Nagano, nestled in Japan’s mountainous heartland, experiences a humid continental climate with four distinct seasons. Summers are warm, humid, and wet, while winters are cold and snowy. The city’s dramatic seasonal contrasts support world-class winter sports, cherry blossoms in spring, lush green summers, and vibrant autumn foliage, making Nagano a year-round destination for nature 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.
Nagano’s climate is shaped by its elevation and proximity to the Japanese Alps. Winters (December–February) are cold and snowy, with average highs around 2–5°C and lows often below freezing. Snowfall is frequent and heavy, especially in January, making Nagano a renowned hub for skiing and snowboarding. Despite the cold, winter days are often sunny and crisp, with clear skies and about 6–7 hours of daylight in December and January.
Spring (March–May) brings a rapid warming, with cherry blossoms blooming in early to mid-April. Daytime highs climb from 10°C in March to 23°C in May. Rainfall is moderate, and sunshine increases, making this a popular time for hiking and sightseeing. Summers (June–August) are warm, humid, and wet, with average highs of 27–30°C in July and August. The rainy season peaks in June and July, with July seeing over 270 mm of rain and frequent showers. Despite the rain, Nagano is cooler than Japan’s coastal cities, offering a comfortable summer retreat. Autumn (September–November) is mild and dry, with highs from 25°C in September to 13°C in November. This season is famous for its brilliant autumn foliage, drawing hikers and photographers from across the country. Winds are generally light year-round, but can be brisk in winter and during storms. Annual precipitation averages 1,700–1,800 mm, and Nagano enjoys about 1,800–1,900 hours of sunshine annually.
| Average climate data for Nagano, Japan | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 3 | 5 | 10 | 17 | 22 | 26 | 29 | 31 | 26 | 19 | 13 | 7 | 31 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | -4 | -4 | -1 | 5 | 10 | 16 | 20 | 21 | 17 | 10 | 3 | -2 | -4 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 51 | 50 | 60 | 53 | 76 | 108 | 133 | 99 | 128 | 82 | 44 | 46 | 930 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 13 | 12 | 12 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 10 | 12 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 130 |
| Average snowfall (mm) | 987 | 830 | 268 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 444 | 2,580 |
| Average snowfall days (days) | 23 | 19 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 63 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 78 | 74 | 69 | 62 | 64 | 71 | 74 | 71 | 75 | 75 | 75 | 76 | 72 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 10 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 4 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 |
The best times to visit Nagano are spring (April–May) and autumn (October–November), when temperatures are mild, rainfall is moderate, and the region is at its most scenic with cherry blossoms or vibrant autumn foliage. These periods offer ideal conditions for hiking, sightseeing, and enjoying Nagano’s natural and cultural attractions.
The least favourable time to visit Nagano is during the rainy season from June to July, when heavy rainfall and high humidity can disrupt outdoor activities. While winter is magical for snow sports, it may be challenging for those unaccustomed to cold and snowy conditions, especially in January when snowfall is heaviest.
Nagano has a humid continental climate with warm, humid summers and cold, snowy winters. The city experiences four distinct seasons, with significant temperature swings and abundant precipitation year-round.
Nagano’s rainy season typically occurs from June to July, with July being the wettest month. Expect frequent showers, high humidity, and lush green landscapes during this period.
Winter temperatures in Nagano often drop below freezing, with average lows around –5°C and highs near 2–5°C. Snowfall is frequent and heavy, especially in January and February.
Cherry blossoms in Nagano usually bloom from early to mid-April. This period offers mild weather and is ideal for hanami (flower viewing) and outdoor activities.
Yes, Nagano is famous for its ski resorts and winter sports. The best conditions are from December to February, when snowfall is heaviest and the mountains are blanketed in deep snow.
Nagano receives about 1,700–1,800 mm of precipitation each year, with rain and snow spread throughout the year. July is the wettest month, while winter months see heavy snowfall.
Spring (April–May) and autumn (October–November) are the best seasons for hiking in Nagano, offering mild temperatures, clear skies, and beautiful cherry blossoms or autumn foliage.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is August (31 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (3.4 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 17.3 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is August (21.4 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is January (-4.1 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 7.7 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is July (132.9 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is November (43.7 mm). Over the whole year there are 930.1 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is July (13.1 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is November (8.7 days). Over the whole year there are 129.6 days of rain on average.
The month with the most snowfall is January (986.9 mm). The months with the least snowfall are May, June, July, August, September and October (0 mm). Over the whole year there are 2,579.9 mm of snowfall on average.
The month with the most days of snowfall is January (22.9 days). The months with the fewest days of snowfall are June, September and October (0 days). Over the whole year there are 62.9 days of snowfall on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is January (78.4 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is April (61.7 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 72 %.
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 May (Average sunshine: 6.1 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is December (Average sunshine: 4 h). Over the whole year there are 4.8 h of sunlight per day on average.
