September is the month Tokyo's summer refuses to end, then does, often with a typhoon as the exit.
Weather#
| Early September | Late September | |
|---|---|---|
| Days | ~30°C / 86°F, humid | ~25°C / 77°F, pleasant |
| Nights | ~23°C / 73°F | ~19°C / 66°F |
| Rain | Frequent, heavy at times | Easing |
| Typhoons | The highest-risk month |
Typhoons#
Expect one to pass close: a day of heavy rain and wind, trains stopped, shops closed early, then a clear blue morning. Keep one day flexible, follow the Japan Meteorological Agency's forecast, and have the indoor city ready. Flights are rescheduled, not lost.
What's on#
- Autumn sumo tournament, two weeks from the second Sunday, Ryogoku.
- Silver Week, around the 20th: holidays, domestic travel, a long weekend in most years.
- Tsukimi, moon viewing, on the harvest moon: dango and gardens open at night.
- Autumn festivals begin in neighbourhoods at month's end.
What to do#
Early: the summer plan, mornings and evenings. Late: the first real walking days of autumn, the neighbourhoods, a day trip to Kamakura or Hakone. Things to do, nightlife for the typhoon evening.
Prices#
Lower than October, with a bump at Silver Week. Where to stay, Tokyo on a budget.
Pack#
Summer clothes plus one layer for the end of the month, a real umbrella, shoes that survive a downpour. What to wear in Tokyo.
With a Tokyoite#
A sumo afternoon, a moon-viewing night, the izakaya a typhoon sends everyone into: post your dates on Roavi Community and a Local Friend can show you.
Tokyo in September? Spend an evening with someone who lives there.
Meet a Local FriendFrequently Asked Questions
What is the weather like in Tokyo in September?
Hot and humid early, highs around 30°C (86°F); cooling to around 25°C (77°F) with lower humidity by the end. Rain is frequent, often heavy, and this is the month with the highest typhoon risk.How likely is a typhoon in Tokyo in September?
Likely enough to plan for: most Septembers bring at least one typhoon close enough to disrupt Tokyo for a day or two with cancelled trains and heavy rain. Direct hits causing real damage are rarer. Keep a flexible day, watch the forecast and have indoor plans.Is September or October better for Tokyo?
October: cooler, drier, lower typhoon risk, the start of autumn colour. September is cheaper and quieter, and the last ten days are often pleasant. If your dates are fixed, September is fine; if they're not, shift to October.What is Silver Week?
A cluster of national holidays around 20 September (Respect for the Aged Day and the autumn equinox) that in some years link into a long weekend or a full week. Domestic travel rises; book trains and hotels ahead for those days.
