JMA Explorer – Japanese Climate Data
JMA Data Overview
Japan’s observing network is built for fast-changing, high-impact weather. This explorer brings Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) station records into one interface so you can study temperature, precipitation, wind, humidity, and other variables across the archipelago.
Because Japan stretches from subarctic Hokkaido to subtropical Okinawa, JMA data is especially useful for comparing sharply different local climates at 10-minute, hourly, and daily resolution.
Use the interactive explorer
Choose a station, then inspect how conditions change from one event to the next.
About this Data
This dashboard provides access to the extensive meteorological archives of the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA). Japan’s unique geography—stretching from the subarctic Hokkaido to the subtropical Okinawa—creates one of the most diverse and dynamic climate systems in the world. The JMA’s observation network is legendary for its density and precision, particularly in monitoring extreme weather events like typhoons and heavy rainfall.
Through Climate Explorer, you can access this authorized open data to visualize:
- Temperature Extremes: Monitor urban heat islands in Tokyo or winter freeze conditions in Sapporo.
- Heavy Precipitation: Accurate rainfall intensity data, essential for analyzing flood risks and landslide potential in mountainous regions.
- Wind Dynamics: Detailed wind speed and direction data, critical for coastal safety and typhoon tracking.
- Humidity: Relative humidity measurements that support agriculture and heat stress indices.
Unique Value: Event-Scale Weather in a Mountainous Island Nation
Standard climate datasets often smooth out the details. By offering 10-minute resolution data, this tool reveals the “hidden” structure of weather events. You can observe the exact moment a weather front passes, the peak intensity of a downpour, or rapid wind shifts during a storm. This high-frequency data is indispensable for:
- Disaster Prevention: Detailed analysis of historical disaster events.
- Infrastructure Design: Engineering buildings to withstand local peak wind loads.
- Climate Adaptation: Understanding how observation trends are shifting at a granular level.
How to use this tool
- Map Navigation: The map shows active JMA stations across Japan. Click a marker to select it.
- Find Station: Use the station search control in the sidebar to jump directly to a location by name.
- Filter by Date: Unlike other datasets, JMA stations have varying operational periods. Use the Date Range filter to find stations that were active during your specific year of interest (e.g., 1990-2000).
- Visualize: Once a station is selected, the Dashboard immediately loads interactive line charts and wind roses. Switch to the Data tab to inspect the numeric values.
This explorer uniquely supports 10-Minute high-resolution data, alongside standard Hourly and Daily resolutions. Use the resolution selector in the sidebar to switch between modes. Note that valid 10-minute data coverage varies by station and historical period.
For Europe-wide near real-time hourly observations, see the EuroMeteo Explorer.
Need more help? View the full JMA User Guide for detailed instructions.
Data source
- Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA): https://www.jma.go.jp/jma/indexe.html.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) do?
The JMA is the national weather service of Japan. It is responsible for providing high-quality meteorological records, weather forecasts, and issuing critical warnings for natural disasters, such as typhoons, earthquakes, and tsunamis.
Why is 10-minute resolution data important?
Japan experiences rapid and severe weather changes, especially during typhoon season. 10-minute interval data is crucial for capturing the precise peak wind gusts and the sudden onset of heavy localized rainfall (“guerrilla rainstorms”) that daily or hourly statistics might miss.
Does this include historical data?
Yes. Depending on the specific station, the JMA open data archive includes historical climate observations going back several decades. Use the Date Range filter in the sidebar to search for stations that were active during specific historical periods.
Is it possible to download the Japanese climate data shown here?
Yes! After selecting your desired station, temporal resolution (Daily, Hourly, or 10-Min), and date range, you can switch from the Plots tab to the Data tab in the dashboard. There, you’ll find an export button to download the data as a CSV file.
Browse featured JMA pages
Quick links to curated Japanese station pages from the JMA explorer.