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When asked about the best time to visit Japan, I usually advise against going in the summer and suggest visiting Europe instead. However, I say this for two reasons: I live on the island of Honshu for my second summer and I used to live in Europe for more than 45 years. Therefore, my opinion to spend summer in Europe and avoid Japan during the summer isn’t really as clear cut. Let’s compare the summer weather in Europe and Japan, considering personal preferences.

Europe

Climate Zones:

• Western Europe: Typically features a mild maritime climate with cool summers, ranging from 15-25°C (59-77°F).
• Southern Europe: Exhibits a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers, hitting temperatures between 25-35°C (77-95°F).
• Central Europe: Experiences a continental climate with warm summers, with temperatures around 20-30°C (68-86°F).
• Northern Europe: Known for cooler summers, with temperatures between 15-25°C (59-77°F).
• Eastern Europe: Similar to Central Europe but with more extreme variations, reaching temperatures from 20-30°C (68-86°F) and higher.

Humidity:

• Western and Northern Europe tend to have moderate humidity.
• Southern Europe can have dry summers, especially in inland areas.
• Central and Eastern Europe may experience moderate to high humidity, depending on the specific location.

Japan

Climate Zones:

• Northern Japan (Hokkaido): Features a cool temperate climate with mild summers and temperatures ranging from 20-25°C (68-77°F).
• Eastern and Western Japan (Honshu): Exhibits a humid subtropical climate with hot and humid summers, with temperatures between 25-35°C (77-95°F).
• Southern Japan (Kyushu, Shikoku, Okinawa): Has a humid subtropical to tropical climate, with hot and humid summers, often exceeding 30°C (86°F).

Humidity:

• Japan, particularly central and southern regions, experiences high humidity during the summer months. This can make the heat feel more intense, with a significant amount of rainfall, especially during the rainy season in June and July.
• Northern Japan is less humid but still experiences higher humidity than many parts of Europe.

Key Differences

1. Humidity: Japan, particularly central and southern regions, is generally more humid than most parts of Europe, making the temperatures feel more oppressive.
2. Temperature Extremes: Southern Europe and parts of Eastern Europe can experience very high temperatures, sometimes surpassing those in Japan. However, Japan’s high humidity can make even moderate temperatures feel quite hot.
3. Rainfall: Japan has a pronounced rainy season in June and July, unlike Europe.
4. Climatic Variety: Europe’s climate varies significantly across its regions, while Japan has a more uniform yet still varying climate.

Similarities

1. Heat Waves: Both Europe and Japan can experience heat waves during the summer, with temperatures significantly rising.
2. Urban Heat: Major cities in both Europe and Japan can experience higher temperatures due to the urban heat island effect.

By understanding these differences and similarities, one can better compare the summer climates of Europe and Japan for travel planning and lifestyle adjustments.

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