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This translation was generated by AI and may contain wording that differs from the facts. Please check the Japanese original or official sources for anything important. Japanese original
Key points
- Fresh greenery: Kamikochi, Nikko and Kyoto's temple gardens glow with new leaves.
- Flowers: Ashikaga's wisteria into early May, azaleas, and Hokkaido's cherry blossoms in early May.
- Festivals: Kyoto's Aoi Matsuri (15 May), Tokyo's Sanja Matsuri (third weekend) and the Kanda Matsuri (in alternate years).
🌤 Weather and temperature
Tokyo averages about 19 °C, often warm enough for short sleeves. Okinawa's rainy season usually starts in early to mid May.
| City | Average temperature | Rainfall |
|---|---|---|
| Sapporo | 13 °C | 56 mm |
| Tokyo | 18.8 °C | 140 mm |
| Osaka | 20.1 °C | 146 mm |
| Fukuoka | 19.9 °C | 133 mm |
| Naha | 24.2 °C | 245 mm |
Monthly averages based on Japan Meteorological Agency normals (1991–2020).
🚄 Crowds, holidays and prices
During Golden Week (about 29 April to 5 May) trains, flights and hotels sell out and prices soar. From mid May it becomes quiet again — one of the easiest times of year to travel.
🏮 Festivals and events
- Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival (Aomori · Late April to early May)
Around 2,600 Somei-Yoshino cherry trees in Hirosaki Park. Petal "rafts" on the moat and evening illuminations - Soma Nomaoi (Fukushima · Late May)
A procession of some 400 armoured horseback warriors and a race to seize sacred flags. Over 1,000 years of history; held in May since 2024 - Sanja Matsuri (Tokyo · Third Fri–Sun of May)
The annual festival of Asakusa Shrine. Over 100 neighbourhood mikoshi, plus the grand departure of the shrine's own three - Kanda Matsuri (Tokyo · Mid-May (odd-numbered years))
One of Edo's three great festivals. The grand procession winds through Kanda, Nihonbashi and Akihabara - Hamamatsu Festival (Shizuoka · May 3–5)
Kite battles celebrating first-born children by day, and ornate palace-style floats paraded by night - Aoi Matsuri (Kyoto · May 15)
A 500-strong procession in Heian-period court dress from the Imperial Palace to Shimogamo and Kamigamo Shrines. One of Kyoto's three great festivals - Hakata Dontaku Port Festival (Fukuoka · May 3–4)
Dancers clack rice paddles as they parade. Its 2 million Golden Week visitors are among the most of any festival in Japan
Dates change from year to year; always check the official announcement.
🌸 Flowers and autumn colours
- Hirosaki Park cherry blossoms (Aomori · Late April to early May)
Around 2,600 trees. Fallen petals carpet the moat in "flower rafts". Some call them the finest cherry blossoms in Japan - Weeping cherries of the Kakunodate samurai district (Akita · Late April to early May)
Weeping cherry trees against black wooden fences. With the 2 km avenue along the Hinokinai River, it is the "Little Kyoto of Michinoku" - Goryokaku Park (Hokkaido · Early May)
Around 1,500 trees inside the star-shaped fort. Golden Week is cherry blossom season in Hokkaido - Matsumae Park (Hokkaido · Late April to mid-May)
10,000 trees of 250 varieties. From early to late bloomers, a whole month of blossoms - Nemophila at Hitachi Seaside Park (Ibaraki · Mid-April to early May)
5.3 million blue flowers blanket Miharashi Hill. In autumn the kochia bushes turn crimson - Great wisteria of Ashikaga Flower Park (Tochigi · Late April to early May)
A 160-year-old wisteria trellis covering 1,000 m². Illuminated at night - Fuji Shibazakura Festival (Lake Motosu) (Yamanashi · Mid-April to late May)
A carpet of some 500,000 moss phlox plants with Mount Fuji as the backdrop - Tonami Tulip Fair (Toyama · Late April to early May)
3 million tulips of 300 varieties. Toyama is Japan's top bulb producer - Nabana no Sato Illumination (Mie · Late October to May (illumination); tulips in spring)
One of Japan's largest winter illuminations, plus tulip and begonia gardens in spring
🍣 Seasonal food and traditions
- Seafood in season: Bonito (first of the season), asari clams, sillago
- Produce in season: Broad beans, new tea, cherries, loquats
- Traditions and daily life: Children's Day (carp streamers, kashiwa mochi), Hachiju-hachiya, Mother's Day, Golden Week, rice planting
📍 Where to go this month
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Kamikochi
An alpine resort at 1,500 m: the Hotaka peaks seen from Kappa Bridge over the Azusa River. Private cars are banned; open late April to early November only.
Ashikaga Flower Park Great Wisteria
A 160-year-old wisteria spreads over a 1,000 m² trellis. Named one of CNN's '10 dream destinations in the world'.
Nikko Toshogu Shrine
Tokugawa Ieyasu's mausoleum, decorated with over 5,000 carvings including the 'three wise monkeys' and the sleeping cat.
Shimanami Kaido Cycling
A 70 km cycling route over seven bridges linking six islands — riding above the sea on one of the world's great bike routes.
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Sumo at Ryogoku Kokugikan
Fifteen-day tournaments in January, May and September. Doors open at 8 am; the top-division ring-entering ceremony is after 3 pm. Try chanko stew.
Cormorant Fishing on the Nagara River
A 1,300-year-old fishing method. From May to October, watch masters guide cormorants by firelight from a wooden boat.
🧳 What to pack
Spring (Mar–May)
- A light coat and layers: mornings and evenings around 10 °C
- Hay-fever medicine and masks: cedar pollen peaks in March
- A folding umbrella for frequent spring showers
- Comfortable shoes: blossom and temple days easily exceed 10,000 steps
💡 Travel tip
Skip Golden Week and travel in mid to late May instead.
🗓 Other months
January · February · March · April · May · June · July · August · September · October · November · December
Frequently asked questions
When is Golden Week?
It is a cluster of public holidays from 29 April (Showa Day) to 5 May (Children's Day), which combine with weekends into a long national holiday.
Is May a good time to visit Japan?
Yes — outside Golden Week the weather is mild with little rain, making it an excellent time to go.
