Best Time to Visit Ōtsu, Shiga Prefecture, Japan
Month-by-month climate guide for planning a trip to Ōtsu.
Ōtsu does not have a month that clearly fits our sunny profiles. Its practical travel window centres on its warmest (August, 26.6°C / 79.9°F) and driest (December, 56 mm / 2.2 in) months. The drier stretch runs through October–April; the wetter half falls in May–September. At the city itself, monthly average temperatures range from 3.6°C / 38.5°F in January to 26.6°C / 79.9°F in August, with rainfall from 56 mm / 2.2 in (December) to 231 mm / 9.1 in (June). These are point-value climate normals sampled at Ōtsu, Shiga Prefecture, Japan's coordinates — usually more actionable for travellers than the country-wide average. Ōtsu's climate is broadly seasonal. The full month-by-month table below lets you match your travel window against our five weather profiles.
Recommended months
| Month | Temp | Rain | Feels like |
|---|---|---|---|
| August | 26.6°C79.9°F | 147 mm5.8″ | — |
| November | 11.1°C52°F | 79 mm3.1″ | — |
| December | 6.1°C43°F | 56 mm2.2″ | — |
No month at Ōtsu matches our sunny profiles. The three above are the driest-and-warmest fallback.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Ōtsu?
Ōtsu doesn't have a month that clearly matches our sunny profiles. The practical travel window centres on December (driest, ~56 mm / 2.2 in) and August (warmest, 26.6°C / 79.9°F). Because these are point values at the city, they can differ substantially from Japan's national average.
When is the rainy season in Ōtsu?
The rainy season at Ōtsu, Shiga Prefecture runs through May–September, when monthly rainfall exceeds the annual median of about 144 mm / 5.7 in. The wettest single month is June (231 mm / 9.1 in).
What is the driest month in Ōtsu?
The driest month in Ōtsu is December, averaging about 56 mm / 2.2 in of rainfall. Temperature that month averages 6.1°C / 43°F.
What months should I avoid visiting Ōtsu?
The least comfortable months for travel to Ōtsu — based on point-value climate at the city — are January, February, March, June, July, September, December. These are the wettest or coolest months at this location. Rainfall peaks at 231 mm / 9.1 in in June, and the coldest month averages 3.6°C / 38.5°F.
Is Ōtsu climate different from Japan overall?
Yes, usually. Our Ōtsu figures are point-value climate normals sampled at the city itself, while our Japan figures are area-weighted averages across the whole country. The two can diverge substantially in geographically diverse or elevation-varied countries. The month-by-month table below reflects Ōtsu specifically — usually the more actionable data for a traveller planning to spend time in the city.