Tokyo in September: a seasonal travel plan

Weather at a glance

Daytime high

27.9 °C

Nighttime low

21.4 °C

Monthly precipitation

250.9 mm

Days with at least 1 mm

18.0

Daylight

12.4 h

2015–2024 averages. Daytime temperature is the average daily maximum; nighttime temperature is the average daily minimum.

Early, middle and late month

What this month is like

Tokyo, Japan. In september, the average daytime high is 27.9 °C and the night-time low is 21.4 °C. Daytime suits a longer city route; keep a break and some flexible time around midday.

There are 18.0 wet days on average, with about 250.9 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 12.4 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

Precipitation is frequent. Keep several indoor activities in your plans and fit longer walks between them.

What to pack

Light breathable clothes, a hat, sunglasses and a water bottle will be useful. Add a waterproof outer layer and shoes that dry quickly.

Compared with neighbouring months

Average daytime high: previous month — 31.4 °C, September — 27.9 °C, next month — 22.2 °C. Days with at least 1 mm of precipitation: 17.6, 18.0 and 14.1.

Things to do

Tokyo grew around the imperial palace and the bay, with western business districts beside old temple streets in the east. Size is manageable because the Yamanote loop gives the city a readable shape, so a hotel near a major station saves hours in transit.

Asakusa and Sumida

Start at the Kaminarimon gate and Senso-ji, then follow Nakamise street down to the Sumida River. A walk along the embankment towards the Skytree takes an hour and shows the city from water level and from above.

Meiji Shrine and Harajuku

Enter the Meiji Shrine forest from Harajuku station in the morning, when the shaded avenues hold back the heat. After the shrine, drop onto Takeshita-dori, then walk west to the Shibuya crossing by evening.

Tsukiji market and Ginza

Reach the Tsukiji outer market at opening time, when fish stalls and small counters are working. From there walk to Ginza, and after lunch turn towards the Hamarikyu garden on the water.

Where to stay

Shinjuku

Shinjuku works well for a first visit: the main lines run through the station, with hotels, shops and bars close by. Kabukicho stays loud until morning, so choose the park side near Gyoen for sleep.

Asakusa

Asakusa suits travellers who prefer low houses, temples and craft shops to towers. Evenings are quiet, the western districts are half an hour away, and the large museums of Ueno are next door.

Shibuya

Shibuya keeps the pace of a big city, with shops, restaurants and clubs minutes from the station. Streets around the crossing never quite settle, and calmer residential lanes begin only past the hill.

Getting to and around Tokyo

Haneda airport sits close to the centre, with the monorail reaching Hamamatsucho in about twenty minutes. Narita handles most international flights far to the east and is linked by the Narita Express and the Keisei Skyliner. In the city, trains and metro do the work: the Yamanote loop joins the business districts, and a Suica or Pasmo card keeps fares simple.

Three days in Tokyo

Ueno, Asakusa and Sumida

Begin with the Ueno museums, stop at the Ameyoko market street below the station, then cross to Senso-ji and Nakamise street. In the evening climb the Skytree observation deck or walk the Sumida embankment.

Meiji Shrine, Harajuku and Shibuya

Spend the morning in the Meiji Shrine park, then walk Takeshita-dori and Omotesando in the afternoon. Reach the Shibuya crossing at sunset and go up to a rooftop terrace above the station.

Tsukiji, Ginza and Hamarikyu

Breakfast at the Tsukiji outer market, then walk through Ginza to the Hamarikyu garden. Afterwards leave time for Tokyo Station, its brick facade and the Marunouchi side with the old post office tower.

Weather throughout the year

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