[Osaka / Kyoto] Monthly Guide on How to Dress According to Temperature and Weather from March to May

When Does Spring Start in Japan?

The three months from March to May are generally considered the spring season in Japan. While it may be the perfect season to travel thanks to the comfortable weather, the significant fluctuations in the temperature and weather during the season also make it quite difficult to decide on the right outfit.
In spring, one of the most famous things to do would have to be to admire the gorgeous cherry blossoms. The best time to view the cherry blossoms in Kansai region is from late March to mid-April. There are plenty of famous places for cherry blossom viewing in Osaka and Kyoto, so it would be best to visit some of them according to your itinerary.

Weather and Recommended Clothing in Kyoto

Spring in Kyoto is a time when the cold days of winter have abated to give way to more comfortable days. Some days it can get quite hot during daytime that you won’t even need a sweater or jacket. You have to watch out for the chill in the morning and at night, though. Kyoto City, where many famous sightseeing spots can be found, is built like a basin (flat land surrounded by mountains) so it is known for its penetrating cold weather. If you plan on going sightseeing from morning until night, then make sure to prepare for the cold.

March (Average Temperature: 8.4°C)

The average temperature in March can get as high as 13.4°C and as low as 4°C, so there are still remnants of the cold winter weather. There are days when the temperature exceeds 20°C during daytime, but suddenly drops to around 0°C by nightfall. Rain also falls for days on end from mid-March to April.
In early March, you will need a thick coat that can properly protect you from the cold. By mid-March, you can do with just a light coat on top of a sweater, but you’d probably want a scarf or a stall for when it gets cold at night. The weather will become more and more like spring by late March, ushering in more sunny days for you to enjoy. The difference in temperature varies depending on the day but the chill can be severe in the morning and evening, so it would be best to bring a coat or jacket that is easy to put on and take off.

April (Average Temperature: 14.2°C)

The highest average temperature in April is 19.9°C, with the lowest average temperature being around 9°C. There are more warm and sunny days when the temperature rises above 25°C. However, the chill in the air will still be there in the morning and at night, so you have to bring something to protect you against the cold at those times.
During the day, you’ll be fine with just a long-sleeved shirt topped with a hoodie or a cardigan, but the lowest temperature can sometimes still hit 0°C to 2°C in early April. In light of that, it would be convenient to have a light coat or jacket to fight the cold in the morning and at night. The temperature will suddenly rise from mid-April to late April, bringing in days when you can step out in just a short-sleeved shirt during daytime. Despite those days, however, there will still be days when the temperature would drop below 5°C in the morning and evening, so it would be better to be ready with a coat.

May (Average Temperature: 19°C)

The highest average temperature in May stands at 24.6°C, while the lowest average temperature is at 14°C. There are plenty of days when the temperature exceeds 30°C, even climbing close to 35°C in some years. In early May, there are sunny days when you’d get all sweaty, but note that there are also times when the temperature plunges below 10°C in the morning and at night. By late May, the lowest average temperature rises to as high as 14.4°C.
During the day, you can mostly wear long sleeves and jersey garments, but there will be times when you can do with just a short-sleeved T-shirt, too. However, there will be days when the temperature difference between daytime and morning/night can get close to 20°C, so make sure you can layer your clothes with a cardigan, hoodie or jacket.

Weather and Recommended Clothing in Osaka

Osaka is about 1°C hotter than Kyoto, but you can wear the same clothes as what you would wear in Kyoto. On sunny days, you can wear light clothing during daytime and put on a jacket to protect yourself from the cold in the morning and at night. If you plan to go to Universal Studios Japan, note that it is near the sea, so it can get really cold by nightfall. If you visit the Floating Garden Observatory of Umeda Sky Building, the winds can be quite strong up there, so you might feel cold even during the day.

March (Average Temperature: 9.4°C)

The highest average temperature in March is 13.7°C and the lowest average temperature is 5.6°C. There are still many days when you feel a chill in the air, but there are also days when the temperature climbs to around 20°C during daytime. The weather continues to be unstable due to the temperature difference depending on the day. There are also continuous rains from mid-March to April.
In early March, when the cold from winter lingers, you will need a thick coat. By mid-March, you will slowly feel spring-like weather, so you will have days when you can go out in just a sweater and a light jacket. It would also be convenient to prepare a scarf, stole, or something that can easily keep you warm.

April (Average Temperature: 15.1°C)

April, when the highest average temperature stands at 19.9°C, is the month when the number of bright, sunny days significantly increases. With 10.7°C as the average lowest temperature for the month, it continues to be chilly in the morning and at night, so make sure to visit Osaka with clothes that can fight the cold.
When April sets in, there will be more days when you can just wear a long-sleeved shirt with a hoodie, cardigan, or jacket over it during the day. However, it will get cold in the morning and evening, so you’d need a light coat or jacket. Starting mid-April, when the days become increasingly hot, you can wear lighter clothing. It would be handy to have a jacket or hoodie with you for those cold mornings and nights.

May (Average Temperature: 19.7°C)

The average temperature in May hits a high of 24.5°C and a low of 15.6°C. There are days when the temperature surpasses the 30°C mark, but the lowest average temperature is still quite low from the middle to the latter part of the month at around 10°C. So, more than anything, you have to be careful about the temperature difference. By late May, the average temperature is 23.8°C, with the lowest average temperature rising to as high as 16.3°C.
May is when you can basically wear just a long-sleeved shirt during daytime. There are more sunny days when you’d get sweaty, so you will also see people wearing short sleeves. It would be best to prepare a cardigan, hoodie or jacket that can easily control your body temperature to protect you from the chill in the air in the morning and at night.

Spring is the season when the weather and temperature become unstable. Make sure to check this article and use it as guide when drawing up your itinerary so you can adequately cope with the changing weather in Kyoto and Osaka.