Osaka is a vibrant port city known for its rich culture and referred to as the culinary capital of Japan. It offers a delightful travel experience year-round, with its four distinct seasons.
The best times to visit Osaka, when the weather is mild and the scenery is most attractive, are in spring (March to May) to enjoy the charming cherry blossoms and in autumn (September to November) to appreciate the vibrant autumn foliage. However, September is often affected by typhoons, which bring strong winds and increased rainfall.
Summer (June to August) in Osaka is hot, especially in August, with the average daily high reaching 34°C (93°F), but you can experience big festivals and fireworks celebrations.
Winter (December to February) in Osaka is cold and dry. January is the coldest time, with an average daily high of about 10°C (50°F). It's a great place to spend Christmas and New Year with your family.
The rainy season in Osaka is from June to July with steady light rain. It does not rain every day and you can travel.
Weather in Osaka Every Month
| Month | Ave. Max. Temp | Ave. Min. Temp |
|---|---|---|
| January | 9°C 48°F) | 2°C (36°F) |
| February | 10°C 50°F) | 3°C (37°F) |
| March | 13°C 55°F) | 5°C (41°F) |
| April | 18°C 64°F) | 10°C (50°F) |
| May | 23°C 73°F) | 15°C (59°F) |
| June | 27°C 81°F) | 20°C (68°F) |
| July | 31°C 88°F) | 23°C (73°F) |
| August | 34°C 93°F) | 24°C (75°F) |
| September | 29°C 84°F) | 20°C (68°F) |
| October | 23°C 73°F) | 15°C (59°F) |
| November | 17°C 63°F) | 9°C (48°F) |
| December | 12°C 54°F) | 4°C (39°F) |
Spring in Osaka (March to May): The Best Time to Visit
- Mild weather and the charming cherry blossom season
Spring (March to May) is the most popular time to travel to Osaka as well as other places in Japan due to its incredible cherry blossom scenery as well as the pleasant weather. The temperature typically ranges from 14 to 25°C (57–77°F) and the average rainfall is a moderate 114 mm (4 in).
The cherry blossoms are usually in full bloom from late March to early April, making a spring or Easter vacation a perfect time to travel to Osaka. You could capture a memorable photo under the cherry trees while wearing a kimono with your family or partner.
The local cherry blossom festival (hanami) is the most important event in most cities in Japan, including Osaka in spring, attracting thousands of travelers to appreciate the cherry blossoms. Higher costs and large crowds are inevitable, so we highly recommend that you make your reservations at least 3–6 months in advance.
Clothing tips: Spring in Osaka is mild/warm so sweaters and coats are adequate to cope with the changing temperatures, but you should also prepare shirts for the days when it gets even hotter.
Summer in Osaka (June to August): Hot and Humid
Tenjin Matsuri in Osaka in summer- Enjoy a bustling big festival and fireworks celebrations
Summer (June to August) is the hottest time in Osaka, with temperatures ranging from 20–34°C (68–93°F) on average. The rainy season lasts from June to July and the average rainfall in June reaches a high 185 mm (7 in). It becomes drier in August with a moderate average rainfall of about 113 mm (4 in).
The heat and rain are not major concerns when you travel to Osaka. It does not rain every day, allowing you to have an enjoyable trip. Also there are plenty of indoor activities in Osaka, such as a ninja experience, Ukiyo-e printmaking, and making cup noodles, which are inside air-conditioned buildings.
Compared with July and August (the summer vacation months), June is cooler and less crowded, which makes it a better time for families to visit Osaka and have fun at Universal Studios Japan or Super Nintendo World.
Festival: Tenjin Matsuri, held in July, is the biggest festival that's celebrated in Osaka. Immerse yourself in the celebrations as you watch the traditional float parade and awesome fireworks to fully experience the rich cultural atmosphere.
Clothing tips: Shirts, hats, sunglasses, and umbrellas are recommended to pack for a summer trip to Osaka.
Autumn in Osaka (September to November): Best Time to Visit
- Cool weather and colorful autumn foliage
Autumn in Osaka is cool and comfortable, with an average daily temperature range of 15–23°C (59–73°F). Typhoons hit in September, so the average rainfall of about 153 mm (6 in) often mostly falls in a short spell. Typhoon season will have passed by November, resulting in a low average rainfall of 73 mm (3 in).
Colorful autumn foliage presents charming views in fall in Osaka and it's most abundant in November, allowing you to appreciate it almost everywhere. Osaka Castle is one of the best places to admire red maple and golden ginkgo leaves. Not only can you learn about the history of this city but also walk around it to enjoy the multicolored autumn views.
Clothing tips: Shirts, jackets, and coats are adequate to deal with the frequent weather changes.
Winter in Osaka (December to February): Cold and Dry
- Celebrate Christmas and New Year with your family
Winter is the coldest time in Osaka, with daily highs of about 10°C (50°F). It is not too cool to travel though. It is also the driest time with a low average rainfall of about 54 mm (2 in).
Celebrating Christmas and New Year in Osaka is extremely popular among families. You can enjoy a fancy Christmas feast with high-class Wagyu beef and appreciate the colorful Christmas illuminations. During the New Year celebrations, you can experience traditional Japanese bell-ringing ceremonies to pray for good luck and welcome the coming year.
Christmas and New Year are two of the busiest times to travel to Japan, especially from December 23rd to January 5th. Hotel prices during this period can be two to three times more expensive than usual. For the New Year holiday, many stores may be closed for one or two days and some activities are hard to book. Our Japan experts would help you to have a hassle-free trip and meet your requirements.
For better value for money, some of our clients have previously booked their visit to Japan before December 20th or after January 5th. They saved more than 30% on the prices of hotels and international flights.
Clothing tips: Thick clothes, such as a down jacket and gloves, should be worn in Osaka in winter to keep warm.
Osaka Travel Guide by Month
Click the sign of each month to check the travel guide information.
- January
- February
- March
- April
- May
- June
- July
- August
- September
- October
- November
- December
Osaka Weather in January
- Average high: 10°C (50°F)
- Average low: 3°C (37°F)
January is cold in Osaka with more clear days. Most of stores close from January 1st to 2nd due to the New Year celebrations in Japan. After the busiest New Year period (usually January 10th), there are fewer crowds and the costs are lower.
Osaka festivals and events in January: To celebrate New Year, the most important festival in Japan, you can experience a bell-ringing ceremony at a shrine to pray for luck in the coming year in a traditional Japanese way.
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