Japan In June 2024: Climate, Festivals, Journey Suggestions & Extra

Planning to journey to Japan in June? This information has all of the related info you want earlier than visiting, together with climate situations, journey prices, the perfect festivals and extra.

When the air fills with the odor of summer season rain and waves of translucent umbrellas drift by way of the streets of Japan’s main cities, the wet season has arrived.

In June, humidity soars and gray clouds cowl the sky above Japan. On the similar time, dozens of vibrant hydrangeas thrive on avenue corners and in temple gardens.

Visiting Japan in June has execs and cons that it’s best to weigh rigorously earlier than hopping on a aircraft. Our information will enable you decide whether or not Japan’s “wet month” is an acceptable time on your journey.

Is June a Good Time to Go to Japan?

At first look, June won’t be the perfect month for a visit to Japan as a result of wet season, affecting most prefectures. The sky above Honshū and Kyūshū is generally overcast with gray clouds, temperatures rise, and the air turns into more and more humid.

These unfavourable climate situations could make being out and about all day bodily difficult, particularly for these delicate to humid and sizzling climate. Attributable to this, June can be not the perfect time for out of doors actions akin to biking and climbing.

Holding an umbrella whereas sightseeing all day won’t be everybody’s cup of tea. Nevertheless, travelling to Japan in June has some advantages for those who don’t thoughts rain and excessive humidity an excessive amount of.

Firstly, Japan is visited by fewer vacationers than within the peak seasons from mid-March to Could and from October to November.

Secondly, June is called Japan’s hydrangea month. There’s one thing enthralling concerning the lush inexperienced landscapes, the streets framed by pink, purple, blue and white hydrangeas, and the mystic environment of shrines and temples on a wet day in June.

Climate in Japan in June

June marks the starting of summer season in Japan. Common day by day temperatures are nonetheless bearable. It’s not till July and August (the most popular months in Japan) that the warmth reaches its peak. However keep in mind that the climate situations could differ tremendously relying on the locations you’ll go to in Japan throughout your journey. 

Tokyo’s temperatures can attain as much as 25°C in June. Cities in Kansai (particularly Kyoto) are usually a couple of levels hotter. Since Kyoto is framed by mountains on three sides, warmth and humidity rapidly accumulate. Conversely, the climate in Hokkaidō is delicate and dry, with temperatures as much as 22°C.

Beneath, you will discover the common day by day temperatures for Japan in June: 

Wet Season

The wet season (tsuyu, 梅雨) is a climate phenomenon that hits Japan yearly between Could and July and lasts for about one to one-and-half months in every area. Okinawa sees the beginning of the wet season (tsuyu-iri, 梅雨入り) round mid-Could. Kyūshū, Shikoku and Central Honshū observe in early June and Tōhoku in mid-June.

Throughout this time, sudden rain showers, excessive humidity and gray skies are frequent. This doesn’t imply it should rain day by day, simply extra continuously than regular. The chance of rain per day in June is barely under 50% (14 out of 30 days).

However there’s one exception to the rule. Positioned within the uttermost north of Japan, Hokkaidō is the one prefecture with no wet season. Take a fast have a look at the common sunshine hours and millimetres of rain in Hokkaidō compared to the opposite cities: 

As soon as the wet season reaches its finish between late June and late July (tsuyu-ake, 梅雨明け), Japan enters the most popular time of the 12 months. Temperatures rise sharply, and the thick gray clouds disappear, revealing the blue sky once more.

Is Tokyo Too Scorching in June?

Though Tokyo is sizzling in June, the warmth isn’t as overwhelming as in July and August. Nevertheless, the excessive humidity could trigger discomfort to some folks. 

When spending a variety of time strolling exterior, it’s best to drink sufficient water and take a couple of breaks. To flee the humid climate, use the numerous air-conditioned purchasing centres, cafés, and eating places round you, or add indoor actions like exhibitions to your Tokyo itinerary. 

After all, the following tips apply to all main cities in Japan.

What to Put on in Japan in June?

Gentle and (ideally) quick-to-dry garments are important when visiting Japan in June. 

Convey some T-shirts, tops, mild blouses, in addition to lengthy linen trousers, shorts, (lengthy) skirts/ attire and comfy (waterproof) footwear/ sneakers. A lightweight rain jacket and an umbrella also needs to be in your suitcase.

Because the climate in June is generally sizzling and humid, you’ll sweat so much. It’s greatest to pack some spare garments (particularly shirts and socks). Gentle, long-sleeved garments are one other good asset for rooms with air conditioners operating at full velocity and areas with a number of mosquitoes, akin to parks, forests or lakes. Don’t overlook to purchase insect repellent!

Should you plan to make use of a washer throughout your journey, keep in mind that many clothes items don’t dry correctly within the humid local weather. Should you don’t wish to use a dryer, you possibly can activate the air conditioner’s dry mode (indicated as ドライ or 除湿 on the distant) for some time to take away extra moisture from the air in your room. 

Even when the sky is usually cloudy throughout the wet season, the solar will present up sometimes. A solar hat/ cap, sun shades, sunscreen and a small towel to wipe sweat full the checklist of must-bring gadgets for June.

Is Japan Crowded in June?

Japan is a well-liked vacationer vacation spot all 12 months spherical, so that you’ll virtually at all times must share well-known sightseeing spots with different travellers. June will probably be no exception.

Nevertheless, there are fewer worldwide travellers than throughout the peak seasons from mid-March to Could and from October to November. June isn’t a typical season for elevated home tourism both, as there are no nationwide holidays.

However, there are two notable exceptions. First, cities with many hydrangea spots (like Kamakura) are well-liked journey locations in June.

Moreover, many individuals go to Hokkaidō, the one prefecture in Japan with out a wet season. You may anticipate these locations to be considerably extra crowded.

Prices of Travelling to Japan in June

Typically, the prices of travelling to Japan in June are on an common degree. Worldwide flight costs are normally decrease than throughout spring (mid-March to early April) and autumn (primarily October and November) however nonetheless greater than throughout a lot of the winter (December to February, apart from New 12 months’s). 

Hokkaidō attracts many guests in June, because the rain ranges are low, and the air is much less humid in comparison with different areas of Japan. Due to this fact, home flight costs to this vacation spot are inclined to rise.

Other than that, home tourism in June is at a low degree as a result of wet season. Some lodging even supply cheaper costs than regular, making June appropriate for funds travellers. Consider, nonetheless, that costs for lodging near well-liked hydrangea spots is likely to be an exception.

Finest Issues to Do in Japan in June

There are lots of other ways to get pleasure from June in Japan. Take a stroll on the streets of Kyoto on a wet night time or get pleasure from seasonal flowers like hydrangeas in native parks or temple gardens.

In Okinawa, the hydrangeas attain full bloom as early as Could. The flowering interval in Kyūshū begins in early June, adopted by Central Honshū round mid-June, and Tōhoku and Hokkaidō between early and mid-July.

Do you wish to get a style of Japanese summer season sweets? Strive minazuki, a rice cake topped with crimson beans. This conventional candy is eaten on June thirtieth, when the wet season is approaching its finish.

Enjoyable reality: Minazuki (水無月) can be a synonym for “June” within the Japanese language, generally translated as “month of water”.

Right here’s an summary of some enjoyable issues to do in Japan in June:

• Take a hydrangea journey: June is THE month to see hydrangeas blooming in Japan. Hydrangea festivals in temples and cities are normally held all through June, typically lasting effectively into July. If you wish to take a day journey from Tokyo, it’s best to think about Kamakura, a seaside city identified for its many temples.
• Go to museums, artwork exhibitions and theatres: It gained’t rain day by day throughout the wet season, however nonetheless continuously. Due to this fact, it’s nice to have a couple of concepts for indoor actions up your sleeve. Visiting museums is a incredible strategy to find out about Japan’s wealthy historical past and tradition. Tokyo’s well-liked teamLab digital artwork exhibition makes for one more nice exercise on a wet day. How about watching a stage play? You may expertise conventional performing arts like Kabuki or Nō in several theatres in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. Should you’re extra into fashionable performs, take a look at the Takarazuka Revue in Tokyo or Takarazuka Metropolis (close by Kobe). The ensembles of Takarazuka reveals consist completely of ladies, who painting each the feminine and male roles on stage. Tickets can be found on-line.
• Chill out in a café or tea home: Should you don’t wish to spend an excessive amount of time exterior on a wet day, deal with your self to some conventional Japanese sweets (wagashi, 和菓子) in a tea home or café. Quite a few tea homes serving the whole lot from crimson bean paste mochi to matcha parfait might be present in conventional neighbourhoods akin to Gion in Kyoto or Asakusa in Tokyo.
• Take part in a standard tradition workshop: Whether or not you’d wish to attend a tea ceremony, take part in a calligraphy workshop or problem your creativity throughout a pottery portray class – conventional tradition workshops make for a incredible exercise throughout a visit to Japan, particularly on a wet day in June.
• Go cherry selecting: On the lookout for a candy temptation? In Japan, cherries are at their prime between early June and early July. However as a substitute of merely shopping for them within the grocery store, you possibly can choose them at orchards in numerous prefectures. These orchards are normally roofed, permitting you to indulge on this exercise even on wet days. Should you’re in search of notably contemporary and engaging cherries, Yamagata Prefecture is for you!
• Journey to Hokkaidō: If you wish to journey to Japan in June whereas avoiding the wet season, Hokkaidō is the right vacation spot. In comparison with different areas of Japan, the climate is general delicate, with little rain and clear skies. It’s heat throughout the day, however the nights are nonetheless chilly. These are excellent situations for exploring the countryside on Japan’s northernmost major island. Apart from that, Sapporo hosts one among Japan’s largest Yosakoi dance festivals annually in early June. 

Festivals and Occasions in Japan in June 2024

Listed here are some nice occasions to expertise when visiting Japan in June: 

• Hyakumangoku Pageant in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture (31/05/2024-02/06/2024): The Hyakumangoku Pageant is the biggest annual competition in Kanazawa. Through the three-day celebrations, the entry of Maeda Toshiie – some of the essential daimyō of the Sengoku Interval – into Kanazawa Fortress is re-enacted with a grand parade. The celebrations are accompanied by festive taiko drum and lion dance (shishi-mai, 獅子舞) performances. 
• Atsuta Pageant in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture (05/06/2024): Yearly firstly of June, the Atsuta Shrine in Nagoya celebrates the beginning of the Japanese summer season with an enormous competition that includes taiko drum and kagura dance performances, numerous avenue meals stalls, and lit-up lantern floats. The competition culminates in a grand fireworks show at night time.
• Yosakoi Soran Pageant in Sapporo, Hokkaidō (05/06/2024-09/06/2024): The Yosakoi Soran Pageant is among the three largest Yosakoi dance festivals in Japan. Yearly, round 270 groups current spectacular choreographies at numerous venues unfold throughout the town centre of Sapporo. The competition culminates within the last stage on the night of the final competition day, the place the perfect groups compete in opposition to one another for the grand prize. Tickets for the ultimate are highly regarded and promote out rapidly. If you wish to see the performances at night time, it’s best to verify the situations for ticket gross sales on-line beforehand. 
• Sannō Pageant in Tokyo (mid-June): The Sannō Pageant is among the three largest festivals in Tokyo. Along with the festivities round Hie Shrine, a 300-metre-long procession takes place each second 12 months (even-numbered years). This procession alternates yearly with the one of many Kanda Matsuri (odd-numbered years).
• Firefly Festivals round Tokyo (all through June till mid-July): In June and July, numerous firefly festivals happen throughout Japan. The little glowing beetles like to cover from prying eyes and are usually not simple to identify, particularly in areas with robust mild air pollution, akin to Tokyo. However, there are some places round Japan’s capital the place fireflies might be noticed at night time. 
• Hydrangea Festivals throughout Japan (early June to late July): Hydrangea festivals happen in numerous temples and parks in June and July. A few of these festivals function avenue meals stalls, however temples and shrines typically focus solely on the show of hydrangeas. Among the many festivals are the Katahara Scorching Spring Hydrangea Pageant in Gamagori Metropolis, Aichi Prefecture (together with an illumination occasion and (if fortunate) firefly viewing), the Amabiki Kannon Hydrangea Pageant in Ibaraki Prefecture, the Furusato Tako City Hydrangea Pageant in Chiba Prefecture and the Bunkyo Hydrangea Pageant at Hakusan Shrine in Tokyo. (This checklist is not at all full. It’s at all times price checking whether or not or not there are different native hydrangea festivals at your journey vacation spot inside Japan!)

Conclusion – Visiting Japan in June

Because of the wet season, June might not be the perfect month to journey to Japan. As a vacationer, you will have spend a lot of your time outdoor. Frequent rain showers and the excessive humidity might spoil your travelling expertise to some extent. 

However don’t let this fully discourage you from visiting Japan in June. Japan’s “month of water” affords some distinctive experiences, such because the hydrangea season. One other note-worthy benefit is that there are fewer crowds than throughout the peak travelling seasons.

We hope a few of the above ideas and methods will enable you to adequately put together on your journey and improve your expertise with the Japanese wet season.