Weather in May in Japan
Planning a journey to Japan this May and curious over the weather conditions to await? Your essential details are found on this page, answering your query:
What is the weather like in Japan in May?
The weather in Japan in May can be quite varied, with temperatures that range from cold to warm and precipitation levels ranging from moderate to heavy.
Temperatures
Based on our climate data spanning from 1990-2020, the average maximum temperature is cold in Nemuro at 8°C to warm in Ishigaki Island at 28°C. Nighttime temperatures generally drop to 25°C in Ishigaki Island and 5°C in Nemuro.
Precipitation
In May, precipitation varies across different areas. From moderate rainfall in Kafuka with an average of 74 mm to heavy rainfall in Shizuoka with 236 mm.Average sunshine
Tokyo enjoys a balanced 180 hours of sunlight. Ensuring it's neither too overcast nor too sunny.For specific regional insights in Japan for May, refer to the map provided below. For an in-depth overview of the yearly weather conditions, do visit our Japan climate page.
Where to go in Japan in May
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Popular destinations
What is the weather like in May for the 5 most popular destinations in Japan?
Tokyo
In May Tokyo generally has high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 23°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around 16°C and high monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are pleasant that month.
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Kyoto
In May Kyoto generally has high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 24°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around 13°C and high monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are pleasant that month.
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Osaka
In May Osaka generally has high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 25°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around 15°C and high monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are pleasant that month.
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Hakuba
In May Hakuba generally has pleasant temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 18°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around 8°C and heavy monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.
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Hakone
In May Hakone generally has pleasant temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 21°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around 14°C and heavy monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are tolerable that month.
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Is your destination not in the list? Have a look at other destinations in Japan.
Is May the best time to visit Japan?
We consider May to be one of the best times to travel to Japan. Typically, the climate in Tokyo is pleasant. It's worth noting that weather conditions might differ depending on the location you visit.
Generally speaking, May, June and November provide pleasant weather in Tokyo. On the other hand, the weather in January tends to be poor.
Interested in more climate information?
We have much more information about the climate in Japan.
Interested in the weather conditions in a specific month? Select the month below.
Weather and climate has detailed information for every country in the world. Are you going to Japan? Get detailed historical weather averages for many cities in Japan.
Not sure yet where to go? We now have a tool which recommends destinations that suit your ideal travel conditions. Find out where to go with our weather planner.