Japan Weather

Japan climate

Japan's dramatic north-south extent across 3,000 kilometers creates extraordinary climate diversity, from the sub-Arctic conditions of Hokkaido to the subtropical warmth of Okinawa. The country's island geography and surrounding ocean currents — the warm Kuroshio from the south and the cold Oyashio from the north — produce complex weather patterns. Japan experiences four distinct seasons, each celebrated in the culture, from cherry blossom season in spring to the vivid autumn foliage.

The rainy season (tsuyu or baiu) from June to mid-July brings persistent rainfall to most of the country as a stationary front parks over the archipelago. Summer and early autumn bring the threat of powerful typhoons, which can bring destructive winds, torrential rain, and dangerous storm surge to coastal areas. The Sea of Japan side of Honshu receives some of the heaviest snowfall on Earth during winter, as cold Siberian air picks up moisture over the warm sea.

Tokyo has a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers above 30°C and mild winters around 5°C. Osaka is similar but slightly warmer. Sapporo in Hokkaido has cold, snowy winters averaging -4°C and pleasant summers. Okinawa enjoys a subtropical climate with warm temperatures year-round. The Japanese Alps region receives extraordinary snowfall, with some areas accumulating over 10 meters, making Japan one of the snowiest inhabited countries on Earth.