What's the Weather like in Tokyo in May
May is another beautiful month in the city of Tokyo, Japan. The days are longer, with the sun rising about 4:30am and staying up until almost 7pm by May 31. You can expect temperatures during the day to be around 20 to 21°C, though it will be slightly rainier than April with 132mm falling over 16 days this month. Still, you will need those sunglasses as the sun is out more often than not. A light jacket or sweater for cooler mornings and evenings is all that is needed now. This month would be a great time to visit Yokohama, where temperatures are only one degree warmer, but a great place to visit outside of Tokyo if you're looking for a change of scenery.
Temperature
With the weather warming up, Tokyo will be noticably busier, with the highs reaching 21°C, along with an average of 18°C across the whole of May. The lowest temperature usually stands around 14°C, this being very early in the morning.
Sunshine Hours
Increasing by one hour more than April, May will bring an average of 6 daily sunshine hours. The weather is warm, and the sun is mostly shining.
Rain
A rainy day over the course of May is gradually decreasing, starting the month at 35% and ending it at 38%.
For reference, the year's highest daily chance of a wet day is 48% on June 24, and its lowest chance is 12% on December 28.
Tokyo Hotels in May
Oakwood Premier Tokyo
Oakwood Premier Tokyo is a luxury serviced apartment with hotel-like services, located at just a 2-minute walk from JR Tokyo Station's Yaesu North Exit. Located on the 6-19th floors of a 19-storey building, this property is designed to offer a getaway in the centre of Tokyo. There is a 24-hour front desk on site.
Ascott Marunouchi Tokyo
Situated in the center of Tokyo, Ascott Marunouchi Tokyo is 900 yards from Tokyo Station. Elegantly furnished rooms located on the upper floors boast city views. Free WiFi is featured throughout the property and an on-site fitness centre is available for guests for free.
Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo
Directly accessible from JR Tokyo Station, Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Marunouchi offers a quiet luxurious accommodation in the heart of the bustling city. This hotel was selected as one of Top 25 Hotels in Japan by TripAdvisor's Travelers' Choice Award 2014, and provides spacious rooms, complimentary use of hot-spring baths and sauna in a spa, and a 24-hour fitness studio. Free WiFi and pick-up service from the station is available.
Bars and Restaurants
Sushi Sugita
Tokyo's cognoscenti have long championed Sushi Sugita as one of the city's top sushi restaurants. Now at work in a sparkling new premises in Nihonbashi! Needless to say, Sushi Sugita has become one of the hardest places to book, so out-of-towners should get their concierges working on it well ahead of time.
Kagari
Creamy white chicken-based paitan soup, delicate al dente noodles, and elegant toppings of chicken breast and seasonal greens: just three reasons why many people rate Kagari their favorite ramenya in Tokyo.
l'Ambre
Long before latte art and aeropresses arrived in Tokyo, there was a thriving culture of kissaten, cozy and smoke-filled coffee shops. Most have disappeared, but l'Ambre (founded 1948) shows no sign of fading away. That's thanks to centenarian owner Ichiro Sekiguchi and his devotion to his premium coffee beans, some of which he ages for decades.
Things to do in Tokyo in May
Golden Week
Japan has a major holiday at the beginning of May known as Golden Week to coincide with the good weather. This is amongst the most expensive and busy times to travel in Japan. Golden Week ends in early May and travel gets a little less expensive but the good weather continues.
Kanda Matsuri
Kanda Matsuri, held every other year, is a huge festival held in the Kanda district of central Tokyo. For the next event click here.
Sanja Matsuri
In the third weekend of May, Sanja Matsuri is Tokyo's biggest festival (making it one of Japan's biggest) - the action takes place all around Asakussa. Do not miss it!
