Summer in Japan

Summer in Japan tests even prepared travelers. Daily temperatures reach 30-38°C (86-100°F) with 70-85% humidity. The air feels thick. Walking outside midday drains energy fast. Indoor spaces are heavily air-conditioned—bring a light layer.

But summer offers what no other season can: Japan's major festivals, mountain hiking access, coastal escapes, and seasonal foods designed for heat. Gion Matsuri fills Kyoto's streets for a month. Fireworks light up Tokyo's rivers. Beer gardens open on rooftops across cities.

This is a conscious trade-off, not a default recommendation. Summer rewards travelers who value cultural immersion and festival access over comfort. If you prioritize pleasant weather, spring and fall are better choices. If your dates are fixed or you want to experience Japan at its most festive, summer delivers—if you plan around the heat.

Summer runs late June through early September, with peak heat mid-July to mid-August.

Key dates:

• School holidays: Late July through late August

• Obon: August 13-16 (most regions). Tokyo observes July 13-16. This is Japan's major travel period alongside New Year and Golden Week.

• Gion Matsuri: All of July, with parades July 17 and 24

• Peak festival season: July through mid-August

Festival dates are fixed annually. If you're planning around Gion Matsuri or specific fireworks displays, dates don't shift. For a comparison of all seasons and their trade-offs, see our best time to visit Japan guide.

Summer here is humid heat, not dry heat. The difference matters.

Temperature and Humidity by City

City	Avg High (°C)	Avg Humidity (%)	Notes
Tokyo	30-32	75-76	Coastal, but dense urban heat
Kyoto	31-33	78-80	Basin traps heat—feels hotter
Osaka	31-33	75-80	Similar to Kyoto
Sapporo	24-26	65-70	Noticeably cooler
Fukuoka	31-32	75-78	Southern heat, coastal humidity
Naha	31-32	80-85	Tropical, constant humidity

"Feels like" temperature runs 5-10°C higher than actual temperature. Kyoto's basin geography makes it particularly brutal—surrounding mountains trap heat. Sapporo is the outlier: pleasant summer weather without the oppressive humidity.

Indoor spaces overcompensate. Trains, shops, and restaurants blast air conditioning. You'll cycle between sweltering streets and frigid interiors all day.

If the heat sounds unbearable, you're not stuck in cities.

Destination	Temperature	Access from Tokyo	Why Go	Best For
Hokkaido (North)	24-26°C, low humidity (65-70%)	90-min flight, or 4-hour Shinkansen to Hakodate (then 3+ hours to Sapporo)	Lavender fields (July), hiking, outdoor activities without heat stress	Families with young kids, nature lovers, anyone seeking cooler temps
Japanese Alps (Kamikochi, Hakuba, Takayama)	Alpine climate, significantly cooler	5-6 hours (train to Matsumoto, then bus)	Mountain hiking, onsen towns, escape urban heat. Typical stay: 2-3 days	Active travelers who want cooler weather on Honshu
Okinawa (South)	31-32°C, coastal breezes	2.5-hour flight	Beach vacation, diving, tropical Japan. Typhoon risk: July-August has higher frequency than May-June or Sept	Beach vacations, those comfortable with tropical heat
Izu Peninsula / Enoshima	Similar to Tokyo but coastal	Day trips	Coastal relief without committing to Okinawa	Quick escapes while based in Tokyo

Mountain and popular coastal destinations sell out during peak summer. Book accommodations several weeks ahead during July-August.

Summer is Japan's festival season. Here's what matters and how to actually attend.

Festival	Location	Dates	Key Features	Logistics
Gion Matsuri	Kyoto	All of July. Main parades: July 17 (9am-1pm), July 24 (9:30am-11:30am). Evening strolls (Yoiyama): July 14-16, July 21-23	Massive floats (25m tall, 12 tons) pulled through streets. Yoiyama evenings: floats on display, street food, yukata-clad crowds, streets closed to cars dusk-10pm	Arrive by 9am for parade viewing. Paid seating sells out far ahead. Book hotels 2-3 months ahead. Packed trains.
Sumida River Fireworks	Tokyo	Last Saturday of July (2025: July 26), 7pm-8:30pm	950,000-1 million attendees. One of Tokyo's largest displays. 90-minute show.	Arrive 3+ hours early for ground spots. Alternative: near Tokyo Skytree (thinner crowds) or book rooftop/hotel months ahead. Packed trains after show—leave early or wait 30-60 min.
Tenjin Matsuri	Osaka	July 24-25	River procession with fireworks on July 25	Best viewing: riverside areas near Tenmangu Shrine
Nebuta Matsuri	Aomori	August 2-7	Illuminated floats, energetic dancing	Worth the trip north if dates align
Awa Odori	Tokushima	August 12-15	Street dancing festival—participatory (visitors can join, not just watch)	Join the dancing

Festivals mean crowded trains, sold-out hotels nearby, and transportation disruptions. Yukata rental enhances the experience but isn't required. Arrive early, stay hydrated, and accept that crowds are part of it.

Don't fight the heat—structure your day around it. Locals do this too.

Time Block	Activity Strategy	Practical Details
Morning (7am-11am)	Peak activity time. Outdoor sightseeing, walking, markets.	Still warm but tolerable.
Midday (11am-3pm)	Avoid outdoor activity. Indoor refuges: Museums, department stores, train station complexes, konbini.	Use coin lockers at major stations to stay light. You'll see empty streets midday—everyone's inside.
Late Afternoon (3pm-6pm)	Resume outdoor activity as heat eases.	Shrines, parks, neighborhood walks through residential areas.
Evening (6pm-late)	Prime time. Beer gardens, rooftop bars, festival attendance, night walks, illuminated sites.	Japanese summers are built for evenings.

Hydration and cooling tools locals use:

Tool/Item	Purpose	Where to Find
Vending machines	Cold drinks every block. Cold barley tea (mugicha) often served free at restaurants.	Accept cash and IC cards
Portable fans	Battery-powered cooling	Don Quijote, Loft, Tokyu Hands
Cooling towels	Soak in water, wring out, wear around neck	Drugstores, konbini
Gel sheets	Stick to forehead/neck for instant cooling	Konbini, drugstores
UV-blocking umbrellas	Block 95%+ UV and provide shade	Konbini (fold-up styles)

These aren't tourist gimmicks. You'll see Japanese people using them everywhere. For first-time visitors, navigating Tokyo's summer heat while managing trains, stations, and daily logistics can be challenging—see our Tokyo for first-time visitors guide for more on structuring your days.

Category	What to Bring	Why/Notes
Clothing	Lightweight, breathable fabrics (cotton, linen, moisture-wicking synthetics). Multiple changes per day. Light cardigan for over-AC'd spaces.	You'll sweat through clothes. Modest shorts/skirts okay in cities; longer preferred for temples.
Sun Protection	UV umbrella, wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen (high SPF), sunglasses	UV umbrella blocks 95%+ UV, provides shade, sold everywhere including konbini. Reapply sunscreen often—UV rays are strong.
Cooling Tools	Portable fan (battery-powered), cooling towel, gel sheets (neck/forehead)	Locals use these constantly. Not gimmicks.
Footwear	Comfortable walking shoes that breathe	Avoid new shoes—blisters plus heat equals misery.
Other	Reusable water bottle, bug spray (DEET-based), small towel/handkerchief	Refill bottle at hotel. Mosquitoes active near parks/shrines. Locals carry towels to wipe sweat.

The UV umbrella deserves emphasis. It's uniquely useful in Japan's summer: blocks sun, provides shade, doesn't look out of place (everyone uses them), and available at every konbini. For a comprehensive packing checklist covering all scenarios, see our Japan packing list.

Obon runs August 13-16 in most of Japan. This is when Japanese return to hometowns for ancestral rites. It's one of Japan's three major holiday periods alongside New Year and Golden Week.

What Changes During Obon

Category	Impact	What to Do
Trains	Shinkansen and limited express trains sell out. Peak: Aug 11-13 (leaving cities), Aug 15-16 (returning).	Reserve 1+ month ahead or risk standing-room tickets.
Hotels	Rates spike 30-40% in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka. Availability drops.	Book 2-3 months ahead. See Japan travel costs for budgeting peak season.
Businesses	Some smaller restaurants/shops close for family time, especially in residential areas. Major tourist sites stay open.	Plan accordingly; expect some closures.
Festivals	Bon Odori (Obon dance festivals) happen in neighborhoods. Participatory and worth experiencing.	Join if you're traveling during this week.

If you're traveling during Obon, book trains and hotels as early as possible. Expect crowds at major tourist sites as domestic travelers fill popular areas. Consider staying in one city rather than multi-city travel, and treat Bon Odori festivals as a cultural highlight.

If possible, avoid Obon week unless you specifically want to experience Bon Odori or your dates are inflexible.

Typhoon season runs June through October, with peak activity in August and September. Japan experiences 10-15 typhoons annually. Not all make landfall, and impact severity varies.

Regions and Typhoon Impact

Region	Frequency	Notes
Okinawa	Most frequent	Direct hits common
Kyushu	High	Southern island often affected
Southern Honshu	Moderate	Less frequent than Okinawa/Kyushu
Osaka/Kyoto	Lower	More sheltered by mountains
Tokyo	Lower	Can be affected but less frequently than southern regions

Impact on travel:

Impact Type	What Happens
Flights	Canceled or delayed
Trains	Shinkansen and trains suspended during storms
Tourist sites	Close for safety
Weather	Heavy rain and strong winds for 1-3 days

How to prepare:

Preparation	Details
Weather monitoring	Check Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) for forecasts
Itinerary flexibility	Have 1-2 buffer days in itinerary if possible
Insurance	Travel insurance that covers weather delays
Transportation updates	Monitor JR East/West announcements for train status

Reality check: Most typhoons don't severely disrupt travel. When they do, flexibility is essential. Typhoons are forecasted days in advance—you won't be blindsided. Most pass quickly (1-2 days), and then weather clears.

Japanese summer cuisine is designed to cool you down.

Food/Drink	Description	Where to Find
Kakigori	Shaved ice with flavored syrups (matcha, strawberry, seasonal fruits, condensed milk). Regional variations: Kyoto-style with green tea syrup, Okinawa-style with tropical fruits.	Cafes, street stalls, shrines
Somen	Thin wheat noodles served ice-cold with tsuyu dipping sauce. Refreshing, light.	Casual restaurants
Cold ramen (hiyashi chuka)	Chilled noodles with vegetables, egg, ham, sesame sauce. Summer staple.	Ramen shops
Edamame and cold beer	Evening combination.	Izakayas, beer gardens
Beer gardens	Rooftop spaces with all-you-can-drink/eat deals. Open May-September. Peak atmosphere: sunset to late evening.	Department store roofs (Tokyo), Ebisu Garden Place, Osaka, other cities
Watermelon (suika)	Sold by slice.	Festivals, beaches
Cold barley tea (mugicha)	Served free at many places. Non-caffeinated, refreshing.	Restaurants, konbini

These aren't just "summer foods"—they're how locals cool down. Many are seasonal and won't be available year-round.

Use this to self-assess.

Summer IS Right for You	Summer May NOT Be Right for You
You prioritize major festivals (Gion Matsuri, fireworks, Obon) over comfort	Heat and humidity significantly impact your mood or energy
You're willing to structure days around heat avoidance	You prefer a relaxed pace without daily heat management
You want mountain or beach escapes as part of your trip	You're traveling with young children or elderly who struggle in heat. If you're traveling with family members who need a gentler pace, private tours for families or seniors can adjust the day to their energy levels while handling logistics.
Your dates are fixed (work, school schedules) and summer is unavoidable	You want to avoid crowds entirely
You're experienced with hot/humid climates and know your tolerance	You have flexibility and can visit in spring (April-May) or fall (October-November)

Middle ground:

• Shorten your trip (1 week instead of 2) to minimize heat fatigue

• Focus on one region with built-in escapes (Tokyo + Hakuba, or Kyoto + Hokkaido)

• Visit in early June (before peak heat) or September (after peak crowds but still warm)

Summer is a trade-off, not a mistake, if you plan accordingly.