Japan
Japan in May
Where it is warm, dry and good for swimming in Japan in May — compared across the country’s main destinations.
Quick answers
- Where is it warmest in Japan in May?
- Naha is the warmest of the 16 destinations compared, with highs of 27°C (80°F) in May; Sapporo is the coolest at 18°C (64°F).
- Can you swim in the sea in Japan in May?
- Yes, in places: the warmest water is at Naha (25°C (76°F)), and 1 of the coastal destinations have a sea of 21 °C or more.
Warmest
27°
Naha
Coolest
18°
Sapporo
Driest
74 mm
Sapporo
Warmest sea
25°
Naha
Naha is the warm end of Japan in May (27°C (80°F)); Sapporo the cool end (18°C (64°F)). On average it is 4.5 °C (8 °F) warmer than April. Rain is frequent in most destinations. Best bets this month: Osaka, Hiroshima, and Nagoya.
Best places in Japan in May
71 
Osaka
Osaka · Japan
25° / 14° 142 mm May
73
Hiroshima
Hiroshima · Japan
23° / 14° 185 mm May
72
Nagoya
Aichi · Japan
24° / 14° 194 mm May
70
Kyoto
Kyoto · Japan
24° / 13° 155 mm May
71
Fukuoka
Fukuoka · Japan
24° / 15° 146 mm May
69
Yokohama
Kanagawa · Japan
23° / 14° 152 mm May
71
Kobe
Hyōgo · Japan
23° / 14° 141 mm May
73
Himeji
Hyōgo · Japan
23° / 13° 138 mm May
Weather in May by city
| Place | Day | Night | Rain | Sea | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hiroshima | 23° | 14° | 185 mm | — | 73 |
| Himeji | 23° | 13° | 138 mm | — | 73 |
| Nagoya | 24° | 14° | 194 mm | — | 72 |
| Osaka | 25° | 14° | 142 mm | 18° | 71 |
| Fukuoka | 24° | 15° | 146 mm | — | 71 |
| Kobe | 23° | 14° | 141 mm | 18° | 71 |
| Kyoto | 24° | 13° | 155 mm | — | 70 |
| Yokohama | 23° | 14° | 152 mm | — | 69 |
| Kanazawa | 22° | 12° | 146 mm | 16° | 69 |
| Kamakura | 22° | 14° | 165 mm | — | 69 |
| Beppu | 22° | 14° | 163 mm | — | 68 |
| Kumamoto | 25° | 15° | 195 mm | 19° | 68 |
| Naha | 27° | 22° | 238 mm | 25° | 63 |
| Sendai | 20° | 11° | 102 mm | — | 62 |
| Nikkō | 19° | 9° | 125 mm | — | 53 |
| Sapporo | 18° | 8° | 74 mm | — | 49 |
Festivals in Japan in May
- Aoi Matsuri Traditional Japanese Festival in Kyoto
- Sanja Matsuri Shinto festival in Japan
- Kanda Matsuri Japanese festival that takes place in Kanda, Tokyo
- Hiroshima Flower Festival Annual Flower Festival in Japan
- Hakata Dontaku Annual festival in Fukuoka, Japan
- Tado Festival Japanese festival
- Takaoka Mikurumayama Festival
- Miyazu Matsuri
- Shimoda Black Ship Festival
- Kamogawa Odori
- Kurayami Matsuri
- Kamezaki Shiohi Festival
Frequently asked questions
What is the weather like in Japan in May?
Average daytime highs range from 18° in Sapporo to 27° in Naha.
Can you swim in Japan in May?
Yes — the sea is warmest around Naha at about 25°.