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Main hall and gate of Zenkoji Temple in Nagano, Japan, surrounded by pine trees

Photo: Nagano Zenko-ji San-mon & Kondo.jpg by Zairon (CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped), via Wikimedia Commons.

Nagano weather by month: temperature, rain and what to wear

Nagano's average high runs from 3.8°C (39°F) in January to 31.1°C (88°F) in August (JMA, 1991–2020). The wettest month is July (137.7 mm) and the driest is November (44.4 mm).

When to go to Nagano, by the numbers

  • Months with average highs between 15°C and 25°C and fewer than 10 wet days: April, May and October.
  • Fewest wet days: November (6.8 days).
  • Quietest hotels in 2025 (Nagano Prefecture): March (32.9%), April (33.3%) and December (33.3%).
  • Busiest hotels in 2025 (Nagano Prefecture): August (51.2%), July (42.8%) and September (42.8%).
  • Plum blossom: around 18 March on average.
  • Cherry blossom: around 11 April on average.
  • Hydrangea: around 29 June on average.
  • Autumn leaves (maple): around 12 November on average.
  • Ginkgo turns yellow: around 10 November on average.

What to wear in Nagano, month by month

Nagano: our clothing level for each month (from the JMA's averages)
MonthLevelAverage highWet days
JanuaryFreezing3.8°C9.8 days
FebruaryCold5.3°C8.9 days
MarchChilly10.3°C9.5 days
AprilCool17.4°C8.3 days
MayMild23.2°C8.3 days
JuneWarm26.1°C10.0 days
JulyWarm29.7°C12.2 days
AugustHot31.1°C9.8 days
SeptemberWarm26.2°C9.2 days
OctoberCool19.7°C7.9 days
NovemberChilly13.4°C6.8 days
DecemberCold6.9°C8.9 days

How busy Nagano is, month by month

How full hotels across Nagano Prefecture were, month by month in 2025 (%)

Average room occupancy for all hotels and inns (Japan Tourism Agency).

  1. Jan38.3%
  2. Feb41.8%
  3. Mar32.9%
  4. Apr33.3%
  5. May38.0%
  6. Jun33.8%
  7. Jul42.8%
  8. Aug51.2%
  9. Sep42.8%
  10. Oct42.4%
  11. Nov37.4%
  12. Dec33.3%

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Nagano?

Months with average highs between 15°C and 25°C and fewer than 10 wet days: April, May and October. Fewest wet days: November (6.8 days).

What is the hottest month in Nagano?

August has the highest average high, 31.1°C (88°F). January has the lowest, 3.8°C (39°F) (JMA, 1991–2020).

What is the rainiest month in Nagano?

July has the most precipitation (137.7 mm), and July has the most wet days (12.2 days) (JMA, 1991–2020).

Nagano weather month by month

Averages for 1991–2020 at the JMA's Nagano station (418 m above sea level). Months with their own page are linked; the others follow.

Nagano by month: averages for 1991–2020 (JMA)
MonthHighLowPrecipitationWet daysSunshine
January3.8°C−3.9°C54.6 mm9.8 days128 hours
February5.3°C−3.7°C49.1 mm8.9 days140 hours
March10.3°C−0.5°C60.1 mm9.5 days173 hours
April17.4°C4.9°C56.9 mm8.3 days199 hours
May23.2°C10.9°C69.3 mm8.3 days215 hours
June26.1°C16.1°C106.1 mm10.0 days167 hours
July29.7°C20.5°C137.7 mm12.2 days169 hours
August31.1°C21.5°C111.8 mm9.8 days201 hours
September26.2°C17.2°C125.5 mm9.2 days151 hours
October19.7°C10.3°C100.3 mm7.9 days152 hours
November13.4°C3.4°C44.4 mm6.8 days142 hours
December6.9°C−1.5°C49.4 mm8.9 days131 hours
Average high in Nagano, month by month (°C)
  1. Jan3.8°C
  2. Feb5.3°C
  3. Mar10.3°C
  4. Apr17.4°C
  5. May23.2°C
  6. Jun26.1°C
  7. Jul29.7°C
  8. Aug31.1°C
  9. Sep26.2°C
  10. Oct19.7°C
  11. Nov13.4°C
  12. Dec6.9°C

Events in Nagano through the year

Events in Nagano: dates from each organizer's official page
EventMonthWhen
New Year's Eve bell at Zenkoji除夜の鐘Dec and JanFrom midnight on 31 December Official page
Shushoe at Zenkoji修正会Jan1 to 3 January every year Official page
Setsubun at Zenkoji節分会Feb3 February every year Official page
Nagano Tomyo Festival長野灯明まつりFebFour days in February (2026: 20 to 23 February) Official page
Oeshiki at Zenkoji (March)御会式（3月）Mar15 March every year Official page
Matsushiro Hina Festival松代でひなまつりMar and AprEarly March to early April (3 March to 3 April in 2026) Official page
Nagano Marathon長野マラソンAprMid-April (19 April in 2026, 18 April in 2027) Official page
Needle Memorial Service (Hari-kuyo-e) at Zenkoji針供養会（善光寺）AprEvery year on 8 April, service from 11:00 Official page
Shichi-Go-San and first-visit prayer services at Zenkoji七五三・初まいり特別祈願法要（善光寺）Oct and Nov1 October to 30 November Official page
Juya-e at Zenkoji十夜会Nov5 to 14 November every year Official page
Tengyo-ko Memorial Service (November) at Zenkoji伝教講法会（善光寺・11月）NovEvery year on 24 November, service from 11:00 Official page
Toto Nenbutsu at Zenkoji貴々念仏Dec7 to 9 December every year Official page

Related items

Nagano in JanuaryFreezingA heavy winter coat, thermals, hat and gloves.High3.8°CLow−3.9°CPrecipitation54.6 mmWet days9.8 daysNagano in FebruaryColdA winter coat over layers, and a scarf.High5.3°CLow−3.7°CPrecipitation49.1 mmWet days8.9 daysNagano in MarchChillyA warm jacket or light coat over a sweater.High10.3°CLow−0.5°CPrecipitation60.1 mmWet days9.5 daysNagano in AprilCoolLong sleeves with a light jacket or sweater.High17.4°CLow4.9°CPrecipitation56.9 mmWet days8.3 days

Back to Japan by month

Read more

Sources for this page

  1. Normals for 1991–2020: Nagano (長野), month by month (平年値 年・月ごとの値)Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
  2. Normals for 1991–2020: Nagano (長野), rain days, temperature days and snow (詳細)Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
  3. Overnight Travel Statistics Survey, 2025 final figures (宿泊旅行統計調査 2025年 年の確定値)Japan Tourism Agency
  4. Biological season observations (生物季節観測の情報)Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
  5. Yearly records of flowering and leaf colour since 1953 (生物季節観測累年値)Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
  6. New Year's Eve bell at Zenkoji (除夜の鐘)Zenkoji Temple
  7. Nagano Tomyo Festival (長野灯明まつり)Nagano City
  8. Matsushiro Hina Festival (松代でひなまつり)Nagano Convention Bureau (Matsushiro Hina Festival Executive Committee)
  9. Nagano Marathon (長野マラソン)Nagano Marathon Organizing Committee
  10. Shichi-Go-San and first-visit prayer services at Zenkoji (七五三・初まいり特別祈願法要（善光寺）)Zenkoji Temple