Tokyo in May
What to expect
In Tokyo, May sits in late spring, a shoulder-season month where the feel can shift as the season turns. Most days land in a mild, easygoing zone, with evenings that ease back comfortably. You get long daylight windows for full-day exploring. Comfort is usually predictable, so a standard day plan works well.
May in context
How it compares to the rest of the year in Tokyo.
Monthly climate breakdown
Temperature
- Daytime high
-
- Nighttime low
-
- Feels like (avg)
-
Sunshine
- Daylight hours
- 14 h
- UV index (max)
- 8
- Typical sun hours
- 04:36 - 18:38
Rain & Snow
- Total rain
-
- Rainy days
- 14 days
- Cloud cover (avg)
- 69%
Humidity & Wind
- Humidity (avg)
- 76%
- Wind (avg)
-
- Wind (max gusts)
-
Daily climate explorer
Day 15 selected for May. Typical high 21.2°C and low 14.3°C.
Typical disruptions in May
Based on 30 years of historical data, these are the disruption patterns most likely to affect plans in May.
Rain disruption Measures: Likely rain disruption days. Observed about 23% of days (7.3 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
7.3 days / month
~23% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 7.3 days / month
- Probability ~23% of days
- Intensity Up to ~41mm (P95)
Rain disruption risk appears on ~7 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Washout risk Measures: Washout day risk. Observed about 23% of days (7.0 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
7.0 days / month
~23% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 7.0 days / month
- Probability ~23% of days
- Intensity Up to ~42mm (P95)
Washout conditions are possible on ~7 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Heavy rain days Measures: Heavy rain days (>=10mm). Observed about 14% of days (4.4 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
4.4 days / month
~14% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 4.4 days / month
- Probability ~14% of days
- Intensity Up to ~47mm (P95)
Heavy rain is possible on ~4 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Strong gusts Measures: Strong gust days (>=60 km/h). Observed about 8% of days (2.6 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
2.6 days / month
~8% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 2.6 days / month
- Probability ~8% of days
- Intensity Up to ~89km/h (P95)
Strong gusts are possible on ~3 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Stormy conditions Measures: Storm-impact proxy days. Observed about 5% of days (1.4 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
1.4 days / month
~5% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 1.4 days / month
- Probability ~5% of days
- Intensity Up to ~94km/h (P95)
Stormy conditions are possible on ~1 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Fog-likely signal Measures: Fog-likely visibility proxy. Observed about 2% of days (0.6 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.6 days / month
~2% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.6 days / month
- Probability ~2% of days
- Intensity Up to ~94% (P95)
Fog-likely conditions are possible on ~1 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Show all disruptions (21 more)
Washout run Measures: Multi-day washout runs. Observed about 1.5 days/month in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
1.5 days / month
Probability unavailable
Why this matters
- Expected days 1.5 days / month
- Probability —
- Intensity Up to ~43mm (P95)
Multi-day washout runs are possible on ~2 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Very heavy rain Measures: Very heavy rain days (>=25mm). Observed about 4% of days (1.3 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
1.3 days / month
~4% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 1.3 days / month
- Probability ~4% of days
- Intensity Up to ~72mm (P95)
Very heavy rain is possible on ~1 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Severe gusts Measures: Severe gust days (>=80 km/h). Observed about 1% of days (0.4 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.4 days / month
~1% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.4 days / month
- Probability ~1% of days
- Intensity Up to ~102km/h (P95)
Severe gusts are possible on ~0 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Wind disruption Measures: Disruptive wind days. Observed about 1% of days (0.2 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.2 days / month
~1% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.2 days / month
- Probability ~1% of days
- Intensity Up to ~88km/h (P95)
Disruptive wind is possible on ~0 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Extreme rain Measures: Extreme rain days (>=50mm). Observed about 1% of days (0.2 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.2 days / month
~1% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.2 days / month
- Probability ~1% of days
- Intensity Up to ~77mm (P95)
Extreme rain is possible on ~0 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Cold feels-like nights Measures: Cold feels-like nights (min <=5C). Observed about 2% of days (0.5 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.5 days / month
~2% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.5 days / month
- Probability ~2% of days
- Intensity Up to ~5°C (P95)
Cold feels-like nights are possible on ~0 days. Long outdoor blocks become harder to sustain, so layer up and keep a warm indoor fallback nearby.
Hot feels-like days Measures: Hot feels-like days (>=32C). Observed about 1% of days (0.2 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.2 days / month
~1% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.2 days / month
- Probability ~1% of days
- Intensity Up to ~33°C (P95)
Feels-like heat >=32C is possible on ~0 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Muggy days Measures: Muggy days (dew point >=20C). Observed about 1% of days (0.2 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.2 days / month
~1% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.2 days / month
- Probability ~1% of days
- Intensity Up to ~21°C (P95)
Muggy conditions are possible on ~0 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Cloudy days Measures: Cloudy days (cloud cover >=60%). Observed about 67% of days (20.6 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
20.6 days / month
~67% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 20.6 days / month
- Probability ~67% of days
- Intensity Up to ~100% (P95)
Cloudy skies are possible on ~21 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Wet days Measures: Wet days (>=0.1mm). Observed about 53% of days (16.3 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
16.3 days / month
~53% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 16.3 days / month
- Probability ~53% of days
- Intensity Up to ~33mm (P95)
Measurable rain is possible on ~16 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Mostly cloudy days Measures: Mostly cloudy days (cloud cover >=80%). Observed about 46% of days (14.3 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
14.3 days / month
~46% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 14.3 days / month
- Probability ~46% of days
- Intensity Up to ~100% (P95)
Mostly cloudy skies are possible on ~14 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Rainy hours Measures: Rain-hours signal (>=3h rain). Observed about 43% of days (13.3 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
13.3 days / month
~43% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 13.3 days / month
- Probability ~43% of days
- Intensity Up to ~20h (P95)
Several rainy hours are possible on ~13 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
High humidity Measures: High humidity days (RH >=80%). Observed about 40% of days (12.3 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
12.3 days / month
~40% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 12.3 days / month
- Probability ~40% of days
- Intensity Up to ~90% (P95)
High humidity is possible on ~12 days. Comfort and pace can drop quickly, so plan shorter outdoor blocks with air-conditioned backup stops.
Gusty days Measures: Gusty days (>=40 km/h). Observed about 38% of days (11.9 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
11.9 days / month
~38% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 11.9 days / month
- Probability ~38% of days
- Intensity Up to ~75km/h (P95)
Gusty conditions are possible on ~12 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Wet most of day Measures: Wet-most-of-day signal (>=6h rain). Observed about 32% of days (9.8 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
9.8 days / month
~32% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 9.8 days / month
- Probability ~32% of days
- Intensity Up to ~21h (P95)
Wet-most-of-day conditions are possible on ~10 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Overcast days Measures: Overcast days (cloud cover >=95%). Observed about 27% of days (8.3 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
8.3 days / month
~27% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 8.3 days / month
- Probability ~27% of days
- Intensity Up to ~100% (P95)
Overcast skies are possible on ~8 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Breezy days Measures: Breezy days (mean wind >=25 km/h). Observed about 5% of days (1.6 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
1.6 days / month
~5% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 1.6 days / month
- Probability ~5% of days
- Intensity Up to ~37km/h (P95)
Breezy conditions are possible on ~2 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Humid days Measures: Humid days (dew point >=18C). Observed about 4% of days (1.4 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
1.4 days / month
~4% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 1.4 days / month
- Probability ~4% of days
- Intensity Up to ~20°C (P95)
Humid conditions are possible on ~1 days. Comfort and pace can drop quickly, so plan shorter outdoor blocks with air-conditioned backup stops.
Convective risk Measures: Convective storm risk proxy. Observed about 2% of days (0.7 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.7 days / month
~2% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.7 days / month
- Probability ~2% of days
- Intensity Up to ~20°C (P95)
Convective risk signal appears on ~1 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Low visibility proxy: same as fog-likely (RH ≥90% AND cloud ≥95%) — true visibility requires hourly visibility data Measures: Low visibility proxy: same as fog-likely (RH ≥90% AND cloud ≥95%) — true visibility requires hourly visibility data. Observed about 2% of days (0.6 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.6 days / month
~2% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.6 days / month
- Probability ~2% of days
- Intensity Up to ~94 (P95)
Low visibility proxy: same as fog-likely (RH ≥90% AND cloud ≥95%) — true visibility requires hourly visibility data is possible on ~1 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Windy days Measures: Windy days (mean wind >=35 km/h). Observed about 1% of days (0.2 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.2 days / month
~1% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.2 days / month
- Probability ~1% of days
- Intensity Up to ~48km/h (P95)
Strong mean winds are possible on ~0 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Frequently asked questions
Is May a good time to visit Tokyo?
Typical May days in Tokyo reach highs of 22°C (72°F) with nights around 14°C (57°F). It usually feels mild by day and cool after dark. Overall, May sits in the middle of the Tokyo climate range.
What are temperatures like in May?
Daytime temperatures in May typically peak near 22°C (72°F), while nights drop to around 14°C (57°F). Expect mild afternoons and cool evenings.
How much does it rain in May?
Rainfall in May averages 139 mm (5.5 in) across roughly 14 days. Overall it is a very wet time of year, so a light rain jacket and waterproof shoes are very handy.
How many hours of daylight are there in May?
You can expect about 14 hours of daylight in May. Sunrise is typically around 04:36 and sunset near 18:38. You get long days with comfortable amounts of daylight.
How strong is the sun in May?
UV levels frequently reach very high levels (around 8), so strong sun protection is essential, especially around midday.
Is it windy in May?
In May, average wind speeds are around 14 km/h (9 mph), with gusts on the windiest days reaching about 57 km/h (35 mph). On the ground, it is it can feel quite windy at times, particularly when weather systems move through.