Tokyo

Here's the thing about Tokyo that surprises most first-timers: it's not actually that sunny. With only 8 hours of daylight on average and 1,600mm of rain spread across the year, Tokyo feels grayer than you'd expect from a major Asian city. But that's also why the city doesn't feel oppressively hot most of the year — the cloud cover keeps temperatures moderate. Your best bets are late March through April (cherry blossoms, crisp mornings around 15°C / 59°F, packed but worth it) and October through November (clear skies, highs around 20°C / 68°F, fewer crowds than spring). These windows matter because they're when Tokyo actually feels like the city you imagined, not a steam room or a gray concrete maze.

Spring is the obvious play — everyone knows about sakura season — but there's real texture between months. Late March is chaos but magical; April settles into pleasant warmth (highs around 20°C / 68°F) with lingering blossoms and fewer tourists by week two. Autumn is the sleeper hit. October still carries summer warmth (highs around 24°C / 75°F) but without the humidity; by November you're looking at crisp, clear days (highs around 15°C / 59°F), golden light for photography, and restaurants finally opening their windows again. Winter (December–February) is genuinely lovely if you don't mind cold — lows dip to 5°C / 41°F, but the city is quiet, illuminations are stunning, and you can actually walk around without sweating through your shirt.

Avoid June, September, and October — wait, let me clarify that. June is the tsuyu (rainy season): constant drizzle, highs around 25°C / 77°F but with 80%+ humidity that makes it feel like 35°C / 95°F. Your clothes stick to you within five minutes. September brings typhoon season; the city doesn't shut down, but trains get delayed, outdoor plans collapse, and it's muggy as hell. October can still catch the tail end of typhoons — it's a gamble. If you're flexible, skip these three months entirely.

Looking at 2026 specifically: Tokyo's climate isn't changing dramatically, but we're seeing slightly warmer winters and more erratic spring rain over the past decade. That means 2026's spring might be a touch earlier (cherry peaks could hit late March instead of early April), and you might hit more rainy days in April than historical averages suggest. Winter will likely be mild — expect fewer truly freezing days than 20 years ago. Plan accordingly: bring layers for spring, waterproof gear, and don't bet everything on one specific week for blossoms.