Weather
Japan has four distinct seasons—although the rainy season could be classed as a fifth season—with a climate ranging from subarctic in the north to subtropical in the south. Given the country's length stretching some 3,000km north to south from almost Siberia to Taiwan together with its mountainous terrain, the arrival of the seasons and their length varies greatly according to region.
Precipitation is common throughout Japan but more frequent in the summer and winter months. The rainy season starts in mid-June and lasts until mid to late-July over much of the country. In Okinawa it starts in mid-May and finishes in late June. Hokkaido does not experience a rainy season.
Typhoons mostly occur in the autumn months.
Hokkaido
Hokkaido has cooler summers and very cold winters with heavy snow. In winter, the wind chill factor can make temperatures feel much lower than shown here.
July - September tours
Day temperatures generally range between 12 to 28°C (54 to 82°F). At altitude on the mountains temperatures range from 0 to 26°C (32 to 90°F). Evenings are 5 to 18ºC (41 to 64ºF).
December to February tours
Winter temperatures average -4°C (25°F) and can reach a low of -25°C (-13°F) in inland areas. Day temperatures generally range between -15 to 5°C (5 to 41ºF) on the lowlands and -20 to 0°C (-4 to 32°F) at higher altitude. Evenings are -25 to -5ºC (-13 to 23ºF).
North Honshu
North Honshu has warmer summers and very cold winters with very heavy snow on the Sea of Japan coast and mountainous areas. In winter, the wind chill factor can make temperatures feel much lower than shown here.
Mid-April to early May, and mid-October to November tours:
Day temperatures generally range between 15 to 20°C (59 to 68°F) and in the evening 5 to 16°C (41 to 61°F).
Mid-May to June, and September to mid- October tours:
Day temperatures generally range between 18 to 28°C (64 to 82°F) and in the evening 12 to 18°C (53 to 64°F).
Central Honshu
Central Honshu has warm, drier springs and autumns, and hot and humid summers. Winters are cold with very heavy snow on the Sea of Japan coast and in mountainous areas but drier and cool to cold in the Pacific Ocean coastal areas, including the Kanto region surrounding Tokyo. In winter in the Sea of Japan coastal region, the wind chill factor can make temperatures feel much lower than shown here.
Early to mid-March tours:
Day temperatures are 13 to 17°C (55 to 63°F) on the lowlands and on the high passes 5 to 10°C (41 to 50°F) . Evenings are 0 to 9°C (32 to 48°F).
Late March to mid- to late April, and mid-October to November tours:
Day temperatures are 16 to 20°C (61 to 68°F) on the lowlands and on the high passes 8 to 14°C (46 to 57°F). Evenings are 4 to 12°C (39 to 54°F).
Late April to June, and September to mid-October tours:
Day temperatures are 18 to 35°C (64 to 96°F) on the lowlands and on the high passes 14 to 25°C (57 to 77°F). Evenings are 14 to 25°C (57 to 77°F).
July and August tours:
Day temperatures are 25 to 35ºC (77 to 95ºF). Evenings are 14 to 18°C (57 to 64°F).
December to early-March tours:
Day temperatures are -5 to 10°C (23 to 50°F). Evenings are -20 to 0°C (-4 to 32°F).
West Honshu
West Honshu has warm, drier springs and autumns, and hot and humid summers. Winters are cold with very heavy snow on the Sea of Japan coast and in mountainous areas but drier and cool to cold in the Seto Inland Sea region. In winter, the wind chill factor can make temperatures feel much lower than shown here.
December to mid-March tours:
Day temperatures are 4 to 12°C (40 to 53ºF). Evenings are -10 to 0°C (14 to 32°F).
Late March to mid- to late April, and mid- October to November tours:
Day temperatures are 16 to 20°C (61 to 68ºF). Evenings are 4 to 12°C (39 to 54°F).
Late April to June, and September to mid-October tours:
Day temperatures are 18 to 35°C (64 to 95°F). Evenings are 14 to 25°C (57 to 77°F).
July and August tours:
Day temperatures are 25 to 35ºC (77 to 95ºF). Evenings are 14 to 18°C (57 to 64°F).
Kyushu
Kyushu has hot and humid summers and cooler to cold winters, especially in the central mountainous areas. South Kyushu has distinctly warmer winters than the north of the island.
March to mid-April and mid-October to November tours:
Day temperatures are 16 to 22°C (61 to 72°F). Evenings are 5 to 12°C (41 to 54°F).
Late April to June and September to mid-October tours:
Day temperatures are 20 to 35°C (68 to 95°F). Evenings are 14 to 25°C (57 to 77°F).
December tours:
Day temperatures are 5 to 12°C (41 to 54°F). Evenings are -8 to 0°C (17 to 32°F).
Okinawa
Okinawa has mild winters and very hot, humid summers.
May tours:
Day temperatures are 25 to 28°C or 77 to 82°F). Evenings are 22 to 25°C (72 to 77°F).
June tours
Day temperatures are 27 to 31°C (80 to 88°F). Evenings are 25 to 27°C (77 to 80°F).
July tours
Day temperatures are 28 to 35°C (82 to 95°F). Evenings are 26 to 29°C (79 to 84°F).
When is the best time to see the cherry blossom?
Cherry blossom starts to bloom in Okinawa as early as mid-January and can be seen in Hokkaido as late as the end of April. Notoriously fickle and lasting at peak bloom only a scant few days, the cherry blossom can prove elusive. However, this interesting site from the Japan Meteorological agency is an excellent resource for tracking the cherry blossom in Japan.
When is the best time to see the autumn leaves?
Given the huge difference in latitude between Japan's nothern and southern most tips it is possible to view the autumn leaves for almost three months somewhere in Japan, starting in mid-September in Hokkaido.
Visit this useful site for the best times to view the autumn leaves throughout Japan.
