What about typhoon season in Japan?

Q: What about typhoon season in Japan?

Typhoon season runs roughly July to October, with the peak in August and September. Most storms track up the Pacific coast, so the Sea of Japan side (Kyoto, Osaka, Kanazawa) is less exposed. Disruptions are usually short-lived — trains resume within hours. Travel insurance is a sensible precaution if you're visiting in August or September.

Guide

Best time to visit Japan

By Yiyan · Last reviewed: March 2026

Japan is rewarding year-round — cherry blossoms draw spring crowds, summer hosts the biggest festivals, autumn turns every hillside amber and crimson, and winter opens up the best powder skiing on earth. Each season has a distinct trade-off between weather, crowds, and cost.

Japan by season

Spring

Mar – May

Mild, 10–20 °C. Gradually warming from cool March to warm May.

• Cherry blossoms (late Mar–Apr)
• Hanami picnics
• Golden Week festivals (late Apr–early May)

Very High crowdsPeak

Summer

Jun – Aug

Hot and humid, 25–35 °C. Rainy season June–mid-July.

• Gion Matsuri (Jul, Kyoto)
• Obon lantern festivals (Aug)
• Fuji climbing season

High crowdsMid–Peak

Autumn

Sep – Nov

Crisp and clear, 10–22 °C. Best visibility of the year.

• Autumn foliage (Nov)
• Nikko & Kyoto temple colours
• Fewer typhoons after Oct

High crowdsMid–Peak

Winter

Dec – Feb

Cold, 0–10 °C in cities. Heavy snow in Hokkaido and the Japan Alps.

• Sapporo Snow Festival (Feb)
• Powder skiing in Niseko
• Illumination events Dec

Low crowdsBudget

Cherry blossom timing by city

Blossoms advance from south to north over roughly 6 weeks. Exact dates shift by ±1 week year to year — check the Japan Meteorological Corporation forecast closer to your trip.

City	Typical peak
Tokyo	Late March
Kyoto	Late Mar – early Apr
Osaka	Late March
Hiroshima	Late March
Sapporo	Late April

Month-by-month quick reference

Month	Temp range	Crowds	Key event
Jan	2–10 °C	Low	Sapporo Yuki Matsuri prep
Feb	2–11 °C	Low	Sapporo Snow Festival
Mar	5–15 °C	Medium	First cherry blossoms
Apr	12–20 °C	Very High	Peak cherry blossom & Golden Week
May	16–24 °C	High	Golden Week (ends)
Jun	20–27 °C	Medium	Rainy season begins
Jul	24–32 °C	High	Gion Matsuri, Kyoto
Aug	25–33 °C	High	Obon festival & fireworks
Sep	20–28 °C	Medium	Tail end of typhoon season
Oct	14–22 °C	Medium	Early autumn foliage
Nov	8–18 °C	High	Peak autumn foliage
Dec	3–12 °C	Low–Medium	Winter illuminations

Good to know