Nikko in August: weather, what to wear and what's on
The JMA's figures for Nikko come from its Imaichi station in Nikko City (414 m above sea level). In August, Nikko averages a high of 28.0°C (82°F) and a low of 19.8°C (68°F), with 302.5 mm of rain on about 16.9 days (JMA, 1991–2020). It is Nikko's hottest and wettest month.
Warm
Nikko weather in August
Averages for 1991–2020 at the JMA's Imaichi station (414 m above sea level).
- High
- 28.0°C (82°F)
- Low
- 19.8°C (68°F)
- Precipitation
- 302.5 mm
- Wet days
- 16.9 days
- Sunshine
- 137 hours
Highs are 1.3°C above July and 3.8°C above September.
That is 11.1°C above Nikko's yearly average high of 16.9°C.
Of our 14 places with temperature records, Nikko is the 2nd coldest in August: 0.1°C cooler than Kawaguchiko and 1.6°C warmer than Sapporo.
Of our 15 places, Nikko has the 2nd highest precipitation in August: 43.6 mm less than Hakone and 62.5 mm more than Naha.
Rain of 1 mm or more falls on 16.9 days, and 10 mm or more on 7.6 days.
Rain of 30 mm or more in one day falls on 2.8 days, and 50 mm or more on 1.5 days.
10.8 days reach 30°C or more.
The sun is out for 40% or more of the possible hours on 12.9 days, and 6.5 days have under 0.1 hours of sunshine.
Up at Okunikko (1,292 m), the JMA's second station in Nikko, the average high is 22.9°C (73°F) and the low 15.6°C (60°F).
- Average temperature
- 23.4°C (74°F)
- Days of 25°C or more
- 24.4 days
Early, mid and late August
| Days | High | Low | Precipitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–10 August | 28.9°C | 20.2°C | 89.5 mm |
| 11–20 August | 28.0°C | 20.1°C | 82.2 mm |
| 21–31 August | 27.2°C | 19.2°C | 133.7 mm |
By the last ten days of August the average high in Nikko is 1.7°C lower than in the first ten.
By ten-day totals, 21–31 August is the wettest (133.7 mm) and 11–20 August the driest (82.2 mm).
What to wear in Nikko in August
Warm: highs around 28.0°C
- Short sleeves or thin long sleeves, with a light layer for air-conditioning and evenings.
- Heat: 10.8 days reach 30°C or more. A hat, water and sunscreen.
- Rain gear every day: a sturdy umbrella and a water-resistant jacket. Rain falls on 16.9 days.
Okunikko and Lake Chuzenji are colder: the average high there is 22.9°C, which is our Mild level.
Pack
- Sturdy umbrella and rain jacket
- Hat, sunscreen and a water bottle
- A light layer for air-conditioning
Rainy season and typhoons
In an average August, 0.8 typhoons come within 300 km of the Kanto-Koshin region; across Japan, 3.3 come within 300 km and 0.9 make landfall (JMA, 1991–2020).
August records in Nikko
The extremes the JMA has measured in August at its Imaichi station.
- Hottest August day
- 35.0°C (95°F) on 5 August 2014 (records since 1979)
- Coldest August night
- 12.0°C (54°F) on 18 August 2018 (records since 1979)
- Wettest August day
- 243.0 mm on 10 August 2009 (records since 1979)
Holidays and crowds in August
National holidays in August 2027:
- Wed 11 August — Mountain Day
In August 2025, hotels and inns across Tochigi Prefecture were 64.2% full on average (the busiest month of the year). Foreign guests spent 24,900 nights there that month (Japan Tourism Agency). That compares with 56.3% in July and 56.9% in September.
What's on in Nikko in August
| Event | When | Where and what |
|---|---|---|
| Mt Nantai Climbing Festival (Nantai-san Tohai Taisai)男体山登拝大祭 | 31 July to 7 August every year | Futarasan Shrine Chuguji precincts and Lake Chuzenji. A summer festival at Futarasan Shrine Chuguji rooted in more than 1,200 years of Mt Nantai worship. The climbing groups visit the shrine, and the main event is the night climb starting at midnight to see the sunrise from the summit. A votive fireworks display is held over Lake Chuzenji at 20:30 on 31 July. In 2026 the night climbs were on 1 and 2 August, each starting at 0:00. The Miyama dance and its contest take place on the evening of 31 July, and lantern floating on 2 August at 19:30. Official page |
| Nikko Fireworks Festival日光花火大会 | August (Saturday 8 August in 2026), 19:00 to 20:00 | Riverbed of Nikko Daiya River Park (viewing at Nikko Daiya River Park and Maruyama Park). A fireworks display held in August on the riverbed, with food stalls. There is no parking near Nikko Daiya River Park or Maruyama Park, and dropping off by car is also prohibited; use the designated general car parks. Official page |
Nikko before and after August
Other places in August
| Place | High | Against Nikko | Wet days | Against Nikko |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo | 31.3°C | +3.3°C | 7.9 days | −9.0 days |
| Kyoto | 33.7°C | +5.7°C | 8.3 days | −8.6 days |
| Osaka | 33.7°C | +5.7°C | 7.2 days | −9.7 days |
| Sapporo | 26.4°C | −1.6°C | 9.5 days | −7.4 days |
| OkinawaNaha | 31.8°C | +3.8°C | 12.3 days | −4.6 days |
Frequently asked questions
What is the weather like in Nikko in August?
The average high is 28.0°C (82°F) and the average low 19.8°C (68°F). 302.5 mm of rain falls on about 16.9 days (JMA, 1991–2020).
What should I wear in Nikko in August?
Short sleeves or thin long sleeves, with a light layer for air-conditioning and evenings. Heat: 10.8 days reach 30°C or more. A hat, water and sunscreen. Rain gear every day: a sturdy umbrella and a water-resistant jacket. Rain falls on 16.9 days.
Is Nikko busy in August?
In August 2025, hotels and inns across Tochigi Prefecture were 64.2% full on average (the busiest month of the year). Foreign guests spent 24,900 nights there that month (Japan Tourism Agency).
What are the record temperatures for August in Nikko?
The highest temperature the JMA has recorded in Nikko in August is 35.0°C (95°F), on 5 August 2014. The lowest is 12.0°C (54°F), on 18 August 2018.
What events are on in Nikko in August?
Mt Nantai Climbing Festival (Nantai-san Tohai Taisai): 31 July to 7 August every year. Nikko Fireworks Festival: August (Saturday 8 August in 2026), 19:00 to 20:00.
Related items
Sources for this page
- Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) Normals for 1991–2020: Imaichi (今市), month by month (平年値 年・月ごとの値)checked October 2, 2026
- Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) Normals for 1991–2020: Imaichi (今市), rain days, temperature days and snow (詳細)checked October 2, 2026
- Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) Normals for 1991–2020: Okunikko (奥日光（日光）), month by month (平年値 年・月ごとの値)checked October 2, 2026
- Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) Ten-day normals for 1991–2020: Imaichi (今市) (平年値 旬ごとの値)checked October 2, 2026
- Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) Records for August: Imaichi (今市) (観測史上1〜10位の値)checked October 2, 2026
- Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) Typhoon averages, 1991–2020 (台風の平年値)checked October 2, 2026
- Cabinet Office National holidays (国民の祝日について)checked October 2, 2026
- Japan Tourism Agency Overnight Travel Statistics Survey, 2025 final figures (宿泊旅行統計調査 2025年 年の確定値)checked October 2, 2026
- Nikko City Tourism Association (Nikko Tabi Navi) Mt Nantai Climbing Festival (Nantai-san Tohai Taisai) (男体山登拝大祭)checked October 2, 2026
- Nikko City Tourism Association (Nikko Tabi Navi) (contact: Nikko Fireworks Festival Executive Committee, Nikko Chamber of Commerce and Industry) Nikko Fireworks Festival (日光花火大会)checked October 2, 2026
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Compiled by Japan Japan !! · Updated October 2, 2026