Tokyo Weather in September

Season: early autumn; typhoon season

September marks the transition from late summer to early autumn, featuring shifting weather from hot to cool and increasing day-night temperature differences. Frequent rainfall and occasional typhoons persist, making the climate somewhat changeable.

Slowly getting less hot

The weather in early September in Tokyo continues the heat of summer. On most days, the high temperature remains 30 – 32 degrees Celsius (86 – 89.6 degrees Fahrenheit); even at night, the temperature is over 24℃ (75.2℉). Plus high humidity, it feels sticky. Your neat hair can easily be ruined by heat waves, and sweating is quite common. You may need to keep drinking ice water to cool down.

Entering mid-September, it gradually gets not that hot, as the daytime temperature drops to around 24 - 28℃ (75.2 – 82.4℉). Air conditioning is only needed at sunny noon. The temperature difference between day and night gets big at the same time, about 6 - 8℃ (10.8 – 14.4℉) on average.

However, it is worth noting that the duration of hot climate in Tokyo in September becomes longer with global climate change. In other words, in some years, cool weather doesn’t appear until the end of the month.

Frequent typhoons

About 5 - 7 typhoons affect Tokyo in September. Sometimes, it just passes by; sometimes, strong winds accompanied by continuous rainstorms pose a threat to outdoor sightseeing. Flights, bullet trains, and attractions may all stop service.

You need to check the warning information several days in advance and try to avoid those days with a security risk. In addition, arrange 1 - 2 days of flexible time to ensure a satisfactory journey. If receiving typhoon warning information during your trip, cancel the arrangement for the next day, or turn to some indoor attractions if the wind levels are low.

Lake Kawaguchi in Typhoon

Shop at Ginza

Most rainfall in a year

September is the rainiest month of the year, with an average of 12 rainy days accumulating 211 mm (8.3 in) precipitation.

In the first half of the month, you likely encounter a sudden rainstorm during outings, mostly in the afternoon. Although difficult to predict, they often only last for a short 1 - 2 hours, and you can temporarily take shelter indoors and continue the trip when it stops. A muggy feeling always increases after the rain with an air humidity above 70%. In the second half, intermittent drizzles arrive, causing a slight decrease in perceived temperature. In most cases, they occur at night without much effect on the daytime tour.

In addition, typhoons bring some rainfall in the month. When they pass, it always rains heavily for several consecutive days.

Meiji Jingu Shrine on Rainy Day

Sunshine and daylight

Due to high rainfall, Tokyo does not have abundant sunshine in September. It is bathed in the sun for 4 hours per day on average. Only 2 – 5 days are completely sunny; the rest are either cloudy, overcast, or rainy. However, the UV index is not low. Prolonged exposure to sunlight can easily cause you to get sunburn.

In September, the sun rises at 5:13 – 5:35 and sets at 17:26 - 18:08. Tourists get 12 – 12.5 hours of daylight to conduct a day trip. Arranging a tight or relaxed itinerary depends on your needs.

A cheap month to travel to Tokyo

As the summer vacation is over, and the fall foliage season is far from coming, fewer travelers go to Tokyo in this middle period. Lone queues are hardly seen at popular spots, like Meiji Jingu Shrine, Senso-ji Temple, Tokyo National Museum, and Tokyo Disneyland, and prices for flights and hotels are not too high. Therefore, you can have a Tokyo trip on a relatively low budget and at a low pace in September.

What to wear for a Tokyo trip in September

In the first half of September: Summer clothes still work. It is advisable to wear short-sleeve shirts with shorts or skirts made of sweat-absorbing material to be as cool as possible. Meanwhile, a thin jacket is needed to adapt to the temperatures in cooler indoor rooms.

In the second half of September: Just replace shorts and skirts with light pants in the early morning and late evening, when the thin jacket is still required.

Shoes: It’s proper to wear comfortable sandals on muggy days and breathable sneakers for the rest.

Other items: Parasol is a necessity for both rainy conditions and sunny days. At the same time, pack a sun hat and sunscreen for thorough protection.

What to do in Tokyo in September

Kita City Fireworks Show & Chofu’s Autumn Fireworks Show

The Kita City Fireworks Show will be held in Arakawa riverbank in late September 2026. It sets off fireworks based on featured themes together with various wonderful performances and live music, becoming a feast for your eyes and ears.

Similarly, Chofu’s Autumn Fireworks Show by Tama River in September is also worth seeing. A wide variety of viewing seats are offered, such as double seats for two people and table seats for four people.

Arakawa Riverbank

Grand Sumo Tournament - Ryogoku Kokugikan

It’s a must-see for Japanese culture lovers and sports fans. In 2026, the games will last from Sept 13 to 27. You can book a ticket in advance.

Cosmos Festival - Showa Memorial Park

Nearly 4 million cosmos flowers bloom from early September, forming a vast flower field. During the festival, visitors can also experience cosmos picking and many other cultural activities.

Travel tips for Tokyo in September

1. Please note - Mount Fuji climbing closes in early September. If you plan to hike on the mountain, seize the final opportunity of the year.

See more:
Everything You Need to Know about Climbing Mt. Fuji
Mount Fuji Weather in September

Mt. Fuji with Many Visitors

2. In early the month with high temperatures, you are recommended to avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight and take a rest during hot periods to prevent heatstroke.