Japan in May

After Golden Week, one of the best months: warm, green, calmer.

• Hokkaidō · Sapporo, Nisekobest weather

  Snow Dec–Mar (ski season); the only main region without a real rainy season.

• Honshū cities · Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshimabest weather

  Rainy season June to mid-July; humid heat July–August; typhoon risk peaks in September.

• Okinawa · Naha, Ishigakirainy

  Subtropical; rainy season May–June, typhoons July–September.

• Kansai: Kyoto / Osaka · Kansai basin and baybest weather

  Rainy season (tsuyu) June to mid-July; Kyoto's basin holds heat — 35 °C+ days in August; typhoons Aug–Sep can shut KIX for a day.

• Kyoto25° / 14°, 10 rain days
• Osaka25° / 16°, 10 rain days
• Tokyo24° / 15°, 11 rain days
• Nagoya25° / 15°, 11 rain days

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

• Golden Week big impact

  29 Apr – 5 May

  The biggest domestic travel week: Shinkansen reserved cars and hotels sell out; prices up.

• Aoi Matsuri

  May 15 · Kyoto

  Procession closes streets from the Imperial Palace to Shimogamo and Kamigamo.

• Grand Sumo tournaments check

  15 days, starting the second Sunday of the month · Tokyo

  Tickets sell out on release weekends; same-day unreserved seats in small numbers (check).

• Sanja Matsuri

  Third weekend of May · Tokyo

  Portable shrines carried through the streets for three days; Asakusa is packed and slow.

• Kanda Matsuri check

  Mid-May, main parade in odd-numbered years · Tokyo

  Processions through central streets; roads closed around Kanda.

Crowds · Japan

Medium

Prices · Japan

Medium

• A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast

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Rated best or good this month

• Hokkaidō

  Best weather of the year (Sapporo, Niseko)

• Honshū cities

  Best weather of the year (Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima)

• Kyoto

  Avoid Golden Week (late Apr–early May).

• Osaka

  Avoid Golden Week.

• Tokyo

  Avoid Golden Week.

• Nagoya

  Best months: Mar–May, Oct–Nov

• Fukuoka

  Best months: Mar–May, Oct–Nov (mild, before/after the rains)

• Hiroshima

  Best months: Mar–May, Oct–Nov (mild, cherry blossom or autumn colour)

• Yokohama

  Best months: Mar–May, Oct–Nov (mild, and clearer harbour views)

• Nara

  Best months: Mar–May, Oct–Nov (cherry blossom or autumn colour in the park)