Best time to visit Tokyo

You may ask yourself, what’s the best time to visit Tokyo? And there is actually not just one answer, as the weather here in Tokyo is actually quite mild all year round. With the only exception being at the end of June to mid-August. So let’s not waste time and let us share with you what the climate in Tokyo is each month, as well as what events and festivals are happening. So you can find the perfect time for your visit!

Tokyo in January

With its crispy cold January, Tokyo does not get “real” snow, but you will have a few rainy days. And as in most cities around the world, many businesses are closed December 29th -January 3rd.

Season: Low season

Temperatures: -/+ 5/40(C/F)

Events and Festivals in Tokyo in January:

• 1st, 2nd, and 3rd of January: Hatsumōde, which is the first Shinto shrine visit of the Japanese New Year.

Bank Holiday:

• New Year’s Day – January 1
• Coming of Age Day – January 13

Tokyo in February

As we are still in Winter expect some rain, but again there won’t be much snow. If it does happen you may see a few flakes, but they won’t stick. It is still a quiet month, great if you like to visit places with fewer crowds. Have a look at our Events Page for Tokyo for updated events and what to do.

Season: Low season

Temperatures: -/+ 6/42(C/F)

Events and Festivals in Tokyo in February:

• 2nd of February: Imperial Palace New Year Greeting. You will be allowed to enter the inner courtyards of the Imperial Palace, where the Emperor will have his New Year Speech.

Bank Holiday:

• Foundation Day – February 11
• Emperor’s birthday – February 23-24

Tokyo in March

As we are getting to March the weather is still unpredictable, so best to pack layers so you can switch if it gets colder/warmer.

Also by the middle of March, the plum blossoms will start to bloom, not as famous as their counterparts the cherry blossoms but equally as beautiful!

And as already mentioned by the end of March, we will start to see the famous cherry blossoms appear. If you do plan to visit from late March, make sure to book well in advance as we are approaching the high season in Tokyo.

Season: mid/high season

Temperatures: -/+ 10/44(C/F)

Events and Festivals in Tokyo in March:

• 3rd weekend in March: Tokyo Comic Con, one of the biggest event for anime and Manga fans held every year in Odaiba
• Late March: Sakura Season is starting. Many people gather to view the cherry blossoms

Bank Holiday:

• Vernal Equinox Day – March 20

Tokyo in April

April is high season for Tokyo’s Tourism industry with the famous cherry blossoms appearing all over the city. It is the most popular time for people to visit and because of that, it is also the most expensive time to come to Tokyo. And as we are dealing with Nature, there is no guarantee the flowers will bloom exactly on time. But there is a Forecast that gives you a good idea of when it is going to happen. So if this is your reason for traveling, make sure you have a few days buffer or visit other cities for your best chance to see them.

Expect parks and many attractions to be extremely crowded and the weather to be still on the chilly side, especially in the evenings.

Season: high season

Temperatures: -/+ 15/54(C/F)

Events and Festivals in Tokyo in April:

• Early April: Sakura Season is in full swing. Many people gather to view the cherry blossoms
• 29th of April to 4th of May: Golden Week. Showa Day is on the 29th and was the birthday of the late former Emperor Showa, who passes away in 1989.

Bank Holiday:

Showa Day – April 29

Tokyo in May

With spring finally, here, May might be the best time to visit Tokyo. As you can pack light and enjoy being outside. Although not high season for foreign Tourists, it is high season for the Japanese to travel as it is Golden Week. So you can expect Hotels and Transport to be a little harder to book.

Season: high season

Temperatures: -/+ 20/63(C/F)

Events and Festivals in Tokyo in May:

• 29th of April to 4th of May: Golden Week. Containing several Holidays such as Constitution Day on May 3rd and Children’s Day.
• Early May: Kanda Matsuri. Every uneven year (2019,2021..) “Kanda” near Tokyo station is celebrating a huge festival.
• 3rd weekend in May: Sanja Matsuri. This festival located in Asakusa Tokyo’s biggest festival! If you don’t like crowds it is not for you…

Bank Holiday:

• Constitution Day – May 3
• Greenery Day – May 4
• Children’s Day – May 5
• Constitution Memorial Day (observed) – May 6 (additional day for Golden Week)

Tokyo in June

We think June is great to visit Tokyo! It is warm but not too hot. Rainy season has not started yet and flights are normally cheap. Have a look at Booking Buddy to get an idea of prices.

Season: low season

Temperatures: -/+ 23/72(C/F)

Events and Festivals in Tokyo in June:

• Mid-June: Sanno Matsuri. Another bi-annual festival, this time held on even years (2020,2022…). It is held at the Hie-jinja Shrine and another big event for Tokyo on the Calendar.

Tokyo in July

Now July can be tricky as wit the start of the rainy season it gets usually hot and unbearably humid. If you cannot handle the humidity, try to travel at the beginning of the Month. Other than that July in Tokyo can be great, with fewer Tourists and the start of the Firework season towards the end of the Month.

Season: low season

Temperatures: -/+ 26/80(C/F)

Events and Festivals in Tokyo in July:

• 13th-16th of July: Mitama Matsuri. Held at Yasukuni-jinja Shrine, in remembrance of the dead. A more Historical event…
• Last Saturday in July: Sumida-gawa Fireworks Festival. One of the big Firework displays in Tokyo right next to Asakusa on the banks of the Sumida-gawa River.

Bank Holiday:

• Sea Day or Marine Day – July 23 (date changed only for 2020)
• Sports Day – July 24 (date changed only for 2020)

Tokyo in August

Probably the hottest month in Tokyo. With Temperature that can go well up to 38/95(C/F) on a particularly hot day. But what is really making it difficult is the humidity. But if you do not mind the heat, there are many great festivals to attend especially the Obon celebrations are well worth checking out towards the middle of August. Have a look at our Events Page for Tokyo for information.

Season: low season

Temperatures: -/+ 30/86(C/F)

Events and Festivals in Tokyo in August:

• Mid-August: Obon Celebration. This is Buddhist festival, where Japanese return home and pray to their ancestors. Dates vary, and transportation can be crowded.
• Mid-August: Tokyo Pride Parade. This famous LGBT event takes place between Yoyogi Park and Harajuku.

Bank Holiday:

• Mountain Day – August 10 (date changed only for 2020)

Tokyo in September

September is a good choice to travel to Tokyo. It is still warm, but not burning hot and Transporation and Hotels are usually cheaper.

Season: low season

Temperatures: -/+ 27/81(C/F)

Events and Festivals in Tokyo in September:

• Mid/late September: Tokyo Game Show. If you want to be up to date with the newest gadgets this convention is the right place to see it all.

Bank Holiday:

• Respect for the Aged Day – September 21
• Autumnal Equinox Day – September 22

Tokyo in October

One of the best times to visit Tokyo, with warm days and cooler evenings. Especially in the first half of the month Flights are still cheaper and so are hotels, offering many deals. As we get to the end of October you can start to see some glimpses of the autumn foliage changing. Which is also when Tokyo is starting to become quite busy again.

Also, let’s not forget Japanese people have adopted Halloween as one of their favorite days in October.

Season: mid season

Temperatures: -/+ 22/73(C/F)

Events and Festivals in Tokyo in October:

• All of October: Chrysanthemum festivals: Held at various gardens and parks, but also shrines and temples these flowers are being celebrated. So make sure to bring your camera and picknick blanket.
• Last Week: Halloween: All over Tokyo several Parades and Events are being held. Check out our Halloween Guide for Tokyo.
• End of October: Tokyo Ramen Show. The best Ramen from all of Japan in one spot! Check out our Article from the Tokyo Ramen show 2019.

Tokyo in November

November is one of our favorite times here in Tokyo. With the weather being colder but not freezing, sunny skies and the beautiful change of the leaves. Have a look at our best places to see the autumn foliage in Tokyo.

Season: high season

Temperatures: -/+ 16/61(C/F)

Events and Festivals in Tokyo in November:

• During November: Tori-no-ichi. Is an annual festival held on the days of the rooster on the lunar calendar at different shrines in Tokyo. Check their information for confirmed dates: Chokoku-ji, Ohtori Shrine in Asakusa, Hanazono Shrine
• 3rd of November: Jidai Matsuri. This festival of the ages is held in Asakusa on National Culture Day. Showcasing various historical periods in Japan.
• Beginning of November: Tokyo Ramen Show. The best Ramen from all of Japan in one spot! Check out our Article from the Tokyo Ramen show 2019.
• All of November: Autumn foliage. See how all through the city the autumn colors are arriving. Check out our guide to where to see the Autumn foliage in Tokyo.

Bank Holiday:

• Culture Day – November 3
• Labor Thanksgiving Day – November 23

Tokyo in December

We do love the Holiday season and with many Illuminations happening all around Tokyo it is certainly a magical time to visit. Temperatures usually do not drop lower than 3/37(C/F), which means its cold but not freezing and Hotels and Flights area again on the cheaper side. You can compare prices at Booking Buddy.

Japanese people traditionally do not celebrate Christmas so shops and attractions are open, but be aware between the 29th of December and the 3rd of January 3rd many places will be closed for the “Shogatsu” New Year holiday.

Season: low season

Temperatures: -/+ 10/50(C/F)

Events and Festivals in Tokyo in December:

• All of December: Illuminations: See the Christmas lights all over Tokyo, from projection mapping, blue caves, and traditional installations Tokyo has it all.
• 31 December: Shogatsu (New Year): Many Japanese people visit a temple late at night to ring the bell just around midnight and to pray for good luck.

Our summary

To be honest, Tokyo is a great place to visit all year round. We personally would avoid July and early August as the humidity is not great to travel. Well and our favorite months? We do love March for its Plum Blossoms, May and June for its mild temperatures and great deals, but also October, November, and December. Well, we said it at the start, we do love Tokyo!

Need some help planning your Trip check out our 1 Day Tokyo Itinerary and 2 Day Tokyo Itinerary or contact us for a more personalized experience.