Late spring · Weather & things to do
Tokyo in May
Tokyo warms up: highs climb to 74°F (23°C), from 66°F in April, with lows of 56°F (13°C) and about 5.6 in (142 mm) of rain.
It scores 68/100 for comfort, 5th of 12, which makes it a solid shoulder-season month.
- Avg high
- 74°F (23°C)
- Avg low
- 56°F (13°C)
- Rain
- 5.6 in (142 mm)
- Humidity
- 79%
- Cloud cover
- 70%
- Daylight
- ~13 h 53 min
- Comfort score
- 68/100 · Good
What May feels like
Highs settle around 74°F (23°C), warm enough for short sleeves.
Lows average 56°F (13°C).
Expect regular rain: about 5.6 in (142 mm) falls in the month.
Plan around May
May is shoulder season: good weather, a step below the best months (April and November).
- First warm month: highs reach 74°F, up from 66°F in April.
- Comfort slips from 78/100 in April to 68/100.
- May sits inside the Mar – May window our Japan Golden Route recommends.
What to pack for May
- Light, breathable clothes74°F afternoons
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hatstrong sun this month
- Rain jacket and waterproof shoes5.6 in of rain on average
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Tokyo in May
With conditions on your side, the picks below favor time outside.
Shibuya Sky
Open-air rooftop deck 230 m up Shibuya Scramble Square with 360-degree views.
Why now May scores 68/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
teamLab Planets TOKYO
Walk-through digital art installations, some knee-deep in water.
Why now Highs near 74°F and 5.6 in of monthly rain make this an easy outdoor pick.
Shibuya Crossing
The world's busiest scramble crossing, best seen from above and then crossed yourself.
Tsukiji Outer Market
Lanes of stalls selling tamagoyaki, grilled seafood and sushi near the old fish market site.
Tonki
Meguro tonkatsu counter since 1939, cooks working in a calm open kitchen.
Nearby in May
- Kyoto in May~224 mi · highs 73°F, 5.5 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Osaka in May~244 mi · highs 75°F, 6.3 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, wetter
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~233 m to Tokyo's ~40 m elevation (standard lapse rate). Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Tokyo in May: quick answers
Is May a good time to visit Tokyo?
It's a good shoulder-season choice, scoring 68/100 against a best of 80 in April and November. Expect highs of 74°F (23°C) and 5.6 in (142 mm) of rain. May is inside the Mar – May window our Japan Golden Route recommends.
How hot is Tokyo in May?
Average highs are 74°F (23°C) and average lows 56°F (13°C), making it the 5th-warmest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Tokyo in May?
Yes: about 5.6 in (142 mm) of rain falls across May on average, the 6th-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 64.5 in (1638 mm).
What should I pack for Tokyo in May?
Bring light, breathable clothes (74°F afternoons), sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat (strong sun this month), rain jacket and waterproof shoes (5.6 in of rain on average) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
Routes in season in May
- Japan Golden Route Mar – May
Planning Tokyo in May?
Share this May plan with your group, poll everyone on dates and keep the packing list in one place.