Japan by month

Japan in August

The hottest month (Osaka averages 33.7°C) and the peak of summer festivals: Nebuta, Kanto, Tanabata, Yosakoi and Awa Odori. Obon week (around 13–16 August) is crowded, and typhoons are possible.

What August is like

August is the hottest month almost everywhere: Tokyo averages 31.3°C, Osaka 33.7°C and Nagoya 33.2°C, with humid nights above 23°C. Afternoon thunderstorms are common inland.

Typhoons start to reach Okinawa, Kyushu and Shikoku. Hokkaido is the cool escape: Sapporo averages 26.4°C and Kushiro only 21.5°C.

Where to go in August

Tohoku's three great summer festivals fall in the first week: Aomori Nebuta (2–7 August), Akita Kanto (3–6 August) and Sendai Tanabata (6–8 August). A rail trip can take in all three.

In Shikoku, Kochi's Yosakoi (9–12 August) and Tokushima's Awa Odori (mid-August) fill the streets with dancers. Kyoto ends Obon with the Gozan Okuribi bonfires on the mountains on 16 August.

Obon and typhoons

Obon, around 13–16 August, is when Japanese families travel home. Shinkansen and flights are packed and prices peak. Plan sightseeing around it, and book transport early if you must travel then.

Mid August is also peak typhoon season. Check typhoon forecasts in the days before you fly, and buy flexible tickets if you are heading to Okinawa or Kyushu.

Festivals and events

Aomori Nebuta Festival青森ねぶた祭
2–7 August · Aomori
Giant illuminated paper floats; the final day ends with floats on the sea and fireworks.
Akita Kanto Festival秋田竿燈まつり
3–6 August · Akita
Performers balance poles hung with dozens of lanterns.
Official website (opens in a new tab)
Sendai Tanabata仙台七夕まつり
6–8 August · Miyagi
Huge paper streamers hang through the covered shopping arcades.
Official website (opens in a new tab)
Yosakoi Festivalよさこい祭り
9–12 August · Kochi
Main dance days are the 10th and 11th.
Awa Odori阿波おどり
Mid-August (Obon) · Tokushima
Traditionally 12–15 August; check the official dates for each year.
Gozan Okuribi五山送り火
16 August · Kyoto
Five giant bonfires on the mountains around Kyoto, lit from 8 pm.

Typical weather in August

Average daily high and low and total rainfall for the month (1991–2020). Tap a city for its 7-day forecast.

City	High	Low	Rain (mm)
Sapporo	26°C	19°C	127
Asahikawa	27°C	17°C	153
Kushiro	22°C	16°C	142
Aomori	28°C	20°C	142
Akita	29°C	22°C	185
Sendai	28°C	22°C	158
Niigata	31°C	23°C	163
Kanazawa	31°C	24°C	179
Tokyo	31°C	24°C	155
Utsunomiya	31°C	23°C	199
Nagano	31°C	22°C	112
Nagoya	33°C	25°C	140
Osaka	34°C	26°C	113
Takamatsu	33°C	25°C	106
Matsue	32°C	24°C	130
Hiroshima	33°C	25°C	131
Kochi	32°C	25°C	284
Fukuoka	33°C	25°C	210
Kagoshima	33°C	26°C	224
Amami	32°C	26°C	294
Naha	32°C	27°C	240
Ishigaki	32°C	27°C	250

Tips

Book Tohoku festival hotels very early, or stay in a nearby city and take the train in.
Heat is the main risk. Drink water and electrolytes, wear a hat and take breaks in air conditioning.
Leave a buffer day before your flight home in case a typhoon cancels flights.

Questions travellers ask

Is August a good time to visit Japan?

It's the best month for festivals and for Hokkaido, but it's very hot elsewhere and crowded around Obon (13–16 August).

When is typhoon season in Japan?

Mainly August to September, sometimes July and October. Okinawa, Kyushu and Shikoku are hit most often.

Where is cool in Japan in August?

Hokkaido (Sapporo averages 26°C, Kushiro 21.5°C) and the mountain resorts of Nagano, such as Karuizawa and Kamikochi.

Sources

We checked the facts on this page against these sources.

All 12 months 7-day forecasts for 22 cities

Facts checked 23 October 2026

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