Hiroshima & Miyajima→
Station: HiroshimaHiroshima, Miyajima, Itsukushima Shrine, Atomic Bomb Dome
High
24.4℃
Low
15.1℃
- Precip.
- 169.8mm
- Sunshine
- 211h
- Sunset
- 19:04
Highs around 24°C. A lovely season for Mt. Misen and strolling Miyajima
Chugoku & Shikoku Weather Guide
Chugoku & Shikoku Weather in May: What to Wear & Expect
May in Chugoku & Shikoku is a season of sunny days and beautiful fresh greenery. Hiroshima's high is 24.4°C and mornings are around 15°C. There are more days warm enough for short sleeves, but it's before the rainy season, so there's no muggy heat yet. It's the perfect time for island hopping in the Seto Inland Sea and cycling the Shimanami Kaido, and Izumo Taisha holds its Grand Festival from the 14th. Golden Week in early May is crowded.
- Hiroshima high
- 24.4℃
- Hiroshima low
- 15.1℃
- Hiroshima rainfall
- 169.8mm
- Hiroshima sunset
- 19:04
Overview
Chugoku & Shikoku in May: Key Points
- ✓Hiroshima's high is 24.4°C, with mornings around 15°C. Short sleeves on some days
- ✓Lots of sunny days, ideal for island hopping and cycling
- ✓Izumo Taisha's Grand Festival on the 14th–16th
- ✓Strong sun. Bring a hat and sunscreen
By Area
May Weather by Area
Temperature, precipitation, snow and sunshine are climate normals (1991-2020). Sunset is for May 15.
Onomichi & Shimanami Kaido→
Station: IkuchijimaOnomichi, Shimanami Kaido, Ikuchijima, Imabari
High
22.9℃
Low
13.4℃
- Precip.
- 108.3mm
- Sunshine
- 207h
- Sunset
- 19:01
Highs around 23°C. Ideal for cycling the Shimanami Kaido
Okayama & Kurashiki→
Station: OkayamaOkayama, Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter, Okayama Korakuen, Okayama Castle
High
24.8℃
Low
14.8℃
- Precip.
- 112.6mm
- Sunshine
- 206h
- Sunset
- 18:59
Highs around 25°C. Good for river boats in the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter and fresh greenery at Korakuen
Izumo & Matsue→
Station: MatsueMatsue, Izumo Taisha, Matsue Castle, Lake Shinji
High
23.2℃
Low
13.5℃
- Precip.
- 130.3mm
- Sunshine
- 207h
- Sunset
- 19:04
Izumo Taisha's Grand Festival on the 14th–16th. Highs around 23°C
Tottori→
Station: TottoriTottori, Tottori Sand Dunes, Uradome Coast, Mt. Daisen
High
23.8℃
Low
12.9℃
- Precip.
- 123mm
- Sunshine
- 201h
- Sunset
- 18:59
Highs around 24°C. The sun is strong on the Tottori Sand Dunes, so a hat is a good idea
Hagi, Tsunoshima & Akiyoshidai→
Station: HagiHagi, Tsunoshima, Akiyoshidai, Kintaikyo Bridge
High
22.9℃
Low
13.9℃
- Precip.
- 134.7mm
- Sunshine
- 205h
- Sunset
- 19:08
Highs around 23°C. Good for driving Tsunoshima Ohashi Bridge and strolling Hagi's castle town
Takamatsu, Naoshima & Shodoshima→
Station: TakamatsuTakamatsu, Naoshima, Shodoshima, Kotohiragu, Ritsurin Garden
High
24.8℃
Low
15.1℃
- Precip.
- 100.9mm
- Sunshine
- 210h
- Sunset
- 18:58
Highs around 25°C. Good for island hopping to Naoshima and Shodoshima
Tokushima, Naruto & Iya→
Station: TokushimaTokushima, Naruto Whirlpools, Iya Vine Bridge, Oboke
High
24.0℃
Low
15.6℃
- Precip.
- 146.6mm
- Sunshine
- 206h
- Sunset
- 18:55
Highs around 24°C. Naruto's Spring Whirlpool Festival runs until the end of May
Matsuyama & Dogo Onsen→
Station: MatsuyamaMatsuyama, Dogo Onsen, Matsuyama Castle, Uchiko
High
24.2℃
Low
15.0℃
- Precip.
- 129.5mm
- Sunshine
- 206h
- Sunset
- 19:02
Highs around 24°C. Good for Matsuyama Castle and strolling Uchiko's streets
Kochi & Shimanto→
Station: KochiKochi, Katsurahama Beach, Kochi Castle, Shimanto River
High
24.8℃
Low
15.5℃
- Precip.
- 280.4mm
- Sunshine
- 196h
- Sunset
- 18:58
Highs around 25°C. The rainy period begins toward the end of the month
What to Wear
What to Wear in Chugoku & Shikoku in May
Tops
Short sleeves or light long sleeves; short sleeves are fine during the day on some days
Outerwear
A light cardigan or shirt for mornings, evenings and the wind on boats
Bottoms
Long pants or pants that are easy to move in
Shoes
Sneakers or other comfortable walking shoes
Accessories
Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
If you're cycling the Shimanami Kaido, a light windbreaker to keep off the sea breeze makes the ride more comfortable.
Good to Know
Good to Know
Aim for after Golden Week
From mid-May, after the holidays end, sights calm down and the weather is settled. A recommended time for island hopping and cycling.
UV rays as strong as midsummer
In May, UV rays are strong for the temperature. On islands and coasts with little shade, and on the Tottori Sand Dunes, use a hat and sunscreen.
Pace the Shimanami Kaido to your fitness
The Shimanami Kaido cycling road is about 70km long. You can rent bikes at rental terminals along the route and drop them off at another, so riding just a section is a good option too.
Get ready for the rainy season late in the month
Cloudy and rainy days start to increase around the end of the month. Kochi in particular gets rainier from May, so a folding umbrella is a good idea.
Events
May Events & Highlights
Izumo Taisha Grand Festival
IzumoMay 14–16Izumo Taisha's biggest festival of the year, with yabusame horseback archery, rice-planting dances, kagura and more, and stalls lining the approach to the shrine.
Naruto Spring Whirlpool Festival
Naruto, TokushimaMid-February to the end of May (2026)Spring is the season for the year's biggest whirlpools. You can view them from sightseeing boats or from Uzu no Michi, the walkway on Onaruto Bridge.
Shimanami Kaido Cycling
Onomichi & Shimanami KaidoYear-round (most comfortable in spring and autumn)A cycling road of about 70km linking Onomichi and Imabari via a chain of island bridges. May, before it gets too hot, is an especially easy season for riding.
A festival of flowers for peace connecting Hiroshima and the world, held every year for three days from May 3 to 5 on Peace Boulevard and in Peace Memorial Park. Begun in 1977, it features the Flower Parade, stages, and hiroba (booth areas). In 2026 (49th), there were 1,474,000 visitors.
Read the guide：Hiroshima Flower Festival →Tours & tickets for this eventPR
- PRKlookHiroshima Peace Walking Tour (World Heritage Sites)A guided tour of the Peace Memorial Museum and the Atomic Bomb Dome, with a stop at the Orizuru Tower observation deckView on Klook
- PRKlookHiroshima & Miyajima One-Day Bus Tour (with Lunch)A day tour with an English-speaking guide to the Atomic Bomb Dome and Itsukushima Shrine on MiyajimaView on Klook
Dates change every year. Please check the official websites before you go.
FAQ
FAQ
Q. What's the temperature in Hiroshima in May?＋
On average, the high is 24.4°C and the low is 15.1°C. On some days short sleeves are fine during the day.
Q. Is May a good time to visit Chugoku & Shikoku?＋
There are lots of sunny days, and it's before the rainy season so humidity isn't high, making it a recommended time for island hopping and cycling. To avoid crowds, aim for after Golden Week.
Q. When is Izumo Taisha's Grand Festival?＋
Every year on May 14–16. The annual festival is held on the 14th, and the mikoshi procession and other rites on the 15th.
Plan Your Trip
Plan Your Chugoku & Shikoku TripPR
Other Months
Chugoku & Shikoku Weather in Other Months
Back to the Chugoku & Shikoku Weather Guide (all months & areas) →
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (climate normals 1991-2020). Compiled by tripuuu.log. Temperatures are from a representative station in each area; actual weather varies from year to year.