If you've just arrived in Tokyo, the weather can catch you off guard. Summers are far more humid than the temperature alone suggests, June brings weeks of rain, and a typhoon can shut down trains for an afternoon. The good news: each season is fairly predictable, the official forecasts are excellent and free, and once you know the rhythm of the year you can plan and pack with confidence. This is a quick orientation to what each season feels like and where to check the real, up-to-date information.
The four seasons at a glance
- Spring (March–May): Mild and pleasant. Cherry blossoms (sakura) in Tokyo usually open in late March and peak into early April; exact dates shift every year with the weather. A light jacket is plenty.
- Rainy season / tsuyu (roughly June into mid-July): Several weeks of frequent rain and high humidity. It rarely pours all day, but a folding umbrella becomes a daily companion.
- Summer (July–early September): Hot and very humid, often around 30–35°C with high humidity that makes it feel hotter. Heatstroke (netchusho) is a real risk, even indoors.
- Typhoon season (late summer into autumn, peaking roughly August–October): Powerful storms can bring heavy rain, strong wind, and travel disruption. Most pass within a day.
- Autumn (late September–November): Comfortable and one of the nicest times of year. Autumn leaves (koyo) in central Tokyo typically peak from late November into early December.
- Winter (December–February): Cold but dry and sunny, often 2–10°C. Central Tokyo gets little snow most years, though a light snowfall can still snarl trains.
Tokyo's summer heat is dangerous, not just uncomfortable. Heatstroke can happen indoors and to healthy people. Drink water before you feel thirsty, use air conditioning without guilt, and on very hot days check the Ministry of the Environment's WBGT 'heat index' and any Heat Stroke Alert (netchusho keikai alert) before spending time outside.
What to wear, season by season
- Spring & autumn: Layers. Mornings and evenings are cool, afternoons can be warm. A light jacket or sweater you can take off is ideal.
- Rainy season: A compact folding umbrella, water-resistant shoes, and quick-dry clothes. Many stations and konbini sell cheap umbrellas if you're caught out.
- Summer: Light, breathable clothing, a hat, sunscreen, and a water bottle. A small towel and a portable fan are normal sights, not overkill.
- Winter: A warm coat, plus layers you can adjust — trains, shops, and offices are heated, so you'll often want to peel a layer off indoors.
- Typhoon days: If a strong typhoon is forecast, plan to stay in. An umbrella is nearly useless in high wind; a rain jacket and waterproof shoes are better if you must go out.
How to check forecasts and warnings
- 1For the daily forecast, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA / Kishocho) publishes free, reliable forecasts in English and Japanese. Phone weather apps in Japan generally pull from the same JMA data.
- 2For severe weather, JMA issues Advisories, Warnings, and — for the rarest, most extreme events — Emergency Warnings. Treat a Warning or Emergency Warning seriously and follow instructions from local authorities.
- 3For heat, check the Ministry of the Environment's heat-illness site for the WBGT heat index and Heat Stroke Alerts during summer.
- 4For typhoons, follow JMA's tropical cyclone information and your local government's announcements; train operators post service changes on their own sites and apps.
- Tip: Sign up for your ward or city's disaster email/app and turn on the phone's emergency alerts — Japan pushes earthquake and severe-weather alerts to mobiles automatically.
- Tip: During tsuyu and typhoon season, check the forecast the night before; an evening downpour can change your morning commute.
- Tip: Keep a folding umbrella and a small water bottle in your bag from June through September.
- Common mistake: Underestimating the humidity. A '30°C' day in Tokyo feels much hotter than a dry 30°C elsewhere, so hydrate early.
- When is the cherry blossom season in Tokyo?
- Usually late March into early April, but the exact peak shifts a week or two each year with the weather. Forecasts are published each spring — check an official Tokyo guide or JMA-based forecast closer to the date rather than relying on last year's timing.
- Do I need to worry about typhoons?
- Tokyo is not hit as often or as hard as Okinawa or Kyushu, but strong typhoons do reach the region, mostly between roughly August and October. When one is forecast, stay in if you can, avoid rivers and the coast, and check train operators before traveling — services are often suspended in advance.
- Does it snow in Tokyo?
- Central Tokyo usually sees little to no accumulating snow in a typical winter — winters are cold but dry and sunny. When a rare snowfall does come, even a few centimeters can delay trains and flights, so check the forecast and allow extra time.
