Climate & Weather in Tokyo

Post date: Wednesday, March 15, 2017

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

Tokyo, like most 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 July to September when the weather can get very bad, very quickly if a storm is passing by.

The below is the Rainfall Level and Average Temperature in Tokyo.

Rainfall is more frequent from March through October, during which includes Rainy Season in June-July and Typhoon peak season in July - September in Tokyo.

Rainfall Level & Average Temperature in Tokyo (2019)

  Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec.
Rainfall Level(mm) 16 42 117.5 90.5 120.5 225 193 110 197 529.5 156.5 76.5
Max.Temp(°C) 10.3 11.6 15.4 19 25.3 25.8 27.5 32.8 29.4 23.3 17.7 12.6
Ave.Temp(°C) 5.6 7.2 10.6 13.6 20 21.8 24.1 28.4 25.1 19.4 13.1 8.5
Min.Temp(°C) 1.4 3.3 6.2 9.2 15.3 18.5 21.6 25.2 21.7 16.4 9.3 5.2

Unlike the average data for the 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.

Average Temperature & Humidity in Tokyo (2019)

  Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec.
Ave.Temp( °C) 5.6 7.2 10.6 13.6 20 21.8 24.1 28.4 25.1 19.4 13.1 8.5
Ave.Temp( °F) 42.08 44.96 51.08 56.48 68 71.24 75.38 83.12 77.18 66.92 55.58 47.3
Humidity(%) 51 59 60 63 65 81 89 80 79 80 69 66

Seasonal Clothing (for Tokyo & 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 Tokyo and Advice for Every Season

Tokyo 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 you miss the weather forecast, 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—1they’re everywhere!

■ Heat

it can get quite hot in Tokyo so dress accordingly. Tokyo 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.