Best Time to Visit Japan
Find the Best Time to Visit Japan with Our Month by Month Japan Guide
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Are you planning to visit Japan but not sure in which month or season?
There are four seasons in Japan, and besides the popular tourists attractions that most of visitors go throughout the year, the country offers a plenty of seasonal attractions that can be enjoyed only for a limited time of the year.
In this article, I’d like to share the best things to do in Japan in each month and season, so you can find out when the best time to visit Japan is for you! Check out our travel guide in Japan by season with the best attractions in Japan and travel tips in each month.
-When is the best time to visit Japan?
In case you are wondering “When is the best time to visit Japan?” or “What season is the best in Japan?”, the answer very much depends on what to you want to see or experience in Japan as each season offers different attractions and charms.
Japan has four distinct seasons and each one roughly lasts 3 months: Spring (March to May), Summer (June to August), Autumn (September to November) and Winter (December to February). Each season in Japan offers great tourist attractions and fascinating scenery, such as splendid cherry blossoms in spring, spectacular fireworks in summer, colourful leaves in autumn and magical snow festivals in winter.
Also, before your trip, it is highly recommended to check several things, such as what time of the year is the busiest or least crowded, what is the cheapest or most expensive time of the year, and what the weather is like in each month. So please read below, introducing the best things to do in Japan in each season and month as well as some useful travel tips.
Spring in Japan
Spring in Japan is synonymous with cherry blossoms, fresh greenery, colorful flowers, and pleasant weather. It is also a season of new life and new beginnings for students and working adults. The average temperature in Tokyo is between 12 and 20 degrees, and there are many days with clear blue skies.
The cherry blossom season typically runs from late March to early April, which is arguably the peak travel season in Japan as many international tourists flock to the country to capture the splendid scenery of pastel pink cherry blossoms. The Golden Week, a collection of four consecutive national holidays, also falls in the last week of April and the first week of May, making one of Japan’s busiest holiday seasons alongside the New Year’s and Obon holidays.
During these periods, sightseeing spots, hotels and transport across Japan can get very busy. If you wish to avoid the peak crowds and prices in spring in Japan, early March and mid to late May are usually the least crowded.
Here we will briefly introduce the highlights of each month in Japan in spring.
-Best Things to Do in March
March presents the start of spring in Japan. While it is still chilly at the beginning of the month, temperatures gradually warm up. Mid to late March is one of the busiest periods for tourism in Japan, as the cherry blossom season begins and lasts for about 1-2 weeks until early April. Therefore, airfare and hotel rates may be higher than other months.
March is also the last chance to enjoy winter sports in Japan. Although it is the beginning of spring, it is still cold in the northern and mountainous areas of Japan, and most ski resorts remain open until the end of March.
Check out the best things to do and top attractions in Tokyo and Japan for this month:
▶ Best Things to Do in Tokyo in March
▶ Best Things to Do in Japan in March
-Best Things to Do in April
April is warm, crisp and sunny, making it the perfect month to visit Japan. It can be windy on some days and the temperature can drop at night, so bring a warm jacket, especially if you plan to go out to see the cherry blossoms at night.
Starting from mid March, the peak tourism period continues until early April, and popular cities like Tokyo and Kyoto can get very crowded. The splendid scenery of cherry blossoms can be enjoyed both day and night. If you miss the peak blooming time of cherry blossoms, there are still chances to see them in the northern part of Japan. In Hokkaido, for example, the best time to see cherry blossoms is usually from late April to early May.
Along with cherry blossoms, a variety of colorful flowers start to bloom in April, and flower festivals are held in many flower fields and gardens across Japan.
In the tropical islands of the south, Okinawa’s beach season starts earlier than most parts of the country during this month.
Check out the best things to do and top attractions in Tokyo and Japan for this month:
▶ Best Things to Do in Tokyo in April
▶ Best Things to Do in Japan in April
-Best Things to Do in May
May is another great month to travel Japan with its warm and sunny weather. Spring flowers and fresh greenery spread across the country and some of the most popular flower festivals take place during this month, including Fuji Shibazakura Festival, Hitachi Seaside Park Nemophila Harmoney and Ashikaga Flower Park Wisteria Festival. Late blooming cherry blossoms may still be captured in some places in northern Japan in early May.
It’s a great season for outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling and mountain climbing. The scenic Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is open from mid April, and the spectacular snow wall “Yuki no Otani” can be seen until the end of May before the snow melts.
May is the season for matcha (green tea) products and a wide variety of matcha products are sold in late spring to early summer, including matcha flavour sweets and snacks, and matcha dessert buffets and afternoon teas. There are several tea plantations around Mt Fuji where you can see the spectacular scenery of the deep green colour of the tea leaves and snow capped Mt Fuji.
From the end of April to the beginning of May is Japan’s Golden Week. This is a long holiday when most Japanese people have time off, so everywhere gets very crowded and hotel and flight prices tend to be higher than usual.
Check out the best things to do and top attractions in Tokyo and Japan for this month:
▶ Best Things to Do in Tokyo in May
▶ Best Things to Do in Japan in May
-Summer in Japan
Summer is a very exciting season as the temperature rises and the whole country gets into a festive mood. Many events are held across the country, such as fireworks festivals, traditional summer festivals and music festivals.
Summer in Japan is very hot and humid. The intense heat can make it uncomfortable to go outside on some days, and there is a risk of heatstroke. The average temperature in Tokyo is 25-30°C, but in July and August it can exceed 35°C. To protect yourself from the strong sunlight, it is recommended to wear light clothing such as T-shirts, shorts, sandals, and hats. Don’t forget to apply sunscreen when going out. Beaches and pools are popular places to cool off from the extreme heat.
Summer is generally the high season in Japan with the school summer holidays usually starting from mid July to the end of August. Beaches and amusement parks in particular tend to be crowded everywhere, and resorts and hotels see an increase in prices during this time. Mid August is the Obon holiday (5–7 days), which is the peak travel season in Japan, along with the Golden Week and New Year’s holidays. The low season during summer is June and early July, which also happens to the rainy season in Japan. Although it may rain quite often, yet you may avoid the crowds while travelling.
Here we will briefly introduce the highlights of each month in Japan in summer.
-Best Things to Do in June
June marks the start of summer and the rainy season (Tsuyu in Japanese) in Japan. It’s warm and pleasant, but humid and rainy from the middle of the month to early July. It’s the off season for tourism, so it’s a great month to travel for those who wish to avoid the crowds and save money on flights and hotels.
One of the main attraction in June is hydrangea flowers, which is a symbol of the rainy season. Kamakura City is especially famous for hydrangea, and has several amazing viewing spots including temples. Even if it’s raining, there are many ways to have fun in Japan. There are a wide variety of indoor activities, including museums such as teamLab’s digital art museums, indoor amusement parks such as Harry Potter Studio Tour Tokyo, shopping malls, cultural activities and more.
Two of the best travel destinations in Japan in June are Hokkaido and Okinawa. Being the northernmost land of Japan, Hokkaido does not have a rainy season, so you can enjoy a cool, dry and comfortable climate while the rest of Japan is wet and humid. Okinawa also has a rainy season, but it is a month earlier than the rest of Japan, so the rainy season ends around early June, after which there are many sunny and hot days, making it the perfect season for the beach.
Check out the best things to do and top attractions in Tokyo and Japan for this month:
▶ Best Things to Do in Tokyo in June
▶ Best Things to Do in Japan in June
-Best Things to Do in July
The rainy season usually lasts until the beginning of July, but once ends, the hot and festive Japanese summer begins. Some days the temperature exceeds 35°C, and just being outside can be uncomfortable and sweaty, so be sure to stay hydrated and take precautions against UV rays.
The beach season officially kicks off in July in most parts of Japan, with beach houses offering food, drinks and rental facilities. The most popular beach destination in Japan is the Okinawa islands which has an abundance of beautiful beaches and beach front resorts. There are also many nice beaches near Tokyo, such as the Shonan area and the Izu Peninsula. Aside from beaches, swimming pools are also open for a limited time during the summer.
Numbers of summer festivals and fireworks festivals take place in July, including Tanabata Festival, Tokyo Sumida River Fireworks Festival and Kyoto Gion Matsuri. The biggest music festival, Fuji Rock Festival is held over the last weekend of July every year, featuring some of the world’s greatest artists.
The official climbing season of Mt Fuji begins on 1st July, and the mountain attracts hundreds of thousands of climbers during the season. Kamikochi in Nagano Prefecture is also the popular place for summer getaway.
Check out the best things to do and top attractions in Tokyo and Japan for this month:
▶ Best Things to Do in Tokyo in July
▶ Best Things to Do in Japan in July
-Best Things to Do in August
August is the hottest month of the year, with temperatures in Tokyo exceeding 30°C and high humidity. Some days can be extremely hot, making it unsuitable for outdoor activities or sightseeing and risking heatstroke, but indoor spots such as aquariums, indoor amusement parks, and museums offer cooler, more comfortable conditions. Many cities also offer a variety of night activities after the sun goes down, such as bar-hopping, observation decks, nighttime pools and beer gardens.
The festive summer continues with a number of traditional festivals and fireworks festival held across the country such as Nebuta Matsuri Festival in Aomori and Awa Odori Festival in Tokushima. Summer Sonic, another big music festival alongside Fuji Rock Festival, takes place in Tokyo and Osaka in mid August.
With school holidays continuing, it is one of the busiest times of the year for tourism. There is also the Obon holiday (5-7 days) in mid August, a period to remember and mourn deceased ancestors. People usually return to their hometowns to spend time with their families, or travel domestically or internationally. As a result, transport and roads become very congested, accommodation prices become higher, and rooms tend to be fully booked.
Check out the best things to do and top attractions in Tokyo and Japan for this month:
▶ Best Things to Do in Tokyo in August
▶ Best Things to Do in Japan in August
-Autumn in Japan
Autumn is the second most popular season in Japan after spring as most of international tourists visit the country to enjoy colourful autumn leaves with the mild weather, which is similar to spring. Autumn leaves can be indulged across the country, starting from northern and mountainous regions, and gradually moving to the southern regions as the temperature drops. One of the most significant difference between autumn leaves and cherry blossoms is their viewing time. While the full blooming time of cherry blossoms lasts typically a week, autumn leaves can be enjoyed for a couple of weeks, making it easier for tourists to plan their trips.
The weather is still like summer in the beginning of September, but from mid to late September, the temperature usually drops and it becomes dry, with the average temperature in Tokyo being between 12 and 20°C. As in spring, recommended outfits are light jackets and long-sleeved tops.
Autumn is considered as the season for harvest and appetite in Japan, and there is even a term to describe it “Autumn Appetite”. There are numbers of food events held across the country during autumn which may attracts foodie travellers.
End of September is the Silver Week, which is consecutive national holidays (usually shorter than the Golden Week). Popular sightseeing spots get busy as well as he prices of accommodation can increase.
Here we will briefly introduce the highlights of each month in Japan in autumn.
-Best Things to Do in September
September is the end of summer/beginning of autumn. It’s a great month to experience both seasons. In Hokkaido, the leaves start to change colour in early September while you can still enjoy the summer heat and beaches in Okinawan islands. It may be too early to see autumn leaves in most parts of Japan, but September offers several spots to enjoy natural scenery, such as red spider lily fields and cosmos fields.
As the summer holiday season is over, September is a much quieter month for tourism compared to previous months. The scorching hot summer months finally come to the end, bringing a sense of relief, but this month is typhoon season and the second most rainiest month in Japan after June. Several numbers of typhoon could pass through the country, which can cause some disasters and major impacts on transportation during a trip.
Numbers of fun events are held in Japan during this month, including the traditional Kishiwada Danjiri Matsuri, Tokyo Game Show and Halloween events including Universal Studios Japan and Disneyland. Although not as long as the Golden Week, the consecutive holidays from mid to late September may cause some crowds, high occupancy of accommodations and heavy traffic.
Check out the best things to do and top attractions in Tokyo and Japan for this month:
▶ Best Things to Do in Tokyo in September
▶ Best Things to Do in Japan in September
-Best Things to Do in October
In October, the weather is warm and dry, making it one of the most pleasant and comfortable months to travel Japan. As the temperature drops down, the leaves on the trees gradually turn warm colours of red, orange and yellow. This month is the best time to enjoy autumn leaves in the northern and mountainous areas, such as Tohoku region, Nikko, Hakone and Nagano. Mountains and national parks are top destinations for autumn leaves hunting.
There are a lot of events held across Japan in October. Several autumn flower festivals are held, such as Kochia Carnival at Hitachi Seaside Park and Sengokuhara Pampas Grass Festival in Hakone. As autumn is described as the season of appetite in Japan, many food events also take place across the country, including Tokyo Ramen Festa, Oktoberfest and autumn themed afternoon tea.
The most celebrated event in October in Japan today is Halloween, which has become notoriously big and wild over the past decade. Numbers of Halloween events are held across the country during the season, including Universal Studios Japan and Tokyo Disney Resort.
Check out the best things to do and top attractions in Tokyo and Japan for this month:
▶ Best Things to Do in Tokyo in October
▶ Best Things to Do in Japan in October
-Best Things to Do in November
As autumn draws to a close, November can be a bit chilly in most parts of Japan, but it’s still comfortable to go outside. It’s the best month to view autumn leaves as they can be enjoyed in many places across the country including cities. Shrines, temples, gardens and parks are particularly popular and tend to be crowded during the season. Autumn leaves festivals are also held in many locations, such as Lake Kawaguchiko, Showa Memorial Park and Mt Takao.
Kyoto is a top destination for autumn leaves viewing. The combination of autumn leaves and historical buildings is breathtakingly beautiful. At some temples and shrines, night viewing of illuminated autumn leaves can be enjoyed. Along with cherry blossoms, it is the busiest time to visit Kyoto. However, unlike cherry blossoms, the best time to see autumn leaves is longer, lasting 2-3 weeks, so they don’t get too crowded in a short period of time.
One of the biggest attractions during winter, winter illuminations start at many locations across Japan in November, including cities as well as amusement parks such as Ashigara Flower Park in Tochigi, Nabana no Sato in Mie and Huis Ten Bosch in Nagasaki.
Check out the best things to do and top attractions in Tokyo and Japan for this month:
▶ Best Things to Do in Tokyo in November
▶ Best Things to Do in Japan in November
-Winter in Japan
Winter in Japan is cold and dry, which is totally opposite to the hot and humid summer. The average temperature in Tokyo is around 3 to 10℃, and warm clothes such as coat, scarf, gloves and boots are recommended. January and early February are the coldest time of the year. It’s the perfect time of the year to visit a onsen town and warm up in a hot spring bath. There are hundreds of Onsen spots across the country, such as Kusatsu, Hakone and Atami.
It’s the most popular season for winter sports enthusiasts as Japan’s ski resorts such as Niseko in Hokkaido and Hakuba in Nagano Prefecture draw skiers and snowboarders from all over the world. There are several great ski resorts you can visit from Tokyo for a day trip, too.
Another amazing way to enjoy snowy Japanese winter is snow festivals, which are mostly held in the northern part of Japan during winter, including Sapporo Snow Festival. Also romantic winter illumination events are held across the country. Japanese winter will never let you down.
Unlike Western countries, Japan does not have a Christmas holiday. Instead there is a New Year’s holiday from the end of December to beginning of January, during which most Japanese people spend the holiday by visiting their families. During this time, you should expect congestion on traffic and high occupancy of accommodations, as well as some irregular opening hours for many establishments including shops, restaurants and tourist attractions.
Here we will briefly introduce the highlights of each month in Japan in winter.
-Best Things to Do in December
Winter arrives in most areas in Japan in December. While colourful autumn leaves can still be enjoyed in some places at the beginning of the month, snowfall begins in the northern part and mountain areas in Japan, and the official season for ski and snowboard kicks off in these regions.
Major cities like Tokyo are decorated with Christmas lights and decorations, and winter illumination events are held across the city, such as Shibuya Blue Cave, Roppongi Hills and Tokyo Midtown as well as Christmas markets.
New Years Holiday from the end of December (around 29–30 December) to the beginning of January (3–5 January). During this period, hotels tend to be fully booked and have higher room rates, and the public transportation gets crowded. In addition, some of facilities and tourist attractions (museums, amusement parks, shops, parks, etc) may be closed or operate with irregular opening hours.
From the evening of 31 December through 1 January, countdown events are held in many locations across Japan, including Universal Countdown Party at Universal Studios Japan and countdown cruise at Tokyo Bay.
Check out the best things to do and top attractions in Tokyo and Japan for this month:
▶ Best Things to Do in Tokyo in December
▶ Best Things to Do in Japan in December
-Best Things to Do in January
January is mid winter and the coldest month in Japan. The average temperature in Tokyo is a maximum of 8–10°C and a minimum of 1–3°C, with heavy snowfall in the northern part of the country causing temperatures to drop below zero.
Winter activities such as skiing and snowboarding are one of the biggest attractions in the country this month, and ski resorts in Hokkaido and Nagano are especially popular. The unique sights like the snow monkeys at Jigokudani Monkey Park also attract many tourists. The splendid scenery of winter illuminations can be still enjoyed this month, even after the Christmas season.
January is also an important month in Japan. January 1st is New Year’s Day, and the end of December to the beginning of January is the New Year holidays, when families gather together, visit shrines for hatsumode, and celebrate the new year. Some shops and restaurants may be closed during the New Year holidays. The New Year sales are also a big event if you love shopping, which usually take places from 1st to 3rd January, offering massive discounts.
Check out the best things to do and top attractions in Tokyo and Japan for this month:
▶ Best Things to Do in Tokyo in January
▶ Best Things to Do in Japan in January
-Best Things to Do in February
February brings with it cold, dry weather, making it the best season for playing in the snow. Several spectacular snow festivals (yuki matsuri) are held in the north during this month, including the famous Sapporo Snow Festival in Hokkaido, Kamakura Snow Festival in Akita and Juhyo Lightup in Yamagata. Skiers and snowboarders may enjoy the best quality of the powder snow in February.
The strawberry season starts in January/February in Japan. A wide variety of strawberry products can be indulged, such as strawberry dessert buffets and afternoon tea, using Japanese strawberries known for being sweet, juicy, large and plump. Many greenhouse farms in Japan also offer strawberry picking.
With winter in Japan drawing to an end, in February you can enjoy signs of spring, such as the early-blooming cherry blossoms at the Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival and the plum blossoms at Suzuka Forest Garden and Inabe Plum Grove ahead of the cherry blossoms.
Check out the best things to do and top attractions in Tokyo and Japan for this month:
▶ Best Things to Do in Tokyo in February
▶ Best Things to Do in Japan in February
-What is the best time of year to visit Japan weather wise?
The most comfortable season to travel Japan is spring and autumn. The weather is sunny and dry in many days with the temperature around 20℃, unlike the extremes of summer and winter. On top of the pleasant weather, both seasons offer some of Japan’s best attractions: cherry blossoms and autumn leaves.
To find out which season is for you, check out our comparison of spring and autumn here ▶ Japan Spring vs Autumn
-What month is the least crowded in Japan?
As Japan is now one of the most popular travel destinations, popular tourist spots are always crowded these days. In particular, everywhere can be very crowded at certain times of the year, which can increase the prices of flights and accommodation. If you want to travel during less crowded times, try to avoid the following peak travel periods in Japan:
-New Years Holiday (1 week from end of December to early January)
-Cherry Blossom Season (around 2 weeks from late March to early April)
-Golden Week (around 1 week from late April to early May)
-Obon Holiday (5–7 days in mid August)
-Silver Week (around 5 days in mid September)
You can avoid the crowds by traveling during Japan’s low season. The least crowded times of the year are mid-January to early March, June, and early to mid-September. During these periods, tourism in Japan is usually quiet and flights and accommodation are also cheaper.
Which season do you think is the best to visit Japan? Each season has its own unique scenery and attractions, so if you’re traveling to Japan, be sure to check them out in advance and plan your trip accordingly! For more information about each season in Japan, please check following articles!
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Written by
"The world is my oyster" A globetrotter 🌎 and hammock lover 🌞 who loves taking adventures to fuel wanderlust. Born and raised in Japan, I have spend almost a decade living and exploring countries across the world. Based on my travel experience, I'd love to share my knowledge and tips for travelling with my readers. I hope my stories help you plan your trip and have a great time in Japan 🌈
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