When to Go to Asakusa & Skytree: Seasons, Weather & Events

Season by season

Spring (March–May)

Sumida Park’s cherry trees flower in late March and early April, and the Sanja Matsuri in May is one of Tokyo’s biggest festivals. Pleasant temperatures and heavy crowds.

Summer (June–August)

Hot and humid, but the most festive season: the ground-cherry market in July, the Sumida River fireworks at the end of July and samba in late summer. Visit the temple early or after dark.

Autumn (September–November)

Clear skies return in October. The Tori-no-Ichi fairs in November bring good-luck rake stalls to nearby Otori Shrine; Skytree visibility improves as the air dries.

Winter (December–February)

Cold and bright. The Hagoita battledore market fills the temple grounds in mid-December, and millions of people come for the first prayers of the year in early January.

Month by month

Month	Avg high	Avg low	Rainfall	Crowds
January	10°C	1°C	60 mm	Busy
February	11°C	2°C	57 mm	Quiet
March	14°C	5°C	116 mm	Very busy
April	19°C	10°C	134 mm	Very busy
May	24°C	15°C	140 mm	Very busy
June	26°C	19°C	168 mm	Busy
July	30°C	22°C	156 mm	Busy
August	31°C	24°C	155 mm	Busy
September	28°C	20°C	225 mm	Busy
October	22°C	15°C	235 mm	Very busy
November	17°C	9°C	96 mm	Very busy
December	12°C	4°C	58 mm	Busy

Temperatures are approximate long-term averages; individual years vary.

Festivals & events

Third weekend of May: Sanja Matsuri — about a hundred portable shrines carried through the streets
9–10 July: Hozuki-ichi, the ground-cherry market at Senso-ji
Last Saturday of July: Sumida River Fireworks Festival (dates can change; expect very large crowds)
Late August or September: Asakusa Samba Carnival
17–19 December: Hagoita-ichi, the decorated battledore market

Our advice

Go early or go late. Between 10:00 and 16:00 Nakamise is shoulder to shoulder; at 8:00 or 20:00 the same walk is calm and far more photogenic. Save Skytree for a clear afternoon.