How to Savor Tokyo’s Rainy Season (Tsuyu)

— Finding Beauty and Relaxation in Tokyo’s Rainy Days —

When is the best time to visit Tokyo?
Is it when the cherry blossoms bloom in spring? Or maybe when the autumn leaves turn the city golden and red? Perhaps you’d say summer, for the fireworks and lively festivals.

But here’s a secret: there’s something truly captivating about Tokyo during the rainy season—what we call tsuyu. Every year, usually from early June until the middle of July, the city is touched by gentle showers, damp stone pavements, and a kind of quiet magic that only the rain can bring. On most days, it doesn’t pour endlessly; rather, there are plenty of cloudy intervals, and sometimes even bursts of sudden sunshine that feel almost like summer has arrived early. Actually, in recent years, tsuyu has tended to pass more quickly than expected—sometimes it’s here and gone before you know it. There’s a good chance this year’s rainy season will be short and sweet, too.

In this article, I want to share how you can enjoy Tokyo—even, or maybe especially, during tsuyu. Let’s take a look at three ways to experience the city: indoor adventures, moments in nature, and a bit of well-deserved relaxation.
Let’s stop letting the weather decide our mood. Sometimes, it’s the rain that brings out a side of Tokyo you’d never see otherwise.

☔ Indoor Adventures — Art and Culture That Shine on Rainy Days

If you’re searching for things to do in Tokyo when it’s raining, here’s some good news: this city is a paradise for indoor explorers.
Tokyo is home to world-class museums, imaginative art spaces, and cultural gems that are just waiting for you to discover them—rain or shine.

• teamLab Planets (Toyosu): Wade through shimmering water, lose yourself in endless light, and become part of an immersive digital art world. teamLab Planets is one of those rare places where the rain outside somehow makes the experience inside feel even more dreamlike.
• Edo-Tokyo Museum (Ryogoku): Step into the history of Tokyo, from the days of Edo to the buzzing present. The Edo-Tokyo Museum is packed with hands-on exhibits and is a favorite among travelers. On a rainy afternoon, you might find yourself wandering its halls for hours, lost in stories of the city’s past.
• Mori Art Museum (Roppongi Hills): Take an elevator to the top floors of Roppongi Hills and enter a space where modern art and rainy cityscapes collide. There’s something special about gazing out at Tokyo’s misty skyline before wandering among the latest exhibitions.
• Shopping—Tokyo Style: Let’s not forget: shopping is a cultural experience here. Tokyo’s grand department stores and sleek malls are perfect for rainy-day wandering.
  A few top picks:
  • Ginza Six
  • Omotesando Hills
  • Tokyo Midtown (Roppongi)
  • Shibuya Scramble Square
  These complexes are packed with stylish shops, cozy cafes, and restaurants—places you can spend a whole day without worrying about the weather.

🌿 Nature in Harmony with the Rain — The Quiet Colors of Tokyo

Rain can soften the city’s bustle, and Tokyo’s green spaces truly come alive with a fresh, gentle beauty.
Walking with an umbrella becomes a chance to pause, breathe, and take in the subtle sounds and scents all around.

• Shinjuku Gyoen: Right in the heart of the city, you’ll find this expansive garden. During tsuyu, the vibrant greens and sparkling raindrops create landscapes that look like paintings. The greenhouse here is a hidden gem—perfect for escaping a sudden downpour.
• Meiji Jingu Forest: Strolling down the long approach to Meiji Shrine in the rain, the world feels almost hushed, as if you’ve stepped into a secret. Listen to the soft sound of raindrops on ancient trees, and you might just feel a little more at peace with the world.
• Don’t Miss the Hydrangeas: For many, the rainy season means one thing: hydrangeas. Tokyo boasts several famous spots for these vivid, photogenic flowers:
  • Hakusan Shrine (Bunkyo): So popular it hosts an annual hydrangea festival.
  • Asukayama Park (Kita): Easy to reach on the old-fashioned Toden Arakawa tram.
  • Takahata Fudoson (Hino): A little farther from the city center, but the hills covered in hydrangeas are breathtaking.
  If you love photography, you’ll find endless inspiration in the contrast between the rain and these lush blooms. It’s a celebration of Japanese aesthetics at its finest.

🛁 Relaxation Time — Treat Yourself on a Rainy Tokyo Night

Sightseeing and shopping in wet weather can leave you tired, chilly, or in need of a little comfort. Here’s a thought: why not enjoy a truly restorative massage without ever leaving your hotel?

In-Room Massage: A Local Secret

Among international visitors, in-room massage has become something of a trend.
No umbrellas, no running through the rain—just the calm of your own room, with a skilled therapist arriving right at your door.

• Melt away travel fatigue with a soothing oil massage
• Release shoulder or back tension with expert shiatsu techniques
• Let fragrant aromatherapy lift your spirits and relax your mind

Imagine: the quiet hush of a hotel room, the city lights sparkling through rain-streaked windows, the gentle pressure of healing hands. It’s an experience that feels uniquely Tokyo, and utterly unforgettable.

If you listen carefully to the rain at night, you’ll sense a special calm—a kind of peace that invites you to simply let go. Services like Melody Tokyo offer professional therapists throughout the city, and you can even book late into the night. Why not make your rainy Tokyo evening truly memorable?

🌆 Discover a New Side of Tokyo—Even When It Rains

Don’t let a rainy forecast dampen your mood. Rain brings quiet, depth, and color to Tokyo’s neighborhoods.
Some of the city’s most beautiful moments appear only when the weather turns grey: reflections in puddles, flowers blooming under drizzles, the glow of neon blurred through a rainy window.

Learn to see Tokyo in a new light, and you’ll start to find comfort and beauty even on the wettest days.
That’s the magic of traveling like a local—letting each day surprise you, rain or shine.