Tokyo Weather in May: What to Wear & Golden Week

May is prime travel season for Tokyo. Clear skies stretch on for days, afternoons warm enough for a T-shirt, and evenings cool just enough to enjoy a walk without breaking a sweat. It's the kind of weather that makes you want to stay outside all day.

But don't let the general impression fool you — early, mid, and late May temperatures differ by more than 3°C, so your packing list should shift depending on when you visit. And if your trip overlaps with Golden Week (April 29 – May 6), you're looking at extreme crowds across all major attractions and transportation.

This guide uses JMA (Japan Meteorological Agency) climate normals (1991–2020) and NAOJ (National Astronomical Observatory of Japan) 2026 official data to break down temperatures, clothing, rain, and sunset times for each part of May.

🎌 Golden Week Weather & Crowd Tips

Golden Week spans late April to early May and is Japan's longest consecutive holiday period. The weather during this stretch is some of the best all year — but the real challenge isn't the temperature, it's the crowds.

2026 Golden Week Schedule (April 29 – May 6)

Weather during Golden Week is near-ideal: highs around 22–23°C, lows around 13–14°C, with mostly clear days. It's perfect for outdoor activities — walking tours, park visits, and open-air markets all feel great in this temperature range.

The problem isn't the weather — it's the crowds. Tokyo Disneyland, teamLab, and popular restaurants all hit peak capacity. Shinkansen (bullet train) and highway bus tickets sell out weeks in advance. Hotel and Airbnb prices jump to 1.5–2x normal rates.

If you're planning a Golden Week trip, book attractions, transportation, and accommodation at least 4–6 weeks ahead. Anything less and you'll be scrambling for leftovers.

🌡️ Tokyo Early & Mid-May Weather: Temperature & Daily Range

Early May (May 1–10) — Peak of Spring

Early May brings daytime highs of 22–23°C and morning lows of 13–14°C. During the day, a T-shirt is perfectly fine. But if you're heading out in the morning or staying out past sunset, you'll want a light outer layer — the roughly 9°C daily swing catches people off guard.

(Source: JMA Normal Values 1991–2020, Tokyo Station 47662)

Mid-May (May 11–20) — Entering Early Summer

By mid-May, daytime highs reach 23–24°C and UV rays get noticeably stronger — sunscreen becomes a must. Evening lows sit at 14–15°C, comfortable enough that a light jacket is all you need after dark.

(Source: JMA Normal Values 1991–2020, Tokyo Station 47662)

Cherry blossoms are long gone by mid-May, but this is when Tokyo's fresh green season takes over. Parks, riverbanks, and tree-lined streets turn a vivid, lush green — a completely different kind of beauty from spring blooms.

👉 Tokyo Must-Visit Complete Guide | 2026 Essential Attractions & Sightseeing

☀️ Tokyo Late May Weather: Transition to Early Summer

Late May (May 21–31) — T-shirts Become Standard

Late May pushes daytime highs to 24–25°C, and you'll start sweating at midday if you're walking around in the sun. Morning lows rise to 15–16°C, which means thin long sleeves are more than enough even for early departures.

(Source: JMA Normal Values 1991–2020, Tokyo Station 47662)

Last Clear Period Before June Rainy Season

Tokyo's rainy season (梅雨, tsuyu) typically starts in early to mid-June. That makes late May the golden window of clear, warm weather before the rains settle in. If you're debating between a late May and early June trip and rainy weather worries you, late May is the safer bet by far.

👕 Tokyo May Clothing: When Can You Wear Short Sleeves?

May is the month where your wardrobe changes the most within a single trip. What you pack for early May won't be what you reach for in late May — and getting this wrong means either carrying around an unnecessary jacket or wishing you had one.

Early May Clothing (Including Golden Week)

T-shirts work fine during the day, but you'll want a light outer layer when you head out in the morning. If your plan involves a lot of outdoor queuing — Disneyland, popular ramen shops, morning shrine visits — a thin long-sleeve actually works better than a T-shirt because it shields you from direct sun without overheating.

• Recommended combo: T-shirt or thin long-sleeve + light jacket or cardigan (for morning/evening)
• Must-pack: Foldable umbrella + sunscreen

Mid-May Clothing

T-shirts become the standard. Daytime is comfortable in just a T-shirt, but Tokyo's indoor air conditioning is aggressive — department stores, shopping malls, and subway cars can feel cold after walking in from the heat. A thin cardigan or light scarf tucked in your bag solves this.

• Recommended combo: T-shirt + thin cardigan (for indoor AC)

Late May Clothing

T-shirts all day, even into the evening. The temperature stays warm enough that you won't need an extra layer after sunset. UV gets noticeably strong — sunglasses and sunscreen move from "nice to have" to essential.

• Recommended combo: T-shirt + sunglasses + sunscreen

Clothing Summary by Period

☔ Tokyo May Rain: Rainfall & Umbrella Prep

According to JMA normals, Tokyo gets about 140mm of rain in May, spread across roughly 10 rainy days. That's slightly more than April (~124mm), but the pattern is similar — mostly sudden afternoon showers rather than all-day downpours. A foldable umbrella handles the vast majority of situations.

From mid to late May, humidity starts creeping up (average around 68%), cloudy days become more frequent, and the chance of showers ticks higher. It's a good idea to check the JMA weekly forecast before your departure to plan around any rainy stretches.

➡️ JMA Tokyo Weather Forecast

🌇 Tokyo May Sunset Times & Night View Spots

May is one of the longest-daylight months in Tokyo. The sun sets late, which means more time for sightseeing — and better timing for evening night views.

(Source: NAOJ Almanac 2026, Tokyo Sunrise/Sunset)

Late May's sunset at 18:44 is 17 minutes later than late April's 18:27. If you're planning an evening at an observatory or rooftop bar, aim for 18:45 or later entry to catch both the sunset glow and the transition to city lights.

May Sunset & Night View Recommended Spots

• Shibuya Sky: May is optimal for the golden sunset + city lights combo. With a mid-May sunset at 18:36, arriving by 18:15 gives you plenty of time to settle in.
• Tokyo Skytree: Fresh greenery along the Sumida River paired with the night view creates a uniquely beautiful May scene.
• Roppongi Hills Observatory: Late May's warm evenings let you linger on the outdoor Sky Deck — the best setup for appreciating the full night view transition.

📌 Night View Tips

• Early May: bring a light outer layer if you'll be outdoors after sunset. The temperature drop is noticeable on observation decks.
• Mid-May onwards: no jacket needed — the evening air stays comfortable enough for short sleeves.

📋 Final Summary

Tokyo in May hits the sweet spot — temperatures are comfortable, weather is mostly clear, and the long daylight hours give you plenty of time for both daytime exploration and evening night views. As long as you prepare for (or avoid) Golden Week crowds, May is one of the best months to visit Tokyo.

Rainfall averages about 10 days per month — a foldable umbrella handles most situations. If you're visiting during Golden Week (April 29 – May 6), book attractions, transport, and accommodation at least 4–6 weeks in advance.

🧡 More Helpful Tokyo Travel Guides

🌡️ Monthly Weather Series:

• 👉 Tokyo April Weather & Clothing Guide (2026)
• 👉 Tokyo March Weather & Clothing Guide (2026)
• 👉 Tokyo February Weather & Clothing Guide (2026)

🌿 May Tokyo Travel Spots:

• 👉 Tokyo Must-Visit Complete Guide | 2026 Essential Attractions & Sightseeing
• 👉 Tokyo Observatory BEST5 Comparison & Selection Guide

🌧️ Rainy Day Indoor Plans:

• 👉 Tokyo Rainy Day Itinerary Guide | Indoor Routes & Umbrella Prep (2026)