Kitakyushu, located in northern Kyushu, experiences a humid subtropical climate with distinct seasonal changes. Summers are hot, humid, and rainy, while winters are mild and often cloudy. The city sees abundant annual rainfall, moderate sunshine, and comfortable spring and autumn weather, making it a dynamic destination for year-round travel.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colors of the months:
The color shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the color is shows the travel season: full color means high season, soft color means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The gray info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Kitakyushu’s climate features four distinct seasons and is influenced by both subtropical and temperate patterns. Summers (June–September) are hot and humid, with average highs reaching 31–32°C in August and lows around 23–25°C. The rainy season (Baiu) peaks in June and July, bringing heavy rainfall – up to 282–300 mm per month – and frequent wet days. Typhoons may affect the city from August to early October, occasionally bringing intense rain and wind. Despite the rain, August is the driest and sunniest summer month, with up to 6.9 hours of sunshine daily.
Winters (December–February) are mild, with average highs of 9–12°C and lows around 2–4°C. Snow is rare, but the sky is often cloudy and winds can make it feel cooler. Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are the most pleasant seasons, with mild temperatures (15–24°C), lower humidity, and increased sunshine. These periods are ideal for cherry blossom viewing in late March and enjoying colorful autumn foliage in November. Kitakyushu receives about 1,700–1,800 mm of precipitation annually, with the wettest months in June and July and the driest in December. Sunshine peaks in May and August, with 6–7 hours per day, while winter and early spring are cloudier. Winds are generally light to moderate, but can increase during storms or typhoons.
The city’s climate supports lush summer landscapes, vibrant cherry blossoms in spring, and comfortable conditions for sightseeing and outdoor activities in autumn. The sea is warm enough for swimming from July to October, peaking at 27.5°C in August. Kitakyushu’s dynamic weather means visitors should be prepared for both rain and sun, especially in summer.
| Average climate data for Kitakyushu, Japan | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°F) | 47 | 49 | 54 | 62 | 71 | 76 | 82 | 86 | 79 | 70 | 61 | 51 | 86 |
| Average minimum temperature (°F) | 39 | 40 | 44 | 51 | 59 | 66 | 73 | 75 | 69 | 61 | 52 | 43 | 39 |
| Average precipitation (inch) | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 37 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 10 | 16 | 20 | 16 | 15 | 11 | 13 | 18 | 175 |
| Average snowfall (inch) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Average snowfall days (days) | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 13 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 70 | 70 | 72 | 72 | 74 | 82 | 84 | 78 | 80 | 75 | 73 | 72 | 75 |
| Average wind speed (mph) | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 7 |
| Average water temperature (°F) | 61 | 57 | 57 | 60 | 65 | 71 | 78 | 82 | 79 | 75 | 70 | 64 | 68 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 4 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 7 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 55 | 50 | 44 | 41 | 35 | 48 | 43 | 31 | 39 | 34 | 39 | 53 | 43 |
| Average UV index | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 4 |
The best times to visit Kitakyushu are in spring (mid-April to mid-May) and autumn (mid-October to mid-November). These months offer mild temperatures, lower humidity, and abundant sunshine, making them ideal for sightseeing, cherry blossom or autumn foliage viewing, and outdoor activities. Rainfall is moderate and weather conditions are generally stable.
The least favorable time to visit Kitakyushu is during the rainy season in June and July, when humidity and rainfall are at their highest. Summer (July–August) can also be uncomfortably hot and humid, with occasional typhoons disrupting travel plans. Winter, while mild, is less appealing for those seeking warm-weather activities.
Kitakyushu’s average annual temperature is about 15.9°C. The coldest month is January (average high 9°C, low 4°C), while August is the hottest (average high 31–32°C, low 23–25°C).
Yes, Kitakyushu receives about 1,700–1,800 mm of precipitation annually. The wettest months are June and July, with heavy rainfall during the rainy season. December is the driest month.
Snow is rare in Kitakyushu. Winters are generally mild and cloudy, with little to no snowfall, making the city accessible year-round without concerns about snow disruption.
Cherry blossoms typically bloom from late March to early April in Kitakyushu. This is a popular time for visitors, with many parks and riverside areas hosting hanami (blossom viewing) events.
Typhoons can occasionally impact Kitakyushu, especially from August to early October. While direct hits are rare, travelers should monitor weather forecasts during this period for potential disruptions.
Pack light layers for spring and autumn, breathable clothing and rain gear for summer, and a warm jacket for winter. An umbrella is essential if visiting during the rainy season.
Kitakyushu enjoys moderate sunshine, with the sunniest months in May and August (6–7 hours per day). Winter months are cloudier, with only 3–4 hours of sunshine daily.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is August (85.8 °F). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (46.7 °F). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 65.6 °F.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is August (75.2 °F). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is January (39.4 °F). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 56 °F.
The month with the highest average water temperature is August (81.5 °F). The month with the lowest average water temperature is March (57 °F). Overall, the average water temperature over the whole year is 68.1 °F.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is July (7.2 inch). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is January (1.7 inch). Over the whole year there are 37 inch of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is July (20 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is May (10.2 days). Over the whole year there are 174.6 days of rain on average.
The month with the most snowfall is January (1 inch). The months with the least snowfall are April, May, June, July, August, September, October and November (0 inch). Over the whole year there are 2.2 inch of snowfall on average.
The month with the most days of snowfall is January (4.9 days). The months with the fewest days of snowfall are April, May, July and October (0 days). Over the whole year there are 12.7 days of snowfall on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is July (83.9 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is February (70 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 75.1 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is December (9.2 mph). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is June (5.6 mph). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 7.3 mph.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is January (54.6 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is August (31.4 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 42.7 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 14 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 9.1 h). Over the whole year there are 11.9 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is August (Average sunshine: 10.1 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is December (Average sunshine: 4.1 h). Over the whole year there are 6.9 h of sunlight per day on average.
The month with the highest average UV index is July (UV index: 7). The months with the lowest average UV index are January and December (UV index: 2). Over the whole year the average UV index is 4.1.
