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

Nara's average high runs from 8.7°C (48°F) in January to 33.4°C (92°F) in August (JMA, 1991–2020). The wettest month is June (184.1 mm) and the driest is January (52.4 mm).

Updated

33.4°CAugust
8.7°CJanuary
1,365 mmprecipitation

Nara weather month by month

Averages for 1991–2020 at the JMA's Nara station (102 m above sea level). Each month links to its own page.

Nara by month: averages for 1991–2020 (JMA)
MonthHighLowPrecipitationWet daysSunshine
January8.7°C0.8°C52.4 mm6.2 days118 hours
February9.9°C1.0°C63.1 mm6.9 days121 hours
March13.9°C3.6°C105.1 mm9.9 days158 hours
April19.8°C8.7°C98.9 mm9.6 days173 hours
May24.9°C13.9°C138.5 mm10.0 days188 hours
June28.1°C18.4°C184.1 mm11.7 days139 hours
July31.7°C23.0°C173.5 mm11.2 days157 hours
August33.4°C24.1°C127.9 mm8.0 days203 hours
September28.8°C20.1°C159.0 mm10.0 days152 hours
October22.6°C13.5°C134.7 mm9.2 days149 hours
November17.1°C7.3°C71.2 mm7.0 days145 hours
December11.6°C3.0°C56.8 mm6.6 days133 hours

Average high in Nara, month by month (°C)

Jan8.7°C
Feb9.9°C
Mar13.9°C
Apr19.8°C
May24.9°C
Jun28.1°C
Jul31.7°C
Aug33.4°C
Sep28.8°C
Oct22.6°C
Nov17.1°C
Dec11.6°C
Deer walking along a paved path toward the large gate of Todai-ji Temple in Nara, with visitors in the distance
Photo: Todai-ji Temple @ Nara (13324764394).jpg by Guilhem Vellut from Annecy, France (CC BY 2.0, cropped), via Wikimedia Commons.

When to go to Nara, by the numbers

  • Months with average highs between 15°C and 25°C and fewer than 10 wet days: April, October and November.
  • Fewest wet days: January (6.2 days).
  • Quietest hotels in 2025 (Nara Prefecture): January (37.6%), February (42.5%) and July (44.5%).
  • Busiest hotels in 2025 (Nara Prefecture): May (59.1%), April (58.2%) and October (57.7%).
  • Plum blossom: around 31 January on average.
  • Cherry blossom: around 28 March on average.
  • Hydrangea: around 14 June on average.
  • Autumn leaves (maple): around 21 November on average.
  • Ginkgo turns yellow: around 18 November on average.

What to wear in Nara, month by month

Nara: our clothing level for each month (from the JMA's averages)
MonthLevelAverage highWet days
JanuaryCold8.7°C6.2 days
FebruaryCold9.9°C6.9 days
MarchChilly13.9°C9.9 days
AprilCool19.8°C9.6 days
MayMild24.9°C10.0 days
JuneWarm28.1°C11.7 days
JulyHot31.7°C11.2 days
AugustHot33.4°C8.0 days
SeptemberWarm28.8°C10.0 days
OctoberMild22.6°C9.2 days
NovemberCool17.1°C7.0 days
DecemberChilly11.6°C6.6 days

How busy Nara is, month by month

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

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

Jan37.6%
Feb42.5%
Mar53.2%
Apr58.2%
May59.1%
Jun51.0%
Jul44.5%
Aug51.3%
Sep50.6%
Oct57.7%
Nov57.7%
Dec47.7%

Events in Nara through the year

Events in Nara: dates from each organizer's official page
EventMonthWhen
Wakakusa Yamayaki (Mount Wakakusa Grass Burning)若草山焼き行事JanFourth Saturday of January: 24 January in 2026 Official page
Setsubun Mantoro at Kasuga Taisha春日大社 節分万燈籠FebEvening of Setsubun day in early February (3 February in 2026); lanterns are lit around 18:00 and the shrine closes around 20:30 Official page
Shuni-e (Omizutori) at Todai-ji東大寺 修二会（お水取り）Mar1 to 14 March (2026 schedule). The Omizutori water-drawing rite takes place around 1:30 a.m. after the 12th. Official page
Spring Ochamori (Giant Tea Bowl Ceremony) at Saidai-ji西大寺 春の大茶盛式AprThe second Sunday of April and the Saturday before it Official page
Busshoe (Buddha's Birthday Ceremony) at Todai-ji東大寺 仏生会（花まつり）AprEvery year on 8 April, from 8:00 Official page
Takigi Onoh at Kofuku-ji薪御能（興福寺）MayThe third Friday and Saturday of May Official page
Chukoki Bonmo-e and Uchiwa-maki (Fan Scattering) at Toshodai-ji唐招提寺 中興忌梵網会・うちわまきMayEvery year on 19 May; the fan scattering starts at 15:00 Official page
Memorial Service for Emperor Shomu at Todai-ji東大寺 聖武天皇祭MayEvery year on 2 May Official page
Saikusa Matsuri (Lily Festival) at Isagawa Shrine率川神社 三枝祭（ゆりまつり）JunEvery year: eve festival on 16 June, main festival on 17 June at 10:30, closing banquet festival on 18 June Official page
Kaisanki Shari-e at Toshodai-ji, with the Special Opening of the Ganjin Statue唐招提寺 開山忌舎利会（鑑真和上坐像の特別開扉）JunEvery year on 5 and 6 June; the special viewing of the Ganjin statue runs 5 to 7 June, 9:00 to 16:00 Official page
Benzaiten-ku at Kofuku-ji興福寺 弁才天供JulEvery year on 7 July Official page
Obitoke Koyasu Jizo Eshiki at Obitoke-ji帯解寺 帯解子安地蔵会式JulEvery year on 23 and 24 July, in the evening Official page
Kejo-e (Purification Service with the Ring of Reeds) at Todai-ji東大寺 解除会（茅の輪くぐり）JulEvery year on 28 July, from 8:00 Official page
Nara Tokaeなら燈花会AugTen evenings in early to mid August: 5 to 14 August in 2026 Official page
Chugen Mantoro at Kasuga Taisha春日大社 中元万燈籠Aug14 and 15 August every year; lanterns are lit around 19:00 and the shrine closes around 21:30 Official page
Uneme Matsuri at Sarusawa Pond采女祭Sep and OctThe night of the mid-autumn moon (Chushu no Meigetsu), usually in September and in October in some years; events start at 17:00 Official page
The 78th Shosoin Exhibition第78回 正倉院展Oct and NovLate October to early November: 24 October to 9 November in 2026 Official page
Shika no Tsunokiri (Deer Antler Cutting)鹿の角きりNovTwo days in early November: 7 and 8 November in 2026. The event moved from October to November from 2025. Official page
Kasuga Wakamiya On-matsuri春日若宮おん祭Dec15 to 18 December every year. The Owatari-shiki procession is at noon on 17 December and the Otabisho-sai begins around 14:30 the same day. Official page
Nara Marathon奈良マラソンDecMid-December, Saturday and Sunday: 12 and 13 December in 2026 Official page

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Nara?

Months with average highs between 15°C and 25°C and fewer than 10 wet days: April, October and November. Fewest wet days: January (6.2 days).

What is the hottest month in Nara?

August has the highest average high, 33.4°C (92°F). January has the lowest, 8.7°C (48°F) (JMA, 1991–2020).

What is the rainiest month in Nara?

June has the most precipitation (184.1 mm), and June has the most wet days (11.7 days) (JMA, 1991–2020).

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Compiled by Japan Japan !! · Updated October 2, 2026