Japan
Nikko in August
🥵 SummerWarm, humid and often rainy. Watch for tropical cyclone risk.
🎒 Pack: compact umbrella or rain jacket · quick-dry fabrics
Why August scores 7.9What goes into the score
How it works- Weather comfort6.9
- ✓Warm (29.8°C highs / 20.7°C lows)
- !Very humid/sticky (dew point 21.7°C)
- !Wet: ~205 mm rain, ~6 heavy-rain days
- Air quality9.2
- ✓Good (within WHO guideline) (PM2.5 ~10 µg/m³)
- Seasonal hazards8.5
- !Tropical cyclone: Peak of the Western Pacific typhoon season
- Safety baseline9.0
- ·Normal precautions
| Aug | May | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 7.9 Very good | 9.0 Excellent |
| Season | 🥵 Summer | 🌿 Late spring |
| High / low | 30° / 21° | 22° / 10° |
| Rain | 205 mm | 135 mm |
| Humidity | dew pt 22° | dew pt 11° |
| PM2.5 | 10 µg/m³ | 10 µg/m³ |
Typical-month data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis) 2015–2024 (modelled, not a forecast).
Holidays & crowdsAugust 2027
Holiday weekA long local holiday falls this month. Expect crowds at sights, fuller trains and flights, and higher hotel prices on those dates. Book ahead.
- Obon 13–16 Aug
Not a public holiday, but many people take these days off to visit family: trains, highways and resorts are packed. Source: Japan National Tourism Organization
Other public holidays: Mountain Day (11 Aug)
National holidays only; regional holidays and school breaks aren't included. Source: holidays (open-source public-holiday calendar).
Nature calendarBlossoms, leaves & seasons in Nikko
- 2026 forecast: Irohazaka2026 forecastPeak from ~23 Oct 2026
Last year the peak began 23 Oct. JWA expects most of Japan to be on time or a little later than usual this year.
Source: Japan Weather Association (tenki.jp), forecast 14 Oct 2026
- Autumn leaves: Irohazaka & Kegon FallsTypical datesUsually early-Oct to late-Oct
Usual peak viewing window for this spot.
- Autumn leaves: Kinugawa OnsenTypical datesUsually late-Oct to mid-Nov
Usual peak viewing window for this spot.
Explore NikkoEvents, sights, food & souvenirs
Check event dates locallyA mountain town north of Tokyo known for the UNESCO-listed shrines and temples of Nikkō, waterfalls, Lake Chūzenji and autumn foliage.
ObonAcross Japan
Families honor ancestors; fireworks and Bon Odori dances in every town.
Coming up later
Tōshō-gū Autumn Grand FestivalEvery year16–17 October every year
A smaller version of the spring festival with the samurai procession.
Why go: Coincides with the start of autumn colour.
Where: Nikkō Tōshō-gū
Autumn foliageDate variesUsually early October in the highlands to early November in town
Maple and other leaves turn red and gold, starting at higher elevations.
Why go: The busiest season; expect traffic jams on weekends.
Where: Lake Chūzenji, Irohazaka and the shrine area
Tōshō-gū Spring Grand FestivalEvery year17–18 May every year
Includes horseback archery and the procession of a thousand samurai on the 18th.
Why go: The highlight of the shrine year; crowds are heavy.
Where: Nikkō Tōshō-gū
Nikkō Tōshō-gū
The richly decorated mausoleum shrine of Tokugawa Ieyasu, with the famous three wise monkeys carving.
Shinkyō Bridge
A vermilion lacquered bridge over the Daiya River at the entrance to the shrine area.
Rinnō-ji and Futarasan Shrine
A major temple and an ancient shrine within the World Heritage site.
Kegon Falls
A 97-metre waterfall dropping from Lake Chūzenji, viewed from an observation deck.
Lake Chūzenji
A mountain lake below Mount Nantai, reached by the winding Irohazaka road.
💡 The road gets heavy traffic at autumn-foliage peak; go early.
Kanmangafuchi Abyss
A riverside path lined with rows of stone Jizō statues.
Yuba
Tofu skin, a Nikkō speciality served fresh, rolled or in soups.
Mizu yōkan
A soft sweet bean jelly, made locally in many shops.
Tochigi strawberries
Tochigi Prefecture is Japan's top strawberry producer.
💡 In season from winter to spring
Utsunomiya gyoza
Pan-fried dumplings from the nearby prefectural capital, famous across Japan.
💡 Utsunomiya, on the way to Nikkō
Nikkō-bori
Traditional wood carving with floral designs, used for trays and boxes.
Yuba
Dried yuba packs that travel well.
Nikkō geta
Traditional wooden sandals with woven straw tops.