In Japan, the same standard time is used throughout the country, so there is no time difference within the country, nor is daylight saving time in effect.
The weather in Japan is complex, with different climatic zones in the north (subarctic) and south (subtropical) due to the country’s long north-south geography. Because of the high mountain ranges located in the center of the archipelago, the climate also differs between the Sea of Japan side and the Pacific Ocean side. In addition, weather conditions vary depending on the time of year and region due to the influence of air masses generated by the four seasons.

Japan has four seasons, broadly divided into spring from March to May, summer from June to August, autumn from September to November, and winter from December to February. The transition from spring to summer is marked by a rainy season called “Tsuyu.” In addition, typhoons occur during the summer and fall, often approaching or striking Japan.

The time differences between Japan and various major cities are as follows. (Daylight saving has not been taken into account)

The heart of Chubu region features a looming mountain range with peaks as high as 3,000-meters, so the climate fluctuates between the Pacific Ocean side, the Sea of Japan side, and the inland areas. On the Pacific Ocean side (Aichi, Shizuoka, and Mie prefectures), there is high rainfall from spring to fall, and many sunny days in winter. The Sea of Japan side (Toyama, Ishikawa, and Fukui prefectures) has heavy rain and snowfall from autumn to winter. The central highlands (Nagano, Gifu, and Shiga prefectures) have an inland climate with minimal rainfall throughout the year, and fewer sunny days in winter, resulting in shorter daylight hours.

Because of the 3,000-meter mountains in the center of the Chubu region, temperature trends differ between the Pacific Ocean side, the Sea of Japan side, and the inland regions. The Pacific Ocean side is characterized by hot summers and mild winters. The Sea of Japan side has hot and humid summers, and winters with heavy snowfall yet mild temperatures. In the central highlands, temperatures vary greatly between morning and evening, and the mercury drops in winter.
Average temperatures for the main regions are as follows.
Average monthly temperatures in 2023 (degrees Celsius)

Source: Japan Meteorological Agency