Japan Weather in May

May is the last month of spring in Japan, when it gets warmer and warmer. For the vast Honshu region, the temperature hovers at 15-23℃ (59-73.4℉), and the rainfall increases a lot to 140mm or so. In the south, Okinawa is summer-like already, while in the north, Hokkaido is immersed in spring with gorgeous flowers.
 The cherry blossom season comes to Hokkaido just in early May, which allows visitors to enjoy the sights after cherry blossoms in other places has fallen in Japan.
 Rainy season, which would last for 1-1.5 months in Japan, comes earlier in the south; the further south you go, the earlier the rainy season comes. Okinawa islands usually usher in rainy season around mid-May, even early May if earlier in the year. Southern Kyushu would also see the arrival of rainy season in late May or early June. As rainy season comes, it often rains slightly in these places.
  As it turns to be hotter, thin hoodie, blouse, long shirt, thin jacket, baseball jacket, jeans, casual pants, etc. are appropriate to wear in Japan during May. To late May, short-sleeve clothes would be wearable for the higher temperature. If you are in Hokkaido, you may wear thicker with knitwear or even thin sweater. In Okinawa, T-shirt is good to enjoy the coasts and beaches.
  Transition from Peak Seaon to Slack Season
 Recommendation Rate: 
May is also a best month to visit Japan in the relatively good weather of late spring, as rainy season has not come in most areas.
 As in late spring, it’s pleasant to go on an outdoor trip such as cycling or hiking. Shimanami Kaido, east to Hiroshima downtown by Seto Inland Sea, is the most beautiful cycling route in Japan. You could enjoy your cycling along the coastline to see the seascapes. Fuji Five Lakes, of which Lake Kawaguchi is the most famous, are also great places for cycling under the scared Mt. Fuji of Japan. Nakasendo hiking is wonderful likewise with the stunning course through forests and ancient post station towns on Japanese Alps.
 After cherry blossoms had fallen in other areas in Japan, those in Hokkaido are in full bloom since early May. Goryoukaku Park in Hakodate, Matsumae Park around Matsumae Castle, Hokkaido Jingu Shrine in Sapporo, etc. are the best sites to admire cherry blossoms in Hokkaido.
 Apart from the rare cherry blossoms, May is a good time of flowers viewing around Japan. Wisteria, tulips, and more are really beautiful and well-known to attract tourists. Kasuga Taisha Shrine in Nara Park and Ashikaga Flower Park in Tochigi are the best-known sites of wisterias blotting out the sky. Fuji Shibazakura Festival is also a feast to your eyes with pink Shibazakura flowers all over the land down Mt. Fuji.
 Local matsuri festivals are the golden opportunity to experience Japanese culture, and May is just the month of some grandest mastsuris in Japan. Aoi Matsuri in Kyoto, Sanja Matsuri and Kanda Matsuri in Tokyo are riproarious in May, where you could see the big parade in ancient Japanese costume, to show how the ancient people worship the gods and celebrate the festivals.

  It is the Japanese holiday of Golden Week in first days of May, it would be pretty crowded inside many attractions. If you would like a journey with fewer tourists and lower cost, please avoid early May and travel to Japan later.