Tokyo Weather in May

Season: Late Spring
In Short: Warm and pleasant, best time to travel in Tokyo

With warm and pleasant weather, May is one of the best time to travel around and sightsee in Tokyo. Although the weather is generally mild, the difference between early May and the end of this month is big. In early May, the daily temperature difference is large so an overcoat is needed if you have a trip that starts early and ends late. In late May it gets a little bit stuffy because of the climbing temperature and increasing rainfall, thus the humidity becomes higher, too. The UV rays become relatively strong in May so sun cream should be prepared in your luggage.
See also: Japan Weather in May

Mount Fuji at Sunset

Averages of May in Tokyo

High Temperature: 22°C / 71.6°F
Low Temperature: 17°C / 62.6°F
Precipitation: 140mm
Rainy Days: 11 days
Humidity: 68%
Sunrise: 04:28-04:50
Sunset: 18:29-18:52
Daylight hours: about 14h
Sunshine hours: around 9.5h

Temperature

The average temperature is around 20℃ (68℉). But visitors need to pay attention to the temperature difference between daytime and nighttime. Towards evening, it is still a little bit cool, at a lowest temperature of 8℃ (46.4℉) in the past years. Visitors can take a thin coat with you if necessary.

Does It Rain A Lot in Tokyo in May?

Although May is the rainiest month in spring and the rainfall increases somewhat compared to before, it’s less than those in the following rainy season and typhoon season obviously. The possibility to rain is less than 40% in Tokyo in May, and you won’t suffer a continuous rainy weather for a few days. At the same time, it is no less likely to rain very heavily there in May.

Recommended Clothes to Wear in May

Considering the climate in May, you can take some comfortable and breathable clothes to reduce the stuffy feeling. Also, clothes in light colors are recommended too.

Girls

Tops: Girls can choose some sun-proof clothing, shirt and blouse. If you want more convenience, you can also choose to wear a dress with long sleeve. But when the temperature drops, a thin overcoat is necessary.
Bottoms & shoes: Long skirt with a pair of casual shoes can be a good match. Besides, girls can also wear a pair of simple jeans or thin sweatpants.

Boys

Tops: Boys can choose shirt and a thin overcoat to adapt to the weather in cooler time. In warm time, a hoodie in bright color can be great.
Bottoms & shoes: Light pants and jeans are suitable for lower parts. For shoes, boys can choose comfortable sneakers to make the trip more comfortable.

Accessories: In some sunny days, visitors can wear a pair of sunglasses or a sunhat to protect against dazzling sunlight.
Special Recommendation: In pleasant May, visitors can experience the traditional Japanese clothing called kimono, if you want to be more integrated into the local culture. It’s not difficult to find a kimono rental shop in Tokyo.

Golden Week – Apr. 29th to May 5th

Crowded Takeshita Street

The beginning of May is a Golden Week holiday in Japan, when there are a lot of festivals and celebration activities. However, it’s quite crowded as numerous people go traveling, thus the prices rise observably.

Tips:

If you plan to have your trip to Tokyo in the Golden Week, it is wise to make all your reservations in advance, including the flights, train tickets and hotel rooms.

You may have to get outdoors earlier, so that avoiding the crowds to some extent or queuing up for less time. Thus, you can check the opening hours of the place you intend to go, and make a reasonable plan of your day in Tokyo.

Please be patient when queuing in a long line and don’t jump a queue. Japanese are used to wait in line and take it as a tradition.

You can check the traffic conditions before you travel, and select the most convenient way to your destination.

Is It Over-Crowded to Travel in Tokyo in May?

It is over-crowded in Tokyo during the Golden Week in early May. Not only Japanese, but also oversea travelers, rush to the attractions around the city as well as Mt. Fuji nearby. After the Golden Week, the number of visitors decreases gradually. To the end of May, it is no longer that crowded especially on weekdays.

Top Festivals to Enjoy in Tokyo in May 2026

Travel Recommendation:

May is featured with colorful celebrations in Tokyo, which would make your trip interesting, and offer a chance to learn local culture in depth.

1. Carp Streamer Festival

Carp Streamer Festival, which is the Boys’ Day in Japan. Carp streamer refers to the long flag made in the shape of a carp. On May 5 each year, people hang the carp streamers to drive away evil spirits and pray for their children to be healthy. The colorful carp streamers in various sizes become a great scene for Boys’ Day. At this time, 333 carp streamers and a huge saury streamer in a length of 6 meters (19.7 feet) are hung up around Tokyo Tower. More than 1,000 carp streamers hangs on Tokyo Skytree at the same time. Visitors who travel in Tokyo in the first days of May can see the carp streamers fluttering in the wind almost everywhere.

Tokyo Skytree

2. Kanda Festival

Kanda Festival is held since the Sunday before May 15th every other year, and lasts for about a week. In odd-numbered years, it is one of the biggest festivals in Tokyo and one of the three major festivals in Japan. Since the founding of Kanda Shrine, the Kanda Festival has a history of more than 1,300 years. During this festival, visitors can see people hold more than 200 mikoshi to parade around Kanda Shrine and walk through the main streets nearby, and the featured festive food are sold. Because it is said that the god of Kanda Shrine can bless people with prosperity and good luck, so it attracts many people to join the festival.

Tip: During the one-week Kanda Festival, the liveliest events like the parade take place on the weekend before May 15th. Please check the schedule and attend the festival according to your preference.

3. Sanja Festival

Sanja Festival is held in Asakusa Shrine, inside Sensoji Temple. Sanja Festival lasts for three days every year, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the third week of May. In 2025, it was celebrated from 16th to 18th in May. On Friday afternoon, people who wearing clothing of Edo period (1603-1868AD) hold Daigyoretsu Parade, marking the beginning of Sanja Festival. On Saturday, people hold a ceremony for blessing, after which nearly a hundred mikoshi are lifted up in the parade. On Sunday, people carry the major gold-decorated mikoshi and walk through the streets of Asakusa, too. During the Sanja Festival, visitors can appreciate the music, lively parade and experience the traditional food in Asakusa. It is an absolutely good chance to experience the Japanese customs.