When to avoid Japan
The worst time to visit Japan
The worst time to visit Japan is June through September. June and early July are the rainy season (tsuyu), with 170mm of rain and only four hours of sun a day across most of Honshu; August is the hottest month at 31°C and carries the Obon domestic-travel rush; September is the wettest of all at 220mm and the peak of typhoon season. Hokkaido escapes the rainy season entirely. Here is what each month really looks like — and when to go instead.
26° / 18°°C high/low
170mmrainfall
4hrssun/day
Rainy season (tsuyu) begins — humid and overcast
The rainy season runs from early June to mid-July across most of Honshu (Hokkaido is exempt). Hydrangeas bloom — beautiful in temple gardens.
30° / 22°°C high/low
160mmrainfall
5hrssun/day
Hot, humid, and crowded with summer festivals
Tsuyu ends mid-month, then heat takes over. Gion Matsuri in Kyoto (July 17) is one of Japan's most famous festivals. Hokkaido is the cool escape.
31° / 24°°C high/low
170mmrainfall
6hrssun/day
Hottest month + Bon Festival domestic travel peak
Tokyo regularly hits 35°C+ with high humidity. Obon (Aug 13-15) is the second domestic-travel rush of the year. Typhoons begin appearing.
27° / 20°°C high/low
220mmrainfall
4hrssun/day
Typhoon season peak — wettest month of the year
September averages the highest rainfall and the most typhoon activity. Late September can be lovely if you dodge storms — early autumn colors begin in the north.
Why these months specifically
June: Rainy season starts (tsuyu)
The rainy season runs from early June to mid-July across most of Honshu. Expect 170mm of rain in June (vs. 50mm in December). It rarely rains all day — typical pattern is heavy bursts followed by humid sun. Hokkaido is the exception: it skips tsuyu entirely and is excellent now.
July: Tsuyu ends, then peak heat
Mid-July the rains end and Tokyo's heat takes over. Average highs hit 30°C with humidity that makes it feel like 35°C. Gion Matsuri in Kyoto (July 17) is a major draw despite the weather — Kyoto in mid-July is fascinating but exhausting.
August: Hottest month + Obon
August averages 31°C in Tokyo with regular spikes above 35°C. Obon (August 13-15) is the year's second domestic travel rush — book trains and accommodation 4+ months ahead or avoid these dates. Hokkaido stays 5-8°C cooler.
September: Typhoon season peak
September has the year's highest rainfall (220mm) and highest typhoon frequency. Late September can be wonderful if you dodge storms — autumn colors begin in the north. But build in flexibility: typhoons routinely shut down trains and flights for 1-3 days.
What to do instead
If you must travel during summer:
- Hokkaido skips the rainy season entirely. Lavender at Furano (July), hiking in Daisetsuzan, cool nights in Sapporo — Japan's summer escape.
- Japanese Alps (Kamikochi, Kiso Valley, Hakuba) stay 5-10°C cooler than Tokyo and offer alpine hiking.
- Festival-focused trips — if you specifically want Gion Matsuri or Tenjin Matsuri, the timing constraint is non-negotiable. Plan for the festival, accept the heat.
The flip side: when to actually go
Late March to early May, or October to November. Both are described as Japan's two great windows for travel. See the full Japan seasonality map for month-by-month detail.
Your Japan cheat sheet
One email with the whole year in it — and the questions that actually change a trip there, answered.
- All 12 months scored 0–100
- The months to skip, and when it turns good again
- The questions that change the plan, answered
- Plus the Travel Timing Calendar 2027: every destination, every month (PDF)
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