Hiroshima in May: a seasonal travel plan
Hiroshima, Japan. In may, the average daytime high is 22.2 °C and the night-time low is 11.4 °C. Daytime suits a longer city route; keep a break and some flexible time around midday.
Choose a month
Selected month: May
Temperatures by month
Air temperature: Hiroshima
Contents
Weather at a glance
- Daytime high
- 22.2 °C
- Nighttime low
- 11.4 °C
- Monthly precipitation
- 145.0 mm
- Days with at least 1 mm
- 9.7
- Daylight
- 13.9 h
2015–2024 averages. Daytime temperature is the average daily maximum; nighttime temperature is the average daily minimum.
Early, middle and late month
| Period | Daytime high, °C | Nighttime low, °C | Days with at least 1 mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Days 1–10 | 20.5 | 9.6 | 3.2 |
| Days 11–20 | 22.1 | 11.6 | 3.5 |
| From day 21 | 23.7 | 12.9 | 3.0 |
What this month is like
Hiroshima, Japan. In may, the average daytime high is 22.2 °C and the night-time low is 11.4 °C. Daytime suits a longer city route; keep a break and some flexible time around midday.
There are 9.7 wet days on average, with about 145.0 mm of precipitation. Keep an indoor backup route and a compact rain jacket in your day bag.
How to plan the day
Daytime suits a longer city route; keep a break and some flexible time around midday.
Average daylight is 13.9 hours, so put longer routes in the brighter part of the day.
What to pack
Pack light clothes, comfortable shoes and an extra layer for the evening. Keep an indoor backup route and a compact rain jacket in your day bag.
Precipitation and an alternative plan
There are several days with precipitation during the month. A light waterproof layer can help you continue your route outdoors.
What to pack
Bring light daytime clothes, comfortable shoes and an extra layer for cooler hours. The day-to-night temperature difference is noticeable, so dressing in layers is practical. A compact rain jacket takes little room in a day bag.
Compared with neighbouring months
Average daytime high: previous month — 18.0 °C, May — 22.2 °C, next month — 25.2 °C. Days with at least 1 mm of precipitation: 10.3, 9.7 and 13.3.
Things to do
Hiroshima grew on the delta of the Ota River, and its centre is compact: Peace Memorial Park, the castle and the shopping arcades all lie within half an hour on foot. Trams link the station with the centre, and ferries from Miyajimaguchi reach Itsukushima Shrine.
Peace Memorial Park and museum
Walk through Peace Memorial Park from the A-Bomb Dome to the museum, which holds objects and documents from the bombing. Allow two or three hours and leave time for a quiet walk by the river.
Miyajima
From Miyajimaguchi station a ferry crosses to the island and Itsukushima Shrine, whose torii stand in the water. Take the ropeway up Mount Misen or follow the trail to the lookout points.
Okonomiyaki at Okonomimura
In the Okonomimura building on Hondori, dozens of small counters cook okonomiyaki on the hotplate in front of you. Arrive at opening time to sit down without waiting. The arcade is a few steps from Peace Park.
Where to stay
Kamiyacho and Hondori
Kamiyacho and Hondori form the centre, with arcades, restaurants and a tram stop. It is a convenient base: Peace Park is walkable and dinner is close. Start the day here with the market and the arcades.
Peace Park area
The streets around Peace Memorial Park suit anyone who wants quiet and museums at hand. Restaurants are fewer, but the river and the memorials are steps away. Choose a hotel nearer the river for quieter nights.
Station area
The area around Hiroshima Station is handy for shinkansen trains and trips to Miyajima. Streets here are businesslike, and the historic centre is a tram ride away. Shinkansen trains leave often, and seats are worth booking ahead.
Getting to and around Hiroshima
Hiroshima Airport connects to the city by shuttle bus, which takes about fifty minutes to Hiroshima Station. Shinkansen trains stop at the same station, and trams run from there to Peace Memorial Park. In the centre the tram and walking do most of the work, while Miyajima is reached by train to Miyajimaguchi and then by ferry.
Three days in Hiroshima
Peace Park and the centre
Start at the A-Bomb Dome, walk through Peace Memorial Park and the museum, then follow Hondori to the arcades. Have dinner at Okonomimura in the evening. The riverside path links the park with the Hondori arcades.
Miyajima
Ride to Miyajimaguchi in the morning, cross by ferry and walk around Itsukushima Shrine. Take the ropeway up Mount Misen and return to the city towards evening. The return ferry runs until sunset, and the embankment is good for an evening walk.
Castle and garden
See Hiroshima Castle and the Shukkeien garden beside it, then walk to the river and the art museum. Leave the afternoon for shopping in the centre. The Shukkeien garden is a good place to rest in the shade.
Weather throughout the year
| Month | Daytime high, °C | Nighttime low, °C | Precipitation, mm | Days with at least 1 mm | Daylight, h |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7.1 | -1.1 | 69.4 | 10.1 | 10.1 |
| February | 8.4 | -1.1 | 68.0 | 9.5 | 10.9 |
| March | 13.0 | 2.0 | 114.0 | 10.9 | 12.0 |
| April | 18.0 | 6.7 | 162.2 | 10.3 | 13.0 |
| May | 22.2 | 11.4 | 145.0 | 9.7 | 13.9 |
| June | 25.2 | 16.1 | 245.1 | 13.3 | 14.4 |
| July | 28.9 | 21.4 | 273.2 | 15.6 | 14.2 |
| August | 30.2 | 22.1 | 166.1 | 11.5 | 13.4 |
| September | 26.2 | 18.3 | 209.9 | 12.9 | 12.4 |
| October | 20.8 | 11.3 | 114.6 | 9.7 | 11.3 |
| November | 15.5 | 5.9 | 82.2 | 8.7 | 10.4 |
| December | 9.2 | 0.7 | 71.4 | 10.2 | 9.9 |
Frequently asked questions
Hiroshima: what is the temperature in May?
The average daytime high is 22.2 °C and the night-time low is 11.4 °C. Daytime is suitable for a longer walk around the city. Leave time for breaks and lunch along the way.
How many days with precipitation are there in May?
On average, there are 9.7 days with at least 1 mm of precipitation; the monthly total is 145.0 mm. There are several days with precipitation during the month. A light waterproof layer can help you continue your route outdoors.
What should I pack for walks in May?
Bring light daytime clothes, comfortable shoes and an extra layer for cooler hours. The day-to-night temperature difference is noticeable, so dressing in layers is practical. A compact rain jacket takes little room in a day bag.
How does the weather change from the start to the end of the month?
Average daytime highs by part of the month: 1–10 — 20.5 °C; 11–20 — 22.1 °C; 21 to month-end — 23.7 °C.
How many daylight hours are there in May?
The average is 13.9 hours. Spread walks between the morning and afternoon, then leave the evening for dinner or indoor activities.
Is Hiroshima worth visiting in May?
The climate suits a trip if daytime temperatures around 22.2 °C and nights around 11.4 °C work for you. Daytime suits a longer city route; keep a break and some flexible time around midday.
What can I do in Hiroshima on a wet day in May?
Keep an indoor backup route and a compact rain jacket in your day bag. Keep a museum, market, café or another indoor route near your accommodation.
What should I pack for Hiroshima in May?
Pack light clothes, comfortable shoes and an extra layer for the evening. Average daylight is 13.9 hours.