Golden Week
About April 29–May 5
A cluster of national holidays when much of Japan travels at once — trains, hotels and sights are packed. Wear comfortable shoes for long queues and carry a small crossbody bag.
Highs24°C (75°F)
Lows15°C (59°F)
Rainy days~11
Daylight14 h
CrowdsBusy
May averages for Tokyo (Kitanomaru Park). Source
May is warm and green, one of the most comfortable months for walking. Golden Week (around April 29–May 5) is a national holiday period — trains and hotels fill up, so plan around it. Light layers, breathable shirts and sneakers are all you need; carry a cardigan for cool evenings.
☀️ By day
Breathable shirt or blouse, light trousers and sneakers; a cardigan in your bag.
🌙 Evening
A light jacket is enough — evenings are mild, around 15°C.
What's on in May
Typical dates. Many festivals follow lunar calendars, so check this year's dates before you book.
Sanja Matsuri, Asakusa
Third weekend of May
One of Tokyo's wildest festivals: portable shrines carried through packed streets. Wear closed shoes you don't mind getting stepped on and keep valuables zipped.
May packing essentials
Your May outfit list
- Trench coatShop Amazon ↗
- Light knit cardiganShop Amazon ↗
- Midi skirt or wide-leg trousersStraight kurta setShop Amazon ↗
- Blouses / long-sleeve topsShop Amazon ↗
- Comfortable white sneakersShop Amazon ↗
- Crossbody bag (anti-theft)Shop Amazon ↗
- Light jacket (harrington / bomber)Shop Amazon ↗
- Oxford or casual shirtsShop Amazon ↗
- ChinosShop Amazon ↗
- Thin knit sweaterShop Amazon ↗
- Clean white sneakersShop Amazon ↗
Also pack
Showing more covered picks for travellers from India.
Dress code
- Cover shoulders and knees at temples and shrines; a light cardigan solves it in summer.
- Shoes come off in temples, ryokan, some restaurants and fitting rooms — slip-ons and clean, hole-free socks save time.
- Very revealing or low-cut tops stand out more than short hemlines; locals dress modestly up top.