Fukuoka & Dazaifu→
Station: FukuokaFukuoka, Hakata, Tenjin, Dazaifu Tenmangu
High
24.4℃
Low
16.1℃
- Precip.
- 133.7mm
- Sunshine
- 204h
- Sunset
- 19:11
Hakata Dontaku on the 3rd and 4th. Meiji-dori is lively with parades
Kyushu Weather Guide
Kyushu Weather in May: What to Wear & Expect
May in Kyushu is a fresh season with lots of sunny days. Fukuoka's high is 24.4°C and mornings are around 16°C. More and more days are warm enough for short sleeves in the daytime. Fukuoka holds the Hakata Dontaku Port Festival on the 3rd and 4th, and from late in the month Miyama Kirishima azaleas peak in the Kuju Mountains. In southern Kyushu, the rainy season usually starts around May 30, and rainy days increase toward the end of the month.
- Fukuoka high
- 24.4℃
- Fukuoka low
- 16.1℃
- Fukuoka rainfall
- 133.7mm
- Fukuoka sunset
- 19:11
Overview
Kyushu in May: Key Points
- ✓Fukuoka's high is 24.4°C, with mornings around 16°C. Some days are warm enough for short sleeves
- ✓The Hakata Dontaku Port Festival is on the 3rd and 4th. Golden Week is crowded
- ✓Miyama Kirishima azaleas in the Kuju Mountains are best from late May to mid-June
- ✓Southern Kyushu's rainy season usually starts around May 30. Bring rain gear at the end of the month
By Area
May Weather by Area
Temperature, precipitation, snow and sunshine are climate normals (1991-2020). Sunset is for May 15.
Nagasaki→
Station: NagasakiNagasaki, Mt. Inasa, Glover Garden, Meganebashi Bridge
High
23.9℃
Low
16.1℃
- Precip.
- 160.7mm
- Sunshine
- 190h
- Sunset
- 19:11
Highs around 24°C. A lovely season for walking the hilly streets and seeing the night view
Sasebo & Huis Ten Bosch→
Station: SaseboSasebo, Huis Ten Bosch, Kujukushima Islands
High
23.8℃
Low
15.8℃
- Precip.
- 171.1mm
- Sunshine
- 197h
- Sunset
- 19:13
Highs around 24°C. Good for a Kujukushima cruise or a stroll around Huis Ten Bosch
Karatsu, Arita & Ureshino Onsen→
Station: UreshinoUreshino Onsen, Karatsu, Arita, Imari
High
24.7℃
Low
12.8℃
- Precip.
- 207.4mm
- Sunshine
- 192h
- Sunset
- 19:11
Highs around 25°C, mornings 13°C. Good for touring the pottery towns and hot springs
Kumamoto & Aso→
Station: KumamotoKumamoto, Kumamoto Castle, Aso, Kurokawa Onsen
High
26.0℃
Low
15.6℃
- Precip.
- 160.9mm
- Sunshine
- 194h
- Sunset
- 19:08
Kumamoto highs around 26°C. Aso's grasslands are fresh and green
Beppu & Yufuin→
Station: OitaBeppu, Yufuin, Beppu Hells Tour, Mt. Yufu
High
24.1℃
Low
15.0℃
- Precip.
- 133.6mm
- Sunshine
- 195h
- Sunset
- 19:06
Highs around 24°C. Good for strolling Beppu's steaming streets and Yufuin
Takachiho→
Station: TakachihoTakachiho, Takachiho Gorge, Takachiho Shrine, Amanoiwato Shrine
High
24.1℃
Low
12.0℃
- Precip.
- 164.2mm
- Sunshine
- 178h
- Sunset
- 19:05
Cool mornings around 12°C. Walk Takachiho Gorge amid fresh greenery
Miyazaki & Nichinan→
Station: MiyazakiMiyazaki, Aoshima, Nichinan Coast, Udo Jingu
High
24.6℃
Low
16.3℃
- Precip.
- 227.6mm
- Sunshine
- 180h
- Sunset
- 19:03
Highs around 25°C. Ideal for a drive along the Nichinan Coast
Kagoshima, Sakurajima & Ibusuki→
Station: KagoshimaKagoshima, Sakurajima, Ibusuki, Sengan-en
High
25.5℃
Low
17.3℃
- Precip.
- 205.2mm
- Sunshine
- 178h
- Sunset
- 19:06
Highs of 25.5°C. In many years the rainy season starts at the end of the month
Yakushima→
Station: YakushimaYakushima, Shiratani Unsuikyo, Jomon Sugi, Yakusugi Land
High
24.5℃
Low
17.5℃
- Precip.
- 444.1mm
- Sunshine
- 153h
- Sunset
- 19:04
Highs of 24.5°C. It's a rainy island, so rain gear is a must
What to Wear
What to Wear in Kyushu in May
Tops
Short sleeves or light long sleeves. Some days are warm enough for short sleeves in the daytime
Outerwear
A light cardigan or shirt for mornings, evenings and air conditioning
Bottoms
Long pants or lightweight pants
Shoes
Sneakers or other comfortable walking shoes
Accessories
Hat and sunscreen. A folding umbrella at the end of the month
Takachiho and Ureshino drop to around 12–13°C in the mornings. If you're climbing in the Kuju Mountains or on Yakushima, it's much colder than in town, so bring warm layers and rainwear.
Good to Know
Good to Know
Book early for Golden Week
During the holidays that coincide with Hakata Dontaku, accommodation in Fukuoka City is hard to get. Mid-May, after the holidays, has stable weather and is a great time to go.
UV is as strong as midsummer
In May, UV rays are strong for the temperature. In places with little shade, such as Aso's grasslands and the coast, use a hat and sunscreen.
Miyama Kirishima means hiking
The large colonies of Miyama Kirishima in the Kuju Mountains are up on the peaks, so you'll need to prepare for a hike to see them. The weather changes quickly, so bring rain gear and warm layers.
Rainy season starts in southern Kyushu at the end of the month
In southern Kyushu (Miyazaki, Kagoshima and Yakushima), the rainy season usually starts around May 30. If you're traveling in southern Kyushu late in the month, a folding umbrella is handy.
Events
May Events & Highlights
Fukuoka's citizens' festival, held every year during Golden Week. A wide variety of Dontaku groups perform in the parade along Meiji-dori and on stages around the city.
Read the guide：Hakata Dontaku Port Festival →Tours & tickets for this eventPR
- PRKlookFukuoka City Subway 1-Day PassUnlimited rides for a day on the Airport, Hakozaki and Nanakuma lines. Handy for the parade and touring the performance stagesView on Klook
- PRKlookVASARA Kimono & Yukata Rental (Fukuoka, Tenjin)Rent a kimono at the Tenjin shop and stroll the festive streetsView on Klook
Miyama Kirishima in the Kuju Mountains
Oita (Kuju Mountains)Late May to mid-JuneA type of azalea native to Kyushu's mountains that turns the slopes pink. The large colonies on Mt. Hiji and Mt. Taisen are especially popular.
Rainy Season Starts in Southern Kyushu
Miyazaki, Kagoshima & YakushimaUsually around May 30The rainy season starts earlier in southern Kyushu than in northern Kyushu. It can come earlier or later depending on the year, so check the weather forecast before you set off.
A pottery and porcelain market held every Golden Week in Arita, the birthplace of Japanese porcelain. Begun in 1896, it lines the roughly 4 km stretch from around JR Arita Station to Kami-Arita Station with more than 450 shops. About 1.2 million people visit from all over Japan, mainly from Kyushu.
Read the guide：Arita Ceramic Fair →Dates change every year. Please check the official websites before you go.
FAQ
FAQ
Q. What's the temperature in Fukuoka in May?＋
On average, the high is 24.4°C and the low is 16.1°C. Some days are warm enough for short sleeves in the daytime.
Q. When is Hakata Dontaku?＋
Every year on May 3 and 4. Fukuoka is crowded during Golden Week, so book your accommodation early.
Q. Is May the rainy season in Kyushu?＋
The rainy season usually starts around May 30 in southern Kyushu and around June 4 in northern Kyushu. Most of May has lots of sunny days and is an easy time to travel.
Plan Your Trip
Plan Your Kyushu TripPR
Other Months
Kyushu Weather in Other Months
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.