Typhoon season overview
Japan's typhoon season runs roughly from July to October, with September being the peak month. Typhoons can bring heavy rain, strong winds, and transportation disruptions. However, they typically only directly affect a given area for 1-2 days, and most of the season has perfectly fine weather.
What gets cancelled?
Outdoor baseball games at Jingu, MAZDA Stadium, Koshien, etc. may be cancelled or postponed. J-League matches at outdoor stadiums may be postponed. Indoor sports (B.League, SV.League) are almost never affected by typhoons. Dome baseball (Tokyo Dome, Kyocera Dome, PayPay Dome, Vantelin Dome) continues regardless of weather outside.
When do they decide?
Cancellation decisions are usually announced 2-4 hours before game time. Check the team's official website and Twitter/X account. Some teams announce the previous evening for daytime games. Games are rarely cancelled for just rain โ it usually takes a typhoon warning or severe weather advisory.
Refund policies
Cancelled games: tickets are typically refunded or exchanged for a rescheduled date. Rain-delayed games that start: no refund if the game is completed (even shortened). Each team has specific policies โ check their website.
Planning tips
Book dome stadium games as backup options if your outdoor game gets cancelled. Have a flexible itinerary during September. Check weather forecasts 3-5 days ahead on weather.yahoo.co.jp or the Japan Meteorological Agency. If a typhoon is approaching, use the day for indoor activities and reschedule sports for after it passes.
The silver lining
Post-typhoon days often have beautiful clear skies. Rescheduled games sometimes have easier ticket availability. And dome stadiums are completely unaffected โ Tokyo Dome during a typhoon is a surreal experience of calm inside while storms rage outside.