Japan in June 2026: Weather, Festivals, Travel Tips & More

Planning to travel to Japan in June? This guide has all the relevant information you need before visiting, including weather conditions, travel costs, seasonal events and more.

When the air fills with the smell of summer rain and waves of translucent umbrellas drift through the streets of Japan’s major cities, the rainy season has arrived.

In June, humidity soars and grey clouds cover the sky above Japan. At the same time, dozens of colourful hydrangeas thrive on street corners and in temple gardens.

Visiting Japan in June has pros and cons that you should weigh carefully before hopping on a plane. Our guide will help you determine whether Japan’s rainy season is a suitable time for your trip.

Is June a Good Time to Visit Japan?

At first glance, June might not be the best month for a trip to Japan due to the rainy season which sweeps across the country. The sky above Honshū and Kyūshū is mostly overcast, temperatures rise, and the air becomes increasingly humid.

These unfavourable weather conditions can make being out and about all day physically challenging, especially if you’re sensitive to hot, humid weather. June is also not the best time for outdoor activities such as cycling and hiking.

Holding an umbrella while sightseeing all day might not be your cup of tea. However, travelling to Japan in June has some benefits if you don’t mind the rain and high humidity.

Firstly, Japan is visited by fewer tourists than in the peak seasons from mid-March to May and from October to November.

Secondly, June is known as Japan’s hydrangea month. There’s something enthralling about the lush green landscapes, the streets framed by pink, purple and blue hydrangeas, and the mystic atmosphere of shrines and temples on a rainy day in June.

Weather in Japan in June

June marks the beginning of summer in Japan. Average daily temperatures are still bearable. It’s not until July and August (the hottest months in Japan) that the heat reaches its peak. But remember that the weather conditions may vary greatly depending on the destinations you’ll visit in Japan during your trip.

Tokyo’s temperatures can reach up to 25°C in June. Cities in the Kansai region, like Kyoto and Osaka, tend to be a few degrees hotter. Conversely, the weather in Hokkaidō is mild and dry, with temperatures up to 22°C.

Below, you can find the average daily temperatures for Japan in June:

Rainy Season

The rainy season is a weather phenomenon that hits Japan annually between May and July and lasts for approximately four to six weeks. Okinawa sees the start of the rainy season around mid-May. The wet weather reaches Kyūshū, Shikoku and Central Honshū in early June, before heading north to Tōhoku in mid-June.

During this time, sudden rain showers, high humidity and grey skies are common. This doesn’t mean it will rain every day, just more frequently than usual. The probability of rain per day in June is slightly below 50%, at 14 out of 30 days.

But there is one exception to the rule. Located in the far north of Japan, Hokkaidō is the only prefecture with no rainy season. Take a quick look at the average sunshine hours and millimetres of rain in Hokkaidō in comparison to the other cities: 

Once the rainy season ends between late June and late July, Japan enters its hottest period of the year. Temperatures rise sharply and the thick grey clouds disappear, revealing the blue sky again.

Is Tokyo Hot in June?

Although Tokyo is hot in June, the heat isn’t as overwhelming as in July and August. However, the high humidity can be quite uncomfortable.

If you’re planning to spend a lot of time outside, make sure to drink enough water and take frequent breaks. To escape the humid weather, use the countless air-conditioned shopping centres, cafés, and restaurants around you, or add indoor activities like exhibitions to your Tokyo itinerary. 

What to Wear in Japan in June

Light and quick-to-dry clothes are essential when visiting Japan in June.

Bring some t-shirts, tops, light blouses, as well as long linen trousers, shorts, long skirts or dresses and comfortable, waterproof shoes or sneakers. A light rain jacket and an umbrella should also be in your suitcase.

The weather in June is hot and humid, so expect to sweat a lot. It’s best to pack some spare clothes, especially shirts and socks. Light, long-sleeved clothes are another nice asset for rooms with air conditioners running at full speed and areas with lots of mosquitoes, such as parks, forests or lakes. Don’t forget to bring insect repellent!

While it’s often cloudy during the rainy season, the sun will show up occasionally. A sun hat or cap, sunglasses, sunscreen and a small towel to wipe away the sweat complete the list of must-bring items for June.

If you plan to use a washing machine during your trip, remember that clothing doesn’t always dry properly in humid climates. If you don’t want to use a dryer, you can turn on the air conditioner’s dry mode (indicated as ドライ or 除湿 on the remote) for a while to remove excess moisture from the air in your room.

Is Japan Crowded in June?

Japan is a popular tourist destination all year round, so you should always expect to share famous sightseeing spots with other travellers.

However, there are fewer international travellers than during the peak seasons from March to May and from October to November. June isn’t a busy period for domestic tourism either, as there are no national holidays.

Nevertheless, there are two notable exceptions. First, towns with many hydrangea spots like Kamakura are popular travel destinations in June.

Many people also visit Hokkaidō to escape the heat and humidity, as it’s the only prefecture in Japan without a rainy season. You can expect these places to be a little more crowded than usual in June.

Costs of Travelling to Japan in June

Generally, the costs of travelling to Japan in June are roughly average. International flight prices are usually lower compared to spring and autumn, but still higher than the winter low season in January and February.

Since Hokkaidō avoids the worst of the rainy season, it attracts comparatively more visitors in June. Domestic flight prices to cities in Hokkaido tend to rise as a result.

Apart from that, there is less domestic travel in June due to the rainy season. Some hotels offer cheaper rates than usual, so you can occasionally find a bargain if you’re looking to travel on a budget.

Best Things to Do in Japan in June

There are many different ways to enjoy June in Japan. One of the most popular seasonal activities for locals is to view the hydrangea flowers in local parks or temple gardens.

In Okinawa, the hydrangeas reach full bloom as early as May. The flowering period in Kyūshū starts in early June, followed by Central Honshū around mid-June, and Tōhoku and Hokkaidō between early and mid-July.

Here’s an overview of some fun things to do in Japan in June:

• Take a hydrangea trip: June is the month to see hydrangeas blooming in Japan. Hydrangea festivals are usually held at temples or gardens throughout June and July. If you want to take a day trip from Tokyo, you should consider Kamakura, a seaside town known for its many temples.
• Visit a museum: It’s best to have a few indoor activities up your sleeve in case part of your trip is a washout. Visiting museums is a fantastic way to learn about Japan’s rich history and culture. teamLab’s digital art exhibitions are a particularly popular choice for a rainy day.
• Catch a Japanese theatre performance: Japan boasts a truly unique selection of traditional performing arts, from comedic shows like rakugo through to the sublime stylings of Kabuki and Noh, all of which are available in different theatres across Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. If you prefer modern plays, check out the Takarazuka Revue in Tokyo or Takarazuka City, located near Kobe. The ensembles of Takarazuka shows consist exclusively of women, who portray both the female and male roles on stage. Tickets are available online.
• Relax in a café or tea house: Japanese cities are packed with trendy cafés and traditional tea houses, all of which make for a tempting pit stop on your day out. Tea houses serving everything from red bean paste mochi to matcha parfait can be found in traditional neighbourhoods such as Gion in Kyoto or Asakusa in Tokyo. If you’re in Kyoto, you could also try minazuki, a seasonal confectionery made from rice cake and red beans. This traditional sweet is eaten around Japan’s old capital on June 30th as a kind of good luck charm to round off the rainy season.
• Try your hand at Japanese arts and crafts: Workshops are a fantastic way to experience Japan’s traditional culture on a rainy day. Consider making time to attend a tea ceremony, join a calligraphy workshop or get creative during a pottery painting class.
• Go cherry picking: In Japan, cherries are at their prime between early June and early July. But instead of simply buying them in the supermarket, you could also try picking them yourself at one of Japan’s many cherry orchards. These orchards are usually roofed, making this a weatherproof day out. Bonus points if you make it to Yamagata Prefecture, which has particularly fresh and tasty cherries.
• Travel to Hokkaidō: If you’d prefer sunshine and clear skies during your June trip to Japan, consider heading up to Hokkaidō. Compared to other areas of Japan, Hokkaido has mild weather in June, with clear skies, warm days and slightly chillier nights. These are ideal conditions for exploring the countryside on Japan’s northernmost main island. Sapporo also hosts one of Japan’s biggest Yosakoi dance festivals each year in early June.

Festivals and Events in Japan in June 2026

Here are some seasonal events worth catching during your trip:

• Hyakumangoku Festival in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture (05/06/2026–07/06/2026): The Hyakumangoku Festival is the largest annual festival in Kanazawa. During the three-day celebrations, the entry of the daimyō Maeda Toshiie into Kanazawa Castle is re-enacted with a grand parade. The celebrations are accompanied by festive taiko drum and lion dance performances.
• Atsuta Festival in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture (05/06/2026): Every year at the beginning of June, the Atsuta Shrine in Nagoya celebrates the start of the Japanese summer with a big festival featuring taiko drum and kagura dance performances, street food stalls and lantern floats. The festival culminates in a grand fireworks display.
• Yosakoi Soran Festival in Sapporo, Hokkaidō (10/06/2026–14/06/2026): The Yosakoi Soran Festival is one of the three largest Yosakoi dance festivals in Japan. Every year, around 270 teams perform spectacular choreographies at various venues spread across the city centre of Sapporo. The festival culminates in an evening finale, where the best teams compete against each other for the grand prize. Tickets for the final are very popular and sell out quickly, so make sure to reserve tickets in advance here (site in Japanese only).
• Sannō Festival in Tokyo (12/06/2026): The Sannō Festival is one of the three largest festivals in Tokyo. In addition to the festivities around Hie Shrine, a 300-metre-long procession takes place every two years on even-numbered years. This procession alternates annually with the Kanda Matsuri, held on odd-numbered years.
• Firefly Festivals around Tokyo (throughout June until mid-July): In June and July, various firefly festivals take place across Japan. The little glowing beetles like to hide from prying eyes and are not easy to spot, especially in areas with strong light pollution. However, this article shares a few locations around Tokyo where it’s still possible to see the fireflies.
• Hydrangea Festivals all over Japan (early June to late July): Hydrangea festivals take place across Japan in June and July. Some festivals offer street food and other entertainment, but temples and shrines often focus solely on the hydrangeas. Highlights in and around major metropolitan areas include Katahara Hot Spring Hydrangea Festival in Aichi Prefecture, Amabiki Kannon Hydrangea Festival in Ibaraki Prefecture, Furusato Tako Town Hydrangea Festival in Chiba Prefecture and Bunkyo Hydrangea Festival at Hakusan Shrine in Tokyo. There are many other hydrangea festivals across Japan, so make sure you check whether there is a local festival that lines up with your travel itinerary!

Conclusion – Visiting Japan in June

Due to the rainy season, June may not be the best month to travel to Japan. As a tourist, you will want to spend much of your time outdoors, but frequent rain showers and high humidity can make this difficult.

But don’t let this entirely discourage you from visiting Japan in June. Japan’s rainy season offers fewer crowds than the peak seasons of spring and summer, as well as unique experiences like the hydrangea season. If you’re not too bothered by the weather, June still offers all the pieces you’ll need for a memorable trip to Japan.