Japan climate zones

Climate zones in Japan, 1991 to 2020

Share of Japan's classified land in each Köppen-Geiger zone in 1991 to 2020. Zones under 0.05% are left out. The 541,991 map cells used cover 99% of the country's outline (about 368,052 km²).

By major group: C (temperate) 55%, D (cold (continental)) 45%, A (tropical) 0.2%.

Cfa, humid subtropical, is the main climate of Japan, covering 55% of its classified land in 1991 to 2020, with Dfb (warm-summer humid continental) next at 30%. In plain terms, humid subtropical means hot, humid summers and mild winters, with rain all year. Under the middle-of-the-road scenario (SSP2-4.5), 31% of its land is projected to be in a different zone by 2071 to 2099, with the biggest gain going to Cfa (humid subtropical).

How Japan's zones have changed and may change

Each row compares a map with 1991 to 2020. "Share in a different zone" is the share of the country's area whose class is different from 1991 to 2020. Future rows are model projections under an emissions scenario, not forecasts.

For the past row, the comparison runs the other way: the 1901 to 1930 map against 1991 to 2020.

Zone shares by map

Percentages are of the country's classified land in each map. A dash means under 0.05%.

Cities in Japan and their climate zones

Zones found in Japan

• Cfa Humid subtropical
• Dfb Warm-summer humid continental
• Dfa Hot-summer humid continental
• Dfc Subarctic (boreal)
• Af Tropical rainforest
• Cfb Temperate oceanic

All countries · All climate zones