What to wear in Japan: a season-by-season guide

Japan has four distinct seasons, and the right clothes change more from month to month than in most places travellers go. Tokyo swings from frosty winter mornings to summer days above 30°C with heavy humidity, there is a rainy season in June and July, and the north and the mountains are snowy for months. On top of the weather, a few customs shape what you wear every day: you will take your shoes off often, you bathe without clothes at onsen, and you will walk far more than you expect.

Tokyo, August

31°C

Tokyo, January

1–10°C

Rainy season

Jun–Jul

Cherry blossom

Late Mar

Japan's weather month by month

The figures below are Tokyo's long-term averages from the Japan Meteorological Agency (1991–2020). Kyoto and Osaka are similar but a little hotter in summer. Hokkaido and the Japanese Alps are much colder, and Okinawa is subtropical, warm even in winter.

What to wear in Japan in spring

Spring runs from March to May and is the season most people picture: cherry blossom usually opens in Tokyo and Kyoto in late March, though the date moves by a week or more from year to year. Days warm quickly but mornings and evenings stay cool, especially in March and early April, so dress in layers. A light coat or trench, a jumper or cardigan and long trousers will cover most days. By May, T-shirts and light trousers are enough during the day.

What to wear in Japan in summer

Summer starts wet. The rainy season, tsuyu, usually reaches Tokyo in early June and lasts until mid to late July, bringing grey skies, frequent rain and high humidity rather than constant downpours. Pack quick-drying clothes, a compact umbrella and shoes that do not mind getting wet. After that comes real heat: late July and August average over 30°C in Tokyo, with humidity that makes it feel hotter. Loose cotton and linen, a sun hat and a refillable water bottle are the essentials. You will see many Japanese people shading themselves with parasols and wearing light long sleeves against the sun.

What to wear in Japan in autumn

September is still summer in all but name, and it is the peak of typhoon season: Tokyo gets more rain in September and October than in any other months. Keep summer clothes, but add an umbrella and a light rain jacket. October is warm by day and pleasant in the evenings, and by November the air is crisp and the autumn leaves are at their best, so you will want layers and a medium jacket, especially in Kyoto's temple gardens in the early morning.

What to wear in Japan in winter

Winter in Tokyo is cold but usually dry and sunny, with days around 10°C and nights near freezing. A warm coat, knitwear, a scarf and gloves are enough. Hokkaido, Tohoku and the Japanese Alps are a different matter, with deep snow and temperatures well below freezing, so bring proper winter boots and thermal layers if you are heading north or skiing. Trains, shops and restaurants are well heated, so wear layers you can take off indoors rather than one very heavy jumper.

The etiquette that changes what you wear

Shoes off, often

In Japan you take your shoes off at the entrance of homes, ryokan inns, many traditional restaurants and the halls of many temples, and the Japan National Tourism Organization's etiquette guide adds that slippers come off too before you step onto tatami mats. That shapes your packing more than anything else: wear shoes you can slip on and off without sitting down to unlace them, and make sure your socks are clean and free of holes, because people will see them.

Onsen and tattoos

At onsen and public baths you bathe without any clothes, and swimwear is not worn in the baths, as the JNTO etiquette guide explains. Tattoos are the bigger question: many hot springs, public baths, pools and gyms still turn away visitors with tattoos, though the JNTO onsen guide notes that more places accept them than ever. JNTO suggests covering a small tattoo with a sticker, patch or waterproof bandage and checking with the facility before you go. A private or in-room bath is the easiest option if you have larger tattoos.

Temples and shrines

Japan has no national dress code for temples and shrines, and most do not post one. Tidy, reasonably modest clothes fit in best, and a few rules are worth knowing: take your hat off inside halls, take your shoes off where you see a step up or a shoe rack, and follow any signs at the entrance, which are the rules that apply. If you book a temple stay, ask the temple what it expects you to wear.

Can you wear shorts in Japan?

Yes. Shorts are common in summer, especially in cities, and no one will stop you wearing them. Japanese adults tend to dress a little more neatly and cover up a little more than many visitors are used to, so very short shorts and beachwear stand out away from the coast. Pack one pair of light trousers or a longer skirt for temples, nicer restaurants and the overnight stays where you sit on the floor.

What to wear in Japan as a woman

There are no special rules for women. Everyday street style in Japan is polished and fairly covered at the top, with shoulders and necklines covered more often than in Europe or the US, while shorter hemlines are common. Dresses and skirts work well, but think about the floor seating in traditional restaurants and ryokan, where a longer or fuller skirt is more comfortable. Comfortable, stylish trainers are completely normal, so there is no need to suffer in heels.

Shoes for all that walking

Japan is a walking country. Between stations, temple steps and long corridors, a day of sightseeing easily passes 15 kilometres. Bring broken-in trainers or walking shoes that are also easy to slip off, plus a second pair in case one gets wet in the rain. In winter in the snowy regions, waterproof boots with grip make a real difference.

Japan packing list

• Comfortable walking shoes that slip on and off, plus a spare pair
• Socks without holes, more than you think you need
• Layers for the season: T-shirts, long-sleeved tops and a jumper
• A jacket to match the season: light in spring and autumn, warm in winter
• Light trousers or a longer skirt for temples and floor seating
• Compact umbrella, especially for June, July, September and October
• Sun hat and sun protection in summer
• Thermal layers, gloves and boots if you are going north or skiing in winter
• Waterproof plasters or patches if you have a small tattoo and plan to visit onsen