| Updated: 6/18/19 |
July and August are Japan's summer months. July being smack dab in the middle of summer, and August being summer for most schools in Japan means its the month of summer festivals! The weather tends to be hot and humid, but there are many ways to stay cool! Because schools out for summer, there are many events going on and it can get a bit crowded. We've broken down July and August to help you decide if these are the right months to travel to Japan for you. We truly believe each month has its pros and cons, but there's never a wrong time to visit Japan!
The temperatures in Japan do not get too high during the summer months. However, it is hot! Mixed with the humidity, it can feel so much hotter than it is and a bit cloying. Lucky there are many ways to combat the heat, but it's best to know to be prepared.
July brings an average high that is in the 80s (Fahrenheit) and lows being in the 70s in Tokyo. The rainy season continues until around the last week of July, with rain often times being sporadic and heavy. If you go further north to Hokkaido, there may start to be more rainfall, unlike Honshu in which rainy season would have already started in June. But note that Hokkaido doesn't experience an official rainy season, and rain can tend to be unexpected. For those wanting to escape the rain, Okinawa may be an option. Because Okinawa tends to experience an earlier rainy season, Okinawa is one of the first to experience the end of the rainy season. Rain or shine, July tends to be hot, and you can definitely feel the summer heat. Okinawa might be a preferred spot if you want to feel like you're on a tropical vacation, but August is usually the start of typhoon season, and southern areas such as Okinawa get the most damage from the typhoons, so you should consider this in your planning. But Honshu and Hokkaido tend to have many events and festivals going on during July, which might make withstanding the heat worth it.
Okinawa Kouri Bridge - July
August... August, August, August. This month is definitely notorious for being the hottest month in Japan. The average temperatures are similar to July's but usually are a couple of degrees warmer overall. But what makes the month incredibly hot is the humidity. August tends to be very humid and usually is typhoon season in Japan. But note, the rainfall and winds can be somewhat sporadic, so you'll still find some warm and nice days out throughout the month as well. Although August is not technically Japan's rainy season, rain still tends to be a reality for most of Japan. The rain can sometimes come in unexpected downpours, so many people have an umbrella just in case. There is a good chance you'll experience rain no matter where you are, but as there are so many events going on, it tends to still be a fun and popular time to travel.
An August sunset in Japan
Fun fact: In some areas of Japan, like Osaka, vending machines come with free umbrellas that you can borrow. The umbrellas are placed on a trust basis, with the belief that they will be returned at a later time.
Here's another post we did about summers in Japan, with a few helpful tips to help you survive the summer heat!
July and August are peak season for festivals and other neat events in Japan, including many firework festivals. In August, many Japanese schools are out for the summer, so many places tend to get a lot more lively.
| Gion Festival | Usually July 1 - 31* |
| The Gion Festival is probably one of the most famous festivals in Japan, and certainly one of the top festivals in Kyoto. During the festival, many events that nod to traditional Japanese culture take place, with the most popular and famous being the Yamaboko Junko. The Yamaboko Junko is the float parade that occurs on July 17th and July 24th. Just be forewarned that the event tends to get crowded as it's a very popular festival! | |
| Hakata Gion Yamakasa | Early-Mid July around July 1 - 15* |
| Hakata Gion Yamasaka is a well-known festival in Kyushu within Fukuoka Prefecture. The festival stems from a religious ceremony but has evolved some to what it is today. During this festival, men donning traditional loin-cloths run through the streets of Hakata while carrying traditional floats known as Yamakasa. The main event, which occurs on July 15th is the day to watch. There is a big race event called Oiyama in which floats are raced across the streets, which is exhilarating and exciting to bear witness to. | |
| Ise Shrine Dedication Fireworks Festival | Around July 13* |
| Ise Jingu Shrine Dedication Fireworks festival is known to be one of the three most major fireworks shows in Japan. The best pyrotechnicians from all over Japan are enlisted to launch fireworks, and it all comes together in one spectacular show. | |
| Nagoya Port Festival | July 18* |
| The Nagoya Port Festival features a famous firework festival that occurs as the final event. The fireworks are synchronized to music in a "melody hanabi," hanabi being the Japanese word for fireworks. | |
| Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament | July 5 - 19 | |
| If you know anything about sumo, you know it's a big part of the culture in Japan. Sumo tournaments only occur six times a year, each lasting 15 days. This tournament in July will happen in the Aichi Prefecture. Sumo events tend to be very popular and tickets tend to sell out quickly, especially for the weekend shows. Tickets tend to be on the pricier side but it's definitely amazing to go see if you get the chance! | ||
| Tenjin Festival | July 24 - 25* | |
| The Tenjin Festival is held annually in Osaka and is one of the most famous festivals. Although there are other Tenjin Festivals that occur in other parts of Japan, the one in Osaka Tenmangu Shrine as it is the most well known. There are events that happen on land and on the water during the festival, and there is also a firework show at night, making for an eventful and exciting festival. | ||
| Doshin UHB Fireworks Festival | Late July | |
| For those that are going to be in Hokkaido for July, Hokkaido has its own famous firework festival called the Doshin UHB Fireworks Festival also known as the Toyohira River Fireworks. The show occurs in Sapporo over the Toyohiragawa river, where about 4000 bright sparkling fireworks will light up the night sky. | ||
| Japan International Birdman Rally | July 27 - 28* | |
| The Japan International Birdman Rally is a relatively famous event that takes place where people build human-powered flying machines and compete to fly the furthest distance over a lake. The event takes place at Lake Biwa in Shiga, and the competitors are often high school and college students. | ||
| The Nagaoka Fireworks Festival | August 1 - 3* | |
| The Nagaoka Fireworks Festival is a three-day even in which float parades, folk dances, and spectacular firework shows occur. The festival also showcases traditional Niigata foods and snacks. The main area to view fireworks require a ticket to enter, but it's not entirely necessary to watch from upfront if you do not wish to purchase tickets. Japanese firework shows are well-known and highly regarded, so it may be worth it to purchase tickets. Just prepare for crowds! | ||
| The Kobe Port Fireworks | August 3* | |
| If you're in the Kansai region of Japan, the Kobe Port Fireworks is an August event that you don't want to miss. The location of the firework show makes it all the more memorable, as the lights from the port and the water add to the beauty of the fireworks. | ||
| Sasebo Seaside Festival | August 3 - 4* | |
| This festival occurs in Nagasaki and is growing in popularity. The main event of the festival is the firework show, but there are also plenty of booths and the like with food, games, and music. | ||
| Hiroshima Toro Nagashi | August 6 | |
| The Hiroshima Toro Nagashi is an event that occurs every year as a memorial to those who lost their lives during the dropping of the atomic bomb in Hiroshima. Lanterns are lit up and released at night onto the Motoyasu River in remembrance and as a prayer for lasting peace throughout the world. At 8:15 in the morning of the day, bells and sirens ring out throughout the city, and throughout the day various other events take place before the lantern release. | ||
| Sendai Tanabata | August 6 - 8 | |
| The Sendai Tanabata is arguably the most popular Tanabata festival in Japan. Colorful streams of paper and strips with written wishes are hung around the city. This festival paints the city in rainbows, figuratively speaking, as the decorations are so colorful. There is also a firework festival on the 8th to conclude the festivities. | ||
| Tokushima Awa Odori | August 12 - 15 | |
| The Tokushima Awa Odori is a notable and famous summer dance festival that occurs in Tokushima. Streets are closed down for the festivities, and groups of people dance the specific style of Awa Odori on the streets. The event has reserved seating for those who would like to purchase tickets and watch the dancing on the stages, but watching the dancing that occurs on the street is free. This is a great event to see some traditional Japanese culture! | ||
| Kumano Fireworks Taikai | August 17 | |
| One of the most famous fireworks festivals in Mie, and a popular one throughout Japan for the way the fireworks are lit, the Kumano Fireworks Taikai is an event to attend. The fireworks are lit up on the water at Shichirigahama Beach. Based on ocean conditions, the events may be postponed but the backup dates are as follows and could be one of the following: August 18th, 22nd, 29th, and 30th. | ||
| Summer Sonic Osaka | August 14 - 16 | |
| A famous music festival in Osaka with many famous headliners including popular artists and songs from the United States! The event is actually held in Chiba as well as Osaka. | ||
| Sapporo Summer Festival | July 19 - August 16* | |
| Also noting is the Sapporo Summer Festival that encompasses a wide range of events over the course of about a month. For those who are in Hokkaido during July 20th through August 17th, there will be a lot going on, including multiple beer gardens in Odori Park | ||
There are so many firework festivals to even list but here if you get the chance also check out:
Naniwa Yodogawa Fireworks Festival in Osaka, the Kanmon Straits Fireworks Festival in Fukuoka, the Yoshinogawa Festival, Fireworks in Nara, the Lake Suwa Fireworks Festival in Nagano, the Hitoyoshi Fireworks Festival in Kumamoto, the Miyazu Toro Nagashi Fireworks in Kyoto, the Shakado River Fireworks Festival in Fukushima, and finally the Miyajima Water Fireworks Festival in Hiroshima. There are smaller scale ones as well, but if you're interested in seeing fireworks in Japan, there are many options all throughout the country. July and August are definitely the times to go!
This year in July and August 2020, there are many events happening, especially in Tokyo. Be prepared for some crowds amongst the heat, and make sure to stay hydrated! Please be aware, summer events occuring in July and August may affect the dates of some of the events and cause cancellations or postponements.
*Disclaimer: Dates for 2020 events are not released for many of the events and are approximate dates. Dates will be updated closer to the month as more dates become available. All dates are subject to change without notice. Events may be canceled or postponed based on weather conditions and other factors. HIS is not responsible for any changes in the dates or itineraries of these events. We recommend always double-checking for the latest information online.
JULY OPTIONAL TOUR RECOMMENDED SELECTIONS
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AUGUST OPTIONAL TOUR RECOMMENDED SELECTIONS
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July: Enjoy the white sandy beaches of Okinawa and vibe the surroundings on this four-day independent tour. Perfect for July weather!
August: Enjoy a 12-day tour exploring art and museums in Naoshima, Kyoto, Osaka, and more! Visiting islands of Japan is a perfect summer activity!
Flights: Departures from many cities all around the United States. Your Japan trip awaits you~
Read our other monthly guides here:
January and February: Coming soon
March and April: HERE
May and June: HERE
July and August: HERE
September and October: HERE
November and December: Coming Soon
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