SeasonMapJapan in May
May is one of Japan's best months (rank 2 of 12): its 32 destinations average 73/100, led by Nara at 87 — 24°C and 10 rainy days — while Sapporo is cooler at 16°C and scores 81.
#2 of 12 months for Japan · 32 destinations · updated September 2026 · climate normals from ERA5 reanalysis
Where in Japan in May
| # | Place | Type | Feels-like high | Rain | Comfort | At its best |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nara | City | 24°C | 150 mm · 10 days | 87 tier A | Yes |
| 2 | Hiroshima | City | 24°C | 132 mm · 11 days | 86 tier A | Yes |
| 3 | Kanazawa | City | 21°C | 131 mm · 12 days | 86 tier A | Yes |
| 4 | Kyoto | City | 23°C | 163 mm · 11 days | 86 tier A | Yes |
| 5 | Nagoya | City | 23°C | 165 mm · 10 days | 86 tier A | Yes |
| 6 | Osaka | City | 24°C | 161 mm · 10 days | 86 tier A | Yes |
| 7 | Fujikawaguchiko | Trekking hub | 19°C | 171 mm · 15 days | 85 tier A | Yes |
| 8 | Sendai | City | 19°C | 105 mm · 12 days | 85 tier A | Yes |
| 9 | Tokyo | City | 22°C | 110 mm · 14 days | 85 tier A | Yes |
| 10 | Kobe | City | 23°C | 171 mm · 10 days | 84 tier A | Yes |
| 11 | Nagano | City | 21°C | 157 mm · 15 days | 84 tier A | Yes |
| 12 | Fukuoka | City | 24°C | 147 mm · 12 days | 83 tier A | Yes |
| 13 | Kamakura | City | 20°C | 126 mm · 13 days | 82 tier A | Yes |
| 14 | Matsumoto | City | 21°C | 182 mm · 13 days | 82 tier A | Yes |
| 15 | Yokohama | City | 21°C | 117 mm · 13 days | 82 tier A | Yes |
| 16 | Beppu | City | 23°C | 152 mm · 12 days | 81 tier A | — |
| 17 | Karuizawa | City | 19°C | 144 mm · 16 days | 81 tier A | Yes |
| 18 | Sapporo | City | 16°C | 88 mm · 14 days | 81 tier A | — |
| 19 | Takayama | City | 20°C | 184 mm · 14 days | 80 tier A | Yes |
| 20 | Nikko | City | 20°C | 187 mm · 19 days | 79 tier B | Yes |
| 21 | Kumamoto | City | 23°C | 194 mm · 14 days | 78 tier B | — |
| 22 | Hakone | City | 18°C | 191 mm · 17 days | 77 tier B | Yes |
| 23 | Kagoshima | City | 24°C | 246 mm · 14 days | 75 tier B | — |
| 24 | Nagasaki | City | 21°C | 223 mm · 13 days | 75 tier B | — |
| 25 | Ishigaki | Island | 27°C | 211 mm · 15 days | 74 tier B | — |
| 26 | Miyakojima | Island | 26°C | 248 mm · 16 days | 71 tier B | — |
| 27 | Okinawa | Beach | 26°C | 293 mm · 15 days | 68 tier C | — |
| 28 | Yakushima | National park | 18°C | 307 mm · 16 days | 67 tier C | — |
| 29 | Furano | Ski resort | 17°C | 101 mm · 14 days | 22 tier F | — |
| 30 | Hakuba | Ski resort | 20°C | 232 mm · 18 days | 22 tier F | — |
| 31 | Nozawa Onsen | Ski resort | 20°C | 161 mm · 16 days | 22 tier F | — |
| 32 | Niseko | Ski resort | 17°C | 83 mm · 14 days | 21 tier F | — |
Comfort is SeasonMap's 0–100 score; each place is judged through the lens that suits it — beaches on beach weather, ski resorts on snow. "At its best" means May is one of that place's own top three months. Feels-like highs fold in humidity, wind and sun.
What's on in Japan in May
- Golden Week · Kanazawa and 12 more places · 29 Apr – 5 May
- Aoi Matsuri · Kyoto · 15 May
- Fuji Shibazakura Festival · Fujikawaguchiko · 11 Apr – 25 May (usually)
- Sanja Matsuri · Tokyo · 15–17 May
- Hakata Dontaku · Fukuoka · 3–4 May
- Cherry and plum blossom · Sapporo · 28 Apr – 15 May (usually)
- Toshogu Grand Spring Festival · Nikko · 17–18 May
- Sea turtle nesting · Okinawa · 1 May – 31 Aug (usually)
Seasons in force
Peak crowds at 9 of Japan's 21 well-known places this month.