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

Nikko's average high runs from 5.9°C (43°F) in January to 28.0°C (82°F) in August (JMA, 1991–2020). The wettest month is August (302.5 mm) and the driest is February (40.8 mm).

Updated

28.0°CAugust
5.9°CJanuary
1,950 mmprecipitation

Nikko weather month by month

Averages for 1991–2020 at the JMA's Imaichi station (414 m above sea level). Each month links to its own page.

Nikko by month: averages for 1991–2020 (JMA)
MonthHighLowPrecipitationWet daysSunshine
January5.9°C−3.8°C49.1 mm4.4 days192 hours
February6.8°C−3.4°C40.8 mm5.3 days183 hours
March10.5°C−0.5°C99.3 mm9.1 days190 hours
April16.1°C4.6°C133.5 mm10.9 days187 hours
May20.7°C10.4°C167.7 mm11.9 days179 hours
June23.2°C15.0°C225.0 mm15.7 days115 hours
July26.7°C19.0°C286.1 mm17.7 days117 hours
August28.0°C19.8°C302.5 mm16.9 days137 hours
September24.2°C16.1°C299.5 mm15.1 days112 hours
October18.8°C10.1°C218.1 mm10.8 days129 hours
November13.7°C3.6°C85.3 mm6.6 days162 hours
December8.5°C−1.3°C45.3 mm4.8 days182 hours

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

Jan5.9°C
Feb6.8°C
Mar10.5°C
Apr16.1°C
May20.7°C
Jun23.2°C
Jul26.7°C
Aug28.0°C
Sep24.2°C
Oct18.8°C
Nov13.7°C
Dec8.5°C
Torii gate and stone steps leading up to the ornate Yomeimon gate of Nikko Toshogu Shrine
Photo: Nikko toshogu shrine.jpg by Koichi Sato (CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped), via Wikimedia Commons.

When to go to Nikko, by the numbers

  • No month has average highs between 15°C and 25°C with fewer than 10 wet days.
  • Fewest wet days: January (4.4 days).
  • Quietest hotels in 2025 (Tochigi Prefecture): January (43.0%), February (48.0%) and December (51.2%).
  • Busiest hotels in 2025 (Tochigi Prefecture): August (64.2%), November (63.4%) and October (62.8%).

What to wear in Nikko, month by month

Nikko: our clothing level for each month (from the JMA's averages)
MonthLevelAverage highWet days
JanuaryCold5.9°C4.4 days
FebruaryCold6.8°C5.3 days
MarchChilly10.5°C9.1 days
AprilCool16.1°C10.9 days
MayMild20.7°C11.9 days
JuneMild23.2°C15.7 days
JulyWarm26.7°C17.7 days
AugustWarm28.0°C16.9 days
SeptemberMild24.2°C15.1 days
OctoberCool18.8°C10.8 days
NovemberChilly13.7°C6.6 days
DecemberCold8.5°C4.8 days

How busy Nikko is, month by month

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

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

Jan43.0%
Feb48.0%
Mar54.9%
Apr54.7%
May55.3%
Jun51.5%
Jul56.3%
Aug64.2%
Sep56.9%
Oct62.8%
Nov63.4%
Dec51.2%

Events in Nikko through the year

Events in Nikko: dates from each organizer's official page
EventMonthWhen
Yunishigawa Onsen Kamakura Festival湯西川温泉 かまくら祭Jan and FebLate January to the end of February (29 January to 28 February in 2027); lanterns lit Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, 17:30 to 21:00 Official page
Yumitori Doji (boys' archery ritual)弓取り童子MarA Sunday in mid-March (8 March in 2026) Official page
Iwasaki Kannon Grand Festival岩崎観世音大祭MarThe last Sunday of March (29 March in 2026) Official page
Imaichi Night Market (Imaichi Yoichi)今市夜市MarMid-March (13 and 14 March in 2027) Official page
Gohan-shiki (rice-serving ritual) at Rinno-ji強飯式Apr2 April every year, at 11:00 and 14:00 Official page
Yayoi Festival (Futarasan Shrine)日光二荒山神社 弥生祭Apr13 to 17 April every year; the floats come out on the 16th (evening festival) and the 17th (main festival) Official page
Toshogu Spring Grand Festival (procession of 1,000 samurai)日光東照宮春季例大祭（百物揃千人武者行列）May17 and 18 May every year (yabusame on the 17th, procession on the 18th) Official page
Heike Taisai (Heike Grand Festival)平家大祭JunEarly June (6 and 7 June in 2026) Official page
Mt Nantai Climbing Festival (Nantai-san Tohai Taisai)男体山登拝大祭Jul and Aug31 July to 7 August every year Official page
Nikko Fireworks Festival日光花火大会AugAugust (Saturday 8 August in 2026), 19:00 to 20:00 Official page
Lake Chuzenji Swan Boat Race中禅寺湖スワンボートレースSepEvery year on 5 September (a ritual date) Official page
Sento Kuyo-sai (thousand-lantern memorial) at Oiwake Jizo千灯供養祭（追分地蔵尊）SepEvery year on 24 and 25 September Official page
Toshogu Autumn Grand Festival (procession of 1,000 samurai)日光東照宮秋季大祭（百物揃千人武者行列）Oct16 and 17 October every year (yabusame on the 16th, procession on the 17th) Official page
Light-up NIKKO 2026ライトアップNIKKO 2026NovThree evenings in early November (6 to 8 November in 2026) Official page
Susuharai (year-end cleaning) at Nikko's shrines and temple日光の社寺煤払いDec12, 14 and 20 December (Shinkyo Bridge, Rinno-ji and Toshogu) Official page

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Nikko?

No month has average highs between 15°C and 25°C with fewer than 10 wet days. Fewest wet days: January (4.4 days).

What is the hottest month in Nikko?

August has the highest average high, 28.0°C (82°F). January has the lowest, 5.9°C (43°F) (JMA, 1991–2020).

What is the rainiest month in Nikko?

August has the most precipitation (302.5 mm), and July has the most wet days (17.7 days) (JMA, 1991–2020).

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Back to Japan by month

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