When to go to Niihama
Seasons, a month-by-month table, local festivals and when Niihama is busiest.
Niihama’s coast has the mild, fairly dry climate of the Inland Sea; Tonaru, at 750 metres, is several degrees cooler and closed in winter. Plan around the mine road’s season and, if you can, the October festival.
Spring
The Tonaru road reopens in March. Cherry blossom at Minetopia in early April and the azalea roof of the Memorial Museum in May.
Summer
Hot on the coast, pleasantly cooler at Tonaru. The rainy season and typhoons occasionally close the mountain road.
Autumn
The best season: the Taiko Festival in mid-October, then autumn colours around the ruins from late October to mid-November.
Winter
Tonaru is closed from about December to February. Minetopia’s lower site, the museums and the hot spring stay open.
Niihama month by month
| Month | High / low | Rain | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 10° / 3° | 50 mm | ★★★ Fair |
| February | 11° / 3° | 65 mm | ★★★ Fair |
| March | 14° / 6° | 105 mm | ★★★ Good |
| April | 20° / 10° | 105 mm | ★★★ Best |
| May | 24° / 15° | 130 mm | ★★★ Best |
| June | 27° / 19° | 230 mm | ★★★ Good |
| July | 31° / 24° | 225 mm | ★★★ Fair |
| August | 33° / 25° | 100 mm | ★★★ Fair |
| September | 29° / 21° | 150 mm | ★★★ Good |
| October | 24° / 15° | 115 mm | ★★★ Best |
| November | 18° / 9° | 70 mm | ★★★ Best |
| December | 13° / 5° | 60 mm | ★★★ Fair |
Temperatures (°C) and rainfall are rounded long-term averages for this part of the prefecture, for orientation only — check a forecast before you travel.
Festivals & events in Niihama
- Early AprilCherry blossom at Minetopia
The valley site and the riverside are lined with blossom.
- MayAzaleas at the Memorial Museum
The museum’s sloping roof turns pink and red with around ten thousand azalea bushes.
- 16–18 OctoberNiihama Taiko Festival
More than fifty giant drum floats and their lifting contests, across the whole city.
- Late Oct – mid NovAutumn colours at Tonaru
The ruins framed by red and gold foliage — the most photographed weeks of the year.
Crowds & booking ahead
Outside the festival Niihama sees few tourists. The Tonaru bus tour can sell out on autumn weekends and in Golden Week, and the narrow road becomes slow when many private cars attempt it — another reason to take the bus.
Ready for Niihama?
Lock in a guide, a tasting or a day trip for Niihama now — most GetYourGuide bookings can be cancelled free up to 24 hours before.