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Weather in Kobe and best time to go
Kobe has a humid subtropical climate, but due to its location just below relatively high mountains, the climate is slightly cooler than in Osaka.
There are very hot, humid and sultry summers with typical temperatures of over 32 °C, but also cool winters with temperatures ranging from 1 °C to 12 °C.
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Temperatures and weather throughout the year
What are the specifics of the weather in Kobe, when is it hottest and when is it rainiest?
Weather in winter
Normal temperatures range between 5°C and 12°C, with the coldest months being January and February.
Rainfall is the least of the year and there are usually partly cloudy or clear skies.
When does it snow in Kobe?
It almost never snows in central Kobe - very rarely indeed.
In the highest parts of the mountains above Kobe, a little snow occasionally falls between December and February. You'll have a better chance of snowy scenery in Kyoto.
Weather in spring
In March, the sakura trees slowly begin to bloom, with temperatures climbing to a pleasant 13°C and occasional rain.
In April, the sakura are already in bloom, with temperatures rising again by a few degrees compared to last month.
For the Japanese, April is associated with several national holidays. Most people arrange their holidays, which means countless people on the streets for you as a visitor to Kobe. So if you crave a less crowded visit to the city, avoid late April.
May will bring a few more degrees than in previous months (from 20°C to 26°C).
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When do the sakura trees bloom in Kobe?
The flowering season of the ubiquitous cherry trees (sakura) is one of the most beautiful.
The cherry trees blossom at the end of March and the flowering period lasts until the second half of April.
Summer weather
Summers in Kobe are very hot and uncomfortable for hiking.
The hottest months are July and August, when temperatures are between 30°C and 34°C and the humidity is high.
Kobe is one of the main summer destinations for many Japanese thanks to Suma Beach, so accommodation prices in the city are higher than at other times of the year.
The rainiest season
Summer also falls during the monsoon rainy season.
Kobe often experiences heavy rains and thunderstorms that can last all day.
The rainiest months are June and July, when it rains an average of 13 days during the month.
September generally sees the highest incidence of typhoons in Japan.
Weather in autumn
Autumn is one of the most beautiful times to visit Kobe and all of Japan. The densely forested mountainsides turn deep shades of yellow and red.
The autumn weather is also very pleasant and mild. During October, summer temperatures are still between 22°C and 27°C and it rains about 9 days a month (usually 1-2 hours a day).
From November onwards, however, it rains less and temperatures drop 14 °C to 20 °C.
When are the autumn leaves in Kobe?
The main leaf colour season is from the second half of November to mid-December.
Table of temperatures during the year
Kobe - Average temperatures during the year
Month
Weather
Air
Water
january
sun
6 °C
14 °C
february
sunny
7 °C
13 °C
march
sunny
10 °C
13 °C
april
sunny
15 °C
14 °C
may
rainy
21 °C
17 °C
june
rainy
25 °C
21 °C
july
rainy
30 °C
25 °C
august
rainy
33 °C
28 °C
september
rainy
27 °C
27 °C
october
sunny
20 °C
24 °C
november
sun
15 °C
20 °C
december
sun
8 °C
16 °C
When to go to Kobe
Each of the 4 seasons has something to offer visitors.
The sakura blossoms in March and April, called hanami, offer their charm, but this is accompanied by a huge number of tourists. However, it is not only the numbers of tourists that rise, but also the prices, which increase several times. It is worth the extra cost, however, as the weather is stable during this period, with minimal rainfall.
Expect equally smaller crowds in November and December, when momijigari, the dyeing of leaves in the colours of autumn, takes place.
Although the period up to mid-September is known as typhoon season in Japan, in terms of weather you may want to avoid our main holiday season, or July and August, as these months alternate between high heat and humidity and frequent rainfall.
If you're a fan of cool weather, think about visiting Tokyo in January and February, when it's a mild 10°C.
Personally, I would go to Tokyo, and indeed all of Japan, in either spring or autumn.
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