Tokyo is the capital and the main city of Japan. In fact it is not a city; it is whole prefecture, but features of administrative organization in Japan are out of focus of this article. Tokyo is situated on the Kanto Plain in south-eastern part of the Honshu Island. It occupies plain ground between the Pacific Ocean and western mountains. The city is exposed to air masses from above the ocean.

The metropolis lies in the zone of humid subtropical climate with strong influence of Pacific monsoon winds. Winters are usually mild and dry, while the rest of a year is rainy with peak of precipitation in autumn. Tokyo often experiences typhoons, but only some of them are bringing destruction. Snowfall occurs once in a year, but there is no freeze, hence no accumulation of snow. Summer heat is compounded by changes in climate of the city caused by dense population and high humidity level that occurs due to showers. On top of it Tokyo is situated in seismically active area.

 

Seasons

 

Contents:

• Spring
• Summer
• Autumn
• Winter

Spring in Tokyo

Beginning of spring is usually cool. Range of average temperatures of March is between 4 °C (39 °F) and 13 °C (55 °F). Also it is time of beautiful blossoms. First plum trees are growing their gentle flowers. Then it is turn of peach trees to bring out their visual delight and fragrance. And finally in late March cherry blossoms begin to bloom all around the city (and country too).

Temperature and precipitation grows through April and May. Last spring month has daily range of 14-23 °C (57-73 °F) and around 140 mm (5.5”) of precipitation. So in general spring weather in Tokyo is acceptable. It is not to hot and not too rainy, at least comparing to summer.

Climate of the Spring Months

March Max average t°: +12 °C (54 °F) Min average t°: +2°C (36 °F) Sundial in the day: 6 hours Rainy days: 10 days Precipitation: 100 mm (3.9")

April Max average t°: +17 °C (63 °F) Min average t°: +8 °C (46 °F) Sundial in the day: 6 hours Rainy days: 11 days Precipitation: 135 mm (5.3")

May Max average t°: +22 °C (72 °F) Min average t°: +12 °C (54 °F) Sundial in the day: 6 hours Rainy days: 12 days Precipitation: 130 mm (5.1")

Spring Holidays

March – Hinamatsuri, Vernal Equinox Day, Sakura Matsuri, Tokyo International Anime Fair.
March 3-4 – Jendaiji Daruma Ichi.

April – Kanamara Matsuri, Buddha's Birthday (Hana Matsuri), Asakusa Yabusama, Kamakura Matsuri, Yayoi Matsuri.
April 29 – Showa Day.
April 29-May 5 – Golden Week.
April 30-May 6 – Okunitama Shrine Kurayami Matsuri.

May – Sumo Tournament, Grand Spring Festival of Toshogu Shrine, Design Festa, Sanja Matsuri
May 3 – Constitution Memorial Day.
May 4 – Greenery Day.
May 5 – Children’s Day.

Saturday and Sunday closest to May 15 in odd-numbered years – Kanda Matsuri.
3^rd Saturday & Sunday of May – Asakusa Sanja Matsuri.

Summer in Tokyo

Weather of first half of summer in Tokyo is completely tolerable. Frequent showers are only complimenting warmth of sunny days of June. Temperature averages for first summer month is between 18 °C (64 °F) and 25 °C (77 °F). In July and August air is hot. At afternoon temperature may reach 31 °C (88 °F) and drop to 23 °C (73 °F) at night. Combination of temperature and humidity is almost unbearable. Heat is compound by density of settlement.

On top of it in late August there is the highest probability of typhoons. Usually they bring nothing more than strong winds and torrential showers, but occasionally they gain devastating power, so most of summer isn’t the best time to visit Tokyo. Rural Japan is more attractive during this season.

 

Climate of the Summer Months

 

June Max average t°: +24 °C (75 °F) Min average t°: +17 °C (63 °F) Sundial in the day: 5 hours Rainy days: 12 days Precipitation: 180 mm (7.1")

July Max average t°: +28 °C (82 °F) Min average t°: +21 °C (70 °F) Sundial in the day: 6 hours Rainy days: 11 days Precipitation: 145 mm (5.7")

August Max average t°: +30 °C (86 °F) Min average t°: +22 °C (72 °F) Sundial in the day: 7 hours Rainy days: 10 days Precipitation: 145 mm (5.7")

Summer Holidays

June 7-17 on even numbered years – Sanno Matsuri.

July – Antique Jamboree.
July 7 – Tanabata.
July 9-10 – Sensoji Hoozuki Ichi.
July 13-16 – Yasukuni Shrine Mitama Matsuri.

3^rd Monday of July – Maritime Day.
Last Saturday of July - Hanabi Taikai.

July-August – O-Bon.
August – Tomioka Hachimangu Fukagawa Hachiman Matsuri, Harajuku Super Yosakoi, Waraku Odori.
August 11 – Mountain Day.

Last weekend of August – Koenji Awa-Odori.
Last Saturday in August – Asakusa Samba Carnival.

Autumn in Tokyo

September in Tokyo is the peak of rainy season, but it is more comfortable due to drop of temperature. Temperature of first autumn month is in pleasant range of 20-27 °C (68-80 °F). In October precipitation decreases even more as well as temperature. October afternoons are as warm as 21 °C (70 °F) and at nights there is 14 °C (57 °F). November is bit chilly with its range of 8-16 °C (46-61 °F), but amount of rains is only half of September.

Since late September mountains around the city are tinted all shades of yellow, golden and brown. Trees in the city itself become yellow too. It is exceptionally beautiful time to watch gingko and maple trees. Japanese people even have special tradition of admiration of red leaves and grass that changed its color.

 

Climate of the Autumn Months

 

September Max average t°: +26 °C (79 °F) Min average t°: +19 °C (66 °F) Sundial in the day: 5 hours Rainy days: 13 days Precipitation: 210 mm (8.3")

October Max average t°: +21 °C (70 °F) Min average t°: +13 °C (55 °F) Sundial in the day: 4 hours Rainy days: 12 days Precipitation: 220 mm (8.7")

November Max average t°: +16 °C (61 °F) Min average t°: +6 °C (43 °F) Sundial in the day: 5 hours Rainy days: 8 days Precipitation: 100 mm (3.9")

Autumn Holidays

September – Akasaka Hikawa Matsuri, Sumo Tournament, Autumnal Equinox Day.
3rd Monday of September – Respect for the Aged Day.

October-November – Jinbocho Book Festival.
October 12-13 – Oeshiki Festival.
October 17 – Autumn Festival of Toshogu Shrine.
2nd Monday of October – Health and Sports Day.

November – Asakusa Tori No Ichi.
November 3 – Culture Day, Daimyo Gyoretsu.
November 15 – Shichi-go-san.
November 23 – Labor thanksgiving Day.

Winter in Tokyo

Due to smoothening influence of the Pacific Ocean and mountains that block cetin part of cold continental air winters in Tokyo are usually milder than in northern localities. In addition it is the driest season of a year. Snow or temperatures below freezing are rare.

In December temperature ranges between 3 °C (37 °F) and 12 °C (53 °F). January is the coldest month when temperature shifts from 1 °C (34 °F) at night to 10 °C (50 °F) at afternoon. February has almost same weather, unless it is tiny bit warmer. Tokyo in general attracts visitors rather by unique culture rather than by features of weather. Winter is great to visit the capital of Japan too.

Climate of the Winter Months

December Max average t°: +11 °C (52 °F) Min average t°: +1 °C (34 °F) Sundial in the day: 5 hours Rainy days: 5 days Precipitation: 60 mm (2.4")

January Max average t°: +8 °C (46 °F) Min average t°: -2 °C (28 °F) Sundial in the day: 6 hours Rainy days: 6 days Precipitation: 50 mm (2.0")

February Max average t°: +9 °C (48 °F) Min average t°: -1 °C (30 °F) Sundial in the day: 6 hours Rainy days: 7 days Precipitation: 75 mm (2.9")

Winter Holidays

December 14 – Gishi-sai.
December 17-19 – Asakusa Hagoita Ichi.
December 31 – New Year’s Eve.

January – Dezomeshiki (New Year's Parade of Firemen), Sumo Tournament.
January 1 – New Year’s Day.
2nd Monday in January – Coming of Age Day, Kanda Daikoku Matsuri.

February 3 – Zojoji Temple Setsubun Matsuri.
February 11 – National Foundation Day.