Looking for some advice and I hope you can help me.
We are planning to travel to Japan in 2025 for 5 weeks. If I am correct we will be going at the start of July.
Because of my SO’s occupation, we are only able to travel between the 2nd half of June till the end of August. Because of her occupation as a teacher, she will be free for 6 weeks. But the time when her holiday starts changes every year with 2 weeks (half June, start of July, half July and back to half June).
Nevertheless, some people gave me the advice not to go, except for Hokkaido. I have been told Japan too hot or that it will be extremely humid. But tbh we also heard that when we went to SE Asia in general. We have been multiple times to SE Asia (Singapore, Indonesia, Laos, Thailand and Malaysia) during July and August and for me it was okay. Yes, it was hot and humid, but nothing I could handle. My SO has more difficulties with the humidity and heat and because of this, most of the time we go out in the early morning and evening. During midday, we take some relax and take some rest if needed.
If I look at the temperature charts of Japan and its cities during June, July and August, is more or less indifferent compared to SE Asia. Of course I could be wrong and I would to know your opinion about it.
Any advice is welcome! Thank you!
Edit: Well guys, this kind of blew up. Thank you so much for all taking the time to reply!
35 comments
It’s incredibly hot and humid during that time here, probably similar to anywhere in SEA although I haven’t been anywhere there before. I struggle with the heat and humidity a lot too so I stay in my apartment with the AC on when it’s at its worst during the day but there isn’t much reprieve at night IMO.
I went this summer for 6 weeks starting in the beginning of July. I have a high heat tolerance though. It will be cooking and you will be sweating balls. The cities ain’t too bad because air conditioning is everywhere. Open spaces and inaka will be terrible during the day though. In addition to the heat bug pressure can be high in the inaka.
I would suggest doing stuff outdoors in the early morning or in the late hours of the day.
Hokkaido was quite pleasant, but even Sapporo had some really hot and humid days this summer. I highly recommend going though as IT will be less crowded than the typical tourist spots in Tokyo and Kyoto. I think with your SEA experience you will be fine.
Yes, it is unbearably hot and humid. In our (limited) experience, Kyoto was exceptionally hot in July. BUT…like you, the first time we went, we could ONLY go in late June/early July. It was hot, but I would not have missed that trip for the world! Just pace yourself, do things early in the morning, take lots of breaks, wear a neck fan, etc.
Went mid Sept this year. Prepare to sweat your clothes of and in need of changing them mid-day. Otherwise manageable with lots of drinking, sunscreen and pacing yourself in the plenty available AC’d rooms.
This year it was too hot and humid in September as well.
Depends where you come from.
I’m from Germany and went there early September. I just about died during the first few days.
Humid heat like *that* I hadn’t encountered before in my life.
I went in mid-September 35C and 80% humidity, my son was there in July and said it hit the 40s celsius – you will sweat non-stop and dash from aircon to aircon – I packed light so was washing clothes everyday as they were sweat-soaked within ten minutes. Everything is airconned but in big crowds it can be unbearable outside – early mornings and evenings were great, though.
Went this August… hydrate and bring a towel.
Was there in late August-early September and it was crazy hot and humid.
I visited Japan for the first time in August
I had a good time but I will never visit in the summer again. The heat and humidity were so intense and there were a lot of outdoor activities I really would have liked to have done but I skipped them to stay out of the heat
July and August are really terrible for heat and humidity, but I get not being able to travel at other times.
Just do exactly what you’ve done in these situations before— start early, go slow, take a midday break. Be sure to pop into a nice air conditioned cafe for a break too!
Was there in Sep and couldn’t believe how humid it was. Wish we had done our trip a few months later.
Oh yes… I live here. Whatever you’ve experienced in SE Asia is totally different to here. It’s brutal. You will sweat. Loads. Even at 8 in the morning. If you’re SO really doesn’t like the heat then it’s not the place to come for sightseeing that time of the year.
I’ve been to Vietnam, Hong Kong, and the Philippines – Japan in September this year was the most humid I’ve ever experienced. Maybe it’s because we had to walk everywhere or maybe we planned too many outdoor experiences but the heat and humidity made everything very uncomfortable.
Having lived in Osaka and having stayed quite often in Malaysia, I can tell that Osaka was a lot worse (40°C AND high humidity >80%).
I have been to maybe 70 countries. I would rate Japan in July/August as one of the top three hottest. Absolutely unbearable. My clothes were completely soaked every day.
I advise everyone against it. I also live in a place that gets 40 degree days in summer but without the humidity that’s actually bearable (although still unpleasant!)
Sorry to be a downer but weather like that really does impact touristy activities.
I went in the middle of August, and it was pretty rough. The humidity is high and the temps make it seem even worse. I’d recommend going any months but July /august .
I’ve done Japan in the summer and every person I’ve ever known that has visited Japan in the summer like around July/August say the same thing as I would say, “never again”. The humidity is off the charts. Just imagine how bad it could be in your head right now, pretty bad right? Well it’s ten times worse than that lol
Spring and Fall are the best times to visit, and I would visit in the winter before I ever do summer again.
To answer the question in your post title:
Yes.
Don’t worry about it, it will be okay.
I visited Japan over 30 times, in all seasons but 80 % was spring or summer. I also visited SEA many times.
In SEA you cannot really choose. It’s either fucking hot, or fucking hot and raining.
In Japan it ranges from fucking cold to fucking hot.
The difference comparing to SEA is that you can (generally) choose to avoid the fucking hot.
If you cannot choose for any reasons, just go in summer. It will be hot and humid, but if you survived SEA in any season, you will survive Japan in summer.
Tldr: there are more pleasant seasons to visit Japan but if your circumstances don’t allow, just don’t worry and go. Japan is amazing.
Yes, as an Aussie I think Australian summer is now a joke compared to Japan.
Take that information as you will.
I went in mid-May and Tokyo and Kyoto were 90+ almost everyday and very humid. I can only imagine the dead of summer.
My family is from a country in the tropics and I found the humidity in Japan painful in comparison.
I went once in mid-August. I spent many years living in Costal Georgia/Florida so when I saw people talking about humidity I thought they were just exaggerating, and that surely I’d be able to handle it fine.
Omg I was miserable. Red as a tomato all day, and then I’d go back to the hotel, shower, go out later at night when the sun was setting and then STILL sweat through everything.
Now I only go to Japan in the Fall/Winter lol
I’m from SEA, live in Japan now. Please don’t come on July/August or even September. Even I try to go back to my hot weather country every year on August.
I know you’re hoping to hear that it’s bearable…but please do heed the advice of everyone in this thread!
I travelled to Hokkaido in September 2019, hoping it would be pleasantly warm Autumn weather at that time. Lucky me, there was a heatwave AND a typhoon! Both in Hokkaido, and in Tokyo where I spent a few days to visit a friend, it was 35c+ and like, 100% humidity EVERY day.
Now I’m from Australia so I’m used to the heat and I even kind of like it, but this was off the chain! Don’t forget that most itineraries for Japan are going to have you walking around outside a lot. Unless you’re planning to spend much of your time shopping inside air conditioned malls, you can’t really avoid it.
Don’t stress too much though. It’s Japan! You’re gonna have a good time regardless!
Here are my tips to help you get the best out of it: Your idea to do most things in the early morning and evening is a good one, so plan to do more shrines/temples and other attractions with no opening/closing time. Chug water like there’s no tomorrow. Don’t bother with makeup or nice clothes. If you or your SO have long hair, tie it back in a bun. Wear cotton/linen and breezy silk. Bring comfy walking sandals (I brought Tevas). Do NOT even bother to pack anything synthetic, trust me!!
Hope this helps and have a great time if you choose to go!
It’s hot as balls.
And I’ll constantly hear from people I take with me
“I used to live in Florida”
“I have been to Texas”
I’ll manage –
I just replay “k”
Only for them to say
“I know what hot as balls means now”
I was in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Japan in July and August this year. It’s insanely hot. Like 36c hot with full humidity. The real feel on my phone got to 48c.
You just sweat buckets. 2-3 showers a day. It was so bad I had to wash my camera bag strap and the shoulder pad for it multiple times as it was getting smelly. (It’s made using the same material as a seatbelt.
It was unbelievable for my pasty Irish skin. SPF 50 all day.
If you can go at the end of October/November the autumn colours come in and its like 20c and so beautiful.
I’m from the Southeast US and figured it would be nothing to go at the beginning of July some years back. I was dead wrong. Not only was it hot, there was a constant mist everywhere (and not the cooling kind). Bring something for chafing if you decide to do this. It was excruciating for me.
I went in July this year for two weeks with my kids. Similar to you, it was the only time I could get them both off school/uni. As someone from Queensland, Australia I am used to the heat and humidity, but still struggled in Japan. It was 30C+ most days and pretty humid. As you are also spending most days outside and walking around (a lot), it does take it out of you. You’ll be buying a lot of cold drinks from the vending machines.
Pros. Less tourists (though still very busy) and cheaper hotel rooms.
Cons. Hot and humid as hell. You need to dress accordingly and keep hydrated.
Still had a fantastic trip but as others have said, I wouldn’t go back that time of year again if I had a choice.
Went in July this year. You have never felt such strong heat until you felt Japanese summer heat. I probably sweat more on my first day there than I have all year. Dress lightly, use either an electronic hand fan or a folding hand fan if you want to feel more authentic (I’m surprised how effective they are), and if you ever feel dehydrated buy Pocari Sweat from a vending machine. I got extremely dehydrated in Japan and had to visit a clinic and Pocari Sweat saved my life.
Haha I’m from Texas and we sweated our asses off in Japan in July. We were coming from 100+ degree heat every single day in Texas for the summer, and Japan’s humidity still just hits different. You will sweat a lot. But it’s certainly manageable if you can handle it. Be prepared to purchase and drink a LOT of pokari sweat (japanese Electrolyte drink).
It was fine for me but I also grew up in Texas and have lived the last 5 years on tropical islands. Make sure to wear a bunch of breathable/quick dry clothes, take frequent breaks, stay hydrated etc. You’ll be fine.
I like summer in general so I don’t mind going to Japan in the summer, but I know how dangerous Japanese summer is. It is indeed as hot and humid as they say, you’ll sweat a lot which means you have to drink a lot and your clothes and skin will get unpleasantly sticky. You’re also going to take breaks very often because of how exhausting the heat is and going in the shade won’t do much because of the humidity (but UV protection umbrellas/hats can be helpful). Don’t underestimate it.
On the other hand, summer also has things I love such as fuurin, fireworks and the sound of cicadas (yes) so every unpleasant memory is always replaced by these things.
I went in August this year. The humidity is exaggerated to be honest with you. I was in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima. Be clever with your clothing – Uniqlo now has Airism tees and polos (as in not undershirts), trousers and shorts and they are game changers. To be honest that should be all you wear. Wear a cap/hat for the sun. Stock up on Pocari Sweat – available everywhere in Japan – and keep yourself hydrated. Use talcum powder for sweat management etc.
The bigger downside to August is it not being a great season in Japan in general compared to others. Visibility of Mount Fuji is quite poor most days because it’s very cloudy. You don’t get the spring blossoms, you don’t get the autumn red hues etc. There are a lot of festivals and fireworks so there’s still stuff going on. It’s also less busy than other seasons, which is good, and the temperature means you can make good use of Japanese iced coffees. It’s a good season for certain fruit, especially peaches. The Fuji thing is the biggest thing to watch out for. There are visibility monitors and even live webcams.
TL;DR: If you can only go in August, it’ll be fine. The heat is very manageable. There are better times to go for reasons other than heat which isn’t that big a deal. Maybe this year was cooler than usual.
I’m also a teacher and went this summer for four weeks in August with my girlfriend and two friends. It was hot and humid, but managable if you take nessesary precautions: light clothing, sunscreen, hats and enough drinking water. Temperature was between 36 and 40°C, humidity almost always 100 %. We visited the southern half of Japan (Tokio, Hiroshima, …), Hokkaido will probably be a few degrees cooler. Have a great journey!