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Shimoda weather & best time to visit

Sun, sea & sand

Shimoda at a glance

Best time
Jul – Oct
Warmest month
Aug · 29°
Warmest sea
Aug · 26.8°
Sunshine a year
2,070 h
Rain a year
2,076 mm
Climate
Temperate
Time zone
UTC+9
Elevation
11 m

Climate in Shimoda

Shimoda has a temperate climate with warm summers and cool winters. August is the warmest month with average highs of 29 °C, while January is the coolest at 12 °C. With around 2,070 hours of sunshine a year, Shimoda is moderately sunny; August is the sunniest month with 6.5 hours a day.

Holiday weather through the year

Best time to visit

Best time to visit Shimoda

The best time to visit Shimoda is from July to October. In August, September and October, though, the typhoon season is at its peak: check the forecast before you go. The sea reaches 26.8 °C in August, but rain or cool air gets in the way of a classic beach holiday. For sightseeing, day trips and hiking, conditions are most comfortable in November. Rain is frequent from March to June; the wettest month is June with 252 mm.

Shimoda through the seasons

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

Shimoda in spring

Mar – May

27

Poor

  • 15–22 °C by day
  • Sea 18 °C
  • 6.1 h of sun a day
  • 39 rainy days in all

Shimoda in summer

Jun – Aug

68

Good

  • 24–29 °C by day
  • Sea 25 °C
  • 5.6 h of sun a day
  • 47 rainy days in all

Shimoda in autumn

Sep – Nov

56

Fair

  • 19–27 °C by day
  • Sea 24 °C
  • 5.0 h of sun a day
  • 39 rainy days in all

Shimoda in winter

Dec – Feb

27

Poor

  • 12–14 °C by day
  • Sea 18 °C
  • 6.0 h of sun a day
  • 24 rainy days in all

Which month for what?

Beach & swimming

No month

Sea from 21 °C, warm and mostly dry

Sightseeing & hiking

Nov

15–28 °C and not too much rain

Rainy months

Mar – Jun

Rainy season or more than 12 rainy days

Find your perfect month

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

Swimming in the sea
Sunshine
Little rain

Your best months: July – September

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

Your holiday weather, at a glance

Weather in October

Weather in October

61

Holiday weather in October

Good

Best time to visit: July – October

October is the peak of the typhoon season Hurricane season

Keep in mindStorm season

A typical day in October

  1. Morning, 08:00: about 21°
  2. Midday, 13:00: about 23°
  3. Afternoon, 16:00: about 23°
  4. Evening, 20:00: about 21°
  5. Night, 23:00: about 20°

05:4917:11

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 05:33–06:23 · evening 16:37–17:27
Blue hour
Morning 05:23–05:33 · evening 17:27–17:36

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 Shimoda compared with home

Home:

Loading the climate at home …

Early or late October?

In October, daytime highs fall from about 25° at the start of the month to 21° at the end. The sea cools from 25° to 23°. The days get 1.0 h shorter.

Early or late October?
October1 Oct31 Oct
Daytime high25°21°
Night-time low21°17°
Sea25°23°
Daylight11.9 h10.9 h

What is the weather like in Shimoda in October?

In October, Shimoda is warm: daytime highs average 23 °C, and nights cool down to about 19 °C. The sea averages 23.9 °C – pleasant for swimming. Expect around 4.8 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 14 rainy days and 232 mm in total. All in all, October is a good month for a holiday in Shimoda.

More details for October

Daylight
11 h 22 min05:49 – 17:11
UV index
5 · moderateclear sky, noon (estimate)All months
Muggy days
6 daysdew point 18 °C or moreAll months
Wind
15 km/haverage daily peakAll months
Cloud cover
60 %on averageAll months
Hot days
0 days30 °C or moreAll months
Snow days
0 days1 cm or more of fresh snow
Time zone
UTC+9offset from UTC

How the score comes together

  • Temperatureweight 35 %68 %
  • Seaweight 25 %99 %
  • Sunshineweight 20 %30 %
  • Few rainy daysweight 20 %32 %

Each factor is rated from 0 to 100 % and weighted for the travel style “Sun, sea & sand”.

What to pack in October

  • Swimwear
  • Sunscreen
  • Rain jacket or umbrella

Compare two months in Shimoda

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

vs

August has the better holiday weather in Shimoda: score 75 against 61. In August, days are 6 °C warmer than in October. The sea is 3 °C warmer in August. August has one more rainy day. The sun shines 2 hours longer a day in August.

October vs August, Shimoda
MonthOctoberAugust
Holiday weather score6175better
Daytime high23°29°
Night-time low19°25°
Sea23.9°26.8°
Sunshine4.8 h6.5 hbetter
Rainy days14better15
Rainfall232 mm171 mmbetter
Muggy days6better31

Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.

Shimoda month by month

The typical weather for every month at a glance.

26January12° · Sea 17° · 6.0 h

In January, Shimoda is cool: daytime highs average 12 °C, and nights cool down to about 8 °C. The sea averages 17.1 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. Expect around 6.0 hours of sunshine a day. Rain falls on about 7 days, adding up to 84 mm. All in all, January is not an ideal month for a holiday in Shimoda.

Shimoda in January
23February12° · Sea 16° · 6.0 h

In February, Shimoda is cool: daytime highs average 12 °C, and nights cool down to about 8 °C. The sea averages 16.3 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 6.0 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 9 rainy days and 106 mm in total. All in all, February is not an ideal month for a holiday in Shimoda.

Shimoda in February
16March15° · Sea 17° · 5.9 h

In March, Shimoda is cool: daytime highs average 15 °C, and nights cool down to about 11 °C. The sea averages 16.5 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 5.9 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 179 mm in total. All in all, March is not an ideal month for a holiday in Shimoda.

Shimoda in March
21April19° · Sea 18° · 6.2 h

In April, Shimoda is mild: daytime highs average 19 °C, and nights cool down to about 14 °C. The sea averages 17.6 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. Expect around 6.2 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 179 mm in total. All in all, April is not an ideal month for a holiday in Shimoda.

Shimoda in April
45May22° · Sea 20° · 6.2 h

In May, Shimoda is warm: daytime highs average 22 °C, and nights cool down to about 18 °C. The sea averages 19.7 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. Expect around 6.2 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 199 mm in total. All in all, May is a so-so month for a holiday in Shimoda.

Shimoda in May
57June24° · Sea 22° · 4.7 h

In June, Shimoda is warm: daytime highs average 24 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 21 °C. The sea averages 22.0 °C – refreshing for a swim. Expect around 4.7 hours of sunshine a day. It rains often – on about 16 days, adding up to 252 mm. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, June is a so-so month for a holiday in Shimoda.

Shimoda in June
73July28° · Sea 25° · 5.6 h

In July, Shimoda is hot: daytime highs average 28 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 24 °C. The sea averages 24.8 °C – pleasant for swimming. Expect around 5.6 hours of sunshine a day. It rains often – on about 15 days, adding up to 232 mm. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, July is a good month for a holiday in Shimoda.

Shimoda in July
75August29° · Sea 27° · 6.5 h

In August, Shimoda is hot: daytime highs average 29 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 25 °C. The sea averages 26.8 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. The sun shines for around 6.5 hours a day. It rains often – on about 15 days, adding up to 171 mm. On about 10 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, August is a good month for a holiday in Shimoda.

Shimoda in August
71September27° · Sea 26° · 5.0 h

In September, Shimoda is hot: daytime highs average 27 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 23 °C. The sea averages 26.1 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. Expect around 5.0 hours of sunshine a day. It rains often – on about 15 days, adding up to 222 mm. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, September is a good month for a holiday in Shimoda.

Shimoda in September
61October23° · Sea 24° · 4.8 h

In October, Shimoda is warm: daytime highs average 23 °C, and nights cool down to about 19 °C. The sea averages 23.9 °C – pleasant for swimming. Expect around 4.8 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 14 rainy days and 232 mm in total. All in all, October is a good month for a holiday in Shimoda.

Shimoda in October
35November19° · Sea 22° · 5.2 h

In November, Shimoda is mild: daytime highs average 19 °C, and nights cool down to about 15 °C. The sea averages 21.7 °C – refreshing for a swim. Expect around 5.2 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 139 mm in total. All in all, November is not an ideal month for a holiday in Shimoda.

Shimoda in November
32December14° · Sea 19° · 5.9 h

In December, Shimoda is cool: daytime highs average 14 °C, and nights cool down to about 10 °C. The sea averages 19.0 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. Expect around 5.9 hours of sunshine a day. Rain falls on about 8 days, adding up to 83 mm. All in all, December is not an ideal month for a holiday in Shimoda.

Shimoda 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 Shimoda

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

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

PleasantOctober: nights around 19°. Ideal for sleeping, often with the window open. Muggy on about 6 days (dew point 18 °C or more).

The coolest nights are in January (8°), the warmest in August (25°). Tropical nights of 20 °C and more are the rule from June to September; then air conditioning or a fan helps you sleep. Nights are pleasant for sleeping (15 to 20 °C) in May and from October to November. It is muggy (dew point 18 °C or more) on about 109 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 19°Sea 24°
DayNightSea
MonthScoreDayNightSeaSunRain daysRain mm
JanuaryJan2612°8°17.1°6.0 h784
FebruaryFeb2312°8°16.3°6.0 h9106
MarchMar1615°11°16.5°5.9 h13179
AprilApr2119°14°17.6°6.2 h13179
MayMay4522°18°19.7°6.2 h13199
JuneJun5724°21°22.0°4.7 h16252
JulyJul7328°24°24.8°5.6 h15232
AugustAug7529°25°26.8°6.5 h15171
SeptemberSep7127°23°26.1°5.0 h15222
OctoberOct6123°19°23.9°4.8 h14232
NovemberNov3519°15°21.7°5.2 h11139
DecemberDec3214°10°19.0°5.9 h883

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

34.68° N, 138.94° E · 11 m · Asia/Tokyo

Swimming calendar

Sea temperature in Shimoda

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

Sea in October23.9°Cpleasant

8 in 10 years: 22.0 – 25.4 °C

Swimming season: Jun – Nov

  • cold
  • fresh
  • refreshing
  • pleasant
  • warm
  • very warm
OctoberMean sea temperature 23.9°8 in 10 years 22.0° – 25.4°
20°
Mean sea temperature8 in 10 years20 °C – comfortable for swimming

The sea temperature in Shimoda ranges from 16.3 °C in February to 26.8 °C in August. It is warm enough for a comfortable swim (20 °C and more) from June to November.

From October to March 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 25.9 and 27.7 °C.

Sea temperature by month
MonthAverageCool yearWarm yearFeels
JanuaryJan17.1°15.3°18.7°fresh
FebruaryFeb16.3°14.8°17.9°cold
MarchMar16.5°15.2°17.5°cold
AprilApr17.6°16.2°19.0°fresh
MayMay19.7°18.6°20.8°fresh
JuneJun22.0°20.7°23.5°refreshing
JulyJul24.8°23.5°26.3°pleasant
AugustAug26.8°25.9°27.7°warm
SeptemberSep26.1°24.7°27.5°warm
OctoberOct23.9°22.0°25.4°pleasant
NovemberNov21.7°20.2°22.9°refreshing
DecemberDec19.0°17.4°20.7°fresh
Sunshine

Sunshine hours in Shimoda

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 · 6.5 h a day
Least sunshine
Jun · 4.7 h a day
OctoberSunshine 4.8 hDaylight 11.4 hShare of daylight 42 %
SunshineDaylight

In October, the sun shines for about 4.8 of 11.4 hours of daylight in Shimoda, 42 % 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 Shimoda: 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
2,076 mm on 149 days
Wettest month
Jun · 252 mm
Driest month
Dec · 83 mm
OctoberRainy days 14Rainfall 232 mm

In October, Shimoda has about 14 rainy days with 232 mm of rain in total.

Sun protection

UV index in Shimoda

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 Shimoda

How breezy and how cloudy Shimoda 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
15 km/h · gentle breeze
Windiest month
Mar · 18 km/h
Calmest month
Aug · 14 km/h
OctoberWind 15 km/hBeaufort 3
20
WindBeaufort 4

In October, the wind in Shimoda typically peaks at 15 km/h during the day: Beaufort 3, gentle breeze.

Breezy months for windsurfing and kiting

The daily breeze rarely reaches Beaufort 4 (20 km/h), so wind sports depend on single windy days.

Clouds

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

Year average
60 % · variable cloud
Clearest month
Jan · 40 %
Cloudiest month
Jun · 82 %
OctoberCloud cover 60 %Sunshine 4.8 h

In October, cloud covers on average 60 % of the sky over Shimoda: variable cloud, with about 4.8 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 Shimoda

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

Hot days a year
14 days
Hottest month
Aug · 29 °C
Hot months
none

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, Shimoda has about 0 hot days, with an average daytime high of 23 °C: some hot or muggy days. Single hot or muggy days are possible; a hat and water bottle are enough.

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 Shimoda

Weather for your travel dates

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

Shimoda 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.

Shimoda has its best school-holiday weather during the summer holidays (score 74) and its weakest during the Easter holidays (score 20).

  • Easter holidays

    Mar – Apr

    20

    Poor

    • 18 °C by day
    • Sea 17 °C
    • 6.1 h of sun a day
    • 13 rainy days a month

    Keep in mind: Frequent rain

  • May half-term

    May – Jun

    47

    Fair

    • 22 °C by day
    • Sea 20 °C
    • 5.9 h of sun a day
    • 13 rainy days a month

    Keep in mind: Frequent rain

  • Summer holidays

    Jul – Aug

    74

    GoodBest holidays

    • 29 °C by day
    • Sea 26 °C
    • 6.2 h of sun a day
    • 15 rainy days a month

    Keep in mind: Storm season

  • October half-term

    Oct

    61

    Good

    • 23 °C by day
    • Sea 24 °C
    • 4.8 h of sun a day
    • 14 rainy days a month

    Keep in mind: Storm season

  • Christmas holidays

    Dec – Jan

    29

    Poor

    • 13 °C by day
    • Sea 18 °C
    • 6.0 h of sun a day
    • 7 rainy days a month

Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.

Getting there

Flying from

Nonstop flight
about 12 h 10 min
Distance
9,650 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

Shimoda 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

Shimoda compared

Put Shimoda side by side with another destination.

Nearby:
Compare with home:

Shimoda vs Atami

In October Shimoda has the better holiday weather (score 61 vs 48). During the day Atami is 2 °C cooler than Shimoda. The sea in Atami is 1 °C cooler.

Shimoda vs Atami, in October
in OctoberShimodaAtami
Holiday weather score6148
Daytime high23°21°
Sea24°23°
Sunshine5 h5 h
Rainy days1414
Best timeJul – OctJul – Sep

Through the year

OctoberShimoda 23°Atami 21°
ShimodaAtami
Go to Atami
Ranking

Japan in October: the best places

In October, Shimoda ranks 25 among the 31 nearest destinations in this country.

  1. Toyota24°75
  2. 2Nagoya24°75
  3. 3Gifu23°74
  4. 4Suzuka23°23°74
  5. 5Tsu23°23°74
  6. 6Toyohashi24°24°72
  7. 7Hamamatsu24°24°68
  8. 8Shizuoka23°24°65
  9. 25ShimodaThis page23°24°61
All destinations: Japan

Near Shimoda

Other destinations close by.

Places with a climate like Shimoda

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

  1. 77 % similar86SeogwipoSouth Korea24°24°Best time: Apr – May, Oct – Nov
  2. 76 % similar69Iki IslandJapan23°24°Best time: Jul – Oct
  3. 73 % similar69BeppuJapan23°23°Best time: Jul – Oct
  4. 73 % similar79ŌitaJapan24°23°Best time: Apr – May, Oct – Nov

Frequently asked questions about Shimoda

When is the best time to visit Shimoda?

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

How warm is the sea in Shimoda?

The sea temperature in Shimoda ranges from 16.3 °C in February to 26.8 °C in August. It is warm enough for a comfortable swim (20 °C and more) from June to November.

Can you swim in Shimoda in October?

Yes. In October the sea averages 23.9 °C – pleasant for swimming.

What is the warmest month in Shimoda?

August is the warmest month, with average highs of 29 °C and nights around 25 °C. January is the coolest month at 12 °C.

When does it rain most in Shimoda?

Rain is frequent from March to June; the wettest month is June with 252 mm. The driest month is December with 83 mm.

How many hours of sunshine does Shimoda get?

Shimoda gets around 2,070 hours of sunshine a year. The sunniest month is August with 6.5 hours a day; in June there are 4.7 hours a day.

What time zone is Shimoda in?

Shimoda is on UTC+9 all year.

How long is the flight from London to Shimoda?

A nonstop flight from London to Shimoda takes about 12 h 10 min, for a straight-line distance of about 9,650 km. Most routes need a change of planes, which adds time.

When is typhoon season in Shimoda?

Shimoda 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 Shimoda?

Shimoda has its best school-holiday weather during the summer holidays (score 74) and its weakest during the Easter holidays (score 20). Holiday ratings (0–100): Easter holidays 20, May half-term 47, summer holidays 74, October half-term 61, Christmas holidays 29.