Your September weather guide

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Weather in Tokyo in September

Tokyo in September suits travellers who want warm days and can accept frequent rain, rather than those counting on clear skies. Average highs of 26°C and night-time lows of 20°C mean summer clothing still makes sense, but about 14 rainy days make flexible plans important. The main catch is humidity: the warmth can feel sticky, especially when walking around. Go for lingering summer heat, not for crisp autumn weather or reliably sunny days.

Long-term climate averages for Tokyo, not a forecast · 1991-2020

Tokyo, month by month

Your snapshot

At a glance

The useful details for Tokyo.

Average daytime high
26.0°C
9 in 10 days stay below 30°C
Average night-time low
20.0°C
coldest 10% of nights: 16°C or lower
Compared with London
+7.4°C
London averages 18.6°C in September
Sea temperature
25.1°C
year to year: 24°C to 26°C
Sunshine per day (est.)
4.0h
33% of 12.2 h of daylight
Rainy days (1 mm+)
14
185 mm over the month
Humidity
81%
Days over 25°C
64%
10% over 30°C
Record high 1991-2020
35.5°C
2019-09-09
Record low 1991-2020
10.8°C
2001-09-24
Flight from London
≈ 12 h 42 min
9595 km, long-haul (estimate for a direct flight)

Records are observed extremes within 1991-2020, not typical holiday conditions. Warm-day percentages are shares of days, not day counts.

How September compares

September is the 3rd warmest month of the year in Tokyo and ranks 78th of 134 destinations we compare for September - see where else is hot in September. Against London's average high of 18.6°C in September, Tokyo is 7.4°C warmer by day and 8.8°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in September

The typical September day in Tokyo peaks at 26.0°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 29.9°C or more. About 64% of days top 25°C and 1 in 10 pass 30°C. Nights average 20.0°C; one night in ten drops to 15.9°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest September day here reached 35.5°C (2019-09-09) and the coldest night 10.8°C (2001-09-24).

Rain in September

Wet (more than 8 rainy days): about 14 days with 1 mm or more, 185 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest September was 2018 with 356 mm, the driest 1999 with 42 mm. Humidity averages 81%.

Sea temperature in September

The sea averages 25.1°C - warm enough to swim (22°c+). Depending on the year it ranges from 24.0°C to 26.1°C. For the warmest sea here, come in August (26.7°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 4.0 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 12.2 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 05:24 and sets about 17:49 local time in mid-September. Average cloud cover is 67%.

Is September 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.

Warm enough for summer clothes, with sticky spells

September is still a hot month in Tokyo, so pack mainly light, breathable clothes rather than a typical UK autumn wardrobe. Humidity averages 81%, which can make walking feel more tiring than the temperature alone suggests. Days reach 30°C on 10% of occasions, so leave room for breaks indoors when the heat builds and avoid making your most demanding walks a midday commitment. Evenings are generally warm enough that a heavy jacket is unnecessary, although a light layer is sensible: the coldest 10% of nights fall to 16°C or below. This suits travellers comfortable with warmth, but is less appealing if you prefer cool conditions for exploring on foot.

Treat rain as part of the trip

With about 14 rainy days, wet weather deserves a place in your plans rather than being treated as an unlikely interruption. That does not mean every affected day is a washout, but it does make a rigid schedule of outdoor activities a poor fit. Carry a compact umbrella and choose footwear you can comfortably wear in the wet. A light waterproof is useful, though heavy rainwear may feel uncomfortable in the humidity. Keep indoor options available and move outdoor time around the forecast. September is a reasonable compromise if warmth matters more to you than dependable sunshine; it is less convincing if rain would spoil the main purpose of your holiday.

A little perspective

Tokyo through the year

September is highlighted. See how it compares with the rest of the year.

Monthly climate averages

Swipe sideways on a phone; the month stays in view.

Tokyo monthly climate averages, 1991-2020; September is the selected month.
MonthDayNightSeaSun/dayRain mmRainy daysDays 25°C+
January8.1°C-0.4°C13.6°C5.96770%
February9.0°C0.1°C13.2°C5.56380%
March12.4°C3.5°C13.6°C4.9114120%
April17.2°C8.6°C15.2°C5.0113110%
May21.7°C14.0°C18.4°C4.41311213%
June24.5°C18.0°C21.3°C2.81641444%
Julybest28.1°C22.0°C24.7°C3.51511384%
Augustbest29.7°C23.4°C26.7°C4.71141193%
SeptemberSelectedbest26.0°C20.0°C25.1°C4.01851464%
October20.6°C14.1°C21.6°C4.2211138%
November15.5°C8.0°C18.7°C4.790100%
December10.5°C2.5°C15.6°C5.56080%

Day = average daytime high, night = average night-time low, 1991-2020.Sun is hours per day; rainy days count 1 mm or more.

Day, night and sea

Monthly average temperatures, 1991-2020

  • Day
  • Night
  • Sea
Bars show average daytime highs and night-time lows; circles mark the average sea temperature. Same scale for every month. Exact values are in the table.

Best months here

On warmth, low rainfall and sunshine, start with these.

Keep exploring

Similar in September

Closest matches on daytime temperature, sea temperature and sunshine, in other countries.

A little more detail

Tokyo in September FAQs

Plain answers, grounded in the averages.

Is Tokyo hot in September?

Tokyo is hot in September: the average daytime high is 26.0°C and nights average 20.0°C. About 64% of September days reach 25°C or more.

Can you swim in the sea in Tokyo in September?

The sea around Tokyo averages 25.1°C in September, which is warm enough for most people to swim comfortably. Between 1991 and 2020 it ranged from 24°C to 26°C depending on the year.

How much does it rain in Tokyo in September?

Tokyo sees about 14 rainy days (1 mm or more) and 185 mm of rain in a typical September. The wettest September between 1991 and 2020 was 2018 (356 mm) and the driest was 1999 (42 mm).

How sunny is Tokyo in September?

Tokyo gets around 4.0 hours of sunshine a day in September out of 12.2 hours of daylight (estimated from average cloud cover).

How does Tokyo compare with the UK in September?

Tokyo is on average 7.4°C warmer than London by day in September (26.0°C against 18.6°C).

What is the hottest September on record in Tokyo?

Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest September day in Tokyo reached 35.5°C on 2019-09-09, and the coldest night dropped to 10.8°C on 2001-09-24.

How much warmer is Tokyo than London in September?

Tokyo's average daytime high is 26°C, compared with 18.6°C in London, a difference of 7.4°C. Pack for noticeably warmer conditions than at home. The humidity also makes light, breathable clothing a better starting point than heavier autumn layers.

Is the sea warm enough for swimming?

Yes. The average sea temperature is 25.1°C, comfortably warm enough for swimming, with a year-to-year range of 24°C to 26°C. Water temperature is not the main drawback in September; rain and limited sunshine are more likely to affect the appeal of a swim.

Can I expect plenty of sunshine?

Not reliably. September averages about 4.0 hours of sunshine out of 12.2 hours of daylight, so warm weather should not be confused with clear skies. There is useful daylight for outdoor plans, but you should be comfortable with cloudy and wet periods.

About these averages

ERA5-Land climate reanalysis via Open-Meteo (11 km grid) and NOAA Coral Reef Watch 5 km sea temperatures, 1991-2020

Averages computed from daily values at Tokyo. Sea temperature from the nearest 5 km sea cell, 14.8 km from that point. Sunshine hours are estimated from average cloud cover.Records are the highest and lowest daily values in that 30-year period, not all-time records. These are climate averages, not a forecast for your trip. How we measure holiday weather