Climate in Tokyo (Japan)

In Tokyo, the Japanese capital, the climate is temperate, with fairly mild, sunny winters and hot, humid and rainy summers. Like the rest of Japan, the city is affected by the monsoon circulation: in winter, the northwest cold currents will prevail, while in summer, they will be replaced by hot and humid currents of tropical origin.
The city overlooks the sea, in the bay of the same name.

Given the relatively low latitude (we are on the 35th parallel) and the protection given by the mountains (we are on the east side), in winter, the currents of Siberian origin are felt little, so there's a good number of sunny days, and it's usually not very cold. However, cold and windy periods, with highs around 5/7 °C (41/45 °F) or less and possible snowfalls, can not be ruled out.
In the postwar period, Tokyo's coldest record is -6 °C (21 °F), set in January 1954.
In any case, night frosts are rare and usually light.

In summer, there are sunny periods, with hot and muggy weather, which alternate with periods of bad weather, with wind and rain, and sometimes (especially in June and July), cool nights. August is the hottest month, both because of the thermal inertia of the sea and because of the lower frequency of periods of bad weather.
During heat waves, the temperature can exceed 35 °C (95 °F) during the day, while it can remain around 27/28 °C (81/82 °F) at night. The highest record in Tokyo was set in July 2004, with 39.5 °C (103 °F).

In the western outskirts, where cities of the conurbation such as Hanno and Tachikawa are located, temperatures are a little lower, both because of the greater distance from the sea and because of the lower heat island effect. This occurs especially at night, in fact the minimum temperatures are 2/3 degrees Celsius lower, and the maximum temperatures are half a degree lower, compared to the more urbanized areas of Tokyo.

Rainfall in Tokyo is abundant, in fact, it amounts to 1,600 millimeters (63 inches) per year. Winter is undoubtedly the driest season; the rainiest months are September and October, also because of the contribution given by typhoons. In August, there is a certain decrease in rain frequency: on average, among the summer months, it is the driest and sunniest as well as the hottest.

On average, 1,930 hours of sunshine are recorded in Tokyo in one year. The amount of sunshine is good in winter (compared to the length of the day), while the sun is not so frequent in the other seasons because of disturbances that occur in spring and autumn, as well as of the summer monsoon. In summer, there are only 4 hours of sunshine per day in June, 5 hours and in July and 5 hours and a half in August.



The sea in Tokyo is warm enough for swimming, with a temperature of 23 °C (73 °F) or more, from July to October.

As mentioned, from June to October (but especially from August to early October), Tokyo can be affected by typhoons, the tropical cyclones of South-East Asia, which mostly affect the southern part of the country, but can also arrive here. The most intense typhoons can bring strong winds, torrential rains and heavy damage. On 12 October 2019, the city was directly hit by Typhoon Hagibis.

Best Time

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From the climatic point of view, the best times to visit Tokyo are spring and autumn, and in particular, from mid-April to mid-May and from late October to mid-November.
The cherry blossoming (Sakura) in Tokyo takes place around March 30th: there are dedicated events in the streets and parks where you can admire them. Although in some years it can get a little cold, with highs around 10/12 °C (50/54 °F), you can also take advantage of this period.
Less famous but still interesting is the plum blossoming, which announces the spring, and occurs in Tokyo roughly between February 10th and early March. In some gardens, there are dedicated festivals (ume matsuri), as happens in the Yushima Tenjin, near the university, or in the Yoshino Baigo of Ome, a city in the metropolitan area, located near Hanno, where the flowering occurs a little later (roughly, from February 20th to late March).

Tokyo - Climate data

In Tokyo, the average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of 6.1 °C (42.9 °F), that of the warmest month (August) is of 27.9 °C (82.2 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
Precipitation amounts to 1600 millimeters (63 inches) per year: it is therefore abundant. It ranges from 55 mm (2.2 in) in the driest month (February) to 235 mm (9.3 in) in the wettest one (October). Here is the average precipitation.
The sea temperature ranges from 15.5 °C (60 °F) in February to
There are on average around 1930 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.

Tokyo - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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January, the coldest month of the year, is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of 6.1 °C (43 °F), with a minimum of 2.1 °C (35.8 °F) and a maximum of 10 °C (50.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -1 °C (30.5 °F). However, it dropped to -4 °C (24.8 °F) in January 2018.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 15.5 °C (60.5 °F). However, it reached 19.9 °C (67.8 °F) in January 1996.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 62% of the time.
The average humidity is 48%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 16.5 °C (62 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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February is generally a quite mild month. The average temperature is of 6.7 °C (44 °F), with a minimum of 2.6 °C (36.7 °F) and a maximum of 10.8 °C (51.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -0.5 °C (31 °F). However, it dropped to -2.4 °C (27.7 °F) in February 2015.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 19 °C (66 °F). However, it reached 23.9 °C (75 °F) in February 2009.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 56% of the time.
The average humidity is 48%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 15.5 °C (60.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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March is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 9.7 °C (49 °F), with a minimum of 5.4 °C (41.8 °F) and a maximum of 13.9 °C (57.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 1.5 °C (34.5 °F). However, it dropped to -0.4 °C (31.3 °F) in March 2015.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 21.5 °C (71 °F). However, it reached 25.3 °C (77.5 °F) in March 2013.
Precipitation amounts to 115 mm (4.5 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 47% of the time.
The average humidity is 54%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 16 °C (60.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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April is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 14.7 °C (59 °F), with a minimum of 10.4 °C (50.7 °F) and a maximum of 19.1 °C (66.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5 °C (40.5 °F). However, it dropped to 1 °C (33.8 °F) in April 2001.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26 °C (78.5 °F). However, it reached 28.9 °C (84 °F) in April 2004.
Precipitation amounts to 135 mm (5.3 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 46% of the time.
The average humidity is 58%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 17.5 °C (63 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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May is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 19.4 °C (67 °F), with a minimum of 15.3 °C (59.6 °F) and a maximum of 23.5 °C (74.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 10.5 °C (51 °F). However, it dropped to 7.8 °C (46 °F) in May 1991.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29.5 °C (85 °F). However, it reached 32.6 °C (90.7 °F) in May 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 140 mm (5.5 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 5 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 41% of the time.
The average humidity is 64%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 20 °C (68 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.

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June is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 22.6 °C (73 °F), with a minimum of 19.2 °C (66.5 °F) and a maximum of 26 °C (78.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 15 °C (59 °F). However, it dropped to 12.1 °C (53.8 °F) in June 2011.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 32 °C (89.5 °F). However, it reached 36.2 °C (97.2 °F) in June 2005.
Precipitation amounts to 170 mm (6.7 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 30 minutes. So the days are long. June 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 29% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 22 °C (72 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.

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July is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 26.6 °C (80 °F), with a minimum of 23.1 °C (73.6 °F) and a maximum of 30 °C (86 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 19 °C (66.5 °F). However, it dropped to 16.4 °C (61.5 °F) in July 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35.5 °C (95.5 °F). However, it reached 39.5 °C (103.1 °F) in July 2004.
Precipitation amounts to 155 mm (6.1 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 20 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 34% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 24.5 °C (76 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.

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August, the hottest month of the year, is generally a very hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 27.9 °C (82 °F), with a minimum of 24.3 °C (75.8 °F) and a maximum of 31.4 °C (88.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 20.5 °C (68.5 °F). However, it dropped to 17.7 °C (63.9 °F) in August 2009.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 36 °C (97 °F). However, it reached 39.1 °C (102.4 °F) in August 1994.
Precipitation amounts to 155 mm (6.1 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 42% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 26.5 °C (79.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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September is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 24.2 °C (76 °F), with a minimum of 20.8 °C (69.5 °F) and a maximum of 27.6 °C (81.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 16 °C (61 °F). However, it dropped to 13.2 °C (55.8 °F) in September 2001.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33.5 °C (92.5 °F). However, it reached 37.8 °C (100 °F) in September 2000.
Precipitation amounts to 225 mm (8.9 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 34% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 25.5 °C (77.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.

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October is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 18.7 °C (66 °F), with a minimum of 15.3 °C (59.5 °F) and a maximum of 22.2 °C (72 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 11 °C (51.5 °F). However, it dropped to 8.6 °C (47.5 °F) in October 1993.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 28.5 °C (83.5 °F). However, it reached 32.3 °C (90.1 °F) in October 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 235 mm (9.3 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 37% of the time.
The average humidity is 67%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 23 °C (73 °F). Therefore, the sea can be considered barely acceptable for swimming.

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November is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 13.3 °C (56 °F), with a minimum of 9.6 °C (49.2 °F) and a maximum of 17.1 °C (62.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5 °C (41.5 °F). However, it dropped to 0.3 °C (32.5 °F) in November 2016.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 23 °C (73.5 °F). However, it reached 25.9 °C (78.6 °F) in November 2009.
Precipitation amounts to 95 mm (3.7 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 48% of the time.
The average humidity is 60%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 21 °C (69.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.

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December is generally a quite mild month. The average temperature is of 8.4 °C (47 °F), with a minimum of 4.5 °C (40.1 °F) and a maximum of 12.4 °C (54.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 1 °C (33.5 °F). However, it dropped to -1.3 °C (29.7 °F) in December 2014.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 19 °C (66 °F). However, it reached 24.8 °C (76.6 °F) in December 2004.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 50 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 57% of the time.
The average humidity is 52%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 18.5 °C (65.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.