Tokyo skyline in clear light

Tokyo in May

Excellent once Golden Week ends

The short answer

May is one of the best months to visit Tokyo.

Mid-to-late May is one of the year's best-value windows.

8/10 overall15–23°CModerate crowds¥¥¥ (Moderate)
Weather9/10
Crowds7/10
Prices7/10
Events7/10

May in detail

What May actually feels like

Weather
15–23°C
Warm, comfortable, low humidity
Crowds
Moderate
Very busy during Golden Week, then noticeably calm
Prices
¥¥¥ (Moderate)
Moderate from mid-month

+Warm, dry and green with crowds falling away after the first week.

–Golden Week (late Apr–early May) is unbookable and expensive.

My tip for May

Travel after 7 May and the whole month changes character.

  • Walking
  • Day trips
  • Rooftops
  • Gardens

How May compares

Against the other eleven months

2nd of 12 overall in Tokyo, 2nd for weather, 4th for space, 4th for value. The emptiest month is January; the best value is January.

See all twelve months for Tokyo

Plan around

What’s on in Tokyo in May

Golden Week

Late April to early May

The whole country travels. Trains, hotels and restaurants fill; after 7 May everything normalises.

Not set on May?

Even stronger months in Tokyo

Ready to book May in Tokyo?

Warm, dry and green with crowds falling away after the first week.

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