Utsunomiya weather: 7-day forecast 宇都宮
The gateway to Nikko has clear, frosty winters (January lows around −2°C) and hot summers known for afternoon thunderstorms; the city's nickname is 'thunder capital'.
Forecast updated 23 October 2026
The next 7 days
Today
24 Oct
Cloudy
High 17°CLow 13°C
Sun
25 Oct
Cloudy
High 21°CLow 16°C
Rain 70%
Mon
26 Oct
Cloudy
High 21°CLow 15°C
Rain 70%
Tue
27 Oct
Cloudy
High 19°CLow 13°C
Rain 60%
Wed
28 Oct
Sunny
High 19°CLow 9°C
Rain 20%
Thu
29 Oct
Cloudy
High 16°CLow 7°C
Rain 30%
Fri
30 Oct
Cloudy
High 18°CLow 11°C
Rain 40%
What to wear today
Mild: long sleeves or a light cardigan. Bring a thin jacket for the evening.
Rain is likely on at least one day this week: pack a compact umbrella or buy one at any convenience store.
Utsunomiya weather by month
Typical daily highs and lows and monthly rainfall (30-year averages, 1991–2020). Tap a month to see what's on.
Utsunomiya's climate at a glance
Utsunomiya is inland on the Kanto plain, so winter mornings are colder than Tokyo's: January lows average −2.2°C, though days are sunny and dry with little snow.
Summer is hot, around 30–31°C in July and August, and the city is known in Japan as 'Raito', the thunder capital, for its frequent afternoon thunderstorms. Nikko, up in the mountains, is about 5–8°C cooler.
Best time to visit Utsunomiya
Most visitors combine the city's gyoza with a trip to Nikko. Autumn colour starts around Lake Chuzenji in early October and reaches the shrines of Nikko in early November. Cherry blossoms open around 30 March in the city and later in the mountains.
Tips
- In summer, plan outdoor sightseeing for the morning; thunderstorms often build after 3 pm.
- Nikko is much colder than the city. Pack an extra layer for Lake Chuzenji and Kegon Falls, especially from October to April.
- Autumn weekends in Nikko are very crowded. Go on a weekday and start early.
Questions travellers ask
Why is Utsunomiya called the thunder capital?
Hot, humid summer afternoons often build into thunderstorms over the plain, especially in July and August.
Is Nikko colder than Utsunomiya?
Yes. Nikko and especially Lake Chuzenji are higher up and several degrees cooler, with snow in winter.
When are the autumn leaves best in Nikko?
Early to mid-October at Lake Chuzenji and the higher areas, and early November around the shrines.
Sources
We checked the facts on this page against these sources.
- Japan Meteorological Agency気象庁JMA climate normals 1991–2020 (Japanese)(in Japanese) (opens in a new tab)
- Japan Meteorological Agency気象庁JMA rainy season start and end dates(in Japanese) (opens in a new tab)
- Japan Meteorological Agency気象庁JMA cherry blossom and autumn leaf normals(in Japanese) (opens in a new tab)