Japan, Asia

Tokyo in August

The toughest month: peak heat, peak humidity, and the Obon holiday in mid August sends domestic travel surging. If you must come, live on iced coffee and museum air conditioning.

Think twiceHot and sticky, highs near 88F (31C), typhoons possible

Tokyo skyline, Japan — TokyoPhoto: David Kernan, CC BY 4.0

The straight answer

August is a month to think twice about visiting Tokyo. The toughest month: peak heat, peak humidity, and the Obon holiday in mid August sends domestic travel surging. If you must come, live on iced coffee and museum air conditioning.

Weather: Hot and sticky, highs near 88F (31C), typhoons possible
Crowds: 3 of 5
Prices: 3 of 5

What August is like in Tokyo

August is Tokyo's toughest month. Highs near 88F (31C), heavy humidity and possible typhoons. The Obon holiday in mid August sends domestic travel surging, so intercity trains jam, while some small family businesses take the week off. The big attractions still run normally.

If you have a choice, avoid it and come in October or November instead. If school holidays leave no option, plan early mornings, long air-conditioned museum afternoons and evenings out. Iced coffee and convenience store snacks will become your best friends, and a cooling towel helps more than you would think.

Make the most of August

What is especially good about Tokyo this month.

Obon atmosphere

The summer ancestor festival in mid August brings dances and lanterns, and parts of Tokyo quiet down as people head home.

Air-conditioned days

teamLab Planets, the Miraikan and the depachika food halls make great cool escapes in the midday heat.

Night views

Shibuya Sky at night is cooler and still spectacular, a good way to end a hot day.

What to pack for August

Very light, breathable clothing
A cooling towel and a handheld fan
A compact umbrella for sun and storms
Electrolyte packets for the heat

Our timing tip

Avoid intercity trains during mid August Obon unless you have reserved seats booked as far ahead as possible.

Book Tokyo for August.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Tokyo
Opens a hotel search for Tokyo in August, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for August
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Tokyo
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
Rentals on Vrbo
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Tokyo
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Tokyo for August. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in August

Obon

Mid August

The summer ancestor festival. Many Japanese travel to hometowns, so intercity trains jam while parts of Tokyo actually quiet down.

Things to do in Tokyo

Full guide

Senso-ji and Asakusa

Tokyo's oldest temple. Go before 8am to see the lantern gate and Nakamise lane without the crowds; by midday it is a river of people.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Shibuya Crossing and Shibuya Sky

The famous scramble is best at dusk. Shibuya Sky's open-air deck sells out; book the sunset slot days ahead.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Meiji Jingu

A genuine forest in the middle of the city. Early morning is serene, and you may catch a traditional wedding procession on weekends.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Tsukiji Outer Market

The wholesale auction moved to Toyosu, but the outer market's food stalls remain a world-class breakfast. Go hungry, before 9am.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

teamLab Planets

The immersive digital art museum lives up to the hype. Timed tickets sell out weeks ahead in peak seasons.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Shinjuku after dark

Omoide Yokocho's lantern-lit yakitori alleys and Golden Gai's tiny bars. Some bars are regulars-only; look for English menus as the welcome sign.

Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

Do headline temples and markets before 8am. Tokyo sights open early, tour groups do not, and the difference at Senso-ji or Tsukiji is night and day.
For cherry blossoms, skip midday at Ueno and go at first light, or pick quieter spots like the Kanda River or Aoyama Cemetery over the Instagram rivers.
Never plan intercity travel during Golden Week or Obon without reserved seats booked as far ahead as the system allows.
Book timed-entry attractions (Shibuya Sky, teamLab, Ghibli Museum) the moment your dates firm up; they cap capacity and simply sell out.

Know before you go

December 29 through January 3: the New Year holiday closes many restaurants, shops, and some museums, while shrines see their biggest crowds of the year for first visits (hatsumode).
Golden Week (late April to early May) closes nothing, but sells out everything: treat trains and hotels like concert tickets.
Many museums close on Mondays, and when a Monday is a national holiday they close Tuesday instead. Check the specific museum before building a day around it.
Typhoon season (roughly August through early October) occasionally halts trains and flights for a day. Build one flexible day into any September itinerary.