Chichibu, nestled in the mountains of Saitama Prefecture, features a humid subtropical climate with four distinct seasons. Summers are warm, humid, and rainy, while winters are cold and often snowy. The region is known for its high annual rainfall, beautiful seasonal transitions, and abundant sunshine, making it a year-round destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.
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 colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour 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 grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Chichibu experiences a humid subtropical climate, marked by significant seasonal changes. Winters (December–February) are cold, with average lows around -2°C and highs near 6°C. Snowfall is common, especially in January and February, and the area is known for its impressive icicles and winter festivals. Spring (March–May) brings mild temperatures, from 5°C in March to 16°C in May, with cherry blossoms and lush greenery transforming the landscape.
Summers (June–September) are warm, humid, and wet, with average highs peaking at 28°C in August. July is the wettest month, averaging over 300 mm of rainfall and frequent rainy days. Humidity is high, and UV levels can be extreme, so sun protection is essential. Autumn (October–November) is cooler and less humid, with highs dropping from 20°C in October to 9°C in November. This season is famed for vibrant autumn foliage, drawing many visitors. Chichibu receives around 2,200 mm of precipitation annually and enjoys about 2,670 hours of sunshine per year, with the longest days in June and the shortest in December. Winds are generally moderate, but can be brisk in winter.
| Average climate data for Chichibu, Japan | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 5 | 6 | 10 | 15 | 21 | 23 | 27 | 29 | 24 | 18 | 13 | 8 | 29 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | -2 | -2 | 1 | 6 | 11 | 15 | 20 | 21 | 16 | 11 | 5 | 1 | -2 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 35 | 31 | 64 | 82 | 87 | 130 | 165 | 137 | 121 | 169 | 45 | 32 | 1,098 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 6 | 6 | 14 | 17 | 16 | 21 | 26 | 24 | 19 | 16 | 10 | 8 | 182 |
| Average snowfall (mm) | 106 | 141 | 118 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 30 | 415 |
| Average snowfall days (days) | 7 | 8 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 24 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 66 | 69 | 70 | 71 | 72 | 80 | 83 | 79 | 81 | 79 | 74 | 68 | 74 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 8 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 10 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 6 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 7 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 26 | 33 | 40 | 39 | 38 | 51 | 48 | 46 | 47 | 45 | 30 | 25 | 39 |
| Average UV index | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 4 |
The best time to visit Chichibu is in autumn (late October to late November), when the region’s forests explode with vibrant foliage and the weather is cool and comfortable. Spring (April to May) is also excellent, with cherry blossoms and mild temperatures ideal for hiking and sightseeing.
The least favourable time to visit Chichibu is in July, during the peak of the rainy season. Heavy rainfall, high humidity, and frequent cloudy days can make outdoor activities less enjoyable. Winter, while beautiful, is cold and can be snowy, requiring proper gear and preparation.
Chichibu has a humid subtropical climate with cold, snowy winters and warm, humid summers. The area experiences high annual rainfall and distinct seasonal changes, making it attractive for year-round visits.
The rainy season in Chichibu occurs from June to July, with July being the wettest month. Expect frequent rain, high humidity, and occasional thunderstorms during this period.
Yes, Chichibu often receives snowfall in winter, especially in January and February. Snow can accumulate, creating beautiful winter scenery and unique ice formations in the region.
Summer temperatures in Chichibu range from 18°C at night to 28°C during the day. The season is humid and rainy, with high UV levels, so sun protection and rain gear are recommended.
The best time for autumn foliage in Chichibu is from late October to late November. The mountains and valleys are covered in vibrant red and orange leaves, making it a popular season for hiking and photography.
Yes, Chichibu hosts the famous Chichibu Night Festival in early December, a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage event. Winter also features the Misotsuchi icicles, and spring brings cherry blossom festivals.
Chichibu enjoys about 2,670 hours of sunshine per year. The sunniest months are April and May, while January has the least sunshine, averaging around 6 hours per day.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is August (28.6 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (5.2 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 16.6 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is August (20.6 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is January (-2.3 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 8.6 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is October (169.3 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is February (31 mm). Over the whole year there are 1,098.4 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is July (26 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is January (5.9 days). Over the whole year there are 182.4 days of rain on average.
The month with the most snowfall is February (140.8 mm). The months with the least snowfall are May, June, July, August, September and October (0 mm). Over the whole year there are 415.2 mm of snowfall on average.
The month with the most days of snowfall is February (8.3 days). The months with the fewest days of snowfall are July and August (0 days). Over the whole year there are 24.3 days of snowfall on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is July (82.7 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is January (66 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 74.4 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is January (9.4 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is July (5.7 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 7.5 km/h.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is June (51.3 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is December (25.1 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 38.9 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 14.1 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: 9.1 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is December (Average sunshine: 6 h). Over the whole year there are 7.3 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are July and August (UV index: 6). The months with the lowest average UV index are January, February and December (UV index: 2). Over the whole year the average UV index is 3.9.
