Back to destinations
AI-generated illustrative scene; not a photograph of this destination
AI-generated
Japan

Himeji weather & best time to visit

City break

Himeji at a glance

Best time
Apr – Jun, Oct – Nov
Warmest month
Aug · 32°
Warmest sea
Aug · 27.3°
Sunshine a year
2,070 h
Rain a year
1,467 mm
Climate
Temperate
Time zone
UTC+9
Elevation
8 m

Climate in Himeji

Himeji has a temperate climate with warm summers and cool winters. August is the warmest month with average highs of 32 °C, while January is the coolest at 10 °C. With around 2,070 hours of sunshine a year, Himeji is moderately sunny; August is the sunniest month with 7.4 hours a day.

Holiday weather through the year

Best time to visit

Best time to visit Himeji

The best time to visit Himeji is from April to June and from October to November. In October, though, the typhoon season is at its peak: check the forecast before you go. For a beach holiday – sea from 21 °C, warm and mostly dry – go in October. For sightseeing, day trips and hiking, conditions are most comfortable from April to May and from October to November. Rain is frequent from July to September; the wettest month is July with 200 mm.

Himeji through the seasons

How the weather changes over the seasons, with averages for each.

Himeji in spring

Mar – May

71

Good

  • 14–24 °C by day
  • Sea 15 °C
  • 6.3 h of sun a day
  • 30 rainy days in all

Himeji in summer

Jun – Aug

54

Fair

  • 27–32 °C by day
  • Sea 25 °C
  • 6.2 h of sun a day
  • 39 rainy days in all

Himeji in autumn

Sep – Nov

71

Good

  • 17–29 °C by day
  • Sea 23 °C
  • 5.4 h of sun a day
  • 30 rainy days in all

Himeji in winter

Dec – Feb

44

Fair

  • 10–12 °C by day
  • Sea 14 °C
  • 4.8 h of sun a day
  • 19 rainy days in all

Which month for what?

Beach & swimming

Oct

Sea from 21 °C, warm and mostly dry

Sightseeing & hiking

Apr – May, Oct – Nov

15–28 °C and not too much rain

Rainy months

Jul – Sep

Rainy season or more than 12 rainy days

Find your perfect month

Tell us what you like and we rate every month in Himeji for you.

Swimming in the sea
Sunshine
Little rain

Your best months: May, October

Based on the climate averages; tap a month to see its details.

Your holiday weather, at a glance

Weather in October

Weather in October

77

Holiday weather in October

Good

Best time to visit: April – June, October – November

October is the peak of the typhoon season Hurricane season

Good forBeach & swimmingSightseeing & walks

Keep in mindStorm season

A typical day in October

  1. Morning, 08:00: about 18°
  2. Midday, 13:00: about 23°
  3. Afternoon, 16:00: about 22°
  4. Evening, 20:00: about 18°
  5. Night, 23:00: about 17°

06:0617:28

Pleasant evenings; a light layer can help.

Estimated from the average high and low: coolest around sunrise, warmest in mid-afternoon.

Light for photos in October

Golden hour
Morning 05:50–06:40 · evening 16:54–17:43
Blue hour
Morning 05:40–05:50 · evening 17:43–17:53

Golden hour: the sun between 4° below and 6° above the horizon; blue hour: 6° to 4° below it. Times for the 15th of the month; mountains and clouds shift the light.

October in Himeji compared with home

Home:

Loading the climate at home …

Early or late October?

In October, daytime highs fall from about 26° at the start of the month to 20° at the end. The sea cools from 25° to 22°. The days get 1.0 h shorter.

Early or late October?
October1 Oct31 Oct
Daytime high26°20°
Night-time low18°12°
Sea25°22°
Daylight11.9 h10.9 h

What is the weather like in Himeji in October?

In October, Himeji is warm: daytime highs average 23 °C, and nights cool down to about 15 °C. The sea averages 23.6 °C – pleasant for swimming. Expect around 5.5 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 152 mm in total. All in all, October is a good month for a holiday in Himeji.

More details for October

Daylight
11 h 22 min06:06 – 17:28
UV index
5 · moderateclear sky, noon (estimate)All months
Muggy days
4 daysdew point 18 °C or moreAll months
Wind
17 km/haverage daily peakAll months
Cloud cover
51 %on averageAll months
Hot days
0 days30 °C or moreAll months
Time zone
UTC+9offset from UTC

How the score comes together

  • Temperatureweight 50 %100 %
  • Sunshineweight 20 %42 %
  • Few rainy daysweight 30 %61 %

Each factor is rated from 0 to 100 % and weighted for the travel style “City break”.

What to pack in October

  • Swimwear
  • Sunscreen
  • A jumper for the evenings
  • Rain jacket or umbrella

Compare two months in Himeji

Pick two months to see how the weather differs. A tick marks the clearly better value; for temperatures it depends on your plans.

vs

October and April bring similar holiday weather to Himeji (score 77 and 79). In April, days are 4 °C cooler than in October. The sea is 9 °C cooler in April. The sun shines an hour longer a day in April.

October vs April, Himeji
MonthOctoberApril
Holiday weather score7779
Daytime high23°19°
Night-time low15°9°
Sea23.6°14.5°
Sunshine5.5 h6.4 hbetter
Rainy days1010
Rainfall152 mm118 mmbetter
Muggy days40better

Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.

Himeji month by month

The typical weather for every month at a glance.

39January10° · Sea 13° · 4.7 h

In January, Himeji is cold: daytime highs average 10 °C, and nights cool down to about 2 °C. The sea averages 13.2 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 4.7 hours of sunshine a day. Rain falls on about 6 days, adding up to 49 mm. All in all, January is not an ideal month for a holiday in Himeji.

Himeji in January
42February10° · Sea 12° · 5.0 h

In February, Himeji is cool: daytime highs average 10 °C, and nights cool down to about 2 °C. The sea averages 11.9 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 5.0 hours of sunshine a day. Rain falls on about 7 days, adding up to 59 mm. All in all, February is a so-so month for a holiday in Himeji.

Himeji in February
55March14° · Sea 13° · 5.7 h

In March, Himeji is cool: daytime highs average 14 °C, and nights cool down to about 4 °C. The sea averages 12.5 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 5.7 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 101 mm in total. All in all, March is a so-so month for a holiday in Himeji.

Himeji in March
79April19° · Sea 15° · 6.4 h

In April, Himeji is mild: daytime highs average 19 °C, and nights cool down to about 9 °C. The sea averages 14.5 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 6.4 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 118 mm in total. All in all, April is a good month for a holiday in Himeji.

Himeji in April
79May24° · Sea 18° · 6.7 h

In May, Himeji is warm: daytime highs average 24 °C, and nights cool down to about 14 °C. The sea averages 17.5 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. The sun shines for around 6.7 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 145 mm in total. All in all, May is a good month for a holiday in Himeji.

Himeji in May
69June27° · Sea 21° · 5.2 h

In June, Himeji is warm: daytime highs average 27 °C, and nights cool down to about 19 °C. The sea averages 21.2 °C – refreshing for a swim. Expect around 5.2 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 12 rainy days and 176 mm in total. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, June is a good month for a holiday in Himeji.

Himeji in June
49July30° · Sea 25° · 6.1 h

In July, Himeji is hot: daytime highs average 30 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 24 °C. The sea averages 24.9 °C – pleasant for swimming. Expect around 6.1 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 14 rainy days and 200 mm in total. On about 18 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, July is a so-so month for a holiday in Himeji.

Himeji in July
45August32° · Sea 27° · 7.4 h

In August, Himeji is hot: daytime highs average 32 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 25 °C. The sea averages 27.3 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. The sun shines for around 7.4 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 12 rainy days and 140 mm in total. On about 28 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, August is a so-so month for a holiday in Himeji.

Himeji in August
61September29° · Sea 27° · 5.7 h

In September, Himeji is hot: daytime highs average 29 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 21 °C. The sea averages 26.5 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. Expect around 5.7 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 191 mm in total. On about 8 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, September is a good month for a holiday in Himeji.

Himeji in September
77October23° · Sea 24° · 5.5 h

In October, Himeji is warm: daytime highs average 23 °C, and nights cool down to about 15 °C. The sea averages 23.6 °C – pleasant for swimming. Expect around 5.5 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 152 mm in total. All in all, October is a good month for a holiday in Himeji.

Himeji in October
76November17° · Sea 20° · 4.9 h

In November, Himeji is mild: daytime highs average 17 °C, and nights cool down to about 9 °C. The sea averages 19.8 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. Expect around 4.9 hours of sunshine a day. Rain falls on about 7 days, adding up to 80 mm. All in all, November is a good month for a holiday in Himeji.

Himeji in November
51December12° · Sea 16° · 4.7 h

In December, Himeji is cool: daytime highs average 12 °C, and nights cool down to about 4 °C. The sea averages 16.2 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 4.7 hours of sunshine a day. Rain falls on about 6 days, adding up to 57 mm. All in all, December is a so-so month for a holiday in Himeji.

Himeji in December

Climate in detail

Climate through the year

Long-term monthly averages. Tap a month to see its details.

Best time to visit

Nights and sleep in Himeji

How warm the nights get in each month, from the mean night-time low. Tap a month for details.

  • Cold 0–8°
  • Cool 8–15°
  • Pleasant 15–20°
  • Warm 20–24°
  • Hot 24° and more
  • muggy month (15+ muggy days)

PleasantOctober: nights around 15°. Ideal for sleeping, often with the window open. Muggy on about 4 days (dew point 18 °C or more).

The coolest nights are in January (2°), the warmest in August (25°). Tropical nights of 20 °C and more are the rule from July to September; then air conditioning or a fan helps you sleep. Nights are pleasant for sleeping (15 to 20 °C) in June and in October. Nights fall below 8 °C on average from December to March, so the room should be heated. It is muggy (dew point 18 °C or more) on about 103 days a year, mostly from June to September.

Temperatures through the year

Average daytime high, night-time low and sea temperature per month.

OctoberDay 23°Night 15°Sea 24°
DayNightSea
MonthScoreDayNightSeaSunRain daysRain mm
JanuaryJan3910°2°13.2°4.7 h649
FebruaryFeb4210°2°11.9°5.0 h759
MarchMar5514°4°12.5°5.7 h10101
AprilApr7919°9°14.5°6.4 h10118
MayMay7924°14°17.5°6.7 h10145
JuneJun6927°19°21.2°5.2 h12176
JulyJul4930°24°24.9°6.1 h14200
AugustAug4532°25°27.3°7.4 h12140
SeptemberSep6129°21°26.5°5.7 h13191
OctoberOct7723°15°23.6°5.5 h10152
NovemberNov7617°9°19.8°4.9 h780
DecemberDec5112°4°16.2°4.7 h657

Climate averages 1996–2025 (sunshine partly WMO station normals 1991–2020), not a forecast. Data: Copernicus ERA5 / ERA5-Land via Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0), NOAA OISST, WMO 1991–2020 (NOAA NCEI), GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Sources & licences

34.82° N, 134.70° E · 8 m · Asia/Tokyo

Swimming calendar

Sea temperature in Himeji

Monthly sea surface temperature with the range of cooler and warmer years.

Sea in October23.6°Cpleasant

8 in 10 years: 22.8 – 24.4 °C

Swimming season: Jun – Oct

  • cold
  • fresh
  • refreshing
  • pleasant
  • warm
  • very warm
OctoberMean sea temperature 23.6°8 in 10 years 22.8° – 24.4°
20°
Mean sea temperature8 in 10 years20 °C – comfortable for swimming

The sea temperature in Himeji ranges from 11.9 °C in February to 27.3 °C in August. It is warm enough for a comfortable swim (20 °C and more) from June to October.

From October to February the sea is even warmer than the afternoon air. The sea temperature varies from year to year: in August, eight out of ten years were between 26.5 and 28.3 °C.

Sea temperature by month
MonthAverageCool yearWarm yearFeels
JanuaryJan13.2°10.4°17.3°cold
FebruaryFeb11.9°8.8°17.0°cold
MarchMar12.5°9.5°17.6°cold
AprilApr14.5°12.5°18.5°cold
MayMay17.5°16.4°18.5°fresh
JuneJun21.2°20.7°22.0°refreshing
JulyJul24.9°24.1°26.0°pleasant
AugustAug27.3°26.5°28.3°warm
SeptemberSep26.5°25.6°27.5°warm
OctoberOct23.6°22.8°24.4°pleasant
NovemberNov19.8°19.2°20.4°fresh
DecemberDec16.2°14.5°17.9°cold
Sunshine

Sunshine hours in Himeji

Average hours of bright sunshine per day, next to the length of the day. Tap a month to select it.

Per year
2,070 hours
Sunniest month
Aug · 7.4 h a day
Least sunshine
Jan · 4.7 h a day
OctoberSunshine 5.5 hDaylight 11.4 hShare of daylight 48 %
SunshineDaylight

In October, the sun shines for about 5.5 of 11.4 hours of daylight in Himeji, 48 % of the daylight hours.

Sunshine hours: estimated from radiation data (ERA5, 1996–2025) and calibrated against measured station values; no weather station is close enough here. Daylight is the time from sunrise to sunset on the 15th of the month.

Rain

Rain in Himeji: rainy days and rainfall

A rainy day is a day with at least 1 mm of rain or snow; the amount is what falls in the whole month. Tap a month to select it.

Per year
1,467 mm on 117 days
Wettest month
Jul · 200 mm
Driest month
Jan · 49 mm
OctoberRainy days 10Rainfall 152 mm

In October, Himeji has about 10 rainy days with 152 mm of rain in total.

Sun protection

UV index in Himeji

How strong the sun is at noon, month by month, and how quickly unprotected skin burns.

Clear-sky UV in October
5 · moderateAround midday seek shade; use sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses.

The sun is strongest in June (UV 11).

Minutes until sunburn in October

Very fair skin
about 25 min
Fair skin
about 30 min
Light brown skin
about 45 min
Olive skin
about 55 min

Rough guide for unprotected skin at noon under a clear sky; clouds lengthen the time, water, sand and snow shorten it. Sunscreen extends the time only partly.

Monthly values: clear-sky noon estimate from the sun's angle, ozone and altitude. UV today: Open-Meteo forecast.

Wind & clouds

Wind and clouds in Himeji

How breezy and how cloudy Himeji is through the year. Tap a month to select it on the whole page.

Wind

Typical daily peak of the wind in km/h: what the afternoon breeze usually reaches, not the gusts.

Year average
18 km/h · gentle breeze
Windiest month
Mar · 20 km/h
Calmest month
Aug · 16 km/h
OctoberWind 17 km/hBeaufort 3
20
WindBeaufort 4

In October, the wind in Himeji typically peaks at 17 km/h during the day: Beaufort 3, gentle breeze.

Breezy months for windsurfing and kiting

From Beaufort 4 (20 km/h) the daily breeze is usually enough for windsurfing and often for kiting: Mar.

Clouds

Average share of the sky covered by cloud, day and night.

Year average
58 % · variable cloud
Clearest month
Dec · 47 %
Cloudiest month
Jun · 76 %
OctoberCloud cover 51 %Sunshine 5.5 h

In October, cloud covers on average 51 % of the sky over Himeji: variable cloud, with about 5.5 hours of sunshine a day.

Wind: mean daily maximum of the hourly wind 10 m above ground (ERA5, 1996–2025). Gusts are stronger, and the model grid of about 28 km smooths out local effects such as capes and valley winds. Clouds: mean total cloud cover of all layers over day and night (ERA5, 1996–2025). Thin high cloud counts as cover even when the sun still shines through.

Heat & humidity

Heat and humidity in Himeji

How often the day gets hot in Himeji (30 °C and more), and in which months heat and humidity come together. Tap a month to select it.

Hot days a year
54 days
Hottest month
Aug · 32 °C
Hot months
Jul – Aug

Heat calendar

  • pleasant
  • some hot or muggy days
  • often muggy
  • often hot
  • hot and muggy
OctoberHot days (30 °C+) 0Daytime high 23 °C

In October, Himeji has about 0 hot days, with an average daytime high of 23 °C: pleasant. Heat plays no part this month.

Hot days reach at least 30 °C; a month counts as muggy when the mean dew point reaches 18 °C on at least 15 days. Averages from ERA5 and ERA5-Land, 1996–2025. Muggy nights through the year

Planning a trip to Himeji

Weather for your travel dates

Pick your arrival and length of stay, and we sum up the weather to expect.

Himeji in the school holidays

How the weather suits the usual holiday periods. Dates vary by school and region, so each holiday uses the months it usually falls in.

Himeji has its best school-holiday weather during May half-term (score 77) and its weakest during the Christmas holidays (score 45).

  • Easter holidays

    Mar – Apr

    72

    Good

    • 17 °C by day
    • Sea 14 °C
    • 6.2 h of sun a day
    • 10 rainy days a month
  • May half-term

    May – Jun

    77

    GoodBest holidays

    • 24 °C by day
    • Sea 18 °C
    • 6.4 h of sun a day
    • 11 rainy days a month

    Good for: Sightseeing & walks

  • Summer holidays

    Jul – Aug

    46

    Fair

    • 31 °C by day
    • Sea 26 °C
    • 6.9 h of sun a day
    • 13 rainy days a month

    Keep in mind: Frequent rain, Storm season

  • October half-term

    Oct

    77

    Good

    • 23 °C by day
    • Sea 24 °C
    • 5.5 h of sun a day
    • 10 rainy days a month

    Good for: Beach & swimming, Sightseeing & walks

    Keep in mind: Storm season

  • Christmas holidays

    Dec – Jan

    45

    Fair

    • 11 °C by day
    • Sea 15 °C
    • 4.7 h of sun a day
    • 6 rainy days a month

Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.

Getting there

Flying from

Nonstop flight
about 11 h 55 min
Distance
9,470 km
Time zone
UTC+9
Jet lag
About 8 days (8 h east)

Rule of thumb for flying east: for a few days before, go to bed and get up a little earlier, and get plenty of morning light at your destination.

Most routes need a change of planes, which adds time.

Estimated from the straight-line distance: 30 minutes for take-off and landing plus 830 km/h cruising speed.

Storm season

Himeji lies in an area that Pacific typhoons can reach. The typhoon season runs from June to November, with most storms from August to October. A direct hit on any one place is rare, but if you travel then, keep an eye on weather warnings and book flexibly.

  1. January
  2. February
  3. March
  4. April
  5. May
  6. June: Season
  7. July: Season
  8. August: Peak
  9. September: Peak
  10. October: Peak
  11. November: Season
  12. December

Official season dates of the regional warning centres (NOAA, JMA, IMD, Météo-France, BoM, Fiji Meteorological Service); not a forecast.

Compare & alternatives

Compare

Himeji compared

Put Himeji side by side with another destination.

Nearby:
Compare with home:

Himeji vs Kobe

In October the holiday weather in Himeji and Kobe is about equally good (score 77 vs 75). During the day Kobe is 1 °C warmer than Himeji. The sea in Kobe is 1 °C cooler.

Himeji vs Kobe, in October
in OctoberHimejiKobe
Holiday weather score7775
Daytime high23°24°
Sea24°23°
Sunshine6 h6 h
Rainy days1010
Best timeApr – Jun, Oct – NovApr – Jun, Oct – Nov

Through the year

OctoberHimeji 23°Kobe 24°
HimejiKobe
Go to Kobe
Ranking

Japan in October: the best places

In October, Himeji ranks 5 among the 31 nearest destinations in this country.

  1. Kure23°23°81
  2. 2Hiroshima24°23°81
  3. 3Fukuyama24°24°79
  4. 4Matsuyama24°23°78
  5. 5HimejiThis page23°24°77
  6. 6Okayama24°24°77
  7. 7Takamatsu23°24°77
  8. 8Kurashiki24°24°77
All destinations: Japan

Near Himeji

Other destinations close by.

Places with a climate like Himeji

Destinations whose weather through the year is closest to Himeji's – good alternatives.

  1. 90 % similar81KureJapan23°23°Best time: Apr – Jun, Oct – Nov
  2. 88 % similar81HiroshimaJapan24°23°Best time: Apr – Jun, Oct – Nov
  3. 88 % similar75ItsukushimaJapan24°23°Best time: Jul – Oct
  4. 87 % similar73IwakuniJapan24°23°Best time: Jul – Oct

Frequently asked questions about Himeji

When is the best time to visit Himeji?

The best time to visit Himeji is from April to June and from October to November. That is when the holiday weather score, which combines temperature, sea, sunshine and rain, is highest.

How warm is the sea in Himeji?

The sea temperature in Himeji ranges from 11.9 °C in February to 27.3 °C in August. It is warm enough for a comfortable swim (20 °C and more) from June to October.

Can you swim in Himeji in October?

Yes. In October the sea averages 23.6 °C – pleasant for swimming.

What is the warmest month in Himeji?

August is the warmest month, with average highs of 32 °C and nights around 25 °C. January is the coolest month at 10 °C.

When does it rain most in Himeji?

Rain is frequent from July to September; the wettest month is July with 200 mm. The driest month is January with 49 mm.

How many hours of sunshine does Himeji get?

Himeji gets around 2,070 hours of sunshine a year. The sunniest month is August with 7.4 hours a day; in January there are 4.7 hours a day.

What time zone is Himeji in?

Himeji is on UTC+9 all year.

How long is the flight from London to Himeji?

A nonstop flight from London to Himeji takes about 11 h 55 min, for a straight-line distance of about 9,470 km. Most routes need a change of planes, which adds time.

When is typhoon season in Himeji?

Himeji lies in an area that Pacific typhoons can reach. The typhoon season runs from June to November, with most storms from August to October. A direct hit on any one place is rare, but if you travel then, keep an eye on weather warnings and book flexibly.

Which school holidays are best for Himeji?

Himeji has its best school-holiday weather during May half-term (score 77) and its weakest during the Christmas holidays (score 45). Holiday ratings (0–100): Easter holidays 72, May half-term 77, summer holidays 46, October half-term 77, Christmas holidays 45.