Kobe features a humid subtropical climate with four distinct seasons, mild winters, and hot, humid summers. The city experiences significant rainfall, especially during the summer rainy season and typhoon months, while winters are relatively dry and sunny. Seasonal transitions bring cherry blossoms in spring and colourful foliage in autumn, making Kobe’s climate varied and appealing for travellers.
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.
Kobe, located between the Rokkō Mountains and Osaka Bay, has a humid subtropical climate characterised by marked seasonal changes. Winters (December to February) are mild, with average highs around 9–10°C and lows near 3°C. Snowfall is rare and typically light, while sunny days are common, offering about 4–5 hours of sunshine daily. Spring (March to May) brings gradually warming temperatures, from 13°C in March to 23°C by May, and is famous for cherry blossoms in early April.
Summers (June to August) are hot and humid, with average highs reaching 30–33°C in July and August. The rainy season, known as 'tsuyu,' occurs from mid-June to late July, with frequent showers and high humidity. Typhoon season peaks from August to early October, occasionally bringing strong winds and heavy rain. Autumn (September to November) is comfortable and less humid, with temperatures cooling from 28°C in September to 17°C in November, and features brilliant autumn foliage. Annual precipitation is around 1,300–1,500 mm, with the wettest months in June and July. Kobe enjoys about 1,900–2,000 hours of sunshine annually, and wind conditions are generally moderate, though typhoons can bring gusty weather in late summer and early autumn.
| Average climate data for Kobe, Japan | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 8 | 9 | 12 | 17 | 22 | 25 | 28 | 30 | 26 | 22 | 16 | 10 | 30 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | 3 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 15 | 19 | 23 | 24 | 21 | 16 | 11 | 5 | 3 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 31 | 32 | 47 | 61 | 64 | 77 | 127 | 93 | 96 | 87 | 35 | 43 | 793 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 14 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 16 | 20 | 18 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 16 | 177 |
| Average snowfall (mm) | 39 | 24 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 84 |
| Average snowfall days (days) | 6 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 16 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 73 | 71 | 71 | 70 | 72 | 80 | 82 | 76 | 78 | 74 | 73 | 72 | 74 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 15 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 15 | 12 |
| Average water temperature (°C) | 15 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 23 | 26 | 28 | 26 | 23 | 21 | 18 | 20 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 10 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 5 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 9 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 8 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 45 | 46 | 40 | 36 | 34 | 38 | 37 | 28 | 35 | 35 | 33 | 43 | 38 |
| Average UV index | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 4 |
The best time to visit Kobe is from mid-April to mid-May and late October to mid-November. These periods offer mild, comfortable weather, moderate rainfall, and the chance to experience cherry blossoms in spring or vibrant autumn foliage. Outdoor activities and sightseeing are especially enjoyable, with less humidity and fewer weather disruptions.
The least favourable time to visit Kobe is from mid-June to early October, when the city experiences its rainy season and peak typhoon activity. High humidity, frequent heavy rain, and occasional strong winds can disrupt travel plans and outdoor activities, making sightseeing less enjoyable during this period.
Kobe has a humid subtropical climate with mild winters and hot, humid summers. Rainfall is significant, especially from June to September, and the city experiences four distinct seasons with notable cherry blossoms and autumn foliage.
The rainy season, known as 'tsuyu,' typically occurs from mid-June to late July. During this time, expect frequent showers, high humidity, and cloudy skies, with a risk of typhoons later in summer.
Snowfall in Kobe is rare and usually light. When it does occur, the snow melts quickly due to mild winter temperatures, and significant accumulations are uncommon.
Summer temperatures in Kobe range from 22°C at night to 33°C during the day. Humidity is high, and heat can feel more intense, especially in July and August.
Yes, Kobe can be affected by typhoons, mainly from August to early October. Typhoons bring heavy rain and strong winds, so it’s important to monitor weather updates during this period.
Kobe receives about 1,900–2,000 hours of sunshine per year. Winters are sunnier, while summer and the rainy season see more cloud cover.
The cherry blossoms in Kobe typically reach their peak around the beginning of April, offering beautiful scenery and pleasant weather for outdoor activities.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is August (30.3 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (7.9 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 18.7 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is August (24.5 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is January (3.4 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 13 °C.
The month with the highest average water temperature is August (27.8 °C). The month with the lowest average water temperature is March (13.9 °C). Overall, the average water temperature over the whole year is 20.1 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is July (127.5 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is January (31.2 mm). Over the whole year there are 792.6 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is July (19.8 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is May (11.7 days). Over the whole year there are 177.1 days of rain on average.
The month with the most snowfall is January (38.6 mm). The months with the least snowfall are April, May, June, July, August, September, October and November (0 mm). Over the whole year there are 83.7 mm of snowfall on average.
The month with the most days of snowfall is January (5.8 days). The months with the fewest days of snowfall are April, June, October and November (0 days). Over the whole year there are 15.7 days of snowfall on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is July (81.5 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is April (70.1 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 74.4 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is January (14.9 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is June (9.5 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 12 km/h.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is February (46.3 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is August (27.9 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 37.5 %.
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: 11 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is December (Average sunshine: 4.9 h). Over the whole year there are 7.5 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 4.2.
