Tokyo Weather in August: Heat, Obon & What to Wear
Tokyo Mate
August is Tokyo's hottest month of the year.
Daytime highs stay above 31°C all month long, and during the Obon holidays (August 13–16) domestic travel surges, leaving major sights and transport extremely crowded. From late August the typhoon season picks up, and by the very end of the month temperatures start to ease a little, with the first hints of early autumn.
This guide pulls together the Obon holiday schedule, the peak of the heat wave, typhoon prep, what to wear, and sunset times all in one place — based on Japan Meteorological Agency normals (1991–2020) and National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ) 2026 official data.
☀️ Curious about Tokyo's July weather?
👉 Tokyo July Weather & What to Wear (2026)
Tokyo Obon Holiday Weather: Schedule & Handling the Crowds
2026 Obon Holiday Schedule
Obon (お盆) is Japan's biggest homecoming season. It's not a public holiday, but most companies tack on summer leave around August 13–16.
| Category | Dates |
|---|---|
| Obon holiday period | August 13–16 |
| Actual leave (Japanese companies) | Around August 9–17 |
| Obon Nagashi (お盆流し) | August 16 |
The weather during Obon overlaps with the hottest stretch of August. By JMA normals, August 13–16 daytime highs run 31.5–31.6°C and morning lows are 23.7–23.8°C.
👉 Tokyo August Festivals: Roppongi Hills Bon Odori & Azabu-juban Noryo Festival
Crowd Warnings
During Obon, many Tokyo residents head back to their hometowns, so in one sense central Tokyo can actually feel quieter than usual. On the other hand, tourist spots like Disneyland and teamLab, along with shinkansen and flight tickets, sell out weeks in advance. Accommodation rates also run higher than usual during this period.
The days right before Obon (August 10–12) and right after (August 17–19) are relatively less crowded.
Tokyo Early & Mid-August Weather: Peak of the Heat Wave
Early August (1–10): The Year’s Highest Temperatures
Early August is the period with Tokyo's highest temperatures of the year. Daytime highs hit 31.7–31.8°C and morning lows 23.8–23.9°C, so the heat doesn't let up even at night, day after day. With the daily temperature range narrowing to 7–8°C, it strongly feels like the heat continues around the clock.
| Date | Avg. High | Avg. Low |
|---|---|---|
| August 1 | 31.7°C | 23.8°C |
| August 5 | 31.8°C | 23.9°C |
| August 10 | 31.7°C | 23.9°C |
(Source: JMA 1991–2020 normals, Tokyo station 47662)
👉 Tokyo August Festivals: Roppongi Hills Doraemon Summer Festival
Mid-August (11–20): Where Obon and the Heat Wave Overlap
Mid-August, which includes the Obon holidays (13–16), also keeps daytime highs at 31.2–31.7°C as the heat wave continues. It starts to dip slightly compared with early August, but you can barely tell the difference.
| Date | Avg. High | Avg. Low |
|---|---|---|
| August 11 | 31.7°C | 23.8°C |
| August 15 | 31.5°C | 23.7°C |
| August 20 | 31.2°C | 23.4°C |
(Source: JMA 1991–2020 normals, Tokyo station 47662)
👉 Tokyo August Festivals: Asakusa Sumida River Lantern Floating
Weekly Rainfall
| August Week | Rainfall | Rainy Days |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 (1–7) | ~24mm | 2–3 rainy days |
| Week 2 (8–14) | ~31mm | 3–4 rainy days |
| Week 3 (15–21) | ~38mm | 3–4 rainy days |
| Week 4 (22–31) | ~61mm | 4–5 rainy days |
(Source: JMA 1991–2020 normals / August monthly rainfall ~155mm, average humidity 74%)
☔ The pattern is that rainfall is light early in the month and grows toward the end. Week 4's 61mm is 2.5 times Week 1's 24mm, and that's down to the influence of typhoon season.
Tokyo Late August Weather: Typhoon Watch & Early-Autumn Signs
Late August (21–31): Temperatures Start to Come Down
From late August the daytime highs start to ease off little by little. The normal high for August 31 is 30.1°C, 1.7°C lower than early August (31.8°C). Morning lows also come down to 22.6–23.3°C, so in the early morning you start to feel a slight coolness.
| Date | Avg. High | Avg. Low |
|---|---|---|
| August 21 | 31.1°C | 23.3°C |
| August 25 | 30.7°C | 23.0°C |
| August 31 | 30.1°C | 22.6°C |
(Source: JMA 1991–2020 normals, Tokyo station 47662)
👉 Tokyo August Festivals: Harajuku Omotesando Super Yosakoi Festival
Typhoon Season
Late August is the time when typhoons are most likely to affect Tokyo. A direct hit isn't statistically common, but the outer bands of a typhoon can bring heavy rain and strong wind for several days.
When a typhoon is approaching, it's best to avoid going out and to keep some slack in your travel schedule. We recommend checking Japan Meteorological Agency typhoon information before you set off.
➡️ Check the JMA Tokyo weekly forecast
Tokyo August Clothing: Complete Heat-Wave Guide
In August, short sleeves are the baseline all month long.
Nothing changes dramatically compared with late July, but the heat is more intense and the UV is the strongest of the year.
Early & Mid-August Outfits (Peak Heat Wave)
- Recommended combo: short sleeves + SPF 50+ sunscreen + sunglasses + hat
- Good to bring: a small handheld fan, cooling spray, sports drinks
- For indoor air conditioning: one thin cardigan (department stores and the subway run the AC hard)
- Shoes: breathable sneakers or sandals
Late August Outfits (Heat Continues, More Showers)
Temperatures are still above 30°C, but it's a period when rain increases with afternoon showers and typhoon influence.
- Recommended combo: short sleeves + sun protection + folding umbrella
- For typhoons: a light waterproof jacket or windbreaker
Outfit Summary by Period
| Period | Daytime Temp | Outfit · Key Items |
|---|---|---|
| Early & mid-August | 31–32°C | Short sleeves + sun protection Hat, sunglasses, cooling spray |
| Late August | 30–31°C | Short sleeves + folding umbrella Waterproof jacket, check typhoon info |
Tokyo August Sunset Times & Summer Night-View Spots
August is a month when the day gets shorter quickly.
Sunset, which was at 18:47 on July 30, moves up 34 minutes to 18:13 by the end of August.
By NAOJ data, Tokyo's August sunrise and sunset times are as follows.
| Period | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|
| August 9 | 04:55 | 18:38 |
| August 19 | 05:03 | 18:26 |
| August 29 | 05:10 | 18:13 |
(Source: National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, "Calendar Handbook" 2026 Tokyo sunrise/sunset)
Recommended Sunset & Night-View Spots in August
① Shibuya Sky: During the early-August heat wave the rooftop heat is intense, but the closer you get to the end of the month, the evening breeze improves a little. Cooling spray and sports drinks are essential.
② Tokyo Skytree: It overlaps with the tail end of the late-August fireworks season. You can enjoy the summer festival mood around the Sumida River along with the night view.
③ Roppongi Hills Observation Deck: Using the indoor viewing area lets you enjoy the night view while avoiding the heat, making it the most practical choice in August.
👉 Tokyo Observation Decks: BEST 5 Comparison (2026)
📌 Night-View Visit Tips
From August 9 (18:38) to August 29 (18:13), the sunset time moves up 25 minutes.
Compared with the late-June sunset (19:01), that's a difference of about 48 minutes.
If you aim for an observation deck entry around 18:00, that's plenty of time to enjoy both the sunset glow and the night view together.
In early and mid-August, outdoor observation decks stay above 28–29°C even after the sun goes down.
Be sure to bring water and cooling spray.
Tokyo in August is a month when the heat wave, the Obon crowds, and typhoon season all arrive at once. Around Obon (13–16) it's important to book early, and if you're visiting in late August, it's best to check typhoon information frequently.
🧡 Tokyo Mate Travel Guides
👉 Tokyo August Festivals: Roppongi Hills Doraemon Summer Festival
👉 Tokyo August Festivals: Roppongi Hills Bon Odori & Azabu-juban Noryo Festival
👉 Tokyo August Festivals: Asakusa Sumida River Lantern Floating
👉 Tokyo August Festivals: Harajuku Omotesando Super Yosakoi Festival
☔ Tokyo Mate Weather Forecasts
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