What is the weather in Japan like by month?

Compare the month and the actual destination rather than using one Japan-wide temperature. The tables here show JMA’s 1991–2020 climate normals for five named stations. A monthly mean temperature is different from a daily high or low, and a long-term precipitation total is different from a forecast for your travel dates.

Does a monthly rainfall total tell me how many days it will rain?

No. A monthly precipitation normal is a long-term average total measured in millimetres. It does not show the number of rainy days, the probability of rain on your date, or how the total is distributed within the month. Do not divide it by the number of days to predict your sightseeing weather.

Can I use Tokyo weather averages for Kyoto, mountain areas or Okinawa?

Use data and forecasts for the actual place. These five station tables do not represent all of Japan. Osaka is not a Kyoto station, Sapporo does not describe every Hokkaido mountain, and Naha is not a forecast for every Okinawan island. Check each stop separately when your itinerary moves between regions or elevations.

Are these figures a forecast for 2026 or 2027?

No. They describe the 1991–2020 normal period. Selecting a month does not select a year or predict an individual day. Use JMA’s current forecasts and warnings, plus the transport or venue operator’s current notices, when deciding the actual journey. The comparison does not confirm that a route or activity can operate.

Japan trip planning · JMA 1991–2020 normals

Japan weather by month: compare the cities on your route

The same month can mean different conditions at different Japan stops. Compare long-term monthly mean temperature and precipitation for five named stations, then use the current forecast for your actual dates. These tables are not a Japan-wide average or this year’s weather prediction.

Compare one month across five city stations

Choose a calendar month. The result uses the same 1991–2020 period and units for Sapporo, Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka and Naha; it does not choose a “best” destination.

Read the number before applying it to your trip

Monthly mean temperature, °C: This is an average over the month and normal period. It is not the afternoon high, overnight low, record extreme or the temperature you will encounter on a particular day.
Monthly precipitation, mm: This is a long-term monthly total. It is not a percentage or a rainy-day count. It does not establish whether a particular outdoor afternoon will be wet, snowy or clear.
A named station: Use it as context for that city, not every nearby attraction. Sapporo is not an Otaru or mountain forecast; Naha is not every Okinawan island; Osaka does not stand in for Kyoto.

For example, the January monthly means are −3.2°C at Sapporo and 17.3°C at Naha. Tokyo’s October precipitation normal is 234.8 mm. Those facts help compare the reference climates; they do not predict the temperature or rain during your stay.

Monthly climate tables: five stations, one source period

Source: Japan Meteorological Agency climatological normal tables, 1991–2020. Values below retain the published decimal precision for monthly mean temperature and precipitation. JMA’s explanation of normals describes the long-term averages. Source checked October 17, 2026.

Sapporo · Tokyo · Osaka · Fukuoka · Naha

On a small screen, swipe each table sideways to reach the precipitation column.

Sapporo: monthly normals, 1991–2020

Month	Mean temperature (°C)	Precipitation (mm)
January	-3.2	108.4
February	-2.7	91.9
March	1.1	77.6
April	7.3	54.6
May	13.0	55.5
June	17.0	60.4
July	21.1	90.7
August	22.3	126.8
September	18.6	142.2
October	12.1	109.9
November	5.2	113.8
December	-0.9	114.5

Tokyo: monthly normals, 1991–2020

Month	Mean temperature (°C)	Precipitation (mm)
January	5.4	59.7
February	6.1	56.5
March	9.4	116.0
April	14.3	133.7
May	18.8	139.7
June	21.9	167.8
July	25.7	156.2
August	26.9	154.7
September	23.3	224.9
October	18.0	234.8
November	12.5	96.3
December	7.7	57.9

Osaka: monthly normals, 1991–2020

Month	Mean temperature (°C)	Precipitation (mm)
January	6.2	47.0
February	6.6	60.5
March	9.9	103.1
April	15.2	101.9
May	20.1	136.5
June	23.6	185.1
July	27.7	174.4
August	29.0	113.0
September	25.2	152.8
October	19.5	136.0
November	13.8	72.5
December	8.7	55.5

Fukuoka: monthly normals, 1991–2020

Month	Mean temperature (°C)	Precipitation (mm)
January	6.9	74.4
February	7.8	69.8
March	10.8	103.7
April	15.4	118.2
May	19.9	133.7
June	23.3	249.6
July	27.4	299.1
August	28.4	210.0
September	24.7	175.1
October	19.6	94.5
November	14.2	91.4
December	9.1	67.5

Naha: monthly normals, 1991–2020

Month	Mean temperature (°C)	Precipitation (mm)
January	17.3	101.6
February	17.5	114.5
March	19.1	142.8
April	21.5	161.0
May	24.2	245.3
June	27.2	284.4
July	29.1	188.1
August	29.0	240.0
September	27.9	275.2
October	25.5	179.2
November	22.5	119.1
December	19.0	110.0

Turn the comparison into checks for the actual day

List every base and side trip. A city normal does not describe a different island, mountain or elevation.
Before departure and during the trip, open JMA’s current weather information and choose the forecast and warnings for the actual area. Check the forecast’s issue time and period.
Check the transport and venue notices for weather-dependent plans. Keep an alternative whose opening, ticket and journey conditions you have checked; a climate average does not confirm operation.
Revisit your plan when the forecast or operator notice changes. No month label here guarantees views, snow, comfortable walking, a running service or a connection.

For a city example, the Sapporo and Otaru day-planning guide separates the city choice from the actual journey. Check published Japan public holidays separately from weather and venue opening, and use your own quotes in the Japan trip budget calculator when comparing plans.

When turning the actual forecast into your luggage choices, use the Japan packing checklist to separate clothes, day-out essentials and items needed before your next room is available. Its clothing examples count when a clean supply is ready; the monthly normals here do not determine an outfit quantity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the weather in Japan like by month?: Compare the month and the actual destination rather than using one Japan-wide temperature. The tables here show JMA’s 1991–2020 climate normals for five named stations. A monthly mean temperature is different from a daily high or low, and a long-term precipitation total is different from a forecast for your travel dates.
Does a monthly rainfall total tell me how many days it will rain?: No. A monthly precipitation normal is a long-term average total measured in millimetres. It does not show the number of rainy days, the probability of rain on your date, or how the total is distributed within the month. Do not divide it by the number of days to predict your sightseeing weather.
Can I use Tokyo weather averages for Kyoto, mountain areas or Okinawa?: Use data and forecasts for the actual place. These five station tables do not represent all of Japan. Osaka is not a Kyoto station, Sapporo does not describe every Hokkaido mountain, and Naha is not a forecast for every Okinawan island. Check each stop separately when your itinerary moves between regions or elevations.
Are these figures a forecast for 2026 or 2027?: No. They describe the 1991–2020 normal period. Selecting a month does not select a year or predict an individual day. Use JMA’s current forecasts and warnings, plus the transport or venue operator’s current notices, when deciding the actual journey. The comparison does not confirm that a route or activity can operate.