Researched guide · Checked on Nov 5, 2026
May is warm and pleasant in Tokyo, with fresh green trees and some of the city’s biggest festivals. It starts with Golden Week, then brings the Sanja Matsuri in Asakusa and the May grand sumo tournament. Here is the weather, what’s on in May 2027, and tips for your trip.
Quick answer
Weather: average high 24°C (75°F), low 15°C (59°F), and 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain. Warm days, comfortable evenings.
Golden Week: holidays until May 5. In 2027, May 3–5 fall from Monday to Wednesday. Very busy.
Sumo: the May tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan runs May 9–23, 2027. Tickets go on sale April 10.
Festivals: the Sanja Matsuri in Asakusa (Friday to Sunday around the third Saturday of May) and the Kanda Matsuri (every other year).
May 2027 at a glance
| Dates | What | Where |
|---|---|---|
| April 29–May 5 | Golden Week holidays (May 3–5 fall Monday to Wednesday) | All of Japan |
| May 5 | Takara no Mai (Treasure Dance) | Senso-ji, Asakusa |
| May 9–23 | May grand sumo tournament | Ryogoku Kokugikan |
| Friday to Sunday around the third Saturday (May 14–16 by that rule) | Sanja Matsuri | Asakusa Shrine |
| Late April to early May | Nemophila (baby blue eyes) in bloom | Showa Kinen Park |
| Mid to late May | Shirley poppies in bloom | Showa Kinen Park |
Check each official site before you go: festival dates are confirmed every year, and flowers depend on the weather.
Tokyo weather in May
May has an average high of 24°C (75°F), a low of 15°C (59°F) and 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain, with average humidity of 68%. Nobody can forecast the weather for May 2027 this far ahead, so these are 1991–2020 averages. It is one of the most comfortable months of the year. The sun is strong, so bring sunscreen and a hat for long walks. See Tokyo weather by month.
| Date | Average high | Average low | Average sunshine |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 1 | 22.0°C (72°F) | 12.5°C (55°F) | 6.3 hours |
| May 15 | 23.3°C (74°F) | 14.3°C (58°F) | 5.6 hours |
| May 31 | 25.1°C (77°F) | 16.5°C (62°F) | 5.6 hours |
May gets about 180 hours of sunshine, more than June. The rainy season (tsuyu) in the Tokyo area usually starts around June 7, so most of May comes before it.
What to wear in May
- Daytime: T-shirts or light long sleeves. The average high is about 24°C.
- Evening: a light jacket or cardigan. The average low is about 15°C.
- Sun: sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses for long walks.
- Rain: a small folding umbrella. You can also buy one at any convenience store.
- Shoes: comfortable walking shoes. Festivals and gardens mean a lot of standing and walking.
Golden Week (until May 5)
Golden Week runs from April 29 to May 5. In 2027, Constitution Memorial Day (May 3), Greenery Day (May 4) and Children’s Day (May 5) fall from Monday to Wednesday, right after a weekend. Expect full Shinkansen trains, crowded day-trip spots and higher hotel prices. Carp streamers (koinobori) fly for Children’s Day. See Japan public holidays.
Sanja Matsuri in Asakusa
The Sanja Matsuri of Asakusa Shrine, next to Senso-ji, is one of Tokyo’s biggest festivals. According to the shrine, it is held on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday around the third Saturday of May and draws about 1.8 million people over three days. On the second day, about 100 portable shrines (mikoshi) from the neighborhoods gather at the shrine, and on the last day the shrine’s three main mikoshi are carried through the streets. By that rule, the 2027 festival would be May 14–16; check the shrine’s official site for the confirmed dates. See our Asakusa guide.
Kanda Matsuri
The Kanda Matsuri of Kanda Myojin is held every other year in May and is counted among Japan’s three great festivals. The last full festival was in 2025. In 2026 it is a smaller year without the big processions, according to the official festival site. The dates of the next full festival have not been announced yet, so check the official site.
May grand sumo tournament (May 9–23, 2027)
The May tournament is the second of the three Tokyo tournaments at Ryogoku Kokugikan. In 2027 it runs from Sunday, May 9 to Sunday, May 23, according to the Japan Sumo Association, and advance tickets go on sale on April 10, 2027. See sumo in Tokyo.
Flowers and gardens
- Showa Kinen Park: nemophila from late April to early May, and Shirley poppies in mid to late May.
- Jindai Botanical Gardens: the rose garden blooms in spring. Admission is free on May 4.
- Senso-ji: the Takara no Mai (Treasure Dance) is performed in the grounds on May 5, according to the temple.
Tips for May
- Avoid Golden Week if you dislike crowds, or book trains and hotels early. After May 5, the city gets calmer.
- Use sunscreen. Japan’s heat stroke alert season starts in late April. See summer in Tokyo for heat tips.
- Plan day trips for the weeks after Golden Week. See day trips from Tokyo.
Month by month: ← Tokyo in April · Tokyo in June → · All 12 months
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FAQ
Is May a good time to visit Tokyo?
Yes. May is warm and comfortable, with big festivals and sumo. Avoid Golden Week (until May 5) if you dislike crowds.
What is the weather like in Tokyo in May?
Warm and pleasant: an average high of 24°C (75°F) and a low of 15°C (59°F), with 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain. No forecast exists this far ahead for May 2027, so use these averages.
When is the Sanja Matsuri?
On the Friday, Saturday and Sunday around the third Saturday of May. Check Asakusa Shrine’s official site for each year’s dates.
When is the May sumo tournament in 2027?
May 9–23, 2027, at Ryogoku Kokugikan. Advance tickets go on sale on April 10, 2027.
Is it rainy in Tokyo in May?
Not very. May has about 140 mm of rain and about 180 hours of sunshine. The rainy season usually starts around June 7.
What should I wear in Tokyo in May?
Light clothes for the day (average high about 24°C) and a light jacket for the evening (average low about 15°C). Bring sunscreen and a small umbrella.
Is Golden Week a bad time to visit Tokyo?
It is the busiest week of spring. Trains, popular sights and hotels are crowded and prices go up. If you can, come after May 5, or book early.
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Sources
Event dates come from the official pages below; weather from the Japan Meteorological Agency (checked November 5, 2026); the rest from our guides, which list their official sources (checked November 3, 2026). Dates change every year, so please check before you go.
- Asakusa Shrine: about the Sanja Matsuri (official, Japanese)
- Japan Sumo Association: grand tournament schedule (official)
- Senso-ji: annual events (official, Japanese)
- Japan Meteorological Agency: Tokyo climate normals (Japanese)
- Japan Meteorological Agency: rainy season dates, Kanto-Koshin (Japanese)
- Kanda Matsuri official site (Japanese)
- Japan Meteorological Agency: Tokyo daily normals for May (Japanese)
