This guide will share the basics of the rainy season in Japan, including key Japanese terms and gear that will help you stay comfortable during this time of year.
Please jump to the relevant area for you from the table of contents. We hope this guide helps you with your everyday life during the rainy season in Japan.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Grasping the Basics
Introduction to the Rainy Season in 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, Japan experiences high humidity and frequent, often heavy, rainfall. Here are some key Japanese words you’ll encounter when discussing the rainy season in Japan.
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 in 2024?
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. The Japan Meteorological Agency will release more predictions soon, and we will update you with the latest information.
#1: The Onset Of The Rainy Season
| Area | 2024 | 2023 | Average Year |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Okinawa |
May 21st |
May 18th |
May 10th |
|
Amami |
May 21st |
May 18th |
May 12th |
|
Southern Kyushu |
Not available yet |
May 30th |
May 30th |
|
Northern Kyushu |
Not available yet |
May 29th |
June 4th |
|
Shikoku |
Not available yet |
May 29th |
June 5th |
|
Chugoku |
Not available yet |
May 29th |
June 6th |
|
Kinki |
Not available yet |
May 29th |
June 6th |
|
Tokai |
Not available yet |
May 29th |
June 6th |
|
Kanto-Koshin |
Not available yet |
June 8th |
June 7th |
|
Hokuriku |
Not available yet |
June 9th |
June 11th |
|
Southern Tohoku |
Not available yet |
June 9th |
June 12th |
|
Northern Tohoku |
Not available yet |
June 9th |
June 15th |
#2: The End Of The Rainy Season
| Area | 2024 | 2023 | Average Year |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Okinawa |
Not available yet |
June 25th |
June 21st |
|
Amami |
Not available yet |
June 25th |
June 29th |
|
Southern Kyushu |
Not available yet |
July 25th |
July 15th |
|
Northern Kyushu |
Not available yet |
July 25th |
July 19th |
|
Shikoku |
Not available yet |
July 16th |
July 17th |
|
Chugoku |
Not available yet |
July 16th |
July 19th |
|
Kinki |
Not available yet |
July 16th |
July 19th |
|
Tokai |
Not available yet |
July 16th |
July 19th |
|
Kanto-Koshin |
Not available yet |
July 22nd |
July 19th |
|
Hokuriku |
Not available yet |
July 21nd |
July 23rd |
|
Southern Tohoku |
Not available yet |
July 22nd |
July 24th |
|
Northern Tohoku |
Not available yet |
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: What to prepare? - Install App
It’s useful to have an app with a rain cloud radar function. This is especially handy during sudden downpours, as the rain often stops 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, so it’s important to choose the one that works best for you.
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.
Chapter 4: What to Prepare? Items To Protect Against Rain.
1. Quick Dry Umbrella
An umbrella is essential. I recommend a quick-dry one with high water repellency. In Tokyo, trains are often crowded, making it inconvenient to carry a wet umbrella. Moreover, carrying a wet umbrella can occupy your hands, and placing it in a bag with plastic or similar material will wet the contents of the bag. That’s why a quick-dry, foldable umbrella is very useful. Personally, I have been using the umbrella below for almost 3 years now. Having experienced the rainy season three times, I always use it when it’s raining. My impression is that it doesn’t break due to wind and the rainwater shakes off easily, so I can quickly put it in my bag, which I find convenient. Also, while advertisements claim it is lighter than a smartphone, it really is light. At 84g, when I don’t want to carry a bag, I sometimes put it in the pocket of my coat.
Even if it’s not this particular product, having a foldable, highly water-repellent umbrella can be quite useful to have.
2. Waterproof Spray
A waterproof spray can also enhance your comfort. In Japan, summer often brings sudden, intense rain showers known as guerrilla downpours. Sometimes, you might find yourself wearing non-waterproof shoes or white shoes when it rains. For example, AMEDAS waterproof spray is a popular choice in Japan. It can be used on natural leather (including suede and nubuck), artificial and synthetic leather, fabric (such as canvas and nylon), and even delicate materials like vegetable-tanned leather that are prone to staining. If you don’t want to damage items such as your hat, backpack, and shoes, you might want to use this spray.
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.
Chapter 5: What to 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.
