Japan is made up of four main islands and several smaller ones, and weather patterns throughout the country vary considerably. The northernmost island of Hokkaido is the coldest (with average highs below freezing in the winter) and receives the most snow; the northern part of Honshu, Japan’s main island, has similar weather. The southern islands and even the central and southern parts of Honshu (including Tokyo) are notably warmer year-round. These areas get infrequent snow, and temperatures usually stay above freezing, even in the winter.
Outside of Hokkaido, most of the country experiences high temperatures and intense humidity in the summer, with heavy rainfall between late spring and early fall. Typhoon season peaks in August and September, primarily affecting the southern regions of the country, including Okinawa.