Japan in August 2025: Travel Tips, Festivals & Weather

Traveling to Japan in August may not coincide with the peak season due to the rising temperatures that can make your summer journey a bit sweaty, but it still offers a delightful array of festivals, events, and dazzling fireworks displays. These promise a summer filled with excitement and fun, making August an enticing time to enjoy your Japan tour.

Japan's Weather in August

August marks the end of summer and the rainy season, bringing sunny and humid weather with relatively high temperatures. It is typically considered one of the warmest months for traveling to Japan, suitable for diving in its decent forests or the azure sea.

Japan Weather Map in August

Northern Japan

Known for lush mountains and tranquil forests, Hokkaido and northern Honshu offer a refreshing escape from the summer heat waves, with relatively lower temperatures ranging from 18 to 25℃ in August. Places like Furano and Biei, provide ideal conditions for enjoying blooming flowers amidst pleasant weather.

Central Japan

Ranging from 24 to 33℃, the warmer temperature in central Japan might make your outdoor activities in Tokyo, Kyoto, or Osaka a bit sweaty. However, you can still take advantage of the tasty street vendors for seasonal treats as well as the various indoor item experiences to fulfill your city sightseeing in August.

Southern Japan

Similar to the central region, the southern islands such as Okinawa can experience temperatures reaching 36℃ under the brilliant sunshine. This makes it ideal for sun worshippers seeking a leisurely vacation with gentle winds, sandy beaches, dazzling oceans, and a variety of water sports to enjoy the summer fun.

Best Places to Visit in August

Hokkaido

With its spring-like temperatures, Hokkaido remains a popular destination to beat the summer heat in August. Here, you can marvel at the lush greenery adorning the walls along the Otaru Canal and wander through vibrant flower fields blanketing the gentle slopes with lavender, columbine, pansies, irises, and more.

Otaru Canal

Kyoto

It is a good idea to make Kyoto one of your bases when traveling to Japan in August. An ancient capital, both ideal for indoor activities and sites to avoid the summer heat, is also a bustling city with the most festive atmosphere of grand fireworks celebrations around Lake Biwa, or the unique bonfire ending the Obon festival.

Kanazawa

Often referred to as Kyoto of the North, this coastal city boasts impressive castles and leisurely beaches with gentle waves to beat the summer heat. It's also home to the renowned ancient garden of Kenrokuen, offering a perfect spot for an after-dinner stroll. The garden is adorned with enchanting nighttime illuminations in August, adding a touch of elegance and romance to your evening.

Okinawa

August heralds the peak season of the Okinawa islands. Promenade against the sparkling sea adorned with its seasonal bright flowers, perfect for a sunset drive to capture the gentle breeze; rhythmic waves carrying some gifts from the ocean as the invitation to the colorful world beneath the water.

What to See & Do in August

Up Closer to Mt. Fuji

The clear, sunny days of August offer excellent visibility and the chance to catch a glimpse of Japan's iconic Mt. Fuji from afar. Or heading to the foothills, also allows you to experience this majestic mountain while enjoying cooler temperatures. In addition, the summer heat melts the snow on the trails, making August one of the gateways to get closer to Mt. Fuji. Beneath the mountain, Lake Kawaguchi comes alive with shops and events, packed with decked-out travelers ready to climb to the summit.

Mt. Fuji

Enjoy the Sun, Sand & Sea

Leisurely beaches and inviting seawaters make for the perfect summer holiday, and Japan boasts an abundance of them. Whether it's an after-dinner stroll along Odaiba near Tokyo, a relaxing sunbath at the Seto Inland Sea not far from Hiroshima, or an exploration of the sparkling Okinawa islands, offering the opportunity to immerse yourself in the vibrant underwater world, teeming with colorful fish, graceful turtles, and captivating reefs.

Hiking in the Japanese Alps

The August hiking season beckons hikers to explore the lush mountains of Japan, offering a respite from the urban hustle and bustle and a chance to immerse oneself in breathtaking natural landscapes. Picture a serene hike along winding paths lined with verdant cedars, where dappled sunlight leads to tranquil valleys dotted with shimmering lakes and the soothing hum of cicadas. This idyllic scenery awaits you in the Kamikochi and Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, some of the most inviting trails in the Japanese Alps.

Capture the Brilliant Fireworks

The soaring temperatures of August also draw out locals, turning it into a bustling month filled with festivals and events. And the star of the show? Fireworks, undoubtedly! From the grand Hanabi matsuri that illuminate the night sky like blooming flowers to other celebrations that adorn them as dazzling decorations, the vivid trails of fireworks never fail to impress. So, be sure to capture these ephemeral night flowers, as they truly epitomize the essence of your August adventure.

Events & Festivals

Fireworks Festival (Hanabi Taikai)

Much like the iconic cherry blossoms in spring and the vibrant fall foliage, the luminous night flowers of fireworks epitomize Japan's summer season. The great news is that August is brimming with Hanabi Taikai, ensuring ample opportunities to slip into a soft yukata adorned with myriad patterns, relish candied apples, or partake in traditional games before the fireworks illuminate the sky. It's a leisurely affair that mirrors the locals' way of enjoying these summer festivities.

Popular Hanabi Taikai in August
- Lake Suwa Fireworks Festival, Nagano, August 15th, 2024
- Lake Biwa Fireworks Festival, Kyoto, August 8th, 2024
- Yodogawa Fireworks Festival, Osaka & Edogawa Fireworks Festival, Tokyo, August 3rd, 2024

Obon Festival & Gozan Okuribi

The Obon is one of the most bustling festivals in Japan, with grand celebrations you can always partake in. Hanging lanterns, making cucumber horses and eggplant cows, and joining the traditional bon odori (dance performances) honor the returning spirits of the deceased, which can also be considered the ghost festival in Japan. It is an annual Buddhist event that falls in mid-August (13th-15th) and ends with a spectacular event called Gozan no Okuribi (August 16th) in Kyoto, where you can capture the distinctive shapes of bonfires like Daimonji set on the mountain as a farewell to the ancestors.

Awa Odori

If you choose Tokushima as your summer holiday destination in Japan, you won't want to miss out on this vibrant spectacle. Held from 12th to 15th August, this lively dance event is usually often associated with the Obon festival celebrations. Apart from watching their well-prepared performance, you can also sign up as a member to dance. Another good news is that you can still try this interesting dance even if you missed the celebration. Just head to the city center and the year-round activity awaits you at the Awa Odori Kaikan.

Aomori Nebuta Matsuri

It is another festival to highlight the night of your Japan tour when traveling in August. Spanning six days from August 2nd to 7th, this evening event boasts a grand parade route from the street to the coast, stretching nearly 3 kilometers. Elaborately costumed locals carry huge paper floats resembling brave warriors through the streets, joined by Haneto dancers in traditional attire, taiko drummers, and folk musicians, which is sure to impress your summer nights.

Tanabata Festival

The Tanabata Festival (August 6th-8th), also known as the Star Festival, commemorates the legendary tale of Orihime and Hikoboshi, star-crossed lovers separated by the Milky Way. To experience one of the most renowned Tanabata celebrations, consider visiting Sendai in the Tohoku area. Here, you can participate in vibrant street parades featuring long colorful streamers and paper cranes. After inscribing your wishes on paper strips, you can tie them to bamboo branches as part of the festivities.

Crowds & Costs

When traveling to Japan in August, you'll notice quieter streets and slightly reduced prices compared to the fancy spring and autumn seasons. However, August marks the peak of summer holidays for local families and students, leading to busy attractions and higher prices, particularly during the Obon festival period, always bustling with all kinds of celebrations. If you prefer the festival atmosphere, it's advisable to book early to secure accommodations at reasonable rates amidst the festive buzz.

Japan Travel Tips in August

Cool Down With Seasonal Treats

In the sweltering August heat, it is a good idea to indulge in refreshing street treats to cool off. From matcha-flavored ice cream to kakigori topped with fresh fruit sauce, slow down your pace and take your time to savor the flavors of summer.

Japanese Food

Umbrella for Sudden Shower & Sun

One of your best matches with the sun cream to protect your skin from the excessive ultraviolet light of summer, and most importantly, it can come in handy during the sudden shower brought by the typhoon, which won’t last too long.

Carry Insect Repellent With You

With the sunny days of August, there are all kinds of outdoor activities to join, from festival revelries to leisurely forest hikes. However, warm weather also invites curious insects and mosquitoes to join your adventure. Hence, having insect repellent on the hand is advisable.

Sample the August Festival Atmosphere in Japan

August, a busy month for traveling to Japan, packed with vibrant festivals and events to join the local traditional celebrations, abundant with sunny days to meet the hiking season and stunning nature, making Japan still your ideal summer destination. No matter the worry about the heat or the best ways to enjoy your journey, let Odynovo fulfill your dreamy Japan tour.