The rainy season in Japan starts at the beginning of June and lasts through the end of July according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. However, with typhoons continuing later in the year, we tend to get a lot of rain in September and October.
So personally, I consider there to be two. Or perhaps I should just call the second typhoon season. Trust me, it’s a lot of rain. The summer rain is called 梅雨 (つゆ, tsuyu, plum rain) in Japanese as it coincides with the plum blossoms.
Sadly, 2018 was a particularly fatal year with heavy rains stemming from an early typhoon in the southwest of Japan with the death toll of 60 and most likely counting. They got an obscene amount of water to the likes of which I can not even imagine. Because you never know, it’s important to be prepared.
What to expect during the rainy season in Japan
We always joked growing up that it rains every day in Florida (we vacationed with family a lot down there) in the summer. If 2 or 3 o’clock had come and gone, and there was no thunderstorm, I’d be surprised. This is not that. Japan rainy season is not an every day thing. Generally, it rains a few days at a time, stops for a bit, and then just dumps again.
You must also remember that Japan is an island nation, if you’re near the water, the winds can be brutal. Sideways rain isn’t fun and can make umbrellas useless. Being prepared is key. Especially when you are like me and walk or train everywhere. (Yes, train is a verb that means “to ride the train”).
Is visiting Japan during rainy season a good idea?
Yes! You have to be a little more prepared but you’re never going to get completely away from the rain anyway. It’s an island! Plus, rain can make some really cool photographs. I’m personally a fan of going to shrines in the rain, something about it gives them more ambiance. There’s plenty of indoor activities if it gets too crazy, like teamLab Borderless, which will keep you occupied for half the day.
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My favorite rain gear
I have rain boots that I use in the wintertime but in summer, for me, they are not practical and I’ll just wear my Teva sandals. A must-have on your person at all times is a foldable umbrella that can stand up to wind. I have one of these from Outdoor Products that does a great job. Plus it dries a million times faster than my old one.
This is a good time to mention that when you are in Japan, it’s best to have a good day pack on you for carrying essentials with you. I love Osprey Day Packs for this job, and they go great with my full travel size pack as well.
A good rain jacket is in order as well for those days you just get fed up having your umbrella going all over the place. I have one from Uniqlo (one of my favorite spots to shop for clothes in Japan). If you buy it in Japan, it’s a lot cheaper than the same thing in the states from what I’ve seen.
In a pinch, the second it looks like rain, all of the コンビニ (konbini, convenience stores) and 100円 shops will put out umbrellas for sale. They are clear plastic and nice to hunker down with and still be able to see, but they don’t hold up in the wind well. You definitely will see your share of dead soldiers that have gone off to umbrella heaven.
Bottom line, don’t let the rain stop you.