Rain or Shine: 10 Tips To Survive Japan’s Rainy Season

Japan’s rainy season, known as tsuyu (the “rainy season,” or more literally, “plum rain”), is the time in Japan when the clouds seem ready to burst at almost any time. Normally lasting about a month from the start of June, it’s not uncommon for some days where it rains all day long, followed by days of blue skies and quick, intense showers.

Written using the kanji for plum (梅) and rain (雨), it’s believed that the rainy season may have been named as such because it’s also the time when Japan’s plums start to ripen. It’s not the only thing coming to life during this time either, with Japan’s hydrangeas also blooming around this time.

If you’re flying to Japan during the rainy season, you may be wondering if your trip is ruined. Good news! It’s not. In fact, we’ve got an entire article filled with indoor activities to enjoy during Japan’s rainy season, so grab your rain boots and keep exploring Japan. With these activities, some rainy season survival tips and a bit of practice looking for the silver lining, you’ll still be able to have a great time.

Tsuyu is Japan’s rainy season, bringing a month or so of intense rain. The timings and duration change slightly by location, but it usually spans the month of June. Although going outside may require a little more planning around this time, it won’t stop you from making the most of your time in Japan. It may even make it more photogenic!

The rainy season begins in the southernmost point of Japan, pouring down on Okinawa from the beginning of May. From here, it gradually moves north, hitting the main island of Honshu — where you’ll find Tokyo — at the beginning of June, lasting until the end of June or mid-July.

The rain continues north but rarely reaches the northernmost point of Hokkaido — don’t worry, they have more than enough snow during the winter to make up for it! 

1. Bring or buy an umbrella
2. Carry spare socks
3. Pack a raincoat or poncho
4. Wear rainboots or waterproof shoes
5. See rainy season sights
6. Embrace the water at a rotenburo (outdoor bath)
7. Go cafe hopping (with a good book!)
8. Hit the tourist spots
9. Warm up with a bowl of ramen
10.  Join indoor food tours or cooking classes

This probably goes without saying, but just in case… bring or buy an umbrella! 

If you have a trusty umbrella that can be retracted and tucked neatly into your luggage or backpack while you’re traveling around, that’s ideal. However, if you forget or don’t have the space, there’s probably going to be a konbini (convenience store) only a few minutes away where you can buy an umbrella for about ¥500.

Plus, the see-through umbrellas that you’ll find everywhere are almost a vibe in Japan.

During the rainy season there’s a high chance that you will get wet socks at some point. For some, that can mean the day is ruined — they’re grabbing a strong sake and heading back to their capsule pod for a cry, but not you. You packed spare socks.

With a pair of dry socks to hand, you can save the day (for you or someone else!) and keep on traveling.

Sometimes, the only way to make it to your next destination or booking on time is to go through Japan’s rainy season. When those times come, you’ll be glad you have a raincoat or poncho, keeping you (mostly) dry as you continue making memories. 

A poncho is especially handy for those days when there’s no choice but to stand in the rain for long periods of time — we’re looking at you, Tokyo Disneyland.

There’s truly nothing worse than wet socks — hence, spare socks — and that’s where rainboots, waterproof shoes, or trainers come in. A pair of sturdy, waterproof boots, trainers, or wellies are a must-have for days when the rain shows no signs of stopping or if you’re heading out of the cities for a nature hike.

Tokyo Weekender put together a list of the best waterproof shoes in Japan, if you feel like buying yourself a souvenir and a rainy season lifesaver at the same time. 

There are some sights in Japan that you can only see during the rainy season — lucky you! One such spectacle is Japan’s beloved ajisai (hydrangea), which you’ll see flourishing throughout Japan at this time of year.

For some of the best hydrangea-spotting locations in Japan, check out our guides for hydrangeas in Tokyo and Kyoto. Some even say these flowers rival the beauty of spring’s cherry blossoms!

If you’re going to get wet anyway, why not make it one of Japan’s most relaxing pastimes? Take a dip in a public bath or onsen and watch as all your aches and pains melt away, followed by a classic bottle of milk or a crisp beer.

Bonus points if you can find a rotenburo (outside bath), as there’s something very peaceful about being in a warm bath while it's raining down on you.

Cafe hopping is an activity to be adored in any season, perfect for coffee-loving extroverts and introverts alike looking for good coffee, stylish interiors, and a place to strike up conversation or read in peace. 

There are plenty of cafes to choose from, too, with amazing coffee in Tokyo, Instagrammable cafes in Kyoto, and scenic cafes in Osaka. There’s something special about sitting in a cafe on a rainy day, people-watching while you sip on a hot tea or coffee and indulge in a pastry or two.

Didn’t bring any books with you? Head to this Shinjuku branch of Kinokuniya, where you’ll find an entire bookstore selling books, comics, and magazines of all types in English (and many other foreign languages).

The rainy season is possibly the best time to hit up the most popular tourist spots in Japan, making the most of the reduced crowds. For example, take a wander down Harajuku’s vibrant Takeshita Street, hike up Kyoto’s famous Fushimi Inari Shrine, or explore Osaka’s Dotonbori with a clear shot of the Glico man while you can!

As long as you’ve prepared in advance with your umbrella, spare socks, and waterproof shoes, there’s nowhere you can’t go.

Ramen is delicious at any time of day, month, year, or season — that’s just a fact. But, coming out of the rain and warming up with a hot bowl of ramen has to be one of life’s simplest pleasures. 

Discover the best ramen in Tokyo, from the mouthwatering meaty ramen of places like Ichiran Ramen to the vegetarian and vegan ramen of T’s Tantan and Kyushu Jangara Ramen.

Not in the mood to dodge the downpour all day? That’s where our Japanese food tours and cooking classes can save the day, giving you a reason to stay inside without missing out. 

Learn about everything from Japanese tea ceremonies and the skills behind sushi-making to exploring sake breweries. 

We also offer a selection of Instant Booking experiences, meaning that when the rain comes, you go! As long as a Japanese food tour or cooking class has availability, you’ll soon be drying off and learning something new.

Ready for Japan’s rainy season? We thought so. Especially once you discover a few more Japanese comfort foods that’ll keep you warm or mizu shingen mochi, a traditional Japanese dessert that looks like a raindrop!

Japan’s rainy season varies by location. It can start as early as May in the southernmost point of Okinawa, take up the month of June on the main Honshu island, or even be skipped entirely in the extreme north of Hokkaido.

That depends on how much you dislike rain. Japan’s rainy season is manageable with some good planning and a good attitude, but especially heavy rains can cause flooding in certain areas. However, in the main cities and tourist areas, you won’t have to worry about anything but keeping your socks dry throughout the day.

The best things to pack or buy for Japan’s rainy season are:

1. Umbrella (ideally small enough to put in a backpack)
2. Waterproof shoes or wellies
3. Spare socks
4. Raincoat or poncho
5. Waterproof bag
6. Small towel or handkerchief
7. Extra bag for any wet clothes
8. A positive attitude (it’ll help!)

As Japan’s rainy season — mostly contained within June — and Japan’s typhoon season — from July to October, with the peak season being August to September — peak at different times, they rarely happen at the same time. Although, since they both involve heavy rain, it might be hard to tell even if they did!

The rainy season is simply that: heavy, frequent rain with low risk to life or surrounding areas. The typhoon season, however, has a higher risk of danger and environmental damage, including high winds and torrential rain. It is classed as a “tropical cyclone.”

Asia’s rainy season is “caused by precipitation along a persistent stationary front known as the Meiyu front for nearly two months during the late spring and early summer in East Asia between mainland China, Taiwan, Korea and Japan. 

The wet season ends during the summer when the subtropical ridge becomes strong enough to push this front north of the region. These weather systems can produce heavy rainfall and flooding.” Source.