Climate of Japan
The climate of Japan is overall temperate, but varies from north to south due to its geography. Because of separation, there are 6 different climate zones; Hokkaido, Sea of Japan, Central Highland, Seto Inland Sea, Pacific Ocean, and Ryukyu Islands. The Hokkaido zone has humid continental climate and long, cold winters with very warm summers. The Sea of Japan zone, on Honshu's west coast, has summers cooler than those of the Pacific zone and recieves heavy snowfall from the northwest winter winds. Summers can be hot from foehn wind. The Central Highland zone has inland humid continental climate, light rainfall, snowy winters, and large differences in temperature from summer-winter and day-night. In the Seto Inland Sea region, weather is mild year round because it is covered from seasonal winds by mountains in the Chugoku and Shikoku regions. The Pacific Coast zone has humid subtropical climate with mild winters with occasional snow and southeast seasonal wind brings hot, humid summers. The Ryukyu Islands zone has a subtropical climate, warm winters, hot summers, and heavy rain.
Cold & Hot
Snow Castle: Hokkaido Snow Festival
The coldest place in Japan is the Hokkaido region, with an average temperature below -6 degrees C ( 21 degrees F). The inland basin areas are especially cold, with temperatures dropping below -30 degrees C ( -22 degrees F). The coldest temperature ever recorded in Japan was -41 degrees C ( -42 degrees F) in Asahikawa in Jan., 1902.
The hottest temperature recorded in Japan was found in Tokyo and other parts of Honshu, where it can almost reach 40 degrees C ( 104 degrees F). The average winter tempertature in Japan is 5.1 degrees C and the average summer temp. is 25.2 degrees C.
The hottest temperature recorded in Japan was found in Tokyo and other parts of Honshu, where it can almost reach 40 degrees C ( 104 degrees F). The average winter tempertature in Japan is 5.1 degrees C and the average summer temp. is 25.2 degrees C.
Spring ( March, April, May)
Spring in Kyoto, Japan
When the end of winter nears, the cold, seasonal winds become weaker and low pressure air masses from China enter the Sea of Japan. These air masses give rise to warm southern winds which travel to these low pressure area from the Pacific Ocean. The first winds are called haru ichiban, which announces the arrival of spring, causes avalanches, and is sometimes the cause of hot,dry weather and large fires.
In early spring, plum blossoms appear and peach blossoms. In the last 10 days of March, Japanese cherry blossoms start blooming.
In early spring, plum blossoms appear and peach blossoms. In the last 10 days of March, Japanese cherry blossoms start blooming.
Summer ( June, July, August)
Korakuen Garden
Japan's summer starts with a damp, rainy season called baiu. From May-July, there's high pressure air mass of cold air above the Sea of Okhotsk to north of Japan, while over the Pacific Ocean there's a high pressure mass of warm, moist air. Where these two air masses meet ( baiu zensen), from southern China to across the Japanese archipegalo, there is prolonged rainfall. After the mid. of July, the rainy season ends as baiu zensen is pushed north. Seasonal winds from the Pacific brings warm, moist air to Japan and the hot summer weather begins.
Autumn ( September, October, November)
Autumn in Japan
From the end of summer through September there are lots of typhoons. After the middle of October, Japan experiences clear weather that is neither hot nor cold which is also enjoyed at the very beggining of November. During this season, trees take up autumn colors, making it a beautiful season like the one before it.
Winter ( December, January, Febuary)
Near the end of November, cold seasonal winds begin blowing over Japan from the continent. These northwestern winds pick up moisture over the Sea of Japan and drop it as rain and snow on western and eastern sides of Japan. The Pacific side of the country gets clear skies and temperatures from around 5 degrees.
The islands of Okinawa Prefecture in the far southwest have subtropical climate with less temp. changes between the seasons. Winter temperatures there are more moderate than those of other parts of the country.
The islands of Okinawa Prefecture in the far southwest have subtropical climate with less temp. changes between the seasons. Winter temperatures there are more moderate than those of other parts of the country.