Japan Weather
🇯🇵 4 cities covered · Asia
· humid subtropical, humid continental climates
Warmest city
Osaka
Coolest city
Sapporo
Sunniest city
Osaka
Best time to visit
April to May
Weather in Japan at a glance
Japan offers 2 distinct climate types, from humid subtropical to humid continental among its 4 covered cities. Year-round, Osaka posts the highest average temperature (61°F (16°C)) and Sapporo the lowest (47°F (8°C)), so the right base depends as much on climate as on itinerary.
Quick facts
- Warmest city: Osaka - annual average 61°
- Coolest city: Sapporo - annual average 47°
- Sunniest city: Osaka (8.6 h sun/day)
- Best time to visit: April to May
- Climate types: humid subtropical, humid continental
The bigger picture
For sunshine, Osaka leads with about 8.6 hours of sun per day on average. Kyoto is the wettest of the covered cities, collecting roughly 1818 mm (71.6 inches) of precipitation a year, and Sapporo sees the most snow, around 56 snowy days annually. Averaged across the country's covered cities, April to May brings the most comfortable mix of temperature, dry days and daylight.
Live weather across Japan today
Japan cities compared
| City | Annual avg | Hottest month | Coldest month | Rainy days/yr | Sun h/day | Snowy days/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo | 60° | Aug · 88° | Jan · 32° | 137 | 8.1 | 3 |
| Osaka | 61° | Aug · 90° | Jan · 34° | 128 | 8.6 | 0 |
| Kyoto | 59° | Aug · 89° | Jan · 31° | 135 | 8.3 | 2 |
| Sapporo | 47° | Aug · 78° | Jan · 16° | 167 | 8.3 | 56 |
Japan weather by month
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rainy days | Sunshine |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 43° | 28° | 9 | 7.2 h/day |
| February | 45° | 29° | 9 | 7.7 h/day |
| March | 53° | 36° | 11 | 8.4 h/day |
| April | 62° | 45° | 11 | 8.8 h/day |
| May | 71° | 54° | 11 | 9.4 h/day |
| June | 77° | 62° | 14 | 8.9 h/day |
| July | 84° | 71° | 15 | 9.4 h/day |
| August | 86° | 73° | 14 | 10.1 h/day |
| September | 80° | 66° | 14 | 8.3 h/day |
| October | 69° | 54° | 12 | 7.8 h/day |
| November | 58° | 43° | 10 | 7.3 h/day |
| December | 47° | 33° | 9 | 7.1 h/day |
Japan weather FAQs
What is the warmest city in Japan?
Among the cities we cover, Osaka is the warmest, averaging 61°F (16°C) across the year. Its hottest month is August, with highs near 90°F (32°C).
What is the coldest city in Japan?
Sapporo runs coldest, averaging 47°F (8°C) for the year; January lows average 16°F (-9°C).
What is the sunniest city in Japan?
Osaka, with about 8.6 hours of sunshine per day averaged across the year.
When is the best time to visit Japan?
Averaged across the covered cities, April to May offers the most comfortable combination of temperatures, drier days and daylight. Coastal, mountain and desert areas can differ - check each city's climate page for specifics.
Does it snow in Japan?
Yes - 3 of the 4 covered cities see regular snowfall. Sapporo gets the most, about 56 snowy days in a typical year.
What is the climate of Japan like?
The covered cities fall under humid subtropical, humid continental climates. That means hot, humid summers and generally mild winters.