Kagoshima, located in southern Kyushu, features a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and mild, mostly dry winters. The city experiences abundant rainfall, especially during the rainy season and typhoon months, while spring and autumn offer pleasant temperatures and vibrant scenery. These seasonal contrasts make Kagoshima attractive for travellers year-round, especially for outdoor and nature activities.
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.
Kagoshima’s climate is characterised by four distinct seasons, shaped by its coastal location and proximity to the active Sakurajima volcano. Summers (June–September) are long, hot, and humid, with average highs reaching 31–32°C in July and August. Rainfall is particularly heavy from June to July during the Baiu (rainy) season, with June often exceeding 300 mm of precipitation. Typhoons can bring intense rain and strong winds from late summer into early autumn, especially in August and September.
Winters (December–February) are mild and relatively dry, with average highs of 10–13°C and lows around 5°C. Snow is rare and usually melts quickly, while sunny days are common. Spring (March–May) and autumn (October–November) offer the most comfortable weather, with highs ranging from 16–25°C and lower humidity, making these seasons ideal for sightseeing, hiking, and enjoying cherry blossoms or autumn foliage. Kagoshima receives around 2,200 mm of rainfall annually and enjoys about 1,900 hours of sunshine per year. Sea temperatures are suitable for swimming from June to October, peaking at 28–29°C in August. Winds are generally moderate but can strengthen during typhoons.
| Average climate data for Kagoshima, Japan | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 13 | 14 | 17 | 22 | 25 | 28 | 32 | 32 | 30 | 25 | 20 | 15 | 32 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | 5 | 6 | 8 | 13 | 17 | 21 | 25 | 26 | 23 | 17 | 12 | 7 | 5 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 78 | 112 | 178 | 202 | 223 | 450 | 318 | 220 | 214 | 103 | 92 | 71 | 2,261 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 9 | 9 | 13 | 10 | 10 | 15 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 120 |
| Average snowfall (mm) | 30 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 50 |
| Average snowfall days (days) | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 64 | 65 | 70 | 71 | 70 | 77 | 77 | 75 | 74 | 71 | 70 | 69 | 71 |
| Average water temperature (°C) | 19 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 22 | 24 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 23 | 21 | 23 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 |
| Average UV index | 4 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 8 |
The best time to visit Kagoshima is in spring (late March to May) and autumn (mid-October to November). These periods offer mild, comfortable temperatures, lower humidity, and less rainfall, making them ideal for sightseeing, hiking, and enjoying cherry blossoms or autumn foliage. Outdoor activities are especially enjoyable during these clear, pleasant months.
The least favourable time to visit Kagoshima is from June to early September, when the city experiences its rainy season and peak typhoon activity. Heavy rainfall, high humidity, and the risk of typhoons can disrupt travel plans and outdoor activities, making sightseeing and beach outings less enjoyable.
Kagoshima has a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and mild, mostly dry winters. Rainfall is abundant, especially from June to September, and the city experiences four distinct seasons.
The rainy season, known as 'Baiu,' occurs from early June to mid-July. This period brings frequent, heavy rainfall and high humidity, often exceeding 300 mm of rain in June alone.
Snowfall in Kagoshima is rare and usually light. Winters are generally mild, with temperatures rarely dropping below 5°C, and any snow that falls typically melts quickly.
Summer temperatures in Kagoshima typically range from 20°C at night to 31–32°C during the day. Humidity is high, and the season is marked by frequent rain and occasional typhoons.
Yes, Kagoshima can be affected by typhoons, mainly from August to September. Typhoons bring intense rain and strong winds, so travellers should monitor weather forecasts during this period.
The sea around Kagoshima is suitable for swimming from July to October, with water temperatures peaking at 28–29°C in August. Earlier and later months are cooler, so swimming is less common.
Cherry blossoms in Kagoshima typically reach their peak in late March to early April, offering beautiful scenery and pleasant weather for outdoor activities and festivals.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is August (32.5 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (12.8 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 22.8 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is August (25.6 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is January (4.6 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 14.9 °C.
The month with the highest average water temperature is August (28.4 °C). The month with the lowest average water temperature is February (18.1 °C). Overall, the average water temperature over the whole year is 22.8 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is June (449.7 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is December (71 mm). Over the whole year there are 2,260.8 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is June (14.6 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is October (7.2 days). Over the whole year there are 120 days of rain on average.
The month with the most snowfall is January (30.4 mm). The months with the least snowfall are March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October and November (0 mm). Over the whole year there are 50.3 mm of snowfall on average.
The month with the most days of snowfall is January (2.3 days). The months with the fewest days of snowfall are June, July, September and October (0 days). Over the whole year there are 5.6 days of snowfall on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is June (77.2 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is January (64.4 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 71.1 %.
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: 10 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: 6.1 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is January (Average sunshine: 3.9 h). Over the whole year there are 4.8 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are June, July and August (UV index: 11). The month with the lowest average UV index is December (UV index: 3). Over the whole year the average UV index is 7.6.
