- May 19, 2025
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This guide will share the basics of the rainy season in Japan, also known as tsuyu, including key Japanese terms and essential gear to help you stay comfortable during this time of year.
Please jump to the relevant section from the table of contents. We hope this guide supports your everyday life during the rainy season Japan experiences each year.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Grasping the Basics of Rainy Season Japan
The rainy season in Japan, known as “Tsuyu” (梅雨), brings a period of prolonged rainfall. It typically occurs from early June to mid-July, although the exact timing can vary by region. During this time, rainy season Japan is characterized by high humidity and frequent, often heavy, rainfall. Here are some key Japanese words you’ll encounter when discussing this season.
Key Japanese Words
| Japanese | Romaji | Hiragana | English |
|---|---|---|---|
|
梅雨 |
tsuyu |
つゆ |
rainy season |
|
梅雨入り |
tsuyu iri |
つゆいり |
the onset of the rainy season |
|
梅雨明け |
tsuyu ake |
つゆあけ |
the end of the rainy season |
|
梅雨前線 |
baiu zensen |
ばいうぜんせん |
the rainy season front, which is the weather front that causes the rainy season’s precipitation |
|
天気予報 |
tenki yohō |
てんきよほう |
weather forecast |
Chapter 2: When is Rainy Season Japan This Year?
Related Post
The table below shows the rainy season dates from the Japan Meteorological Agency. It includes the prediction for 2024, last year’s dates, and the average dates. In most of Japan, the rainy season starts in early June and ends in mid-July. In Okinawa, it starts about a month earlier, in mid-May.
#1: The Onset Of The Rainy Season
| Area | 2024 | 2023 | Average Year |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Okinawa |
May 21st |
June 25th |
June 21st |
|
Amami |
May 21st |
June 25th |
June 29th |
|
Southern Kyushu |
June 8th |
July 25th |
July 15th |
|
Northern Kyushu |
June 17th |
July 25th |
July 19th |
|
Shikoku |
June 17th |
July 16th |
July 17th |
|
Chugoku |
June 20th |
July 16th |
July 19th |
|
Kinki |
June 17th |
July 16th |
July 19th |
|
Tokai |
June 21st |
July 16th |
July 19th |
|
Kanto-Koshin |
June 21st |
July 22nd |
July 19th |
|
Hokuriku |
June 22nd |
July 21nd |
July 23rd |
|
Southern Tohoku |
June 23rd |
July 22nd |
July 24th |
|
Northern Tohoku |
June 23rd |
July 22nd |
July 28th |
#2: The End Of The Rainy Season
| Area | 2024 | 2023 | Average Year |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Okinawa |
June 20th |
June 25th |
June 21st |
|
Amami |
June 22nd |
June 25th |
June 29th |
|
Southern Kyushu |
July 16th |
July 25th |
July 15th |
|
Northern Kyushu |
July 17th |
July 25th |
July 19th |
|
Shikoku |
July 17th |
July 16th |
July 17th |
|
Chugoku |
July 21st |
July 16th |
July 19th |
|
Kinki |
July 18th |
July 16th |
July 19th |
|
Tokai |
July 18th |
July 16th |
July 19th |
|
Kanto-Koshin |
July 18th |
July 22nd |
July 19th |
|
Hokuriku |
July 31st |
July 21nd |
July 23rd |
|
Southern Tohoku |
Aug 1st |
July 22nd |
July 24th |
|
Northern Tohoku |
Aug 2nd |
July 22nd |
July 28th |
Chapter 3: What to Expect During Japan’s Rainy Season
During the rainy season, temperatures are usually lower than in midsummer, but the humidity is high. However, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency’s forecast for June to September 2024, temperatures across Japan are expected to be high. This is due to global warming and the effects of the El Niño phenomenon until spring, which will raise the overall temperature of the atmosphere. Rainfall is expected to be around average, but in western Japan and Okinawa/Amami, rainfall may be average or higher due to fronts and moist air. While it doesn’t rain every day during the rainy season, there are sometimes sudden, heavy rains called guerrilla downpours. To prepare for the rainy season in Japan, we recommend using apps that predict rain a few minutes in advance and carrying the items mentioned in the following chapter to make life more comfortable during the rain.
Chapter 4: How to Prepare for Rainy Season Japan
1. Install Essential Mobile Apps
It’s useful to have an app with a rain cloud radar function, especially during the rainy season Japan experiences each year. This is particularly handy during sudden downpours, as the rain often stops just a few minutes later. It’s common to arrive at the station, walk through heavy rain, and then find it barely raining five minutes later. Having an app like the ones mentioned below can be very convenient. Both apps provide weather updates for your current location every 5 to 10 minutes.
Weathernews
A weather forecast app with over 42 million downloads.
tenki.jp
An official weather forecast app from the Japan Meteorological Association.
Weather experts from all over Japan, equipped with specialized knowledge, work around the clock to predict weather changes and deliver the latest weather information.
2. Prepare Essential Items
1. Umbrella
Of course, the first essential item is an umbrella. During the rainy season Japan experiences, sudden heavy downpours—often called guerrilla rainstorms—are common, so it’s recommended to carry an umbrella every day. While umbrellas can be bought at convenience stores or pharmacies if you’re caught without one, these are often priced higher than usual during rainy days. Therefore, it’s best to carry a lightweight umbrella regularly. Also, since nobody wants to put a wet umbrella inside their bag, it’s a good idea to choose one that dries quickly or comes with a protective cover.
This ultra-light, compact carbon fiber umbrella offers superior water repellency and comes in three sizes, making it perfect for everyday use and easy to carry anywhere.
Weight: Only 84g–126g, lighter than a smartphone.
Size: Folds compactly to 21.5–24cm in length and 3–3.5cm in diameter, fitting easily in bags.
Options: Available in three sizes—50cm ribs (80cm diameter), 55cm ribs (88cm diameter), and 60cm ribs (97cm diameter).
Water Resistance: Made of 100% nylon with a high-density weave for fast water repellency and quick drying.
The GDEEL umbrella is a lightweight, durable, and wind-resistant folding umbrella with one-touch automatic open/close, certified high water repellency, excellent UV protection for all-weather use, and comes with an absorbent cover to keep your bag dry.
- Weight: Approximately 195g, lightweight for an automatic open/close folding umbrella.
- Size: Folds to 25.5cm length and 4.5cm thickness, with a 92cm diameter when opened.
- Durability: Reinforced with aircraft-grade alloy and carbon fiber ribs for strong wind resistance and long-lasting use.
- Water Resistance: Uses 210T high-density fabric with superior water repellency and quick drying.
- UV Protection: Blocks 99.9% of UV rays with a blackout coating, reducing temperature by up to 7°C.
2. Waterproof Spray
Another smart item to have on hand during Japan’s rainy season is a waterproof spray. It helps protect shoes, bags, and clothing from sudden rain, preventing water damage and stains. Just a quick application adds an invisible layer of water resistance, making it easier to stay dry and comfortable on wet days.
Ingredients: Features a hybrid formula of fluorine and silicone for powerful water and stain repellency with long-lasting performance—130% longer durability compared to conventional products.
Waterproof Performance: Proven to deliver top-level water and oil repellency on five key materials (polyester, broadcloth, genuine leather, cotton, etc.) through comparative tests with leading sprays on the market.
Safety: Free from crosslinking agents, significantly reducing the risk of discoloration such as black items turning white or white items yellowing.
Antibacterial Properties: Offers deodorizing, disinfecting, and antibacterial protection—removes odor-causing microbes like Moraxella and keeps your favorite items clean and fresh.
Applicable Materials: Suitable for most materials except silk, vinyl, plastic, and items that require dry cleaning. Always test on an inconspicuous area before full use.
- Ingredients: Formulated with high-concentration fluorine for ultra water-repellency and enhanced waterproof and oil-repellent performance, surpassing conventional sprays.
- Waterproof Performance:
Delivers powerful water and oil repellency while maintaining breathability—perfect for various materials including leather, suede, mesh, and nylon, protecting them without compromising their texture or ventilation. - Safety:
Silicone-free formula prevents surface coating that blocks airflow, reducing risks of material degradation, overheating, moisture buildup, and odor—ideal for clothing and outdoor wear. - Applicable Materials: Suitable for leather, Suede, Mesh fabrics (sneakers), and Nylon (outdoor wear, bags.
3. Anti-Fog Cleaning Cloth for Glasses
One of the unpleasant aspects of the rainy season, besides the rain, is the humidity. For example, you might have experienced your glasses fogging up when you suddenly enter a train or an indoor space. Using anti-fog lenses is one solution, and anti-fog cloths, like the ones mentioned below, might also be useful. There are spray types as well, but if you need to wipe your glasses several times a day anyway, using an anti-fog cloth could provide the added benefit of preventing fogging.
3. Prepare Items To Protect Your Home
As mentioned above, one of the troublesome aspects of the rainy season is the mold that can form due to high humidity. Most air conditioners in Japan have a dehumidifying function, so it’s important to use it. Additionally, it’s recommended to place moisture absorbers in areas where humidity tends to accumulate, such as shoe cabinets and closets.
1. Moisture absorbers
First, let’s start with the typical types. When placed in humid areas, you might notice water collecting in just a few days. Most packages are white, but this version uses charcoal, which is known to absorb unpleasant odors during the rainy season.
2. Moisture absorbers to hang in the closet
If you prefer to hang it in the closet, here is another type.
3. Clothes Drying Dehumidifier
If you prefer not to use the drying function on your washing machine, a dehumidifier with a clothes-drying feature, like the one below, might be useful. When drying clothes indoors, it can dry about 2 kilograms of clothing in about 3 hours. Some models can dry the same amount in just 1 hour. Additionally, Sharp’s unique deodorizing function can remove sweat and odors from items like suits that you would typically take to the cleaners.
4. Dryer For The Mattress And Duvet
Furthermore, when the humidity is high and it rains frequently, drying a mattress and a duvet can be challenging. For example, you can dry them in a bathroom with a dryer function, but it’s a hassle to carry them there. A dryer that warms the mattress and duvet with warm air and removes moisture is convenient. I also own one, and for example, the Iris Ohyama dryer has a dust mite mode that uses high-temperature air to tackle dust mites while drying. It can be used year-round, with settings to warm the mattress and duvet in winter or to dry them in summer. Additionally, the nozzle can be used to dry shoes, making it useful for more than just mattresses and duvets.
5. Umbrella Stands
Finally, let’s talk about umbrella stands. When it rains almost every day, family members bring home wet umbrellas, which can make the entrance look cluttered. Especially in Japanese homes, where the entrance space is not very large, using a space-efficient umbrella stand like the magnetic type that attaches to the door can be very practical.
