Japan is a year-round destination, but if you are planning a trip from Singapore between June and October, it is worth knowing about typhoon seadon. Typhoons do not mean your entire holiday will be washed out but they can bring heavy rains, strong winds and temporary disruptions to flights, trains and attractions.
For Singapore travellers, the good news is that typhoons are usually tracked several days in advance. With a little preparation, you can still enjoy Japan during this period.
A typhoon is a tropical cyclone that forms over the western North Pacific. Japan is particularly exposed because of its location along common typhoon paths, with storms often moving north or northeast towards the Japanese archipelago.
Typhoons can occur outside the main season, but July to October is generally the period when Japan sees the most typhoon activity. August and September are particularly important months to watch. JMA's 1991 to 2020 climate averages show that September had the highest average number of typhoons approaching Japan's mainland, followed by August.
For travellers, the biggest concern is not simply whether a typhoon exists. A storm can also bring heavy rain, flooding, landslides, strong winds and transport disruptions, sometimes even when the typhoon itself does not make landfall.
Japan's typhoon season does not have an exact start and end date. The risk gradually increases through summer, peaks around August and September, then starts to decrease in October.
Month | Typhoon Risk | What Singapore Travellers Should Know |
June | 🟢 Lower | Typhoons are possible, but Japan generally sees less activity than later in summer. |
July | 🟡 Moderate | Activity starts increasing, particularly towards the second half of the month. |
August | 🔴 High | One of the busiest months for typhoon activity. Okinawa and southern Japan can be particularly exposed. |
September | 🔴 High | A key month to watch. Mainland Japan has its highest average number of typhoon approaches in September. |
October | 🟡 Moderate | Risk generally falls compared with August and September, although typhoons can still affect Japan. |
Not every part of Japan experiences the same level of typhoon risk.
Okinawa is one of the most exposed areas. JMA's long-term averages show about 2.2 typhoon approaches in August and 1.9 in September for Okinawa. The islands can also experience strong winds, heavy rain and rough seas when a typhoon passes nearby.
Kyushu and Shikoku are also relatively exposed because of their southern and western locations. Southern Kyushu, for example, averages about 1.0 typhoon approach in September, while northern Kyushu averages around 1.1.
Kansai and Chubu, including popular destinations. Osaka, Kyoto and Nagoya, can also be affected. The risk is lower than Okinawa overall, but typhoons travelling north or northeast can bring heavy rain and strong winds to these areas.
Tokyo and the Kanto region are not immune either. JMA's long-term average shows typhoon approaches to Kanto and Koshin increasing during August, September and October.
Hokkaido generally has lower typhoon exposure, although a storm can still bring heavy rain or strong winds after travelling north and weakening.
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There is no need to automatically cancel a Japan trip simply because you are travelling during typhoon season. The main thing is to understand the possible disruption and leave some flexibility in your plans.
The best approach is to use official Japanese weather and travel information, especially when a typhoon is approaching.
Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) is the main source to check for the typhoon locations, forecasts, weather warnings and advisories. Its website provides tropical cyclone information as well as regional weather warnings.
JNTO's Japan Safe Travel Information is also useful for travellers. It provides emergency information and directs visitors to relevant warnings and local guidance. You can also check:
It is a good idea to check these sources before leaving your hotel, rather than relying only on a general weather app.
If you are travelling during the higher-risk months, flexibility is your best friend.
When booking flights, consider leaving some buffer time if you have a domestic connection or an important activity immediately after landing. For example, avoid scheduling a long-distance train journey or cruise on the same day as an international arrival if your plans can be adjusted.
For hotels, check the property's cancellation and modification policy carefully before booking. Do not assume that a typhoon automatically means you can cancel for free. Policies can differ between properties and booking conditions.
For flights affected by severe weather, check your airline's official instructions before changing or cancelling anything. If the airline has cancelled or significantly changed your flight, follow the options it provides for rebooking or refunds.
For Singapore travellers booking through Trip.com, keep your booking reference and flight details easily accessible so you can quickly check for updates and manage your plans if there is a disruption.
A rainy or windy day does not necessarily mean sitting in your hotel room all day. Japan has plenty of indoor attractions that can make a good backup plan. Depending on where you are staying, consider:
For attractions that require outdoor travel, always check the attraction's official website or social channels before heading out. Some venues may close temporarily depending on the weather.
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If you are staying in a hotel when a typhoon approaches, ask the front desk about local warnings, transport conditions and what you should do if an evacuation order is issued.
Before flying to Japan, consider simple steps below:
If local authorities issue evacuation instructions, follow them promptly. Japan uses an alert system and local authorities provide evacuation information based on disaster risks.
A blue sky does not always mean everything is back to normal immediately.
Heavy rain can continue after the centre of a typhoon has moved away, while flooding, landslides and transport disruptions may take longer to clear.
If your original itinerary is no longer possible, consider staying in your current city for another night rather than rushing to travel during unstable conditions.
Japan's typhoon season is something to prepare for rather than panic about. August and September generally have the highest typhoon activity while Okinawa, Kyushu and other southern areas tend to see greater exposure.
If you are travelling during this period, keep your itinerary flexible, monitor official website weather updates and give yourself extra time for transport.
Most importantly, put safety ahead of sticking to your original sightseeing schedule.
