Japan Weather in Late May and Early June: What It Was Really Like
We traveled to Japan with our 5-year-old for 14 days, the last week of May and the first week of June, right at the edge of rainy season and the very start of typhoon season.
Here's the honest version: what it felt like to a family from the Southeast, the typhoon that changed one day of our plans, and what we were glad we packed.
Traveled: Late May / Early June.
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Rain from the incoming typhoon starting to roll in on Miyajima Island.
The quick answer: Warm and humid during the day, with surprisingly cool mornings and evenings. A few overcast, drizzly days, and one typhoon that approached but never got too bad. Coming from the southeastern U.S., we found it no worse than what we're used to at home, and overall a pleasant time to visit. That said, we talked with other travelers on our trip who felt differently, so we're convinced it really comes down to what you're used to.
What the Weather Was Actually Like for Us
Warm and humid, but honestly, no worse than a late spring day back home in the Southeast. If you're used to Southern summers, the humidity in Japan in late May and early June probably won't surprise you.
What did surprise us was the mornings. Most days started out cool to us, and the evenings cooled off again too. More than once we were glad to have an extra layer on the walk to breakfast or heading back to the hotel after dinner.
We also had our share of overcast skies and drizzle. It was never enough to ruin a day, but it was enough that we were glad we'd packed rain jackets and an extra pair of shoes.
My shawl was the MVP of this trip. Jackson and I both wore it a lot on cool mornings!
The Quick Weather Facts
Temperatures: Average highs in Tokyo and Kyoto run from the mid-70s to the low 80s this time of year, with lows from the upper 50s to the upper 60s.
Compared to home: Upstate South Carolina averages a high of 86°F in June, warmer than Tokyo or Kyoto, and our muggy season starts a few weeks earlier too.
Rainy season: Japan's rainy season (tsuyu) usually starts around the first week of June in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima and lasts into mid-July. It doesn't rain every day, though. Think gray and drizzly on and off, plus hydrangeas blooming in flower pots and in more rural areas.
Typhoon season: It usually runs June through October, with the most activity in August and September. Early June typhoons are less common, but they happen.
The Typhoon That Changed Our Plans
A typhoon approached while we were there. It never got too bad for us, but it did change our itinerary a bit. We had planned to ride the Miyajima Ropeway and do the hike the next morning, but with some serious rain on the way, we moved things up.
We sped through Hiroshima, taking a quick walk through Peace Memorial Park and grabbing lunch before catching the World Heritage Sea Route ferry to Miyajima. It was too early to check in, so our hotel's front desk held our bags, and we headed straight for the ropeway and rode it up and back down. We skipped the hike, but we still got the views.
Then we explored Miyajima just as the rain was rolling in, and we got to see the famous torii gate at low tide, which was cool even in the drizzle.
If you travel in June or later:
Check the forecast every day, not just before you leave.
Keep outdoor plans, like hikes and ferry days, flexible.
Check train and ferry status in Google Maps or a transit app before heading out.
Obviously, this could be totally different depending on when you're there. One trip's weather is never a promise for the next.
Our rainy ferry ride from Miyajima to Hiroshima.
Go Early: Better Weather and Smaller Crowds
The crowds were large, but manageable, especially if we got going early. Early mornings were also when the weather was usually most pleasant, cool and comfortable before the humidity built up.
The days are long this time of year, too. In Tokyo, the sun comes up around 4:30 AM at the end of May. We'd hit the big sights first thing, then slow down when it got warmer and busier. Jet lag actually worked in our favor during the first half of the trip, since we were up early anyway!
Fushimi Inari was nearly empty when we got there early, and packed by the time we left. Some of us (ahem, Jackson) were also starting to feel the jet lag!
What We Packed for This Weather
We traveled carry-on only, so everything had to earn its spot. These were the weather wins:
A lightweight shawl. I was so glad to have it for those cool mornings and evenings, and it doubles as a cover-up for temples.
Jackson's packable jacket. It squished into his bag and came out almost every morning.
Rain jackets for everyone. If you travel at this time of year, pack them. A rain jacket keeps your hands free for holding little ones' hands, and if you do end up wanting an umbrella, they're sold just about everywhere.
Two pairs of shoes. With drizzly days in the mix, having a second pair meant nobody was walking around in wet shoes.
Was Late May and Early June a Good Time to Visit?
For us, yes. It was warm, a little humid, cool in the mornings, and only a few days were drizzly. A typhoon changed one day of our plans, but never the whole trip.
The honest caveat: we're used to warm, humid weather. If your family melts in humidity, early June might feel stickier to you than it did to us. And since rainy season usually starts in early June, the earlier in this window you go, the better your odds of drier days.
More From Our Japan Trip
Wondering what a trip like this costs? Read: What Our 14-Day Japan Trip Actually Cost
Riding the Shinkansen (Japan’s Bullet Train). Read: Riding the Shinkansen (Japan's Bullet Train)
Want the full rundown on trains, Suica, and getting around? Read: How to Get Around Japan
See our full route, day by day: Read: Our 14-Day Japan Itinerary
Planning Japan? Keep It All in One Place
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