Tokyo or other major cities, with Kamakura being an especially destination for those who wish to relish these flowers.

The rainy season is the best time to visit museums and galleries, but also covered arcade shopping streets (shotengai) where you can sample delicious local food.

For other tips on how to enjoy the rainy season please refer to the article below.

Rainy Season in Japan by Region

Weather can ruin the best-laid plans. If you absolutely want to only travel on sunny days, you might want to avoid coming during the rainy season.

Reference: Japan Meteorological Agency

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