All Countries
Weather & Climate in Ōtsu, Japan
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Ōtsu enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 57°F (14°C). Winters average 37°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. The area gets 222 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 63.0 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The city sits at an elevation of 430 feet.
Temperature
37°F Jan (3°C)
77°F Jul (25°C)
| Annual Average | 57.0°F |
| 6% above US avg | |
| January Average | 37°F (3°C) |
| July Average | 77°F (25°C) |
| Sunny Days | 222 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 430 ft (131 m) |
| Area | 179.2 sq mi (464.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,926/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.0000°N, 135.8667°W |
| Timezone | Asia/Tokyo |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Earthquake History
426 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.9.
| Jan 16, 1995 | 8 km S of Akashi, Japan | M6.9 | 90 km | 22 km |
| Apr 11, 1990 | 11 km ENE of Maizuru, Japan | M6.1 | 65 km | 362 km |
| Jun 1, 1998 | 17 km SW of Owase, Japan | M5.8 | 119 km | 399 km |
| Aug 7, 1992 | 21 km N of Miyazu, Japan | M5.8 | 104 km | 358 km |
| Apr 12, 2013 | 6 km WNW of Sumoto, Japan | M5.8 | 118 km | 14 km |
| Aug 20, 1999 | 22 km SE of Kainan, Japan | M5.7 | 117 km | 66 km |
| Mar 16, 1997 | 5 km NE of Toyokawa, Japan | M5.6 | 145 km | 36 km |
| Nov 18, 2013 | 25 km SE of Toba, Japan | M5.6 | 131 km | 328 km |
| Oct 30, 2000 | western Honshu, Japan | M5.5 | 84 km | 35 km |
| Jun 17, 2018 | near the south coast of western Honshu, Japan | M5.5 | 29 km | 10 km |
| Aug 1, 2007 | 42 km ESE of Owase, Japan | M5.5 | 140 km | 371 km |
| Apr 21, 2000 | 27 km NNE of Maizuru, Japan | M5.5 | 82 km | 347 km |
| Sep 24, 2003 | 5 km WNW of Ayabe, Japan | M5.4 | 71 km | 372 km |
| Aug 26, 2010 | 25 km ENE of Katsuyama, Japan | M5.4 | 149 km | 278 km |
| Jan 11, 2001 | 15 km E of Tottori, Japan | M5.3 | 143 km | 33 km |
| May 9, 2022 | 7 km NE of Toba, Japan | M5.3 | 107 km | 329 km |
| Jan 6, 2004 | 36 km S of Ise, Japan | M5.3 | 120 km | 33 km |
| Jan 30, 1996 | 67 km NNE of Miyazu, Japan | M5.2 | 134 km | 361 km |
| Apr 22, 1998 | 18 km SE of Hikone, Japan | M5.2 | 53 km | 33 km |
| Apr 15, 2007 | 11 km ENE of Ueno-ebisumachi, Japan | M5.1 | 40 km | 16 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
47 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 4.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2023 | Lan | Category 2 | 75 mph | 145 km |
| 2019 | Hagibis | Category 2 | 92 mph | 258 km |
| 2018 | Jebi | Category 3 | 98 mph | 61 km |
| 2018 | Trami | Category 1 | 92 mph | 138 km |
| 2018 | Cimaron | Category 1 | 86 mph | 115 km |
| 2018 | Jongdari | Category 1 | 81 mph | 126 km |
| 2017 | Lan | Category 1 | 98 mph | 216 km |
| 2017 | Noru | Category 1 | 69 mph | 132 km |
| 2015 | Nangka | Category 1 | 81 mph | 265 km |
| 2014 | Phanfone | Category 1 | 86 mph | 144 km |
| 2012 | Jelawat | Category 1 | 92 mph | 281 km |
| 2011 | Roke | Category 3 | 98 mph | 149 km |
| 2011 | Ma-on | Category 1 | 86 mph | 194 km |
| 2009 | Melor | Category 1 | 86 mph | 130 km |
| 2008 | Sinlaku | Category 1 | 75 mph | 192 km |
| 2007 | Fitow | Category 1 | 81 mph | 274 km |
| 2005 | Mawar | Category 2 | 86 mph | 239 km |
| 2004 | Ma-on | Category 4 | 92 mph | 236 km |
| 2004 | Songda | Category 1 | 81 mph | 276 km |
| 2004 | Chaba | Category 1 | 69 mph | 168 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tsunami History
11 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 11.3 m (37 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1927 | SW. HONSHU ISLAND | Eruption + Earthquake | 11.3 m | 3,022 | 96 km |
| 1510 | OSAKA BAY | Earthquake | 2.0 m | - | 62 km |
| 1909 | ANEGAWA, JAPAN | Earthquake | 1.8 m | 41 | 59 km |
| 1945 | TOKAIDO | Earthquake | 1.0 m | 2,306 | 126 km |
| 1995 | KOBE, JAPAN | Earthquake | 0.3 m | 6,434 | 86 km |
| 1791 | OASAKA BAY | Earthquake | - | - | 70 km |
| 1726 | KATSUYAMA | Earthquake | - | - | 145 km |
| 1666 | AICHI PREFECTURE | Earthquake | - | - | 85 km |
| 1586 | ISE BAY | Earthquake | - | 8,000 | 85 km |
| 745 | OSAKA BAY, JAPAN | Earthquake | - | - | 68 km |
| 701 | SEA OF JAPAN | Earthquake | - | - | 89 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
3 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Hakusan (152 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Hakusan | Stratovolcano | 2,702 m (8,865 ft) | 1659 | 152 km |
| Ontakesan | Complex | 3,067 m (10,062 ft) | 2014 | 177 km |
| Norikuradake | Stratovolcano(es) | 3,026 m (9,928 ft) | -50 | 196 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 37°F (3°C) | 2.3 in | Coldest |
| February | 38°F (3°C) | 2.8 in | |
| March | 43°F (6°C) | 4.3 in | |
| April | 54°F (12°C) | 5.8 in | |
| May | 62°F (17°C) | 6.1 in | |
| June | 69°F (21°C) | 9.3 in | Wettest |
| July | 77°F (25°C) | 8.6 in | |
| August | 79°F (26°C) | 6.0 in | Warmest |
| September | 71°F (22°C) | 8.0 in | |
| October | 61°F (16°C) | 4.8 in | |
| November | 51°F (10°C) | 3.0 in | |
| December | 42°F (5°C) | 1.9 in | Driest |
Ōtsu has a seasonal temperature swing of 42°F / from 37°F in January to 79°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 62.9 inches, with June being the wettest month (9.3") and December the driest (1.9").