Best Time to Visit Tokyo: Month by Month
The best time to visit Tokyo is late March to early May or late October to November. Month by month: weather from JMA, festivals, events and crowds.
What's on in Tokyo: October 2026 · November 2026 · December 2026 · January 2027 · February 2027 · March 2027 · April 2027 · May 2027 · June 2027 · July 2027 · August 2027 · September 2027
The best weather runs from late March to early May and again from late October to November. November has the best balance of dry days and mild temperatures in the Japan Meteorological Agency’s figures, and it overlaps with the autumn colour. Winter is the driest and clearest part of the year, and July and August are hot.
The temperatures and rainfall below come from the weather by month guide, which uses the JMA normals for 1991 to 2020. They’re averages, so a week can run several degrees either side, and you’ll want to check the forecast before you fly.
Month by month
| Month | Average high | Average low | Rain | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 9.8°C | 1.2°C | 60 mm | 4.5 |
| February | 10.9°C | 2.1°C | 56 mm | 5.2 |
| March | 14.2°C | 5.0°C | 116 mm | 9.2 |
| April | 19.4°C | 9.8°C | 134 mm | 9.5 |
| May | 23.6°C | 14.6°C | 140 mm | 10.1 |
| June | 26.1°C | 18.5°C | 168 mm | 11.6 |
| July | 29.9°C | 22.4°C | 156 mm | 10.5 |
| August | 31.3°C | 23.5°C | 155 mm | 7.9 |
| September | 27.5°C | 20.3°C | 225 mm | 11.0 |
| October | 22.0°C | 14.8°C | 235 mm | 10.5 |
| November | 16.7°C | 8.8°C | 96 mm | 7.4 |
| December | 12.0°C | 3.8°C | 58 mm | 5.2 |
January
It’s cold and dry, with a 9.8°C average high. The sumo tournament at Ryogoku is in January, per the sumo guide, and the first days of the month are New Year. Many places close from 1 to 3 January, so read New Year in Tokyo before you book.
February
A 2.1°C average low, close to January’s, and little rain. The winter illuminations run into February in the illuminations guide, and plum blossoms start opening in mid-February according to Tokyo in winter.
March
The unsettled month. Rain more than doubles from February to 116 mm, and the high is 14.2°C. Cherry blossoms usually arrive in the last days of March, and the spring guide and the cherry blossom collection follow the forecast.
April
Comfortable for walking all day, at a 19.4°C high. Blossom can carry into early April, and Golden Week starts on 29 April. In 2027 the busy block runs from 29 April to 5 May, per the spring guide.
May
Warm at 23.6°C, with cool nights. Golden Week runs to 5 May, so you’ll want to book early. Sanja Matsuri in Asakusa and Kanda Matsuri are May festivals, and there’s a sumo tournament in Ryogoku too.
June
The rainy month, with 11.6 rainy days and lows above 18°C. Plan museums, covered arcades and the rainy day collection.
July
It’s hot and humid, with a 29.9°C high and 22.4°C low. Mitama Matsuri runs 13 to 16 July at Yasukuni Shrine, and the Sumida River Fireworks fall on a Saturday in late July. See Tokyo in summer.
August
The hottest month, with a 31.3°C high and nights that stay at 23.5°C. Koenji Awa Odori fills two evenings, and the Asakusa Samba Carnival has been held on the last Saturday of August. Go out in the morning and spend the middle of the day indoors, since it’s the heat that tires you out.
September
Still hot, at a 27.5°C high, and the second wettest month at 225 mm. The travel tips guide says to build in a rain plan during September’s typhoon season. There’s a sumo tournament in September.
October
The wettest month at 235 mm, though the high has dropped to 22.0°C and the walking is good between showers. See Tokyo in autumn.
November
The driest autumn month, at 96 mm, with a 16.7°C high. Ginkgo and maple colour is covered in the autumn guide and the autumn leaves collection. Tori-no-ichi falls on the rooster days in November, and the Christmas markets and illuminations start.
December
A 12.0°C high, 5.2 rainy days and the lights on. See the illuminations guide, the Christmas markets and New Year in Tokyo.
What’s on this month
The links under each month on this page go to the next events page the site has for that month. Events holds everything, this weekend shows the next two days, live music lists gigs, and the map shows where each event sits.
Picking by what matters
- Weather. Late October to November, or April.
- Blossom. Late March into early April, and it moves from year to year.
- Autumn colour. Late November, according to the 2026 forecast in the autumn guide.
- Festivals. May, July and August.
- Fewer crowds. Avoid 29 April to 5 May. Late January and February are dry and clear, per Tokyo in winter.
- Price. The hotel index put the median Shinjuku night at US$210 on 27 October 2026. The trip cost guide breaks the budget down.
Once you’ve picked a month, choose the trip length in the how many days guide, then a base with the where to stay in Tokyo guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best month to visit Tokyo?
November, going by the weather figures. April is the other strong pick, and it adds cherry blossom if the timing works.
What is the worst month to visit Tokyo?
July and August are the hottest. June has the most rainy days at 11.6, and September and October have the most rain by volume. The festivals are the reason to go in summer anyway.
When is cherry blossom season in Tokyo?
Usually the last days of March into early April. The spring guide follows the forecast.
When do the autumn leaves peak?
Late November in an average year. The autumn guide has the current forecast.
Is winter a good time to visit?
Yes, if you can handle a 9.8°C January high. It’s the driest season and the lights are on in December.
Places in this guide
Photos show the actual places, licensed under Creative Commons and credited to their photographers.
Find hotels in Tokyo
Browse live availability and compare prices for your dates.
See hotels near Tokyo on Booking.comPrices are for the night of Saturday 31 October. You can change the dates on Booking.com. If you book, Roam Tokyo earns a small commission from Stay22 at no extra cost to you.