Nara Weather in May

May is undoubtedly one of the best times to visit Nara. Weather-wise, temperatures are mild, sunny moments are plentiful, and daylight hours are long enough. Scenery-wise, the entire city displays vibrant and emerald plants. Moreover, May marks the peak blooming season for Nara’s wisteria, creating a uniquely romantic atmosphere. Want to see the deer? This month, the deer are very active, and their coats are especially beautiful. The only thing to note is that Nara tends to be quite crowded during the “Golden Week” in early May.

Comfortably Warm Temperature

May marks the transition from late spring to summer in Nara and has cozy temperatures overall. Daily high ranges from 20 to 30 degrees Celsius (68-86 degrees Fahrenheit), often stabilizing around a comfortable 25℃ (77℉). On rainy days, it may dip to around 18-20℃ (64-68℉); while on clear days toward the month’s end, it can reach 28-30℃ (82-86℉). However, both situations are not very common. Daily low ranges from 10 to 20℃ (50-68℉). Generally, it is mostly around 10-15℃ (50-59℉) in the first half of the month and above 15℃ (59℉) in the latter half.

The most comfortable visiting hours in a day are 9:00-19:00, when temperatures generally range from 15 to 28℃ (59-82℉). With large temperature differences between day and night, mornings and evenings are cooler, particularly before 8:00 and after 22:00. For visits during these two periods, remember to add clothes.

A Bit Frequent Short Showers

It rains on 11 days on average this month, contributing to the average monthly rainfall of 142 mm. You just need to prepare rain gear for your Nara trip in May: actually, the rain this month is usually short showers that usually last for 30-60 minutes and won’t influence your entire trip.

The increasing rainfall brings also increasing humidity, which is about 63% on average. After rain, the air tends to be fresher, and the plants seem more vibrant.

Daylight Hours / Sunshine Hours

Want a rich itinerary to see as many sights as possible? May in Nara delivers perfect weather conditions for you. This month, the sun rises early, between 04:45 and 05:06, and sets later, around 18:41 to 19:03. That means, as long as you get up early, you can have up to 13.5-14.2 hours of daylight for exploring. Additionally, sunshine hours are also relatively long this month, averaging around 6 hours daily. This gives you ample time to visit attractions that are more captivating under clear skies.

However, one thing to note is that as sunshine hours increase, the UV rays get more intense. This month, the UV index can reach as high as 9, calling for careful sun protection.

May with Strong UV Rays

What to Wear when Visiting Nara in May?

Clothes: As the temperatures climb to a warm level, light clothes are recommended to bring. For instance, you can wear short-sleeved T-shirts, shirts, plus jeans; hoodies plus sweatpants, or knitwear plus long dresses. However, note that thin jackets are needed to bring since there are big temperature differences between day and night. During some warm noon hours in late May, short-sleeved T-shirts alone are enough.

Shoes: For comfortable moving in May with warm weather of Nara, lightweight and thin sneakers, hiking shoes, or flat casual shoes are recommended.

Others: With increasingly intense sunlight, you are advised to pack sun-protection items like sunglasses, sunhats, and sunscreen. Besides, umbrellas or raincoats are needed to keep you dry on the possible rainy days.

Highlights / Top Things to Do in Nara in May

1. Visiting Vibrant Spring View in Nara Park

The attractions within Nara Park, including Kasuga Taisha Shrine and Todaiji Temple, are undoubtedly appealing year-round. However, May offers something special: the surroundings of these sites are filled with the colors of spring and burst with vitality. For example:

(1) In early May, the wisteria blossoms at Kasuga Taisha Shrine are in full bloom. Upon entering the shrine, you will be greeted by cascading clusters of pale purple flowers hanging from the trees like purple waterfalls. Venturing further in, the Manyo Botanical Garden offers an even more spectacular flower view with over 20 varieties of wisteria and 200 wisteria trees.
(2) The Kasugayama Primeval Forest, Mount Wakakusa, and Todaiji Temple are all blanketed in bright green grasslands or trees this month, making them perfect spots to soak in the spring atmosphere and relax.

Lovely Deer

2. Admiring Deer with White Spots on Back & Baby Deer

When it comes to Nara, most visitors won’t miss seeing the lovely deer. This month, the deer’s coats are no longer the dull gray of winter but have become brighter, with distinct white spots on the back. The male deer have also grown antlers on their heads. In short, in May, they look just as you imagine. Furthermore, mid-May marks the peak season for fawn births, and baby deer can be seen at attractions like Kasuga Taisha Shrine.

3. Enjoying Takigi Noh

Takigi Noh is a unique form of traditional Japanese theater. Its distinctive feature lies in the fact that the entire performance relies solely on burning bonfires rather than modern lighting, creating a mysterious atmosphere. This undoubtedly offers an excellent opportunity to experience Japanese culture. In 2026, it will be held on May 15-16 at Kasuga Taisha Shrine and Kofukuji Temple.

Tips for Nara Trips in May

Tips for Crowded “Golden Week”

From late April to early May 2026, specifically from April 29 to May 6, Japan will enjoy an eight-day holiday period comprising four national holidays. This marks the longest consecutive break in the first half of the year, making it peak season for domestic travel. During this time, popular attractions in Nara, such as Nara Park and Todaiji Temple, will experience extremely high visitor volumes. Accommodations will be in high demand, requiring reservations made three months or more in advance, with prices surging several times over. After this period, Nara will return to its usual tranquility and enter the slack season.

Therefore, if possible, you are strongly recommended to visit Nara after May 6 to avoid crowded attractions and inflated accommodation costs. If you are only available during Golden Week, May 5 and 6 tend to see relatively fewer tourists. Alternatively, consider visiting popular sites during the less-crowded early mornings or late afternoon. Of course, advance planning and ordering for transportation and accommodations are essential.

Other Tips

1. By May, the cherry blossoms in Nara have already faded. See also: Japan Cherry Blossom Dates Forecast in 2026.
2. Mount Wakakusa with a higher altitude will be a bit cold on rainy days. Therefore, be sure to check the weather forecast and adjust your clothing accordingly if you have a related itinerary.
3. You can still visit Nara Park to see the deer on rainy days - they remain quite active even in the rain. However, it’s advisable to bring a pair of waterproof shoe covers, as some paths within the park may become muddy.