Japan Weather In June: Travel Tips, Where to Go & What to Wear

Japan’s summer, which lasts from June to August, is often quite hot and humid, with daily temperatures frequently exceeding 30 °C (86 °F), especially in Kyoto, Tokyo, Osaka, and other major urban areas.

If you’re planning to visit Japan in summer, June is the greatest month for a trip. You won’t have to worry about crowds in the tourist season and can enjoy flights and hotels at affordable prices. Additionally, Japan weather in June is usually more pleasant than the weather in July and August, so June will be the perfect time for you to experience a wonderful summer in Japan.

Japan Weather In June: What’s The Weather Like In June In Japan?

Although temperatures and weather in regions in Japan may differ, in general, you can see warmer weather, with a bit higher temperatures in the southern regions and Okinawa.

Beginning in June, humidity and temperatures tend to go up slightly, but overall, it’s not too terrible and definitely acceptable. Japan weather in June is a bit hot but not too uncomfortable with average temperatures from 19°C to 25°C. The daily June temperature in Tokyo is around 26°C.

June is also the beginning of the rainy season in Japan. Although it often rains heavily in Japan, it seldom does so continuously. The clear days after rain with nice temperatures are perfect for sightseeing and other activities.

June is still an excellent time for visiting if you don’t mind the occasional rain because the rainfall and temperatures are not too severe.

In Okinawa’s tropical and subtropical islands, the rainy season starts in May and lasts until late June. While Hokkaido doesn’t have a rainy season, the majority of the rest of Japan tends to experience more rain in the middle of June. Even if it doesn’t rain every day, the weather is often cloudy and wet. If you want to stay drier during this month, remember to bring waterproof boots and an umbrella.

June’s weather in specific regions of Japan:

• Hokkaido (Niseko, Sapporo, Furano)

While June is the rainy season in most areas of Japan, Hokkaido and the northernmost parts of the nation are the exceptions: sunny days, clear sky, and pleasant weather with an average temperature of 17°C, and Sapporo experiences its driest time of the year.

June is suggested to be the ideal month for exploring Hokkaido to enjoy the stunning scenery, especially as the cherry blossom is currently at its most beautiful season in Hokkaido.

• Honshu (Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Osaka)

In Honshu and central Japan, the rainy season begins in June and lasts through mid-July. Days during the rainy season are often cloudy, with rain usually coming in a sudden shower or sometimes intense tropical rainstorms.

Don’t forget an umbrella when leaving the hotel because this is the wettest time of the year in Kyoto, Tokyo, Osaka, and Hiroshima. On the bright side, the rainy season is the best time to enjoy the restorative Japanese hot springs, such as Hakone hot spring resort.

• Shikoku and Kyushu (Fukuoka, Matsuyama, Nagasaki)

Except for Hokkaido, June’s rains are hitting various areas of Japan, including the islands of Shikoku and Kyushu. Although the southern parts of Kyushu are wetter, especially Kagoshima, which is often the most humid city in Japan in June, Matsuyama is the region that has the rainiest month of the year.

• Okinawa (Kerama, Naha, Okinawa)

June marks the start of the rainy season in Okinawa and the southern Japanese islands. The rainfall decreases at the end of the month and tourists start to flock to the beaches. Although the temperatures can high up to 29 in Okinawa, June is still a great month for diving and swimming because of the warmer sea temperatures and clear weather.

Is June A Good Month To Travel To Japan?

In most areas of Japan, June marks the beginning of the rainy season. However, don’t let it prevent you from coming to Japan. Although it’s the rainy season, the weather is not always wet and after rain time, the clear days that are sunny, pleasant, and not too hot will be the perfect time for you to explore Japan.

Summer isn’t typically the peak season. You might be able to benefit from cheaper hotel rates and more available rooms as a greater number of foreign tourists usually flock to Japan during the cherry blossom season or foliage times in autumn.

In the summer months of Japan, many areas of the country have high temperatures and humidity, but June is often cooler than late summer. Instead of July or August, June is a more excellent time to visit Japan if you want to enjoy the greatest summer.

Top Places In Japan To Visit In June

1. Hokkaido: Perfect for outdoor activities

Hokkaido is an excellent place to visit if you want to escape the heat and humidity of the southern regions of Japan. The weather is generally warm, and sunny without being hot and humid like in other parts of Japan.

In addition, If you come to Sapporo in June, you can experience the traditional, colorful festival held every year here.

With cool, bright weather in June, Hokkaido is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. You may walk along the romantic, stunning flower fields. National parks are another fantastic option for you to enjoy the natural beauty of Hokkaido.

Also Try the Beer Museum in Sapporo, a wonderful place to discover the oldest and most well-liked beers in Japan.

2. Tokyo: A dynamic city with many options

Compared to other major Japanese cities such as Kyoto, Osaka, Tokyo in June is relatively dry.  Being the heart of the country, Tokyo is always at the top of tourists’ destination lists when visiting Japan.

You should visit its theme parks (such as the famous Disney Sea), see Tokyo’s modern skyscrapers and explore the busiest streets.

If you have kids, Pokemon Center and Anime museums (Ghibli Museum) will be interesting destinations for you. A firefly night trip in June would be another terrific option for you when coming to Tokyo. The night sky sparkling with fireflies creates a fantastic atmosphere.

3. Kyoto: Japanese traditional cultural experiences

In June, Kyoto is a bit hot and humid. Rains can account for up to 13 days in June with a rainfall of about 200mm. Rain seldom falls all day and often appears in the afternoon.

You would still have dry days to enjoy its ancient temples, such Fushimi Inari -Taisha Shrine, with its lush June plants. If it’s raining, consider some indoor cultural activities like tea ceremonies, samurai, and kimono fittings.

4. Okinawa Prefecture: Beautiful beaches and deer feeding in Nara

Okinawa is a wonderful destination to visit in late June, with stunning beaches, sunny days, and refreshing ocean swimming.

As the center of Okinawa, Naha’s weather is hot, humid and rainy in June. However, this also can not prevent you from coming to Naha Park on a sunny day after the rain to relax and commune with nature.

In Nara Park, there are numerous deer roaming free. Feeding cute deer in Naha on your Japan trip will be a memorable experience.

5. Kanazawa: Ancient town with craft activities

Kanazawa has a similar climate to Tokyo and is accessible by rail from Tokyo in two and a half hours.There, you may find Kenrokuen Garden, one of Japan’s top three most stunning gardens.

Kanazawa is an attractive destination for people who love handmade art. You can enjoy wonderful artworks and exquisite crafts there that display ancient Japanese skills including cloth dying, golden leaf crafts, and intricate cord tying.

Things To Do In Japan In June

Although most parts of Japan are too wet for comfortable hiking in June, the Japan Alps are still a wonderful place to visit if you want to spend more time on outdoor activities. The tallest mountains in Japan are found in this range, which runs along the middle of Honshu, the “main” island of Japan.

If you prefer sightseeing, the beautiful flower fields in Hokkaido and Tokyo will be the perfect choice for you. In Tokyo, try the Katsushika Shobu Matsuri – the famous Iris flower festival. As for Hokkaido, the nice weather without rain will allow you to visit any flower field.

It’s clear that the rainy season may make outdoor activities a little more challenging, but it certainly can’t ruin your trip. There are a lot of interesting indoor activities you can explore! Here are several suggestions: visiting museums, fantastic aquariums, unique maid cafes, onsen (Japanese hot springs), going to shopping malls, etc.

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Clothing For June In Japan

Japan weather in June won’t be too hot but you have to deal with sudden showers. Here is our advice on your clothes when traveling in Japan in June.

Women

• Clothing: Cotton shirts, light T-shirts, shorts, summer dresses
• Footwear: If you are happy wearing open shoes, bring them—you’ll be glad you did—but don’t forget to pack a pair of comfy shoes for your (likely) extremely long walking activities.
• Accessories: towels, sunscreen, sunglasses, and an umbrella

Men

• Clothing: Shorts, polo shirts, light pants, light T-shirts
• Footwear: Comfortable shoes or sneakers for long walking activities
• Accessories: Sunglasses, a towel, and an umbrella

If you are planning to go to the beaches, remember to pack swimsuits and hats if necessary.

Costs And Crowds

Because of the rainy season, Japan’s destinations become less busy in June compared to its peak season from March to May. If you come to Japan before the Japanese summer vacation, you might benefit from cheaper flights and more affordable hotel costs, as well as less crowded sightseeing attractions.

Hokkaido and Okinawa are the exceptions to Japan’s general low tourism season in June. In June, a lot of Japanese people visit these places, either to avoid the heat and take pleasure in the lovely weather in Hokkaido or to explore the stunning chilly beaches in Okinawa. The later part of June—when the rainfall generally decreases—is when Okinawa’s peak season begins. In comparison to most other times of the year, transportation and hotel expenses in these areas tend to go up.

Events In June

Natsu matsuri, or Japanese summer festivals, are celebrated all summer long in many different towns, and cities throughout the country. You can experience Japanese traditional dances with live music, try Japanese costumes and enjoy many unique foods and drinks.

One of the most famous festivals in Japan in the summer is the Fussa Firefly Festival. Held in Fussa City, west of Tokyo, this unique event enables you to dance with thousands of surrounding dancing fireflies. What an enchanting and wonderful experience! The night festival is an excellent opportunity to enjoy local food and visit traditional destinations.

In addition, there are many other exciting summer festivals. Find out more on the internet or ask a local specialist for more details.

Summer Foods In June In Japan

What makes Japan’s summer even more enjoyable? Of course, excellent seasonal cuisine! The following list of the best summer foods in Japan is likely to include something you will enjoy, whether you’re staying outdoors, dining out, or just searching for something cold for a hot day.

1. Somen

Pop in a noodle shop for some somen if all you need is a meal that makes you feel refreshed. Somen is served cool and with a bowl of soup for dipping your noodles in.

2. Zaru Udon and Zaru Soba

The noodle dishes Zaru Udon and Zaru Soba are undoubtedly the most iconic of summer in Japan. They are made from a combination of wheat flour and buckwheat flour, respectively, and are cooked before being placed in a bamboo basket called a Zaru. These are available at any soba noodles restaurant in Japan.

3. Hiyashi Chuka

This classic summer dish is made of boiled and chilled Chinese noodles served with ham, a thin-sliced omelet, cucumber, and other seasonings. The noodles’ extremely silky texture makes them an excellent solution for summer tiredness.

4. Morioka Reimen

The flexibility and silky texture of Morioka Reimen are its distinguishing features. A traditional dish from Morioka in the Iwate, these cold noodles are served with toppings including cucumber, kimchi, and boiled eggs.

5. Unagi

Eel, or unagi, is a fantastic dish to boost your energy when visiting Japan in the summer. A salty and sweet sauce drizzled over rice and charcoal-grilled unagi creates a must-try summer dish.

6. Kakigori

Kakigori is a must-try dessert during summer in Japan. Shaved ice gets drizzled with syrup in a variety of tastes, such as melon, strawberry, or Hawaii, and can often be found at festivals.

FAQs

1. What is the average June temperature in Japan?

Japan’s weather in June is hot and humid, with average temperatures ranging from around 19°C to 30°C (66°F to 86°F).

2. Is June a rainy month in Japan?

Yes. The rainy season in the majority of Japanese areas lasts from the beginning of June until the middle of July. In the northern regions, particularly in Hokkaido, the weather will be pleasantly bright and less rainy. On the contrary, the rainy and high-humidity climate is found in the central to southern prefectures.

3. Is Japan better in June or July?

Many regions of the country have high temperatures and humidity, but June is often less unpleasant than late summer. Compared to July, June is a more suitable time to visit Japan if you want to enjoy the greatest summertime here.

4. Is there snow in Japan in June?

The answer is No. Around the time of Christmas, Japan normally experiences its first snowfall, which lasts until the end of March or the beginning of April. Mid January to late February is when the snow season peaks.

5. Is June typhoon season in Japan?

Yes, June can have typhoons but not often. Typhoons can sometimes appear outside of the typical typhoon season, which runs from May to October. Okinawa often suffers more typhoons than the mainland of Japan. Typhoons often occur less frequently in the northern areas of Japan, such as Hokkaido.

6. How hot is Tokyo in June?

A normal day in June in Tokyo can have an average high temperature of 26°C or a low temperature of 18°C. The weather is comparatively warm with the breeze.

7. How rainy is Tokyo in June?

On average, there is a 48% possibility of rain in Tokyo in June. On a typical day, we find 0.6 in (around 15.3 mm) of rainfall. It shows that Tokyo in June has moderate rainfall.

8. Are there cherry blossoms in Japan in June?

The cherry blossom season in Japan typically lasts from late March to early April. However, there are some exceptions. In the north side, particularly in Hokkaido, the cherry blossom may bloom from late May to the beginning of June, while it also opens in early January in Japan’s southern subtropical islands. Therefore, you can absolutely see cherry blossoms if you come to Hokkaido in early June.

9. What is the best time to visit Japan?

The spring season (March to May) and the autumn season (September to November) are the ideal times to visit Japan. Japan is at its most colorful at this time, with stunning cherry blossoms or vibrant red foliage bringing contrast to the surroundings. Keep in mind that at this time, it might also be very crowded.

10. What should you pack when going to Japan in June?

Since the majority of Japan sees its rainy season in June, it is a good idea to pack rain gear and waterproof clothes. For humid days, it is advised that you bring some comfortable, quick-drying clothing. For the chilly evenings in northern Japan, layers of clothes are recommended.

If you want to hike in the mountains or national parks, don’t forget the mosquito repellent. There will be a lot of ultraviolet (UV) rays, so bring enough sunscreen, a hat, and high-quality sunglasses.

Conclusion

Japan weather in June varies depending on the region, but it is generally hot, humid, and rainy. Even so, June is still the most ideal time to experience Japan’s beautiful summer. Plan carefully and prepare the necessary items to have the best summer trip in Japan.