Climate & Weather in Japan

Japan stretches for about 20 degrees of latitude and its climate varies widely from region to region. For the most of the country the weather is temperate, the Hokkaido island has continental climate and the southern parts (Okinawa) enjoy subtropical climate.

There are four distinct seasons in Japan: Spring (March to May), Summer (June to August), Autumn (September to November) and Winter (December to February). Summers are hot and humid. Winters are dry with only snowfall in the north and on the west coast. Japan has on average very high precipitation with 75% of rainfall occurring during June and July. August to October is the typhoon season. Hokkaido island is drier than the rest of the country and also experiences colder winters, with snow cover staying for about four months a year.

Best time to travel is from early April to late May (with the exception of the Golden Week period, April 27-May 5, when all hotels are booked), October, or early November, when the temperatures are comfortable and there isn't much rain.

Weather Averages in Japan