SeasonMapNozawa Onsen (Nozawa) weather in May
Japan
May in Nozawa Onsen: nice, soaked, with clean air — not the time — 16 rainy days.
#7 of 12 months in Nozawa Onsen · #1372 of 1383 destinations to visit in May · comfort 22/100 (tier F)
Updated September 2026 · climate normals from ERA5 reanalysis
Traveller notes on Nozawa Onsen in May
Notes from nearby Karuizawa (65 km away)
Nozawa Onsen doesn't have its own notes for May yet — these are about Karuizawa, close enough to share the season.
Karuizawa's forum calls May one of the most pleasant months — its elevation keeps it noticeably cooler than Tokyo, with a day-to-night temperature swing of around 10°C that catches some visitors out. Regulars recommend layers for exactly that reason, plus a rain jacket just in case, and flag the first week of May (Golden Week) as considerably busier than the rest of the month.
Add your own note from Nozawa Onsen's card on the map.
Nozawa Onsen climate normals — May
| Daytime high | 21°C / 69°F | 😎 nice |
|---|---|---|
| Nighttime low | 9°C / 49°F | |
| Feels like (high) | 21°C / 70°F | |
| Rainfall | 153 mm / 6 in | ⛈ soaked |
| Rainy days | 16 days | |
| Humidity | 79% | 💦 very humid |
| Dew point | 11°C / 51°F | |
| Sunshine | 9.4 h/day | |
| Daylight | 14.1 h | |
| Wind | 11 km/h / 7 mph | |
| Air quality (US AQI) | 50 | 🍃 good |
Monthly averages from ERA5 reanalysis. AQI is the mean US Air Quality Index for the month.
Crowds in Nozawa Onsen in May
How busy the place itself is — school and mass holidays, the months an editor tagged, and how sought-after the weather makes them. Never part of the comfort score.
BusyGolden Week in Japan(estimated)
Peak crowdsBusyShoulder seasonQuiet
Best months for Nozawa Onsen's weather
Ranked by this destination's own climate comfort score across the year — a different thing from how busy it gets (see Crowds above).
Fair weatherNozawa Onsen's weather peaks December–February.
Best weatherFair weatherToughest weather
What's on in Nozawa Onsen in May
Recurring seasonal events, natural spectacles, closures and holidays — curated and sourced.
- Season
Between the seasons
10 May – 30 Jun · usuallyOff-season shutdownClosuresLifts stopped and a good share of the inns and restaurants closed until the summer. The public baths stay open, which is most of the reason to be here anyway.
- Season
Ski season
28 Nov – 5 May · usuallyOne long mountain above a working hot-spring village, usually open from the end of November to early May. The top runs hold snow well after the base has gone.
Nearby, and something's on
Within 300 km of Nozawa Onsen — a day trip or a short hop — with something on this month. Never part of the comfort score.
Where is Nozawa Onsen?
Nozawa Onsen in May — FAQ
- Is May a good time to visit Nozawa Onsen?
- May in Nozawa Onsen: nice, soaked, with clean air — not the time — 16 rainy days. It ranks #7 of 12 months for Nozawa Onsen on SeasonMap's comfort score (22/100).
- What is the weather like in Nozawa Onsen in May?
- In May, Nozawa Onsen averages a daily high of 20.6°C and a low of 9.2°C, with about 153.4 mm of rain over roughly 16.1 rainy days.
- What is the air quality in Nozawa Onsen in May?
- Nozawa Onsen has a mean US Air Quality Index of about 50 in May.
Other months in Nozawa Onsen
Compare Nozawa Onsen in May
Warmer or cooler than Nozawa Onsen in May
Similar destinations in East Asia — May
Within 300 km: Matsumoto's Kamikochi open season around 17 Apr – 15 Nov, and Nikko's Toshogu Grand Spring Festival on 17–18 May.