Japan Typhoon Season
Japan Typhoon Season Guide What to do · Flight refunds · Shinkansen cancellation
Japan's typhoon season runs June–October, with August–September being the most dangerous months. This guide covers monthly risk, what to do during a typhoon, and how to handle cancelled transport.
Typhoon season in Japan
Japan sees around 25–26 typhoons form annually in the western Pacific, of which roughly 3–4 make landfall on the Japanese archipelago. The peak danger window is late August through September. Typhoon Hagibis (2019) made a direct hit on Tokyo — a reminder that even the capital is not exempt.
Monthly risk by month
Typhoons form but rarely reach mainland Japan. Okinawa is at risk.
Direct hits on Okinawa and Kyushu possible. Mainland less affected.
Peak typhoon month. Frequent landfalls on Kyushu, Shikoku, and the Tokai coast.
Most intense typhoons of the year. Tokyo can take a direct hit (e.g. Hagibis 2019).
Frequency drops, but late-season typhoons can be powerful. Stay alert.
Typhoon season effectively over. Rare exceptions occur.
※ Risk levels are relative, based on historical typhoon landfall frequency.
Regional impact
A typhoon's impact varies greatly depending on its track. Check your destination's risk level below.
| Region | Risk |
|---|---|
| Okinawa | ★★★★★ |
| Kyushu (Fukuoka · Kagoshima) | ★★★★☆ |
| Shikoku (Kochi · Matsuyama) | ★★★★☆ |
| Tokai (Nagoya) | ★★★☆☆ |
| Kanto (Tokyo · Yokohama) | ★★★☆☆ |
| Kansai (Osaka · Kyoto) | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Tohoku (Sendai) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hokkaido (Sapporo) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Before a typhoon — preparation checklist
Typhoon forecasts become reliable about 48–72 hours before arrival. If a typhoon is in the forecast for your travel dates, run through this checklist.
Before you leave home
- ✓Buy travel insurance with flight cancellation / trip disruption coverage
- ✓Check your airline's weather cancellation policy
- ✓Review your hotel's cancellation policy (typhoon force majeure?)
- ✓Bookmark JMA typhoon tracker (English)
- ✓Save your hotel's phone number offline
Once you are in Japan
- ✓Ask hotel staff about the typhoon forecast and local warnings
- ✓Stock 1–2 days of food and water (convenience stores sell out quickly)
- ✓Fully charge all devices and your power bank
- ✓Confirm return flight dates have buffer days built in
- ✓Save JNTO helpline: 050-3816-2787 (24/7, multilingual)
During a typhoon — what to do
🏨 Indoors (hotel · accommodation)
- •Stay inside when a typhoon warning (暴風警報) is in effect. Flying debris and storm surge are the main dangers.
- •Move away from windows and close curtains or blinds.
- •Avoid underground car parks and underpasses — they flood rapidly.
- •Check with hotel reception for the expected warning lift time.
- •Wait until the warning is fully lifted before going outside — the eye of the storm creates a false calm.
🚅 Transport (flights · Shinkansen · trains)
✈️ Flights
- • Check your airline's app — faster than airport boards
- • Wait for an official airline cancellation before cancelling yourself
- • Official cancellation → free rebooking or full refund
- • If stranded at the airport, look for capsule hotels or airport rest areas
🚄 Shinkansen & trains
- • Check JR's official site for your route's suspension announcement
- • Planned suspension = full refund on unused tickets, no fee
- • Trains resume after the warning lifts — queues can be long
- • Subways generally resume faster than surface lines
🌳 Outdoors · sightseeing
- ⚠️Do not go sightseeing during an active typhoon warning. No attraction is worth the risk.
- ⚠️Stay away from rivers, coastlines, and low-lying areas — flooding and storm surge are dangerous.
- ⚠️Umbrellas are useless in typhoon winds — use a waterproof jacket instead.
- ⚠️After the warning lifts, strong gusts may persist for several more hours.
Flight & hotel cancellation — refund rules
Flight refunds
Airline cancels ✓
Full refund or free rebooking. Apply via the airline app, website, or airport counter. No cancellation fee.
You cancel voluntarily ✗
Standard cancellation fee applies. Travel insurance with trip cancellation benefit may cover the difference.
Hotel cancellations
Policies vary by property
Not all hotels waive fees for typhoons. Check the cancellation policy at booking. Screenshot it for your records.
OTA platforms (Booking.com, Airbnb)
Some have a "force majeure" policy for natural disasters. Check the platform's specific terms at booking.
Frequently asked questions
Q. When is typhoon season in Japan? ▾
Japan's typhoon season runs from June to October. August to mid-September is the most active period, with the strongest and most frequent typhoons. October typhoons are rarer but can be very powerful. Outside this window, typhoon risk is very low.
Q. Can I get a refund if my flight is cancelled due to a typhoon? ▾
Yes — when an airline officially cancels a flight, you are entitled to a full refund or free rebooking with no cancellation fee. Do not cancel your flight yourself before receiving an official cancellation notice; voluntary cancellations are subject to standard fees. For voluntary cancellations before a typhoon, travel insurance with a trip cancellation benefit may cover you.
Q. What should I do if I cannot reach my hotel during a typhoon warning? ▾
Do not travel during an active typhoon warning (暴風警報). Stay wherever you are — whether that is the airport, a train station, or a convenience store. Most hotels will accommodate late check-ins once the warning is lifted. Call your hotel in advance to inform them of your situation.
Q. Does the Shinkansen stop during a typhoon? ▾
Yes. JR suspends Shinkansen service when wind speeds exceed the line's safety threshold (typically 20–30 m/s). For major typhoons, JR announces planned suspension the evening before or morning of the storm. Unused tickets are fully refunded when JR officially suspends service — no fee applies.
Q. Should I avoid Japan entirely during typhoon season? ▾
Not necessarily. Typhoon landfalls typically occur on only 2–5 days per year. The rest of the season brings hot, sunny summer weather. If you travel in August–September, buy travel insurance that includes flight cancellation coverage and check the typhoon forecast 2–3 days before your trip.
Q. Where do I find official typhoon information in English? ▾
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) publishes English typhoon advisories at jma.go.jp/en. NHK World (nhkworld.com) broadcasts live English updates during major typhoons. The JNTO Tourist Helpline (050-3816-2787, 24/7, multilingual) can assist with travel-related questions.
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