Visiting Japan in June: Weather, What to See & Do
- Written by: Lucio Maurizi
June is the beginning of summer in Japan. As such, it is one of the most colorful, beautiful, and pleasant times to visit Japan. The air is not too hot, and even though the rainy season might welcome you when you arrive, it’s still going to be a great vacation.
What’s the weather like in June in Tokyo and Japan?
How is the weather in June in Japan? Different regions in Japan tend to be different when it comes to temperatures and weather, but by and large, you will find warm weather, with slightly higher temperatures in the southern prefectures and Okinawa. In Tokyo, average temperature in June is 25.7 °C.
If you visit Tokyo in summer, your vacation will be as pleasant as it can be. It will be warm, but not hot, and it will be perfect for visiting parks, temples, walking around from one sightseeing location to the other, and enjoy the open air.
That said, depending on when you visit in June, you might have to deal with the Japanese rainy season. Rainy season in Japan is from around early May in Okinawa, and from mid-June to early July in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka.
Is June a good time to visit Japan?
June is when the rainy season occurs in most parts of Japan. You should not be discouraged from visiting, though. Rainy season does not mean constant rain, and when the weather is more forgiving, the days are bright, warm, and not too hot, and with a little bit of preparation, even rainy days can be less of a drag than what you would imagine. All these factors make visiting Japan in June an attractive option.
Clothes for in Japan in June
It will be warm, but not too much. And you may have to deal with rain.
Women
・Outerwear: Summer dresses, light cotton shirts, summer skirts
・Footwear: If you are comfortable with open shoes, you are definitely going to be happy you brought them, but don’t forget to bring comfortable shoes for your (likely) very long walking tours.
・Accessories: sunglasses, small towels, sunscreen, umbrella
Men
・Outerwear: polo shirts, light shirts, and buttoned shirts, shorts, light pants
・Footwear: comfortable socks and shoes, and if you are not planning to walk too much on a given day, open shoes
・Accessories: sunglasses, small towel, umbrella
What else should I pack for Japan in June?
The weather will be comfortable, but if you are visiting at a time when the rainy season is supposed to occur, definitely add a raincoat and maybe even rain boots to your list.
Don’t forget to also pack a small backpack or day pack that's easy to carry. Ideally, it would be waterproof to keep your things dry during rainy season. (Alternatively, you can bring or buy a plastic bag that can fit around the pack to keep it dry if the weather should change.) You will likely walk a lot and you may need to have on you a few things like:
・Shirt change
・Water
・Sunscreen
・Sunglasses
・Power bank
Top 8 Things to do in Japan in June
1. See a stunning variety of flowers
The colors of summer peak early in the season and June is the month to see them.
・Iris – Depending on where you are, you will probably be able to find parks or temples with expanses of iris. In Tokyo, try to catch the Katsushika Shobu Matsuri, the iris festival.
・Hydrangea – This flower is synonymous with the rainy season and also what puts a good spin on it. Here are some great spots in and around Tokyo to enjoy these flowers.
Many other places across Japan are famous for their flowers and even though they may peak a little later in summer, you might be lucky to catch them late in June:
・Lotus - These gorgeous flowers not only look incredible, but their perfume aroma makes the season sparkle. Find them at Shinobazu Pond in Tokyo, at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu in Kamakura, and Sankeien Garden in Yokohama.
2. Celebrate Sanno Matsuri and Kanda Matsuri
Two of the Great Festivals of Tokyo, alongside Fukagawa Festival, Sanno Matsuri takes place on even number years, while Kanda on odd number years. The celebration stretches across a 1 to 2-week period.
3. Enjoy lots of indoor activities
While it’s true that the rainy season can make your outdoors sightseeing a bit difficult, it’s usually not enough to ruin your vacation. What’s more, there is also the great indoors! Some ideas include:
・Museums – No matter what you like in museums, Japan has got it
・Aquariums – You will find amazing ones in most prefectures in Japan
・Maid Cafes – For a unique and very Japanese experience
・Spa, sento, onsen
・And of course, shopping in Tokyo malls, outlets, and other areas!
4. Admire Mount Fuji
June is a great time to visit Mount Fuji and its surrounding areas. Although the official climbing season starts in July, you can get incredible views of Japan's famous mountain in the Kawaguchiko area. You will find a number of parks, and gardens, as well as great food, and some of the most amazing sights in Japan.
5. Immerse yourself in the Fussa Firefly Festival
This festival taking place in Fussa City, west of Tokyo is a beautiful and magical experience to spend time among hundreds of dancing fireflies. The night festival is also a great opportunity to try traditional dishes and see traditional attractions.
6. Visit Hokkaido
If you want to avoid the rainy season altogether, why not go and enjoy the mild beautiful summer of Hokkaido, in northern Japan? The whole prefecture is filled with amazing food, sights, events, and festivals.
7. Travel to Okinawa
The rainy season in Okinawa is usually already over in June. The sky is clear, the weather warmer than it is in the rest of the country, and it’s not the peak of high season yet, so you can enjoy the prefecture’s amazing beaches without having to share them with too many people.
8. Eat special foods and drinks
There is so much seasonal food that is great in summer, that you will certainly find something you like.
・Kakigori (Shaved ice): Japan is big on shaved ice in many different flavors, and this treat becomes extremely popular in summer, especially during festivals.
・Hiyashi Chuka: A refreshing, flavorful cold ramen with a number of different toppings.
・Rei-Shabu: Much like its ramen counterpart, also the popular shabu-shabu has a summer variety in which the meat is cooked and then chilled in cold broth and served on a bed of fresh vegetables and sesame sauce.
・Mizu Yokan: A dessert made of red bean paste, sugar, and agar, presented in the shaped cube or slices. A refreshing dessert that's also available in matcha flavor.
・Yakitori: Grilled skewed meat for all the bbq lovers out there.
・Nagashi somen: Cold somen noodles that you will pluck directly from a bamboo slide. Tasty, refreshing, and fun.
Enjoy your June in Japan!
And here you have it! All you need to know to prepare for your trip and get yourself started on that list of things to do in Japan in June!
Lucio Maurizi is an automotive expert specializing in Japan's car scene and auto-tourism. With an MA in East Asian History from La Sapienza Università di Roma, he's a multi-talented contributor to travel platforms like LIVE JAPAN, Japan Travel, and GPlus Media. His Instagram account (50k+ followers) offers insider views on Japan's automotive culture. Lucio also actively collaborates with professional drivers and influencers and organizes can't-miss car events in Tokyo.
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*Prices and options mentioned are subject to change.
*Unless stated otherwise, all prices include tax.
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