Because we have school age children (14 and 12) our travel is somewhat limited to their school vacations, ie summer, June through August, a week in late March and a couple of weeks in December ( Christmas and New Years ). I have always heard it rains during June, July and August are hot. Would June really be that bad ? We'd like to see Kyoto, Tokyo, and northern Honshu.

Yes, I can testify that it was incredibly hot and humid in Tokyo, Kyoto, Nogoya, and Hiroshima after June 23rd. I come from NYC and thought I was used to humidity, but the heat and humidity was sometimes unbearable in Japan in late June/ early July. My friend in Tokyo was telling me he is dreading August. I had a great time, but it was sometimes unbearable. I sometimes retreated to a place like the enormous Roppongi Hills complex to spend the afternoon away from the heat. It depends on what you are used to and how you deal with the heat.

Yes, but in 2002 the last two weeks of Japan were quite cool (though also rainy), so it just depends on what you get. Why don't you go to a weather website and compare Japan to your home. I suspect that you'll find Japan beats (or at least is no worse than) sitting home.

We were there the first two weeks of June a couple of years ago...The first week was fine, the second a lot hotter. Tokyo was a lot hotter than Kyoto; the mountain towns were quite pleasant. Didn't experience too much rain...more drizzly periods during part of the day.

I certainly would not avoid Japan because of the June weather we experienced.

March weather tends to be pretty good in Japan. Would avoid July and August at all cost unless you are used to and do mind weather such as SE Asia in the summer. Early June may not be too bad unless you happen to get alot of rain.

Bonjour Okoshi,

Yes, summers can be very hot and humid on average, but will sometimes be cooler. There is no way to know in advance (and it is one of the few things you can't blame on the government). This is counterbalanced by all the festivals (Gion in Kyoto is not to be missed), and the Japanese are masters at living comfortably with and despite the heat.

Late March is great, although it can be rather cold in the mountains and the North.

Christmas and new year is a great time to be in Japan, since there are special sales and markets, a very festive atmosphere, specific foods, etc. The weather tends to be cold, though, which means more clothes and therefore less space for shopping in suitcases ;-)

I just returned from Tokyo and Kyoto the end of June. I can say that it was very humid and sticky. Alot more so in Kyoto than Tokyo. But, it is feasable. I spent the majority of my time in the indoor museums during the high point of the day, and then walking around towards dusk. I usually started early in the morning (around 8am since thats when the sites would open) and then ended my day slightly after dusk (around 7:30) I figured that I was since I was in Japan I wasn't going to let the heat control my exploring!