Seasons, climates and holidays in Japan

Seasons and Climates 

Japan’s climate is generally a rainy country with high humidity.  Because of its wide range of latitudes and seasonal winds, Japan has a variety of climates. A latitudinal range often compared to that of the east coast of North America, from Nova Scotia to the U. S. state of Georgia. Tokyo is at about 35 degrees north latitude, comparable to that of Tehran, Athens, or Las Vegas. 

Regional climatic variations range from humid continental in the northern island of Hokkaido, extending down through northern Japan to the Central Highland then blending with and eventually changing to a humid subtropical climate on the Pacific Coast and ultimately bordering very closely on a tropical climate on the Ryukyu Islands.

Climate also varies dramatically with altitude and location on the Pacific Ocean or on the Sea of Japan. Northern Japan has warm summers but long, cold winters with heavy snow. Central Japan, in its elevated position, has hot, humid summers and moderate to short winters with some areas having very heavy snow, and southwestern Japan has long, hot, humid summers and mild winters. 

The generally humid, temperate climate exhibits marked seasonal variation, such as the blooming of the spring cherry blossoms, the calls of the summer cicada, and fall foliage colors that are celebrated in art and literature. 

“Keep in mind that the central part of Japan has a climate similar to Washington DC in the US or Lisbon, Portugal, but the northern areas like Sapporo are more like Helsinki, Finland and the southern areas like Fukuoka are like San Francisco, California.” – an ALT from Interac

The climate from June to September is marked by hot, wet weather brought by tropical airflows from the Pacific Ocean and Southeast Asia. These airflows are full of moisture and deposit substantial amounts of rain when they reach land. There is a marked rainy season, beginning in early June and continuing for about a month. It is followed by hot, sticky weather. Five or six typhoons pass over or near Japan every year from early August to early September. 

Annual precipitation averages between 1,000 and 2,500 mm (40 and 100 in). Maximum precipitation, like the rest of East Asia, occurs in the summer months, except on the Sea of Japan coast, where strong northerly winds are at a maximum in late autumn and early winter.

In winter, the Siberian High develops over the Eurasian land mass, and the Aleutian Low develops over the northern Pacific Ocean. The result is a flow of cold air southeastward across Japan that brings freezing temperatures and heavy snowfalls to the central mountain ranges facing the Sea of Japan but clear skies to areas fronting on the Pacific.

Sunshine, in accordance with Japan’s uniformly heavy rainfall, is generally modest in quantity. Although no part of Japan consistently receives gloomy fog. Amounts range from about six hours per day on the Inland Sea coast and sheltered parts of the Pacific Coast and Kanto Plain to four hours per day on the Sea of Japan coast of Hokkaido. 

In December, there is a very pronounced sunshine gradient between the Sea of Japan and Pacific coasts, as the former side can receive less than 30 hours and the Pacific side as much as 180 hours.

As an island nation, Japan has a long coastline. A few prefectures are landlocked: Gunma, Tochigi, Saitama, Nagano, Yamanashi, Gifu, Shiga, and Nara. As Mt. Fuji and the coastal Japanese Alps provide a rain shadow, Nagano and Yamanashi Prefectures receive the least precipitation in Honshu, though this still exceeds 900 mm (35 in) annually. A similar effect is found in Hokkaido, where Okhotsk Subprefecture receives as little as 750 mm (30 in) per year. 

All other prefectures have coasts on the Pacific Ocean, Sea of Japan, or Seto Inland Sea or have a body of salt water connected to them. Two prefectures, Hokkaido and Okinawa, are composed entirely of islands.

The hottest temperature ever measured in Japan, 41.0°C (105.8°F), occurred in Shimanto, Kochi on August 12, 2013. However, the average temperature in Japan is around 12°C (53.6°F).

Japan Seasons Holidays 

Spring and Summer

Many company employees take their summer holidays in mid-August during the Obon festivities. This is a good time to travel. Resorts attract families and others who want to get away from the heat. Other families and young adults also head for the outdoors.

“Early morning when going to school and later in the evening it can be a bit brisk, so you’ll want something like a light jacket to cover up with. 

I usually use a light windbreaker style jacket since it’s likely to get caught out in the rain while transferring trains or waiting for a bus. Sweaters or cardigans indoors at school are a good idea since the winter heating may be turned off.” – an ALT from Interac

Swimming in the sea and marine sports are very popular in July and the first half of August. Japan is surrounded by the ocean, but there are surprisingly few places where you can swim safely, so famous beaches are crowded when the swimming season is in full swing.

“Short sleeve collared shirts and khaki pants are my go-tos when teaching in

summer. I end up carrying a towel with me everywhere as well when the humidity goes up. I discovered that the famous “Shamwow” sold on late-night TV is an excellent towel for the summer in Japan.” – an ALT from Interac

Large pools and water sports facilities in suburban areas offer plenty of attractions and are easy to get to by road or rail.

Fall and Winter 

Fall is famous for the ‘leaves changing color’; a mix of reds, oranges, and golds throughout the country. Many people look to get out into the countryside to enjoy the autumnal colors. 

“I’d say that September is still likely to be very much like summer, and around the 2nd week of November, the heat just suddenly turns off and it’s cool in the day and a bit snappy at night. From then, the long-sleeve collared shirts, suit trousers, sweaters, and cardigans come out again. 

At school sometimes I wear a padded vest over a sweater indoors at school, and I wear a mid-weight coat with a hood in the morning and evening.” – an ALT from Interac

Winter brings the snow to many parts of central and northern Japan. Skiing, and possibly now more popular, snowboarding, brings thousands out to the slopes. Japan boasts some of the best powder skiing in the world.

When schools and workplaces close down for the New Year’s holiday, many people take off on a trip or go to their hometowns, just as they do during the summer holidays.

“Once you can see your own breath in the morning and at night, it’s time for the

winter down coat to come out. Some people wear heat preserving inner garments like “Heat Tech” under their clothes. 

I sometimes need to wear a knit cap when outside, since my head tends to get cold. In places with a lot of snow, heavier boots or snow might also be a good idea.” – an ALT from Interac

National Holidays

Japan has one of the most generous calendars of national holidays in the developed world. Each year, there are 16 government-recognized national holidays. The law also allows that if a national holiday falls on a Sunday, the next working day shall also become a holiday. For a breakdown of each national holiday, check here.