Japan Meteorological Agency: climate normals and outlooks

tenki.jp: Golden Week weather trend

Weather X by Japan Weather Association: April 2026 weather outlook

Golden Week 2026 Weather in Japan: By Region, What to Wear, and How to Plan Your Trip

Golden Week 2026 in Japan is likely to be unsettled, especially across eastern and western Japan.
Temperatures should stay above average, but the day-to-night gap will still matter.

Last updated: April 12, 2026

Daily details are not reliable yet. This page focuses on the latest information available as of April 12, 2026.

What is already clear as of April 12, 2026

What looks likely

Eastern and western Japan are more likely to see rain, wind, and changing conditions
Temperatures are likely to run above average, with many daytime highs around 20 to 25C
Northern Japan should be less disrupted than eastern and western Japan, even if conditions still change
Okinawa looks more stable, with more sunny periods

What is still too early to lock in

Exactly which day will turn rainy
How long rain will last in each region
Final daily high and low temperatures for each city

The Japan Meteorological Agency's one-month outlook is for broad trends, not precise day-by-day travel timing. Check short-range forecasts again right before departure.

Weather trend by region

The table below uses climatological normals from the Japan Meteorological Agency for representative cities from May 1 to May 5.

Region	Representative city	Normal rainfall total	Normal high	Normal low	2026 outlook
Hokkaido / Tohoku	Sapporo	10.9mm	15.8C	6.8C	Some sunny breaks, but still changeable through the period
Kanto / Koshin	Tokyo	18.0mm	22.3C	12.8C	More exposed to low pressure systems and fronts
Tokai / Hokuriku	Nagoya	22.8mm	23.1C	13.0C	Better to expect at least one rainy day in the plan
Kansai	Osaka	17.3mm	23.3C	14.2C	Early Golden Week may be more unstable
Chugoku / Shikoku	Hiroshima	25.6mm	22.9C	13.3C	Watch for more organized rain and wind
Kyushu	Fukuoka	21.6mm	23.0C	14.5C	Warm conditions, but rainy timing is likely to matter
Okinawa	Naha	27.4mm	26.1C	20.9C	More often under high pressure, with better odds for sun

The broad pattern is simple. If you are traveling in eastern or western Japan, plan with at least one weather disruption in mind. If you want easier weather planning right now, Okinawa looks more straightforward.

Drier parts of Hokkaido

If your priority is avoiding rain, inland Hokkaido is still one of the better options. Based on normal rainfall totals for May 1 to May 5, Kitami is 9.5mm, Bihoro is 9.9mm, Sapporo is 10.9mm, Rikubetsu is 11.4mm, and Obihiro is 12.9mm. Kushiro is higher at 17.9mm.

That does not guarantee sunshine, but it does show that not every part of Hokkaido behaves the same way during Golden Week.

What to wear

Daytime temperatures may reach 20 to 25C in many areas, but mornings and evenings can still feel cool.

Daytime: T-shirt plus a light layer
Morning and evening: long sleeves or a light jacket
Rainy days: a waterproof outer layer and a compact umbrella

The easiest packing strategy is still layering.

How to plan a trip when rain is likely

Use rainy days for transit

Move between cities, check in, or shift hotels on the day that looks weakest.

Keep indoor backups ready

Make a simple split before the trip: outdoors if dry, museum or shopping area if wet.

Choose the easier weather region

Right now, Okinawa looks easier to plan around. Northern Japan may also work, but conditions are still more changeable than Okinawa.

FAQ

Is all of Japan expected to be rainy during Golden Week 2026?

No. Eastern and western Japan are more likely to be unsettled, but northern Japan may be less disrupted, and Okinawa currently looks more stable.

What should I pack?

Pack for warm afternoons and cooler mornings. Layers and a compact umbrella are the safest combination.

When will daily forecasts become more useful?

Usually in the last week before Golden Week. That is when daily planning becomes much easier.