Tokyo vs Seoul: Weather & Climate Compared
On annual averages, Tokyo is warmer overall, Seoul is sunnier, and Tokyo has more rainy days. The monthly comparison shows when that result changes.
Tokyo vs Seoul weather right now
At this moment, Tokyo is the warmer of the two by 7°F (4°C).
The warmer city depends on the month
If warmth is the deciding factor, Tokyo wins: 60°F (16°C) on the annual mean against 53°F (12°C) in Seoul, a gap of 6.7°F (3.7°C).
For the full seasonal context behind this comparison, see the Tokyo monthly climate guide and Seoul monthly climate guide.
Where the lead can change
- Sunshine: Seoul collects 8.6 hours of daily sun across the year; Tokyo manages 8.1.
- Rain: umbrellas get more use in Tokyo - about 137 wet days a year versus 98 in Seoul.
- Snow: Seoul is the snowy one, averaging about 5 snow days a year.
- Peak heat: Tokyo tops out in August (88°F (31°C) highs); Seoul peaks in August (85°F (29°C)).
- Coldest nights: January lows of 32°F (0°C) in Tokyo; January lows of 20°F (-7°C) in Seoul.
When the warmer city changes
These two trade places through the year - Tokyo leads in 11 months, Seoul in 1, so the better-weather answer depends on when you ask. The starkest contrast comes in December, when Tokyo runs about 15°F (8°C) warmer; May is the great equalizer.
Tokyo vs Seoul month by month
| Month | Tokyo high / low | Seoul high / low | Tokyo rain days | Seoul rain days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 48° / 32° | 36° / 20° | 5 | 3 |
| February | 51° / 34° | 41° / 23° | 7 | 4 |
| March | 58° / 40° | 53° / 32° | 12 | 6 |
| April | 65° / 49° | 64° / 44° | 12 | 7 |
| May | 74° / 58° | 73° / 53° | 11 | 8 |
| June | 79° / 65° | 81° / 64° | 15 | 10 |
| July | 86° / 73° | 84° / 72° | 16 | 18 |
| August | 88° / 76° | 85° / 72° | 14 | 16 |
| September | 81° / 69° | 78° / 63° | 15 | 9 |
| October | 71° / 58° | 65° / 49° | 12 | 6 |
| November | 62° / 47° | 52° / 35° | 10 | 7 |
| December | 53° / 36° | 38° / 23° | 7 | 4 |
Three-month seasons compared
| Months | Tokyo high / low | Seoul high / low | Tokyo rain days | Seoul rain days | Tokyo sun | Seoul sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December - February | 50° / 34° | 38° / 22° | 19 | 12 | 7.7 h | 7.8 h |
| March - May | 66° / 49° | 63° / 43° | 34 | 21 | 8.5 h | 9.5 h |
| June - August | 84° / 71° | 83° / 69° | 46 | 43 | 9.0 h | 9.1 h |
| September - November | 71° / 58° | 65° / 49° | 37 | 22 | 7.2 h | 8.0 h |
Sunshine, daylight and rain chance
| Month | Tokyo sun | Seoul sun | Tokyo daylight | Seoul daylight | Tokyo wet-day chance | Seoul wet-day chance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7.8 h | 7.8 h | 10.0 h | 9.8 h | 17% | 10% |
| February | 7.9 h | 8.4 h | 10.8 h | 10.8 h | 26% | 16% |
| March | 8.1 h | 9.1 h | 11.9 h | 11.9 h | 38% | 19% |
| April | 8.6 h | 9.3 h | 13.1 h | 13.1 h | 38% | 24% |
| May | 8.9 h | 10.0 h | 14.0 h | 14.2 h | 36% | 26% |
| June | 8.2 h | 9.8 h | 14.6 h | 14.7 h | 50% | 33% |
| July | 8.7 h | 8.2 h | 14.3 h | 14.5 h | 52% | 57% |
| August | 10.0 h | 9.2 h | 13.5 h | 13.6 h | 46% | 51% |
| September | 7.4 h | 8.6 h | 12.3 h | 12.4 h | 51% | 29% |
| October | 7.0 h | 8.3 h | 11.2 h | 11.1 h | 40% | 20% |
| November | 7.3 h | 7.2 h | 10.2 h | 10.1 h | 32% | 24% |
| December | 7.5 h | 7.2 h | 9.7 h | 9.6 h | 21% | 15% |
Best months for sightseeing
Counting months with average highs between 64°F and 82°F (18–28°C) and fewer than 12 wet days:
- Tokyo: April, May (2 months)
- Seoul: May, June, September, October (4 months)
Both cities are at their most comfortable in May, the easiest window for a trip that takes in both.
Dataset extremes, distance and time difference
- Tokyo 2015–2024 extremes: highest daily value 103° in July, lowest 18° in January. These are reanalysis values, not all-time station records.
- Seoul 2015–2024 extremes: highest daily value 97° in August, lowest -3° in January. These are reanalysis values, not all-time station records.
- Distance: Tokyo and Seoul are about 716 miles (1,153 km) apart as the crow flies.
- Time difference: the two cities share the same local time right now.