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What to wear in Japan: pick a city and a month
Japan runs from sub-Arctic Hokkaido to subtropical Okinawa, so “what to wear” depends on where and when. This tool uses 30-year official averages.
Last checked · Sources
Four climates in one country
Japan stretches about 3,000 km from Hokkaido, where Sapporo averages below freezing from December to February and sees snow on most winter days, to Okinawa, where Naha rarely drops under 15 °C and summer humidity is tropical. Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka sit in between: cold but mostly dry winters, a wet season from early June to mid-July, hot and humid summers that regularly pass 33 °C, and a long, mild autumn. The Sea of Japan side — Kanazawa, Niigata, Tottori — gets heavy winter snow while the Pacific side stays sunny, so the same month can call for very different packing a two-hour train ride apart. Mountain resorts (Karuizawa, Takayama, the Fuji lakes) are several degrees cooler than the nearest city at any time of year.
What to bring, whatever the month
Shoes that slip on and off: you will remove them at temples, traditional restaurants, ryokan and some shops, and socks without holes matter for the same reason. A thin extra layer in summer, because trains, shops and museums are chilled hard. Comfortable walking shoes above everything — a sightseeing day in Kyoto or Tokyo is often 15,000–20,000 steps. Dress codes are relaxed: smart casual is enough for almost any restaurant, and there is no expectation of covering shoulders or knees at shrines. Tattoos are the one exception: many onsen, pools and gyms refuse visible tattoos, so bring cover patches or look for tattoo-friendly baths. The month-by-month guide has the full climate tables for every prefecture.
Frequently asked questions
When is the rainy season in Japan?
Roughly early June to mid-July in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, from May in Okinawa and Kyushu, and almost absent in Hokkaido. It is not constant rain — expect several wet days a week, high humidity and lower prices.
When is typhoon season?
August to October, with Okinawa, Kyushu and Shikoku most exposed. Trains and flights are cancelled a day or two ahead of a storm, so check the Japan Meteorological Agency forecast and keep one flexible day.
Is winter in Tokyo cold?
Cold but dry and sunny: highs around 10 °C and lows near 1–2 °C in January, with snow only a few days a year. A winter coat is enough; the serious cold is in Hokkaido, Tohoku and the Sea of Japan coast.
Sources
Official and primary sources used for this page. Checked October 8, 2026.
- Japan Meteorological Agency, climatological normals (1991–2020) — 30-year averages, 1991–2020
To cite or link to this page: What to wear in Japan: pick a city and a month — Japan Pocket Guide, https://japanpocketguide.com/tools/what-to-wear/