Tokyo Weather in June

June: warm and rainy

Tokyo feels warm, damp and cloudy in June. Rain falls often, and the humidity can make a walk through Asakusa feel sticky. You'll get about three hours of sun a day, so don't count on long, clear afternoons. June is also part of Japan's rainy season, called *tsuyu*.

Indoor sights work well when showers arrive. Spend a wet spell at the Tokyo National Museum in Ueno, then enjoy a break in a café. On drier days, visit the hydrangeas at Hakusan Shrine in Bunkyo. The flowers are a June highlight, but muddy paths can make a long stroll less appealing.

Festivals and fewer crowds

The Bunkyo Hydrangea Festival is held around Hakusan Shrine in June. Sanno Matsuri also takes place at Hie Shrine, though its large parade runs only in even-numbered years. Check the shrine calendar for that year's programme.

If you hate crowds, June can be a calmer choice than cherry-blossom season or autumn foliage months. It's outside the main school-holiday rush, too. Hotels and flights may cost less than in those busier periods, though prices vary. The trade-off is wet weather, and sightseeing can feel less comfortable than in April or May.

Make rainy days easier

Travelling with kids? Keep an indoor stop ready for sudden showers. Tokyo's underground passages can help you move between stations and shops without walking far in the rain. Around Tokyo Station, follow the signs to the connected shopping areas, then pause for a bowl of *monjayaki*, a savoury griddle dish associated with Tsukishima.

For a clear afternoon, save an outdoor walk for the Imperial Palace East Gardens. If rain sets in, switch to the nearby Tokyo Station galleries instead. June rewards a flexible plan more than a packed day of outdoor stops.