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What is Japan's Rainy Season? Understanding Tsuyu vs. a Monsoon
Japan has a rainy season called tsuyu (plum rain). It typically lasts from early June to mid-July in most of the country. During this time, the weather is often cloudy, humid, and damp. However, it doesn't rain heavily all day, every day. Many days are just overcast with periods of light drizzle.
The season's defining feature is the high humidity, which makes the air feel warm and steamy. It's also crucial not to confuse the rainy season with typhoon season.
- The Rainy Season (Tsuyu): A long weather front that brings weeks of damp, gray weather, mainly from early June to mid-July.
- Typhoon Season: Peaks later in the summer, from August to early October. Typhoons are individual, powerful storms that bring intense wind and rain but usually pass within a day or two.
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When is the Rainy Season in Japan? A Regional Timeline
The rainy season front doesn't hit the entire country at once. It moves slowly up the archipelago from the warmer south to the cooler north. The one major exception is Japan's northernmost island, Hokkaido, which largely escapes the tsuyu front.
| Region | Typical Start | Typical End | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Okinawa | Early May | Mid-to-Late June | Arrives first and leaves first. Can be intense, with heavy showers. |
| Kyushu & Shikoku | Late May / Early June | Mid-July | A classic, warm, and very humid rainy season experience. |
| Kansai & Kanto (Kyoto/Tokyo) | Early-to-Mid June | Mid-to-Late July | The most common period for tourists. Expect around 45 days of damp, humid weather. |
| Tohoku (Northern Honshu) | Mid-June | Late July / Early August | Arrives last on the main island, often with a shorter, less intense season. |
| Hokkaido | (Largely Unaffected) | (Largely Unaffected) | The Exception: Hokkaido does not have an official tsuyu season, making it a prime destination in June and July for those seeking pleasant weather. |
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How Bad is the Rainy Season? 3 Great Reasons to Travel
How bad is it, really? The honest answer is that it's probably not as bad as you imagine. The fear of it raining torrentially all day, every day for weeks is unfounded.
A typical week during the tsuyu season is a mixed bag. You might have a couple of days with a light, on-and-off drizzle that is easy to manage with an umbrella. You might have one day with a heavier, more persistent downpour where you'll want to focus on indoor activities.
You will likely have a few completely overcast, gray days with no rain at all.
3 Great Reasons to Travel During the Rainy Season
Fewer Crowds & Better Prices: This is the biggest strategic advantage. With many international tourists avoiding this period, you can experience some of Japan's most famous shrines, temples, and gardens in relative peace and quiet. Furthermore, flight and hotel prices are often noticeably lower than during the hyper-popular peak seasons.
Incredibly Lush & Green Scenery: The constant moisture makes Japan's landscapes explode in vibrant, almost electric shades of green.
The Seasonal Beauty of Hydrangeas (Ajisai): The unofficial flower of the tsuyu season is the beautiful hydrangea. All across the country, from famous temples to local parks, you can see stunning displays of these large, globe-like flowers.
Best Places to Visit and Activities for Japan's Rainy Season
The rainy season doesn't shrink your travel options; it changes them, revealing a side of Japan that is uniquely beautiful and atmospheric.
Destinations That Are More Beautiful in the Rain: Koyasan & Kamakura
Koyasan (Mount Koya): This secluded temple town, high in the mountains of the Kii Peninsula, is arguably at its most magical during the rainy season. The ancient cedar trees of the Okunoin Cemetery, Japan's largest, are shrouded in a thick, ethereal mist.
Kamakura: Located just an hour south of Tokyo, Kamakura is the undisputed hydrangea capital of Japan. During the tsuyu season, temples like Meigetsu-in (the "Hydrangea Temple") and the beautiful Hase-dera Temple, with its stunning ocean views, explode with thousands of blue, purple, and pink hydrangea blossoms.
Gardens & Moss Temples: All of Japan's famous gardens, from Kenrokuen in Kanazawa to the Imperial Palace East Garden in Tokyo, are at their absolute lushest during this time. This is especially true for moss temples like Kyoto's famous (and exclusive) Kokedera (Saiho-ji), where its 120 varieties.
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Explore the Indoor Spots in Major Cities: Tokyo & Osaka
Tokyo's Museums: Tokyo is an indoor paradise. You can spend hours, or even a full day, at the Tokyo National Museum in Ueno. For something more modern, you can immerse yourself in the dazzling, interactive digital art worlds of teamLab Borderless or teamLab Planets.
Booking tickets for the whimsical Ghibli Museum in Mitaka well in advance is also a fantastic rainy day plan.
Osaka: It is home to the magnificent Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, one of the largest and most impressive aquariums in the world.
You can stay dry by exploring the Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Arcade, a massive covered street that stretches for nearly 600 meters and is packed with hundreds of shops, cafes, and restaurants.
Naoshima: Most of its world-renowned contemporary art museums—like the Tadao Ando-designed Chichu Art Museum and Benesse House Museum—are incredible indoor experiences where the architecture itself is part of the art.
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The Perfect Rainy Season Escapes: Hakone & Hakkaido
There is nothing more quintessentially Japanese and deeply relaxing than soaking in a steaming outdoor onsen while a gentle rain falls on the garden around you. Find Your Perfect Onsen >>
Hakone is also home to the wonderful Hakone Open-Air Museum, which has numerous indoor galleries to complement its outdoor sculptures. The misty, atmospheric views of Lake Ashi and the surrounding mountains are also stunningly beautiful at this time of year.
As mentioned, Japan's northernmost island Hokkaido largely escapes the tsuyu front. It experiences much less rain and significantly lower humidity than the rest of the country in June and July.
If you are planning a trip during this time and your priority is pleasant weather for hiking, road trips, and exploring nature, Hokkaido is the single smartest move you can make.
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What to Pack for the Tsuyu Season: A Practical Checklist
A comfortable pair of waterproof shoes is the single most important item you can bring. A small, high-quality, wind-resistant travel umbrella is a good idea for convenience.
A lightweight, breathable, waterproof jacket with a hood is essential for staying dry and comfortable without getting too hot in the humidity.
Pack clothing made from fabrics that dry quickly, like merino wool or modern synthetic blends. Avoid heavy cotton like denim jeans, which can get soaked and take days to dry in the high humidity.
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