In the previous article, we covered travel essentials to pack for every trip to Japan. In this article we will focus on clothing, shoes, and seasonal accessories. Let’s look at the typical weather in Tokyo, Japan and the types of clothing to pack for summer, fall, winter, or spring. You can also watch this in video format.
Summer in Tokyo, Japan
The hot season in Tokyo spans from the last week of June to mid September. Summer is humid, overcast, and rainy.
It can feel way hotter than the temperature suggests, due to the high humidity and bright sun. Recent years have seen record breaking heat waves, with temperatures exceeding 95°F in Tokyo, so be sure to check the forecast before heading to Japan!
June Weather in Tokyo
| Average Daily Temperature | Average Rainy Days | Humidity |
| 19-26°C ( 66-79°F ) | 11-15 | 70-80% |
July Weather in Tokyo
| Average Daily Temperature | Average Rainy Days | Humidity |
| 23-31°C ( 73-88°F ) | 10-12 | 75-85% |
August Weather in Tokyo
| Average Daily Temperature | Average Rainy Days | Humidity |
| 25-33°C ( 77-91°F ) | 9-11 | 70-80% |
What to Pack & Wear in Tokyo Japan in Summer ( June, July, August )
With the heat plus sticky humidity in the summer, I recommend wearing loose fitting clothing made of breathable natural fiber materials. I find thick jeans to be uncomfortable in the muggy weather.
We wear mostly Merino wool clothing, which is good at wicking away sweat and quick to dry. In the summer I opt for thin lightweight jersey fabrics.
During summer in Tokyo Japan, George typically wears shorts with short sleeve tee shirts. He will sometimes wear long pants or trousers made of a thin material, depending upon the setting or occasion.
During the summer I like to wear either short dresses, long flowy dresses, or a short sleeve tee shirt paired with loose flowy pants. Long flowy skirts are another popular option.
Short skirts are common in Japan, but I don’t see as many locals wearing shorts. I remember my very first time visiting Tokyo, feeling out of place wearing short jean shorts and a spaghetti strap tank top. Women in Japan tend to dress conservatively, especially in regards to high necklines. They will often pair a tee shirt underneath a spaghetti strap summer dress.
Having your shoulders covered is respectful when visiting temples or shrines.
I like to pack at least one pair of leggings to layer under my dresses, in case it’s cooler or to wear them as mosquito protection.
Clothing for summer
- Loose fitting natural fiber clothing
- Dresses
- Long skirts
- Wide leg pant
- Tee shirts
- Shorts
Layers to pack for summer
- Hoodie sweater
- Light cardigan
- Rain jacket
- Leggings
Shoes for summer
- Leather sneakers
- Ballet flats
- Closed toe shoes that slip on and off
- Sandals ( carry socks with you for places that require you to remove your shoes )
- At least one pair of shoes that is water resistant or waterproof for rainy days
Other essentials to pack for summer in Japan
- Parasol umbrella for sun and rain
- Sun hat
- Sun glasses
- Sunscreen
- Mosquito repellent
Fall Autumn in Tokyo, Japan
Fall, or autumn, is one of my favorite times of year to visit Japan, with the beautiful brightly colored leaves. Fall spans September, October, and November.
September Weather in Tokyo
The hot season in Tokyo extends into mid September. Typhoon season often peaks in September. So you may get a mix of pleasant days, with the possibility of heavy rain and strong winds.
| Average Daily Temperature | Average Rainy Days | Humidity |
| 21-28°C ( 70-82°F ) | 12-16 | 70-80% |
October Weather in Tokyo
In Tokyo, October marks the true onset of autumn, bringing cooler and more comfortable weather, with decreasing humidity and rainfall. As the summer heat fades, the foliage begins to change color.
| Average Daily Temperature | Average Rainy Days | Humidity |
| 15°-22°C ( 59-72°F ) | 8-11 | 60-70% |
November Weather in Tokyo
November in Tokyo offers crisp, cool weather and is one of the driest months. The autumn foliage reaches its peak during November.
| Average Daily Temperature | Average Rainy Days | Humidity |
| 10-17°C ( 50-63°F ) | 6-9 | 55-65% |
What to Pack & Wear in Tokyo Japan in Fall Autumn ( September, October, November )
At the beginning of fall, George wears long pants with a short sleeve tee shirt, and his hoodie sweater when needed. As it gets colder, such as in November, he pairs long pants with a long sleeve shirt and a puffy jacket. He can also layer his hoodie and jacket together for more warmth.
For fall, my favorite outfit is a dress, paired with warm leggings, wool socks, and boots. Thick tights are another option to layer under dresses, skirts, or shorts. A scarf can add a nice pop of color, and keep my neck warm. Depending upon how cold it is, I can add my sweater or puffy jacket, or both.
If jeans are your favorite thing to wear, this is a good time of year to wear them in Japan, as it’s not as humid.
Clothing for fall autumn
- Tee shirts ( early fall )
- Shorts ( early fall )
- Long sleeve shirts
- Long pants / trousers / slacks
- Jeans
- Long sleeve dress paired with leggings or tights
- Long skirt
Layers to pack for fall
- Rain jacket ( September )
- Hoodie sweater
- Cardigan or other style sweater
- Warm jacket: puffy, leather, wool, or trench coat
Shoes to wear in fall
- Boots ( short or long )
- Leather sneakers
- Ballet flats
- Closed toe shoes
- Water repellent shoes are a good for rainy days
- Wool socks
Other essentials to pack for fall in Japan
- Umbrella ( September )
- Scarf
- Hat
- Gloves
- Picnic blanket, if you plan to have picnics in the parks while enjoying the fall leaves.
Winter in Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo winters are cool, with many clear, sunny days. Winter is the best time of year to get a clear view of Mt. Fuji. It snows occasionally in the winter, but the snow isn’t likely to pile up. Winter months include December, January, and February.
December Weather in Tokyo
In Tokyo, December marks the beginning of winter, bringing cooler temperatures and generally dry conditions.
| Average Daily Temperature | Average Rainy Days | Humidity |
| 4-12°C ( 39-54°F ) | 5-8 | 45-60% |
January Weather in Tokyo
In Tokyo, January is the coldest month of the year, with crisp, clear days and minimal precipitation. Snowfall is rare, but if it occurs, it’s usually light and short-lived.
| Average Daily Temperature | Average Rainy Days | Humidity |
| 2-10°C ( 36-50°F ) | 4-6 | 40-55% |
February Weather in Tokyo
In Tokyo, February continues the cold winter weather, although temperatures begin to gradually climb as the month progresses.
| Average Daily Temperature | Average Rainy Days | Humidity |
| 3-11°C ( 37-52°F ) | 6-8 | 45-60% |
What to Pack & Wear in Tokyo Japan in Winter ( December, January, February )
During winter we pile on all our layers. For perspective, our family lives in the tropics. We don’t own a ton of winter clothing, other than the clothes we’ve gathered for our winter trips to Japan.
During winter, George wears thicker pants or trousers, paired with a long sleeve shirt. With a sweater on top of that, plus his puffy jacket.
Also accessories such as a hat and gloves. We don’t need our ski mittens, like we wear in Hokkaido.
We appreciate natural fiber sweaters that are compact to pack, while providing plenty of warmth. For example: Merino wool, alpaca, and cashmere.
During winter, I wear as many layers as necessary to stay warm, even if I look silly.
I like to wear thicker Merino wool dresses. Long sleeve options are best, but I’ve gotten by with short sleeve dresses by adding a cardigan. Along with my dresses I wear thick wool leggings.
On really cold days I wear a neck warmer, beanie hat, and thin gloves. A scarf makes a stylish accessory.
Another nice option for winter would be a long wool skirt.
If you wear jeans in the winter and they aren’t warm enough, you can pair base layer leggings underneath.
If you’re like us and coming from a location that’s hot all year round, you can buy winter clothing, including base layers, jackets, and accessories once you arrive in Tokyo, at stores such as UNIQLO and Muji.
Clothing for winter
- Long sleeve shirt
- Thick pants / trousers / slacks
- Jeans with base layer leggings underneath
- Long sleeve dress paired with wool leggings or fleece lined tights
- Long wool skirt
Layers to pack for winter
- Hoodie sweater
- Sweaters made of Merino wool, alpaca, or cashmere
- Puffy jacket
- Wool coat
- Base layer leggings
Shoes for winter
- Warm boots with wool socks
- Sneakers with good traction
- Snow boots are not necessary, unless you will visit a snowy area outside of Tokyo.
Other essentials to pack for winter in Japan
- Moisturizer
- Hand lotion
- Lip balm
- Sunscreen
- Scarf
- Hat
- Gloves
- Hand warmers ( or buy disposable ones in Japan )
- Tote bag for carrying jacket and gloves in heated trains and shopping malls.
Spring in Tokyo, Japan
Spring in Tokyo is cool and pleasant. It’s one of the most popular times to visit Japan, with hopes of seeing the sakura cherry blossoms in late March or early April. Feel free to match your wardrobe to the varying shades of pink!
March Weather in Tokyo
In Tokyo, it’s still cold in early March, but temperatures rise as the month progresses.
| Average Daily Temperature | Average Rainy Days | Humidity |
| 6-14°C ( 43-57°F ) | 10-12 | 50-65% |
April Weather in Tokyo
April is a key month in Tokyo for viewing cherry blossoms. On our recent visit we found out how hard it is to find both cherry blossoms in full bloom and a blue sky.
| Average Daily Temperature | Average Rainy Days | Humidity |
| 11-19°C ( 52-66°F ) | 10-12 | 55-70% |
May Weather in Tokyo
In Tokyo, the weather warms up in May, with lush greenery and blooming flowers.
| Average Daily Temperature | Average Rainy Days | Humidity |
| 15-23°C ( 59-73°F ) | 9-11 | 60-75% |
What to Pack & Wear in Tokyo Japan in Spring ( March, April, May )
During the beginning of March, when it’s still cold, we wear similar outfits as in winter. As the weather warms up in April, we don’t need as many layers, especially on sunny days.
In spring, George wears long pants or trousers. Depending upon the temperature, he may wear a long sleeve shirt plus puffy jacket. Or a short sleeve tee shirt paired with his hoodie sweater. Or just a long sleeve tee shirt. His shirts are all Merino wool, so they provide a good amount of warmth.
In spring I like to wear a long sleeve dress paired with leggings or long a sleeve shirt with pants.
Jeans are also an option for spring.
By late May, it can already be hot, so please refer to What to Wear in Summer.
Clothing for spring
- Long sleeve shirts
- Tee shirts ( late spring )
- Long pants / trousers / slacks
- Jeans
- Shorts ( late spring )
- Long sleeve dress paired with leggings
- Short sleeve dress ( late spring )
Layers to pack for spring
- Hoodie sweater
- Cardigan
- Sweater made of Merino wool, alpaca, or cashmere
- Puffy jacket
- Rain jacket ( end of May )
- It’s nice to bring layers in a variety of thicknesses, since the weather can fluctuate throughout the day and week.
Shoes for spring
- Boots
- Leather sneakers
- Ballet flats ( for dry days, wear or carry socks with you )
- Closed toe shoes that slip on and off
Other essentials to pack for spring in Japan
- Picnic blanket
- Tote bag or backpack for carrying picnic supplies to the park.
- Camera for photographing flowers.
Clothing Items to Pack for Japan Year-Round
We’ve covered seasonal outfits to pack for sightseeing in Japan. If you’ll attend a special occasion or fancy dinner, be sure to pack an outfit for that, as well.
Other clothing items I pack for Japan trips include:
- Pajamas – I pack either shorts and a tank top for hot weather or leggings and a long sleeve shirt for cold weather. I like to bring pajamas that can also double as clothing, in case I run out of clean clothes, or need something to wear to the laundry room. Hotels and ryokans often provide Japanese style pajamas, but I like to have my own set, as well.
- Socks
- Bras and underwear
- Swimsuit
- For hot weather I pack bike shorts to layer under my dresses. For cold weather I pack leggings.
- Sun hat
Our Favorite Brands of Merino Wool Travel Clothing
We pack almost entirely travel clothing made of Merino wool. It’s lightweight and compact to pack, while still offering plenty of warmth. Wool also stays fresher, allowing it to be re-worn multiple times before washing. I personally wash my wool shirts after each wear, but items like a sweater can be hung up overnight to air out and then be re-worn the next day. My favorite thing about wool is that it’s natural, renewable, and biodegradable. Plus, Merino wool (especially that with a thin micron, such as 17.5-18.5) is soft and comfortable to wear.
Packing Merino wool travel clothing allows me to pack light, even for variable weather. I can layer pieces to provide just the right amount of warmth. During hot weather, thin Merino wool jersey material wicks the sweat away, preventing soggy uncomfortable clothing. It’s the perfect natural fiber all year round!
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. We appreciate the commissions we earn when you shop through our affiliate links.
- Unbound Merino (Canada, shipping worldwide) Save 10% with coupon KENSHOQUEST
- Smitten Merino (Australia)
- Woolx (USA)
- Ridge Merino (USA)
- Branwyn (USA, bras and underwear)
More Japan Packing List Videos
For all the essentials to pack for Japan, beyond clothing and shoes, please read or watch my Japan One Bag Travel Packing List. For more travel tips and inspiration, please subscribe to our Kensho Quest YouTube channel!