Shizuoka Weather

Having a mild maritime climate, Shizuoka features no severe cold weather and rich precipitation. Annual temperatures generally range from 2℃ (36℉) to 31℃ (88℉). Except for the areas around the mountains, Shizuoka rarely sees snowfall. The rainy season mainly falls between early June and mid-July, and September is the peak period of typhoons.

Temperature

Situated between Tokyo and Osaka on the Pacific coast, Shizuoka enjoys a mild maritime climate except for the northern mountainous area. Its three characteristics are as follows: 

1. Wide year-round temperature span: the highest temperature can reach over 35℃ (95℉) in August, while the lowest one drops to around 0℃ (32℉) in January. 
2. Huge day-night temperature gap: it’s approximately 10℃ (50℉) on most days, especially in winter, reaching as high as 12-14 degrees Celsius (54-57 degrees Fahrenheit).
3. Obvious Regional Variation: temperatures in coastal areas like Izu tend to be relatively higher than those in the mountains. Take winter as an example: the former rarely experiences severe cold weather, with the lows above -2℃ (28℉); whereas the latter such as the area around Mount Fuji declines to -7℃ (19℉).

Precipitation

Shizuoka has abundant annual precipitation with an average of 2,300 mm (90.6 in) or more, ranking it among the rainiest regions in Japan. The rainy season normally lasts from early June to mid-July, but in some years the entire time may be postponed by 10 days or so. During this time, light rain is seen most often, followed by moderate rain. Though heavy downpours occur at times, their impact shouldn’t be overstated, because data from the past two years indicate that the maximum daily rainfall reached more than 120 mm (4.7 in).

Unsurprisingly, summer sees the highest precipitation over the year - accounting for nearly half of the annual total, particularly in July averaging 320 mm (12.6 in) across 18 rainy days. By contrast, winter is the driest season with monthly rainfall under 100 mm (3.9 in).

It rarely snows in the Izu Peninsula and plain areas such as Shizuoka City and Hamamatsu City, let alone snow cover. Snowfall is concentrated in the northern mountains and around Mount Fuji. 

When does snow start forming on Mount Fuji?

Mount Fuji sees its first snow in October or early November which may be early or late in different years, so its summit remains covered in snow until early May. The best-shooting time is between late November and February, as low rainfall and thin clouds make it easier to fully admire the beauty of Mount Fuji.

Humidity

Ranging from 60% to 84%, the humidity in Shizuoka shows an obvious seasonal feature. Summer is pretty humid, and combined with high temperatures, people often feel hot and muggy. Winter has the year’s lowest humidity of around 60%, with dry and chilly air.

Typhoon

Shizuoka is one of the areas in Japan more prone to typhoon damage. Its typhoon season mostly runs from July to October, among which September is the most vulnerable month with an average of 1.2 typhoons approaching. In 2025, Typhoon 15 on September 5 brought strong winds and heavy downpours, and in hardest hit areas even resulted in floods. Eventually, this led to traffic paralysis and damaged houses. Thus, focus on typhoon warnings during these four months.

The Best Time to Visit Shizuoka

February to May and November to Early December are the best times for travel, thanks to moderate rainfall and few typhoons. Apart from that, these two periods both offer beautiful natural scenery - cherry blossoms between late January and early April, and fall leaves from mid-November to early December, as well as multiple grand events - three-day Shizuoka Festival in early April and Atami Fireworks Displays between early November and early December.

 See more about Best Time to Visit Japan & Japan Weather

Shizuoka Climate - Seasons, Clothing, Travel Advice

Warm Spring: March to May

Weather: The climate in Shizuoka is getting warmer: the temperature ranges from 5-20℃ (41-68℉) in early March to 15-25℃ (59-77℉) in late May. As the transition between seasons, March’s temperature fluctuations are more significant than those of the other two months. Spring brings moderate rainfall of 207-223 mm (8.2-8.8 in) with frequent light showers.

Clothes: March still has some cold periods, so consider thin sweaters, lightweight down jackets and trousers. In April, hoodies or long-sleeve shirts, trench coats and jeans work well for your daily outing. Short-sleeve shirts and thin slacks are better choices in May, and prepare a light jacket to deal with temperature changes.

Seasonal Highlights: 
1. Shizuoka in Spring is a paradise for sakura lovers. In early March, visitors can see the beautiful cherry flowers in Kawazu. And from late March to early April, Sumpu Castle Park, Hamamatsu Castle Park and Mishima Taisha Shrine transform into a pink kingdom.
2. Tea picking and tasting are must-do activities from April to June, since fresh tea features a soft and fragrant flavor.
3. You’re advised to savor whitebait and sakura shrimp, both seasonal seafood in spring.

Hot Summer: June to August

Weather: Shizuoka in summer sees a sultry climate. In early June, high temperatures hover around 25℃ (77℉), while during the rest of time, ones are usually over 30℃ (86℉), and even sometimes reach 35℃ (77℉) or above. However, it gets more comfortable when the sun is absent. The rainy season often leads to higher humidity, making the apparent temperature feel warmer. The UV rays during this time is extremely intense, but daytime hours are the longest of all seasons. 

Outfits: Choose clothes with good breathability as much as possible, such as loose short-sleeve shirts or cotton tank tops, shorts or skirts and sandals. Pack sun clothing against the chill from indoor air conditioning. It’s better to take a parasol which can both block strong sunlight and protect from rain. Sun hats, sunscreen, sunglasses and pesticides are also needed.

Best Things to Do:                                                
1. The official climbing season for Mount Fuji is early July to early September, when you have a precious chance to appreciate its stunning landscapes up close.
2. Warm seawater in summer makes it the most suitable period for water activities like snorkeling and surfing. Shirahama Ohama Beach, the largest one in the Izu area, boasts white sands and clear water. It opens from middle July to late August with professional lifeguards. 
3. Although Atami hosts fireworks shows across the year, July and August feature the most frequent events. So, don’t worry too much about missing these celebrations.

Cool Autumn: September to November

Weather: September still sees traces of summer heat, particularly in the early and middle of the month, when daytime temperatures often stay around 30℃ (86℉). By November, some days get colder, with the lows being roughly 5℃ (41℉). Of particular note is September’s typhoon situation. September is one of the wettest months over the year, while October and November bring relatively low rainfall.

Clothing: In September, summer clothes are still advised like short-sleeved shirts and shorts. Meanwhile, the UV index of 8 means sun protection is required, especially at the seaside. Wear long sleeve shirts or hoodies, cardigans and jeans in October. Later, bring heavier outerwear such as 3-in-1 jackets with a removable fleece liner. Don’t forget to pack comfy walking shoes, too.

Top Things to Do: 
With complicated terrains in Shizuoka, the leaf-visiting time varies in different regions. The must-visit spots include:
1. Lake Kawaguchiko: Maple Corridor, one of its most popular sites, resembles a colorful painting during the whole November. After sunset, the illuminated maple trees create a dreamlike atmosphere.
2. Sumata Gorge: From mid-November to early December, it’s ablaze with red, golden and green leaves, drawing you into a wonderland. The 8-meter-high Bridge of Dreams is perfect for admiring the breathtaking scenes on both sides of the gorge.
3. Shuzenji Nature Park: At the same time, nearly 1,000 maple trees here are at their peak. Boasting the largest red leaf forest in Shizuoka, the park offers you a good opportunity to enjoy maple foliage of various postures.

Cold Winter: December to February

Weather: Though winter is the coldest season in Shizuoka, it doesn’t bring extreme cold. High temperatures are around 10-20℃ (50-68℉), while lows range from 0℃ (32℉) to 10℃ (50℉). Due to low rainfall, there are more sunny days, making for more captivating seascapes under sufficient sunshine. Coastal areas usually experience strong winds, so be sure to keep warm.

Clothes: Wear a sweater under a down jacket, plus fleece-lined pants and hiking shoes. Winter accessories including beanies and scarves are necessary.

Travel Highlights:
1. White plum flowers are in full bloom at the Atami Plum Garden during mid-January through early March. From late January to early February, it’s advisable to visit Itokawa Promenade to admire Atami cherry blossoms, which flowers nearly one month earlier than Kawazu ones from mid-February.

2. Why not choose a cold day to experience Atami Onsen? With a long history of over 1,000 years, it has been cherished by tourists at home and abroad.