The rain is usually “not so heavy but not too light, pouring almost all day long.”

The rainy season in Japan

What kind of impression do you have of the Japanese rainy season (Tsuyu)? A downpour like Thailand’s monsoonal squalls? Or drizzling like in London? The answer is neither. The rain that falls during the rainy season in Japan could be described as “not so heavy but not so light rain, pouring almost all day long.” The rainy season is generally not a popular time to travel because it lasts for a while. Still, on the flip side, it is prime time to explore overlooked opportunities. This is especially true in a metropolis like Tokyo. Tourist spots are open, reservations at popular restaurants are easy to get, and hotels are inexpensive to book. It is also fun to carry around colorful umbrellas. For those considering a trip to Tokyo, here are some things to do that are unique to this time of year.

Index

What exactly is Tsuyu?
What should I watch out for if I come to Japan during the rainy season?
Things to do in Tokyo during the rainy season
Photogenic spots
Recommended one-day sightseeing course in Tokyo during the rainy season

1. What exactly is Tsuyu?

Tsuyu is the rainy season that arrives in early summer in Japan. Its duration varies from region to region. The rainy season usually lasts a month to a month and a half, and when it ends, the weather is sunny, and the temperature is much warmer. This is what it is like in an ordinary year.

Place	Time
Okinawa	Around May 10 to June 21
Kyushu region (Southern part)	Around May 30 to July 15
Shikoku region	Around June 5 to July 17
Kinki region	Around June 6 to July 19
Kanto region	Around June 7 to July 19
Tohoku region (Northern part)	Around June 15 to July 28

Source: Japan Meteorological Agency website

2. What should I watch out for if I come to Japan during the rainy season?

The rain is usually “not so heavy but not too light, pouring almost all day long.” So, if you are an adult, an umbrella is all you need for sightseeing in the city. Even children don’t need boots. The temperature and humidity are high, and the weather is damp, so it is helpful to have plenty of clothes such as T-shirts and small towels to carry around with you. It would be better to have water-repellent shoes instead of textile ones since they will get somewhat wet from puddles. However, raincoats and boots are essential for hiking in the mountains to enjoy the seasonal nature in the countryside.

3. Things to do in Tokyo during the rainy season

Many excursions in Tokyo can be indoors. So, as long as you don’t mind the rain on the way to your destination, you can comfortably enjoy the open air during the rainy season. I recommend visiting places that would be a shame to visit on a sunny day, such as museums and art galleries. You should see the Tokyo National Museum and the National Museum of Nature and Science in Ueno if you come to Japan at least once. (As of April 2022, you can only visit by making a reservation in advance.)

Also, Shinjuku and Shibuya have thriving underground shopping areas. It is easy to move from one mall to another. And although the underground shopping malls are small and confined, there is plenty of cheap, delicious food available, so enjoy shopping during the day and enjoy Japanese dishes in the evening.

Also, take advantage of the opportunity, and buy yourself a Japanese umbrella. You can find a wide variety of colorful umbrellas in Japan. There are many sizes of umbrellas: larger umbrellas for men, lighter and smaller umbrellas for women, and incredibly, umbrellas for children, ranging from 38 cm to 55 cm in size. (You can usually carry one umbrella per person on the plane.)

5. Recommended one-day sightseeing course in Tokyo during the rainy season

Ueno: Go to the Tokyo National Museum and the National Museum of Nature and Science, take a walk in Shinobazu Pond in Ueno Park
Shinjuku: Shopping and Japanese dishes in the underground shopping mall
Shibuya: Go and see at Scramble crossing and shopping in the underground mall, exploring the department store underground gourmet