I’m asked this so so so often that I’ve finally decided to put all of my thoughts into one separate “Just how hot is Summer in Japan?” blog post.
There are lots of unique and amazing things to do in Summer in Japan (I talk about some of our family favourites here) but I do also feel like I’d be doing you a disservice if I didn’t pre-warn you about how hard it can be to explore Japan with kids in the hottest months.
The hottest part of Japan’s summer is July & August (in recent years, that hefty part of the heat has also crept into September.)
But how hot is it really in Japan in July and August?
You can google average temperatures by month and by city. However, what is new for many people is that humidity! It’s a wet and thick heat.
I’m from Australia and, even on our hottest of days (Darwin etc aside) you can take a shower and at least feel refreshed for an hour or so. But in a humid Asian heat, like in Japan, you can feel sticky again right away.
Chaffing is real. Sweat rash is real. Mosquito bites – also real.
“But I’ve been to Thailand and Bali for the same temperatures as Japan in July and August – and I managed okay….”
I’m sure you have. HOWEVER, please keep in mind that Japan is NOT a by the pool style holiday. It’s not a cocktail by the beach kind of deal. Japan is about adventure, walking and exploring. For this reason, you aren’t able to escape from the heat as easily. It’s not a rest style of holiday in the same way that a Thailand or Bali holiday can be.
Short answer: You have time to FEEL that heat.
If you’re outside all day. You can’t escape that heat.
“How about I go to Japan and just stay somewhere with a pool then?”
I speak in detail about it here but finding a hotel with a pool in Japan isn’t as easy as you might think. And, if you do, please make sure to check the pool rules carefully. Almost all pools do not allow tattoos. Many hotel pool costs are not included in the room price. Many hotel pool also have limited hours or very strict rules when it comes to swimming caps or whether or not they allow children.
