Summer Travel in Tokyo, Kyoto & Osaka
Ask someone who’s traveled to Tokyo or Kyoto in the summer how it was, and you’ll likely get some version of:
“Beautiful... but so hot.”
They’re not wrong.
Summer in Japan’s major destinations of Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto means heat, humidity, festivals, fireworks and sweat — not always in that order.
But these days, with tourism back in full swing, there’s no longer a “low season” for travel here. Just shoulder season, high season & peak times.
Summer travel in Tokyo and Kyoto ranges from shoulder to high season. For many travelers — especially from North America and Europe — July and August are the only times they can visit.
It’s always a great time to visit Japan’s Golden Route of Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka! But it helps to know what you’re walking into. Here’s what to expect, month by month.
June: Rainy Season and Early Summer
Weather:
June is tsuyu — Japan’s rainy season. It’s humid, often gray, and dotted with short but steady downpours in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. Temperatures range from 22–28°C (72–82°F), and the air can feel soupy.
Travel Impact:
On the plus side, crowds can be a bit lighter (except for 2025 in Osaka & Kyoto because EXPO is happening), and prices are generally slightly lower. Hydrangeas bloom beautifully at temples and parks, and indoor-focused sightseeing (museums, castles, food markets) shines.
Pack:
Travel umbrella, quick-dry clothes, breathable shoes and patience for pop-up showers.
July: Real Summer Begins
Weather:
The rain in Osaka/Kyoto (located next to each other) and Tokyo usually eases up by early-to-mid July. Then it’s full-blown summer — think 30–35°C (86–95°F), with humidity that wraps around you like a hot wet blanket.
Travel Impact:
Festival season kicks off — Gion Matsuri in Kyoto, fireworks in Tokyo and local celebrations in Osaka and across the country. Japanese school holidays begin late in the month, so expect a rise in domestic travel. Hotels and trains start filling up fast.
Pack:
Lightweight, sun-protective clothing, sunscreen & a small towel — every local carries one.
August: The Heat Hits Hard
Weather:
August is Japan’s hottest month. Tokyo regularly hits 35°C (95°F), and high humidity makes it feel even hotter. Kyoto sits in a bowl, so that exacerbates things. Nights barely cool down. This is the season of sunstroke warnings and sweat.
Travel Impact:
This is peak travel season, especially around Obon in mid-August when many people return to their hometowns. Tokyo kinda empties out a little; Osaka, to some extent also. It’s also prime fireworks season, with major displays in cities and along rivers. Theme parks, beaches and famous tourist sites are busy, but the energy is high.
Pack:
All of July’s essentials, plus a backup shirt, electrolyte packets and cooling products (neck towels, sprays — available everywhere in Japan).
But Where’s It Cooler in Japan?
These days? Not really anywhere.
Even Hokkaido and the mountains in Nagano or Tohoku feel the heat (and humidity) — though they might be a few degrees less brutal.
So yes, there are degrees (sorry, that's a dad joke from our Co-Founder Ari) of heat and humidity, but don’t expect a chill escape. Even Mount Fuji these days is bare at the top for some weeks in the summer, no snow (most of the Japan Alps are similar).
But if “cooling down” is the only reason you’re looking to escape Osaka or transcend Tokyo, that alone might not work (though you’ll be rewarded with great destinations nonetheless).
| Month | Weather | Travel Tips |
|---|---|---|
| June | Rainy season, humid, 22–28°C | Fewer crowds, great for temples and indoor sightseeing |
| July | Hot, humid, 30–35°C | Festival season begins, school holidays start late in the month |
| August | Peak heat, 35°C+, humid day and night | Obon travel rush, fireworks, crowded attractions |
How to Beat the Heat in Tokyo, Osaka or Kyoto?
The good news? Air conditioning is your friend.
And it’s usually easy enough to find. Seek cool comfort in hotels, restaurants, museums, malls, cafes and shops. Those are everywhere, so take advantage and duck out of the heat & humidity at regular intervals.
Do more of your sightseeing in the early morning hours, especially in places like Kyoto where the heat intensity is even more extreme than coastal cities like Tokyo or Osaka.
Fushimi Inari shrine is open 24 hours a day, as is the popular bamboo grove in Arashiyama. Kiyomizudera temple opens at 6am. Double bonus? Early starts (or late evening visits) can help beat the heat AND the crowds.
Also, you don’t have to walk everywhere. And you needn’t sweat through crowded trains either. Taxis are a relatively inexpensive way to get out of the heat and get to your next local destination — be that in Kyoto, Osaka or Tokyo.
Finally, don’t forget to drink – water, that is. Sure, the coffee and beer/sake here are great, but those have a dehydrating effect that compounds the heat too. So keep drinking water, which is widely available at convenience stores, drug stores, supermarkets and elsewhere.
What to Eat in Tokyo, Kyoto or Osaka During Summer
Japanese summers can be brutal, but luckily, the food scene offers some delicious ways to stay cool — and energized.
Cold Noodle Dishes
You’ll see these everywhere once the temperatures rise:
Hiyashi Chūka (冷やし中華) – Chilled ramen topped with egg, cucumber, ham & a tangy sesame-soy dressing. The star of summer lunch menus.
Sōmen (そうめん) – Ultra-thin wheat noodles served cold with a light dipping sauce (mentsuyu). Often eaten at home — or in summer parties with nagashi-sōmen (noodles flowing down a bamboo flume!). No invitation? There are restaurants in Tokyo & Kyoto that offer nagashi-somen in the summer.
Zaru Soba (ざるそば) – Buckwheat noodles served on a bamboo tray with wasabi, green onions and dipping sauce. Refreshing and slightly earthy.
Icy Treats
Kakigōri (かき氷) – Japanese shave ice, topped with flavored syrups like matcha, strawberry or melon. The more decadent versions come with condensed milk, anko (sweet red bean), or even mochi.
Ice cream & soft cream – Japan’s seasonal flavors (like yuzu, black sesame, or melon) are worth the brain freeze.
Traditional “Natsu-bate” Fighters
"Natsu-bate" (夏バテ) is the term for summer fatigue — that drained, sluggish feeling that comes from the constant heat and humidity. Japanese cuisine has long included ingredients to fight this:
Unagi (うなぎ) – Grilled eel, rich in protein and vitamins. Eaten especially on Doyo no Ushi no Hi, a specific midsummer day believed to help recharge the body.
Miso Soup with Summer Veggies – Okra, eggplant and myōga (a gingery herb) often show up in lighter summer versions of this staple.
Goya Champuru (ゴーヤチャンプルー) – A bitter melon stir-fry from Okinawa, often mixed with tofu, pork and egg. Said to cool the body and boost resilience.
The Soundtrack of Summer: Semi (Cicadas) in Japan
If you've ever spent a summer day in Japan, you've definitely heard them — even if you didn’t know what they were.
Semi (蝉), or cicadas, are a staple of the Japanese summer experience. Starting in early to mid-July, they emerge in full force, filling Tokyo parks, Osaka streets and Kyoto temple grounds with their distinct, high-pitched chorus.
There are different types of semi, each with its own signature call. Some semi are rapid and buzzing, others more rhythmic or metallic. To locals, their songs are nostalgic, tied to childhood, summer break and memories of sweaty afternoons. To first-time visitors? Let’s just say you might be surprised by how loud they can be.
While you may not see them right away (they’re surprisingly good at hiding on trees), you’ll definitely hear them. For many travelers, it's one of the most unexpected and unforgettable sensory experiences of the season.
September Cools Down in Tokyo, Kyoto & Osaka … Right??
Well, not really, not so much these days.
It seems like more and more, September in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and much of central, western and southern Japan has become an extension of summer.
The heat and humidity persist. The occasional typhoon rolls through. And because the traditional “Japanese calendar” says summer is ending, some public spaces and trains start to turn down (or off!) their air conditioning. But it’s still hot!
Kyoto in September will not look or feel like fall (the leaves don’t start turning color until November). Osaka will still be hot in the city. Though a trip up into the mountains outside of Kyoto or Osaka will start to bring a little relief.
Tokyo in September will feel hot, though the sun angle isn’t as harsh and the days aren’t as long, so the late afternoons and evenings can start to feel comfortable.
Summer Travel in Tokyo, Kyoto & Osaka: Dealbreaker? Or Trip Maker?
If you can handle the heat, Tokyo, Kyoto & Osaka in the summer are just fine. Great, even. And maybe, honestly, kind of unforgettable.
There’s something magical about seeing a city light up with fireworks, eating kakigori shave ice and hearing those cicadas all around town.
Just be ready for the sweat, drink more water than you think you need, and embrace the unique experience that is summer travel in Japan.
If you’re “atsugari” (as the Japanese refer to someone with a lower threshold for heat tolerance), you may want to rethink your travel plans. November, December, April and May are lovely in Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto.
But if summer is your best or only travel window, July or August in Japan are better than no Japan at all!
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