Japan in May: Where to Go, What to Do, the Weather, & More

May is a wonderful time to step outside and discover Japan’s picturesque outdoors as trees come into bloom and mild weather invites you to discover parks and playgrounds in major cities and historic towns.

The cool, dry weather is perfect for hiking or summiting Mount Fuji. You can visit the ancient Kumano Kodō Pilgrimage routes, explore the picturesque Shiretoko Peninsula, or travel up the Kurobe Gorge Railway, stopping at vantage points such as Atobiki, Sarutobi Gorge, and Keyakidaira.

Wisteria viewing events take place in various locations, including the Ashikaga Flower Park in the Togichi prefecture near Tokyo, and you can capture the breathtaking hillsides of Hitachi Seaside Park in Ibaraki, which are covered in nemophila blossoms. Hokkaido’s iconic flower fields are also in full bloom.

May is in Japan’s late spring season, which means you will be greeted with mild and pleasant conditions. Temperatures are around 73°F most days. May in Japan is generally drier, especially in western areas like Kyoto and Hiroshima.

In subtropical Okinawa, distinctly warmer weather, with highs around 80°F, invites swimmers to dip their toes into the sea, especially in late May, when spring starts to turn to summer.

No matter where you go, May’s pleasant spring air and low rainfall create near-perfect conditions for comfortably traveling around Japan. Just pack a light jacket for cooler days.

Kyoto • Best Place for Great Weather

Kyoto basks in dry, pleasant temperatures in May, with average highs of 73°F and lows of 55°F. This makes the daytime comfortable and evenings mild.

Experiencing Kyoto’s picturesque outdoors is brilliant at this time, with visits to parks, gardens, and glistening lakes offering truly pleasant adventures. Visit Lake Chūzenji just outside of Nikko, a natural body of water boasting a high elevation.

Temples around Kyoto seem to shine brightly in the warm sunlight, with the mossy Kinkaku-Ji or Golden Pavilion and the lush grounds of Arashiyama’s bamboo groves not to be missed.

Hakone • Best Place for Families with Children

Whisk your family away on a scenic mountain adventure on the Hakone Tozan Railway train. Enjoy the thrill of winding your way through vibrant forests and take in captivating views of the landscape from the top. Jump on the Hakone Ropeway to visit Owakudani to view volcanic activity.

Enjoy a boat ride on Lake Ashinoko, a volcanic crater with beautiful views of the surrounding forested mountains. From the lake, you can see the Torii Gate of Hakone Shrine, a historic landmark. The whole family can embark on an adventure as they learn about this region and its historic significance.

Explore the Hakone open-air museum, which has plenty of space for children to run around and between the large sculptures set against a mountainous and picturesque background.

Ginzan Onsen • Best Place for Romantic Scenery

The northern Ginzan Onsen offers an idyllic setting for a romantic getaway. Hot springs offer a relaxing time out or you could take a walk, hand in hand, along the Ginzan River.

Take a stroll around the pedestrian-only streets. Many of them are beautifully lit up by gas lamps at night, making walking over tranquil bridges and narrow streets quite romantic.

Couples can enjoy a scenic walk around the spectacular 70-foot waterfall behind the town and visit the historic silver mine nearby, an important asset to the area in the Edo period.

Hiroshima • Best Place to Avoid the Crowds

Hiroshima is lush and green in May, and with the month falling just outside of the key tourist season, monuments and magnificent gardens will be less crowded.

Stop in front of the waterfront’s Peace Memorial Park and Miyajima’s famous torii gate, or take a hike in Onomichi on the inland sea to admire blossoms and shrines.

Spend time wandering the grounds and hallways of Hiroshima Castle, a dynamic feature near the city center that’s bursting with historical facts and tales. It is surrounded by a moat and boasts the ideal setting in which to discover Japan’s culture and history at a leisurely pace.

Celebrate Children’s Day

Celebrate the rich tradition of koinobori, which takes place throughout Japan from late April into early May and sees colorful kites in the shape of carp brightening the sky.

May 5 is “Children’s Day”, when you will notice a large number of koinobori flying high. They are flown to celebrate the happiness of boys and girls, and interesting spots from which to view them include the Sumida River in Tokyo and the Kamogawa in Kyoto.

Local dishes to enjoy during the festivities include carp; kashiwa mochi, which is made from sweet bean paste and rice flour; fish-shaped biscuits; and beko mochi rice cakes

Enjoy the Imamiya Festival

This festival takes place during the first two weeks of May. Enjoy the vibrant parade of colorful costumes donned by young girls dancing with grace and precision, and transport yourself back in time.

As the celebrations draw to a close, don’t miss the Kanko-sai, with its procession of portable shrines carried through the streets. Transport yourself back in time as folk songs and the rhythmic beats of taiko drumming fill the air.

Embrace the region’s rich cultural heritage and experience the traditional, rural way of life that has endured for generations in this breathtaking alpine valley.

Embrace Tradition at Hakuba Valley’s Salt Road Festival

Take a trip to the Salt Road Festival in Hakuba Valley. Embrace the region's rich cultural heritage and experience the traditional, rural way of life that has endured for generations in this breathtaking alpine valley.

This well-established trading route connected the Nagano Prefecture, a landlocked region, to the Sea of Japan during the Edo period. Fitted in traditional attire, journey along the historic path connecting the communities of Otari, Hakuba, and Ōmachi.

Transport yourself back in time as folk songs and the rhythmic beats of taiko drumming fill the air. This annual event, which usually takes place from May 3 to 5, is a phenomenal example of rich celebrations of the area’s traditions, history, and culture.

From the moment you arrive in Japan in May, you will be met with vibrant greens and bright pinks as parks and dramatic landscapes come alive with natural beauty. Mild temperatures, fewer crowds, and colorful festivals and events make May a fantastic time to visit Japan.

For more inspiration on planning the perfect spring visit to Japan, explore our Japan tours and vacations or look for other exciting ideas in our Japan travel guide.