Capital city, Japan
Air quality in Tokyo
Moderate
The annual average PM2.5 in Tokyo was 10.8 µg/m³ in 2019, about 2.2 times the WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³. Air is usually clean; cedar pollen in Feb–Apr hits many visitors with hay fever, so bring antihistamines.
Key facts
- PM2.5: 10.8 µg/m³ yearly average (2019). Measured at Tokyo.
- Nitrogen dioxide: 28.7 µg/m³ (2019), mostly from traffic.
- Recent average: 11.9 µg/m³ over the last five years of measurements.
PM2.5 by year
| Year | Annual average |
|---|---|
| 2019 | |
| 2018 | |
| 2014 |
Air quality across Japan
| Place | PM2.5 | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Okinawa | 6.3 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Sendai | 7.3 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Sapporo | 7.9 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Osaka | 9.4 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Nagoya | 9.4 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Tokyo | 10.8 µg/m³ | Moderate |
| Kyoto | 10.8 µg/m³ | Moderate |
| Yokohama | 10.9 µg/m³ | Moderate |
| Kamakura | 10.9 µg/m³ | Moderate |
| Hiroshima | 11 µg/m³ | Moderate |
| Kobe | 11 µg/m³ | Moderate |
| Fukuoka | 12.7 µg/m³ | Moderate |
| Naoshima | 14 µg/m³ | Moderate |
| Kagoshima | 14.3 µg/m³ | Moderate |
Quick answers
Is the air in Tokyo bad?
Moderate: 10.8 µg/m³ of PM2.5 on average, 2.2× the WHO guideline.
When is the air worst in Tokyo?
Air is usually clean; cedar pollen in Feb–Apr hits many visitors with hay fever, so bring antihistamines.
How does Tokyo compare with the rest of Japan?
People in Japan breathe 11 µg/m³ of PM2.5 on average (2023, World Bank/WHO), against 10.8 µg/m³ measured here.
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Sources
- WHO Ambient Air Quality Database
- WHO air quality guidelines (2021)
- Live air quality map (WAQI)
- Tokyo Metro
- Haneda Airport
- Narita International Airport
- GO taxi app
- St. Luke's International Hospital
Annual averages are measured values reported to the WHO; check a live map for today's air. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.