Weather in Tokyo in August

How August compares

August is the 1st warmest month of the year in Tokyo and ranks 46th of 134 destinations we compare for August - see where else is hot in August. Against London's average high of 21.4°C in August, Tokyo is 8.3°C warmer by day and 9.9°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in August

The typical August day in Tokyo peaks at 29.7°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 33.1°C or more. About 93% of days top 25°C and 1 in 2 pass 30°C. Nights average 23.4°C; one night in ten drops to 20.6°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest August day here reached 36.2°C (2020-08-17) and the coldest night 15.9°C (2018-08-18).

Rain in August

Wet (more than 8 rainy days): about 11 days with 1 mm or more, 114 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest August was 2003 with 317 mm, the driest 1995 with 11 mm. Humidity averages 81%, which makes the heat feel heavier than the thermometer suggests.

Sea temperature in August

The sea averages 26.7°C - warm enough to swim (22°c+). Depending on the year it ranges from 25.5°C to 27.7°C. This is the warmest the sea gets here all year.

Sunshine and daylight

Around 4.7 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 13.3 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 05:00 and sets about 18:31 local time in mid-August. Average cloud cover is 65%.

Is August a good time to visit Tokyo?

It is a reasonable choice: hot days but expect showers. The best months for Tokyo on our scoring are August, September, July; months averaging 25°C or more: Jul, Aug, Sep.

Expect heat that lasts into the evening

The main catch is sustained warmth rather than just the occasional hot afternoon. Temperatures reach 30°C on 46% of days, while the hottest days reach 33.1°C or more. Compared with London's August daytime average of 21.4°C, Tokyo will feel substantially hotter, especially with the high humidity. Plan more demanding walking away from midday, keep your schedule flexible and choose accommodation where you can cool down comfortably. Loose, breathable clothes are the practical choice; warm nights mean a heavy evening layer is unlikely to earn its place in your bag. If sticky heat tends to wear you out, August is a difficult fit despite its favourable overall rating.

Allow for wet days, not constant sunshine

About 11 rainy days make waterproof planning worthwhile, but the figures do not mean every day is a washout. Keep indoor alternatives available rather than committing all your time to weather-dependent plans. A compact umbrella and a lightweight waterproof layer are sensible, with breathability particularly important in this humidity. There are about 4.7 hours of sunshine within 13.3 hours of daylight, so long days should not be confused with uninterrupted blue skies. You have plenty of daylight to rearrange outdoor time, but should not rely on a particular part of the day staying dry. August works better for travellers happy to adjust than for anyone needing reliably sunny conditions.