Best (and Worst) Times to Visit Osaka: Weather, Experiences, and Travel Tips
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Best (and Worst) Times to Visit Osaka: Weather, Experiences, and Travel Tips

Written by Vicky Leng Updated Sep. 18, 2023

The best times to visit Osaka are from March to May and September to November when the weather is mild and the scenery is at its best. In spring, you can enjoy the beautiful cherry blossoms, while autumn offers vibrant foliage. 

Osaka Castle cherry blossom

Weather and Climate in Osaka

Osaka has four distinct seasons. Spring (March to May) is warm with cherry blossoms in bloom. Summer (June to August) is hot and humid with the average daily high reaching 34°C (93°F). Autumn (September to November) has mild temperatures and vibrant autumn leaves. Winter (December to February) is cold, with occasional snowfall.  

The rainy season in Osaka is from June to July with steady light rain. It does not rain every day and you can travel.

Osaka Temperature by 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)

Osaka Monthly Temperature Chart

Osaka temperature by month

When is the Best Time to Visit Osaka?

osaka castle fall leaves

Spring (March to May) and Autumn (October to November) are the ideal times to visit Osaka, thanks to their beautiful scenery and pleasant weather.

From late March, cherry blossoms begin to bloom, creating stunning views that last until mid-April. During this period, you can see cherry blossoms in many locations, with the most famous spots being the Nishinomaru Japanese Garden in Osaka Castle Park and the Osaka Mint Bureau. Osaka's fall foliage season runs from late October to mid-December, peaking in November. This is another picturesque time to explore the city.

However, both spring and autumn are also the busiest travel seasons, so expect large crowds and higher prices. 

Summer (June to August) in Osaka is hot and humid, with frequent showers and temperatures reaching around 35°C (95°F). If you come from a region with mostly dry weather, this may not be the most pleasant time to visit.

Winter (December to February) is cold and windy, with occasional snow. The advantage of visiting during winter is the lower crowds and more affordable prices.

September can be affected by typhoons, bringing strong winds and heavy rain. This might delay or cancel flights and trains. But if you keep a flexible itinerary, you can still visit Japan. This month usually has very few crowds. Continue to read: Travel tips for Japan's typhoon season

Osaka's public holidays include New Year (January 1 to 3), Golden Week (the last week of April to the first week of May), and Obon (August 13-15). During these times, expect large crowds at attractions, busy transportation, and frequent traffic jams. Many shops close during the New Year holiday. Check out the complete list of Japanese public holidays in 2025

 See below for details of Osaka's travel seasons

  • Best times to visit: Spring (March-May) and Autumn (October to November)
  • Super high season: March, April, November
  • Shoulder season: May, June, September and October
  • Low season: December, January and February
  • Public holidays: New Year, Golden Week,  Obon (August 13-15); 

Spring in Osaka (March to May): Cherry Blossom Season

pSpring (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 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 Weather Guide by Month

Click the sign of each month to check the travel guide information.

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.

Osaka Weather in February

  • Average high: 11°C (52°F)
  • Average low: 3°C (37°F)

Cold and dry weather continues in February in Osaka, but it's not too cold for traveling. Watching a sumo wrestling show and experiencing Ukiyo-e printmaking are excellent activities to enjoy during this month.

Osaka Weather in March

Osaka Castle with cherry blossoms at night Osaka Castle with cherry blossoms at night
  • Average high: 14°C (57°F)
  • Average low: 6°C (43°F)

March is the start of spring and the popular cherry blossom season. It's one of the best months to travel to Osaka. Cherry blossoms in Osaka are usually in full bloom by late March, attracting thousands of travelers who go there to appreciate them.

Osaka Weather in April

Cherry blossoms in Himeji Castle Cherry blossoms in Himeji Castle
  • Average high: 20°C (68°F)
  • Average low: 11°C (52°F)

As one of the best months to travel to Osaka, April has pleasant weather and amazing cherry blossom scenery. Early April is usually when cherry blossoms are in full bloom, which attracts numerous travelers from both Japan and abroad to admire them.

Osaka festivals and events in April: Hanami, the traditional event of viewing flowers in bloom, is the most attractive event in Osaka and the rest of Japan in early April.

Osaka Weather in May

  • Average high: 25°C (77°F)
  • Average low: 16°C (61°F)

May is warmer and the skies are mostly clear in Osaka. The Golden Week (usually from April 29th to May 5th) is a public holiday in Japan and many Japanese people choose to travel during this time. The crowds and costs tend to decrease toward the end of May, making it an excellent time to visit Japan.

Osaka Weather in June

  • Average high: 28°C (82°F)
  • Average low: 20°C (68°F)

June sees the beginning of summer and the rainy season. Rainfall is not very heavy though, and it doesn't rain every day.

June is a recommended month to spend your summer vacation with your kids as the weather is cooler and it's less crowded compared to July and August. Family-friendly activities in Osaka, such as visiting Universal Studios Japan and enjoying a ninja experience, are great options that your family can enjoy together.

Osaka Weather in July

  • Average high: 32°C (90°F)
  • Average low: 25°C (77°F)

The heat and the steady light rain are characteristics of July in Osaka. But they are not big problems as Osaka offers plenty of indoor activities inside air-conditioned buildings, minimizing the worries of heat and rain.

Osaka festivals and events in July: Tenjin Matsuri is the most important festival that's celebrated in Osaka. You could experience a fantastic traditional float parade and amazing fireworks to soak up the strong cultural atmosphere.

Osaka Weather in August

  • Average high: 34°C (93°F)
  • Average low: 26°C (79°F)

August is the hottest time in Osaka and the rainfall decreases to 113 mm (5in). To avoid the heat, you can enjoy plenty of authentic indoor activities, such as ninja experiences, sumo wrestling shows, and Ukiyo-e printmaking experiences.

Osaka Weather in September

  • Average high: 30°C (86°F)
  • Average low: 22°C (72°F)

September is the low season to travel to Osaka as typhoons hit and bring heavy rains at times. The average number of rainy days is about 14 days, with an average rainfall of about 153 mm (6 in). If you are traveling in September, it is important to keep your itinerary flexible in case of flight delays or cancellations.

Osaka Weather in October

Osaka Osaka
  • Average high: 24°C (75°F)
  • Average low: 16°C (61°F)

The weather gets cooler and milder in October in Osaka, and the average rainfall decreases to 136 mm (5 in). Traveling to Osaka in late October, you could enjoy the scenery of autumn foliage with many fall colors.

Osaka Weather in November

Autumn foliage in Japan Autumn foliage in Japan
  • Average high: 18°C (64°F)
  • Average low: 10°C (50°F)

November is one of the best times to visit Osaka as the weather is at its most comfortable with many dry days. During this month, you can appreciate the stunning autumn foliage scenery that's abundant throughout Osaka.

Osaka Weather in December

  • Average high: 12°C (54°F)
  • Average low: 5°C (41°F)

December is cold and dry in Osaka, making it an excellent choice for celebrating Christmas with your family. Not only can you admire the eye-catching winter illuminations but you can also have a delicious Christmas feast, including high-end Kobe beef, to make the vacation memorable.

Detailed Osaka Weather Info by Month

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