Climate & Weather in Osaka

Post date: Friday, March 17, 2017

For foreign expats moving to Osaka from overseas countries as well as ones moving to Osaka from other areas in Japan, we here provide the guidance on Osaka weather. It will make us happy if it can help you to prepare for your seasonal clothing and more for your life in Japan.

Osaka, like most of the rest of the world, has a fair amount of seasonal variation in its weather patterns. For the most part, the weather is fairly mild and generally quite pleasant though there is a typhoon (also known as a hurricane or tropical cyclone) season that runs from May to December when the weather can get very bad, very quickly if a storm is passing by.

Rainfall Level & Average Temperature in Osaka (2019)

The below is the Rainfall Level and Average Temperature in Osaka. Rainfall is more frequent from March through October, during which includes Rainy Season in June-July and Typhoon peak season in August - September in Osaka. However, the rainfall in the Typhoon peak season in Osaka is much less than in Tokyo and Yokohama. It represents that Osaka has much less influence of the typhoon than Tokyo and Yokohama making Osaka residents feel their having less natural disaster than in any other parts of Japan.

  Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec.
Rainfall Level (mm) 22.5 42.5 75 87 88.5 113.5 202 233.5 81 214 2 57.5
Max.Temp( °C) 10.1 11.4 14.8 19.7 26.4 28.4 30.5 33.7 31.2 24.8 18.6 13.2
Ave.Temp( °C) 6.5 7.8 10.6 14.6 21 23.7 26.5 29.1 26.6 20.7 14.2 9.5
Min.Temp( °C) 3.2 4.5 6.8 10.3 16.3 20.3 23.7 26.2 23.2 17.5 10.2 6

Average Temperature & Humidity in Osaka (2019)

  Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec.
Ave.Temp( °C) 6.5 7.8 10.6 14.6 21 23.7 26.5 29.1 26.6 20.7 14.2 9.5
Ave.Temp( °F) 43.7 46.04 51.08 58.28 69.8 74.66 79.7 84.38 79.88 69.26 57.56 49.1
Humidity(%) 62 63 61 58 54 69 77 72 69 71 63 67

It has been really unlike the average data for these past several years that the days of intense heat and the highest temperature more than 35 degree continue in summer due to global warming and heat island effects, and so we cannot spend a day without air conditioner.

Seasonal Clothing (for Osaka & Vicinity)

  • Spring (Mar. - May): Light jacket and sweater
  • Summer (Jun. - Aug.): Light clothing, short sleeves
  • Autumn (Sep. - Nov.): same as Spring
  • Winter (Dec. - Feb.): Topcoat, wool suit, warm sweater and jacket

The best times to visit are April-May, for the well-known blooming of cherry blossoms with pleasant climate, and October-November for autumn leaves changing and enjoyable climate. It can get hot and extremely muggy in July-August. Winter seldom brings snow and only a few days per year the temperatures drop below freezing. It is also helpful for you to see Seasonal Clothing idea above.

The Weather in Osaka and Advice for Every Season

Osaka is a big city and most people get around using public transit, bikes, or their feet. Here are a few tips & tricks to make surviving close encounters with Mother Nature a little easier:

■ Precipitation

Always check the forecast before you leave for the day and pack an umbrella if rain is predicted.

It's no fun being caught in a downpour and waiting under the corner of a ramen shop's roof waiting for the rain to pass.

o Pro tip: If weather forecasts aren't to your liking, stick your head outside before you leave for the day and see if others are carrying umbrellas and follow their lead. If you do get stuck in the wet, you can always duck into the nearest convenience store for a cheap umbrella—they're everywhere!

■ Heat

it can get quite hot in Osaka so dress accordingly. Osaka is a concrete jungle that displays the "heat island" effect common in big metropolitan areas.

o Pro tip: If you're going to work, check and see if your office follows a "cool biz" dress code which is a set of comparatively relaxed dress guidelines encouraged by the Japanese government to help make life more comfortable for office-workers in the summer.