When to go · Zao

Zao in May

Avoid month. Listed as a month to avoid: Apr–May (muddy trails, crater may be closed).

Key facts

Verdict: Avoid
Temperature: 20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C) / 10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C); average high / low
Rain days: 10
Crowds: Medium; Japan overall
Prices: Medium; Japan overall

Plan around it

Verdict

AvoidBest and avoid months for Zao

Listed as a month to avoid: Apr–May (muddy trails, crater may be closed).

Is another month better than May?

May is rated avoid. These months rate higher:

Weather in May

Long-term averages

ZaoHighs around 20 °C (68 °F), lows around 10 °C (50 °F), rain on about 10 daysHighs around 68 °F (20 °C), lows around 50 °F (10 °C), rain on about 10 days

Festivals and holidays

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

Crowds and prices

Crowds · Japan overall: Medium
Prices · Japan overall: Medium

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

Compare two months

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Zao, side by side.

First month

Second month

Verdict
May: Avoid
Jan: Great (better)
Daytime high
May: 20 °C (68 °F)68 °F (20 °C)
Jan: 2 °C (36 °F)36 °F (2 °C)
Night low
May: 10 °C (50 °F)50 °F (10 °C)
Jan: -5 °C (23 °F)23 °F (-5 °C)
Rain days
May: 10 (better)
Jan: 12
Crowds
May: Medium
Jan: Low
Prices
May: Medium
Jan: Low
Festivals listed
May: 1
Jan: 1

May: Listed as a month to avoid: Apr–May (muddy trails, crater may be closed).

January: Inside Zao's best window: Jun–Oct for the crater; Dec–Mar for skiing.

Zao: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.

What to pack

A warm layer for the evenings
A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Across Japan in May →