What to Wear in Tokyo in Summer
EST. READING TIME: 10 MIN
IN THIS GUIDE ✺
Teeny Tops
Pleated Skirts
Cargo Pants
Professional Pops
Colorful Kicks
Braid Ribbons
Tokyo, the world’s largest metropolitan city and bustling capital of Japan, effortlessly blends tradition with postmodern architecture and culture. From its towering Shinjuku skyscrapers and neon-lit streets to its serene temples and historic districts, Tokyo offers an unparalleled travel experience. As you stroll through Shibuya Crossing, explore the serene Meiji Shrine, or indulge in the vibrant Harajuku street fashion scene, you'll find that Tokyo is a city of contrasts and surprises.
Planning a trip to Tokyo involves more than just deciding which attractions to visit; it's also about preparing for the unique cultural and climatic factors you'll encounter. One crucial aspect of your trip preparation is knowing what to wear. As one of the worldwide fashion capital cities, Tokyo's fashion scene is legendary, with avant-garde trends that bend the constraints of the norm to the ultra-traditional odes to Japan’s dynamic history. The city's inhabitants have a vested interest in their personal style, often making bold fashion statements with outrageous ensembles that reflect their individuality, even if they aren’t the most practical public attire. As a tourist, blending in while freely expressing your wildest style ideas in ways that you never could back at home can enhance your Tokyo experience infinitely, making you feel like a natural fit in the living composition of the city.
In this guide, we’ll delve into the essentials of what to wear in Tokyo during the warmer season, focusing on the month of May. This transitional period between spring and summer offers mild weather, making it an ideal time to explore the city's diverse neighborhoods. Whether you're planning to visit the upscale boutiques of Ginza, the quirky shops of Akihabara, or take a leisurely walk in the gardens of Ueno Park, you’ll know just what to wear on Tokyo's fashion-forward streets with the help of our detailed style guide.
Summer Climate in Tokyo
Generally, Tokyo’s weather in May is pleasantly moderate and hence, one of the best warm–but not too hot and humid–months to tour the city. As spring transitions into summer, Fahrenheit temperatures typically range from the mid-60s to the mid-70s (18-24°C). The days are longer, offering ample daylight for sightseeing. While May is one of the drier months in Tokyo, occasional rain showers are not uncommon, so it's wise to be prepared for varying weather conditions. During my visit towards the tail end of May and very beginning of June in 2024, the first typhoon of the season, Ewiniar, befell the island and brought a few days of heavy rainfall. This was notably the fifth-latest starting Pacific typhoon season on record, so any trips to Japan during the latter half of the month are subject to storm interference.
May also marks the end of the cherry blossom season, with the last of the sakura petals falling from the trees. This creates an undeniably aesthetic ambiance throughout the city, especially in greenspaces like Ueno Park, Shinjuku Gyoen, and Yoyogi Park. However, the fading blossoms are also a sign that Tokyo is gearing up for its notably humid summer, so lightweight and breathable clothing is a must.
Despite the generally mild weather, Tokyo acts as a concrete jungle like New York City with reduced foliage and thus can oftentimes make it feel warmer than the actual recorded temperature, particularly in areas with a lot of infrastructure and limited shade. Mornings and evenings can be relatively chilly, so layering with a light jacket or cardigan on hand is advisable. During the day, you’ll most definitely want to shed these layers as the temperature quickly rises.
It becomes relatively humid towards the end of May, so avoid absorbent fabrics and instead seek out moisture-wicking pieces which allow your skin to breathe freely. As with most cities best explored on foot or by public transportation, your choice of footwear should be comfortable and practical for long days of walking.
Lastly, it's important to remember that Tokyo, similar to the rest of Japanese society, has an honorable culture of cleanliness and respect for public spaces. This etiquette extends to personal appearance, so dressing presentably neat is not just a fashion statement but also a way of showing respect for the local customs.
What to Wear in Tokyo?
Teeny Tops
Teeny tops are a staple in Tokyo's fashion scene, especially during the warmer months. These small, often cropped tops are perfect for balancing out baggy bottoms and chunky platform sneakers like those you’ll find sold on Takeshita Street. Opt for baby tees with bold graphics and vivid patterns to express your personal interests through your outfit, like wearing your favorite anime character on your top. In Harajuku, you'll see plenty of young locals sporting these itty bitty tops with high-waisted pants or long maxi skirts which compliment the shape and size of their shirt, thus creating a balanced style. The beauty of teeny tops lies in their versatile ability to be both casual and chic. Pair them with cargo pants or a pleated school-girl skirt for a daytime look, or dress them up by wearing them underneath a spaghetti strap dress or paired with a long silky skirt for an evening out.
When selecting teeny tops, consider loose materials that are both comfortable and breathable, such as cotton or linen. These airy fabrics will help keep you cool when the humid temperatures in Tokyo begin to rise. Carry a light cardigan or jacket with you for layering in the cool early mornings and evenings.
Pleated Skirts
Pleated skirts are another must-have item for your Tokyo wardrobe, drawing inspiration from the traditional school-girl, seifuku style. In Tokyo, you'll find pleated skirts in a range of lengths, colors, and patterns, allowing you to mix and match with different tops and accessories.
For a classic look, opt for a knee-length pleated skirt in a neutral color like black, navy, or gray. Pair it with a crisp white blouse or a graphic tee for a nod to the traditional school uniform. If you're feeling more adventurous, choose a pleated skirt in a bold color or print and pair it with a simple top to let the skirt be the focal point of your outfit.
For footwear, consider pairing your skirt with Mary Jane clogs, ballet flats, or even sneakers for a more casual look. Accessories such as knee-high socks, hair ribbons, and academic accessories like a necktie or sailor collar can further enhance the uniform feel of your outfit, adding a touch of kawaii cuteness to this seifuku style.
Cargo Pants
Cargo pants are perfect for exploring Tokyo's urban forest, adding an element of street-style to your ensemble. With the added benefit of practicality, the numerous pockets lining cargo pants provide ample space for carrying essentials like your phone, wallet, and any trinkets you pick up along the way from the gachapon shops of Takeshita Street.
When choosing cargo pants, look for rugged styles that are both comfortable and durable. Lightweight materials like cotton-blend are ideal for the mild May weather. You can find cargo pants in a variety of fits, from loose and baggy to the more tailored and streamlined slim trouser-style. Pair them with a fitted top to balance out the volume of the pants and create a cohesive look.
Cargo pants can be dressed up or down depending on your plans for the day. For a casual, street-style look, pair them with a cropped tee and sneakers. If you're heading out for a night on the town, swap the tee for a shiny bodysuit and the sneakers for low heels comfortable enough to walk around in.
Professional Pops
Blending in with the salarymen of Tokyo's bustling business precinct is easy with a few professional pops incorporated into your Japan wardrobe. Tie in business-casual elements like button-down shirts, blazers, and popped collars to achieve a sophisticated smart look. In an additional ode to this style of workplace-appropriate attire, loafers, oxfords, or low-heeled pumps are typically the chosen footwear to accompany such outfits. Start with a crisp button-down shirt in a neutral color like beige and white or a simple print. Pair it with tailored trousers or a pleated skirt for an extra polished look, or add an interesting element of contrast by incorporating street-style into your lower half with cargo pants and long denim jean shorts. Another common element of modesty you’ll see in Tokyo is the pairing of these professional sleeved tops underneath tanks or dresses with thin spaghetti straps.
Colorful Kicks
With a healthy subculture of contemporary streetwear, it’s no wonder that Tokyo is a city which loves its sneakers–so a playful pair of colorful kicks are the perfect way to make your outfit pop! Choose sneakers in striking hues or unique colorways to stand out and showcase your personal style while exploring the trendy Shibuya streets.
Brands like New Balance, Adidas, and local Japanese brands like Mizuno offer a wide range of stylish and comfortable options with padded soles and breathable materials to ensure your feet stay supported. Coordinate your colorful kicks with laid-back ensembles or use them to add an unexpected element to a more polished seifuku or business casual look.
Braid Ribbons
Adding braid ribbons to your hairstyle is a small yet significant way to incorporate Tokyo's kawaii culture into your everyday style. This cute and playful accessory is perfect for keeping your hair off your neck in a neat updo, especially during the humid days of May. Braid ribbons come in various colors and patterns, allowing you to match them with your outfits and add a touch of whimsy to your look. To incorporate ribbons into your hairstyle, start by braiding your hair into classic braids, French braids, or even pigtails. Once your hair is braided, weave the ribbon through the braid, tying it off at the end with a charming and feminine bow. For an added edge, mix and match different ribbons to create a unique asymmetric look.
How I Styled Tokyo Outfits
Needing to pack four outfits for my late May trip to Japan, I wanted to go all-in embracing the eclectic styles the streets of Tokyo are home to, and I did my research in advance on Pinterest prior to shopping for my trip. While some of my curations were more or less streetwear I could wear in any urban environment, on my fourth and final day in the city I fully sent a seifuku style that I would never wear at home–but hey, when in Tokyo!
On the first day landing in Haneda Airport late in the afternoon, I really only needed to pull together a single evening look for our night out bar hopping in Golden Gai:
Centering my outfit around navy baggy cargo pants (~$50) from Tenshoppe LA, I looked to create a darker city look that would be nighttime appropriate yet not too formal for the dive bars we’d soon be visiting.
To ensure my outfit wasn’t overly baggy and still created a flattering figure, I topped off my outfit with an iridescent turquoise Velius Women's Deep V Neck Shiny Bodysuit ($23.99) from Amazon that I had previously purchased for a rave. The reflective nature of this top was perfect for the neon-lit streets and was the necessary statement piece to make my overall outfit pop.
To elevate this look, I opted for my low Tan Nubuck Steve Madden Women's Effie Heeled Sandals (~$80) from Amazon. The nude coloring kept the shoes relatively understated so my bodysuit could shine as the sole statement piece, and the square heel was quite sturdy and kept my feet comfortable during a long night on the town.
For the second day in the city visiting the Meiji Jingu shrine before racing across Shibuya Crossing in go-karts, I wanted to keep the street styles going by pairing:
White All Yours Cropped T-Shirt ($48) from Lululemon–while the minimal branding hides the fact that this is technically a piece of athleisure, the naturally breathable super-soft Vitasea fabric was much appreciated as the temperatures soared. The cropped, relaxed fit also kept this top from sticking to me and was cut above my waist to create a flattering hourglass figure
White YAHUIUL Cargo Pants Women ($14.99) from Amazon–continuing on with the cargo pant look but opting for a monochromatic white ensemble during the day, these casual loose parachute pants come with additional details adding visual interest like the cinch cord bottoms, fashion zip fly with button closure, and multiple pockets with structured folds tailored into the legs.
Women's 574 Core Nimbus Cloud with White Sneakers ($89.99) from New Balance–capping off my all-white ensemble with comfy lifestyle sneakers that are perfect to walk around in yet more stylish and refined then basic running shoes.
Freshwater Cultured Pearl Chain Necklace ($44) from Madewell–this thick, chunky gold chain was the ideal statement accessory to pop against my relatively understated outfit as an ode to the gold chains dominant in hip hop-associated streetwear. This was paired with more monochromatic accessories including the John Galt Black & White Shoulder Bag ($28) from Brandy Melville and black KUGUAOK Retro Rectangle Sunglasses ($6.99) from Amazon as dark pieces aligned with urban style to contrast my white clothes.
Since my third day in Tokyo involved traveling to the sacred Ryogoku Kokugikan to watch the May sumo tournament, I decided to wear a bit more of a refined, professional outfit including:
The Belted Fold Detail Top ($29.99) from NA-KD which features a linen outer lining and a removable self tie waist belt. This top is what I imagine a pair of pleated pants would look like if they were turned into a shirt, from the belt and subsequent loops to the crisp fold on top and structured peplum pleating. As such, this top conveys an aura of business attire while remaining fun and flattering–making it the perfect choice for my Tokyo wardrobe!
The sophisticated Black Belted Detail Midi Skirt ($54.99) from NA-KD. This midi skirt is tailored and features a belt detail with a buckle closure and front slit. Opting for a long skirt feels infinitely more sophisticated than simply pulling a regular pair of jeans, so this pop of professionalism was perfect for the refined environment.
Topping off this academic look was my pair of Steve Madden Landon Women's Flats & Oxfords in Denim Fab ($99.95). The denim fabric is a fun twist on traditional black loafers and becomes the visual centerpiece adding a pop of color to the all-black attire, while the bow tie detailing incorporates a hint of whimsy to these office-appropriate shoes. To add a touch of school-girl style, I wore these with white Ruffle Ankle Socks ($6) from Brandy Melville.
I accessorized with a pair of sharp black Prada PR A09SF butterfly sunglasses ($531) for a put together, womanly touch. My purse of choice was the Nico Bag Brown Distressed ($108) from Steven Madden as an edgier element to pull together this monochromatic dark look.
For my fourth and final day touring the Tokyo Tower, I went all out with an interpretation of the seifuku, school-girl style prominent in Japan:
Starting with a relatively neutral base, I wore the black Fine Knitted Bandeau Top ($13.49) from NA-KD. This cropped stretchy bandeau shirt is finely knit into a form fitting shape with a metallic, removable asymmetric brooch on the chest to elevate it beyond a basic tube top.
No school-girl ensemble would be complete without a pleated skirt reminiscent of academic uniforms, and to this regard I wore the Grey Pleated Mini Skirt ($39.99) from NA-KD. This A-line skirt features a mini length, a non-stretchy material and a pleated design with belt loops–which is about as standard as it gets when it comes to an academic institution uniform skirt!
Committing to this outlandish look from head to toe, I tied my hair into four ponytail braids complete with dainty ribbons on the ends of each. The majority of my silver spoon rings are from Ikaika Studios, which is my long-time favorite place to shop for finger candy.
Using another pair of the same white Ruffle Ankle Socks ($6) from Brandy Melville from the day before, I wore my silver studded black clogs with an even bigger belt buckle on each shoe (~$25), purchased from the By Colette boutique in Nice, France. The silver embellishments perfectly matched the asymmetrical brooch on my top, and both of these silver elements elevated the look into a quirkier ensemble than you’d see on the typical student.
