If you haven't been to Japan before, one of the things you may notice is that the seasonal variations are very pronounced. In the winter, cold dry air masses from Siberia move down to Japan and meet the warmer moister Pacific air. The result is heavy snowfall on the western side of the Japan alps. Snowfall on the eastern coast (where Okazaki City is located) is much less, and the main determinants of climate become elevation or distance from the sea.

If you are from northern Europe or any other cold climate, then the winter will be very mild but the heat of summer may feel oppressive. The reverse applies if you are from a tropical or warm weather climate. All of our classrooms, accommodation & ancillary facilities are equipped with air-conditioning and heating to make it easier for you to concentrate on your studies.

In Okazaki City, winter is usually milder with only occasional snow (about 4 dustings per year - melting within a few hours), though it can be cold. If you come from a warm climate such as Australia or Singapore please ensure that you either bring good warm clothing or that you budget for purchases in Japan. Summers in Okazaki City are hot and humid though less so than Tokyo, Kyoto or Osaka due to Okazaki's proximity to the sea. If you come from a temperate or cold climate you will feel the heat. Light loose cotton clothing, shorts and suitable footwear are required. Yamasa's dress code is casual - dress for your own confort.

Travel: Be prepared. The city of Kyoto for instance is freezing cold in winter and extremely humid in summer due to the city's location in a natural basin where breezes do not blow freely. If you are planning to travel during the winter to mountain locations such as those in Nagano, or participate in a HCJS study option in Sapporo in Hokkaido, please ensure you are adequately equipped. Some of Japan's cities have particularly severe micro-climates. Please ensure that you bring with you a range of clothing. Most of our students will visit Tokyo at least once, either privately or on one of the weekend tours. The average winter temperature of Tokyo is actually colder than Reykjavik in Iceland - no matter where you are from - you will feel cold if you visit Tokyo during the winter.

The average temperature in Okazaki City rises and falls sharply during the course of the year. Light cotton clothing is essential during the summer. In the winter you are advised to bring warm clothing. The summer peak temperatures are a little lower than Tokyo and Kyoto (where the yearly seasonal change is very pronounced) - mainly due to the sea breezes coming from nearby Mikawa Bay, especially in the afternoons and evenings. The Mikawa region (eastern Aichi prefecture) and neighbouring Shizuoka prefecture are said to have the most temperate climates in Japan - however all things are relative.

The rainfall chart shows the average rainfall/snowfall in each month for the past 15 years. As you can see, due to the milder winter there is little snowfall in Okazaki City. The wettest months tend to be in early summer (the rainy season known as "tsuyu") and again in September when typhoons are often accompanied by heavy rains. Spring and Autumn have less rain on average and this combined with the weather makes it a good time to visit. For short course students, the 'best' time to visit may be Spring or Autumn.

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