If you’re wondering what to wear in Japan in May, the weather is usually warm & sunny, sometimes with occasional light rain. I think it’s the perfect weather for walking around all day.

You may have seen my previous post about what to wear in Japan in May, where I shared outfit ideas mostly for when in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto.

In this post, I’m sharing more Japan spring outfit ideas, based on what I wore while visiting Tokyo, Kanazawa, and Nagoya.

Here are some of the outfits I wore in May.

1. Should you wear dresses in Japan in May?

I brought quite a few dresses for this trip, mostly casual ones.

Many of them were midi dresses, because I find them the most comfortable when walking around cities in Japan. Midi lengths also feel practical when taking trains, walking through parks, or visiting shrines.

For Japan spring outfits, dresses are an easy choice because they’re breathable, simple to style, and still feel put together.

2. Do you need a cardigan?

I only brought one cardigan for my 10-day Japan trip, and that was more than enough.

I usually wore it in the morning or later in the evening when the temperature dropped slightly. It was also useful during a few rainy nights in Nagoya.

If you’re planning what to pack for Japan in May, bringing one light cardigan or sweater is usually enough.

3. Are midi skirts good for travelling Japan?

I fell in love with midi skirts during my first trip to Japan in 2023, and they’ve become one of my favorite travel outfits.

They’re comfortable for long walking days, easy to pair with simple tops, and still look quite polished.

I’ve also found many cute midi skirts at GU and Uniqlo in Japan, which are great places to shop if you need extra outfits during your trip.

For me, midi skirts are one of the safest and most comfortable choices for Japan spring travel outfits.

4. What shoes should you wear in Japan?

If there’s one thing that matters most when planning what to wear in Japan, it’s definitely your shoes.

As you may know, Japan involves a lot of walking between train stations, neighborhoods, parks, and plenty of sightseeing spots.

For this trip, I still wore the same pair from my 2023 trip: On Roger Center Court. They’re still very comfortable.

During this 2025 trip, I also bought a new pair of Hoka shoes. They’re quite chunky but surprisingly lightweight. Compared to my On shoes, they feel a bit more “huggy” on the feet.

Both shoes worked really well for long walking days, which makes them great comfortable shoes for Japan travel.

5. Should you bring a hat and sunglasses?

A hat and sunglasses are small items that can make a big difference.

The sun in Japan during May can get quite strong during the day, especially when you’re exploring outdoor areas like parks, temples, or gardens.

If you’re planning a Japan spring packing list, these two items are easy to bring and very helpful.

6. Do you need sunscreen in Japan in May?

One thing I wouldn’t skip is sunscreen.

Even though May isn’t extremely hot, the sun can still feel strong when you’re outside for long periods.

I usually reapply sunscreen using the Beauty of Joseon sunstick, and then lightly layer my cushion foundation on top. If I need more coverage, I usually use Hourglass foundation stick. I try my best to bring less liquid products during travel.

Buttt I do make exception sometimes lol. Saie blush in shade Rosy is my holy grail blush that I need to carry everywhere. I love how pigmented it is & how easy it is to blend. I think Rosy is also the perfect shade for my neutral-warm skin tone.

I also like to bring little eyeshadow palette like the quad one from Tom Ford, as it is more compact.

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I hope this is helpful for your Japan trip planning!

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