HomeVideosTravel & TourismBest Time to Visit Japan: Find Your Perfect Travel Season

Best Time to Visit Japan: Find Your Perfect Travel Season

March and May are frequently cited as the finest months and best time to visit Japan because of the cherry blossoms and comfortable weather. However, Japan has four different seasons and is a popular travel destination all year round. Enjoy a range of picturesque landscapes and culturally diverse activities throughout the year.

However, additional elements like crowds and queues, seasonal prices, the weather, local events, and so forth may have an impact on the pleasures. To help you get the most out of your trip, we’ll suggest the best times to visit Japan based on these variables and your various travel requirements. Find out the specifics by reading on this article.

When is the Best Time to Visit Japan?

Traveling in the conventional tourist ‘peak season’ of spring and summer will still be quieter than visiting the hotspots in southern Japan because the region receives less visitors than the north and central parts of the country. April and October provide pleasant weather without the heavy summer rains that batter the south. Remember that the rocky island of Yakushima is cooler than the rest of the region if you intend to hike through its deep south. Although Yakushima’s woodlands are lovely all year round, hikers should prepare to layer from November to April because the island outpost remains cold for a large portion of the winter and spring.

The Best Time to Visit Japan for Nice Weather

The majority of respondents believe that spring and fall are the ideal seasons to travel to Japan. The weather is bright and nice at these times, which makes traveling abroad more enjoyable.

Furthermore, the majority of traditional activities take place during the two seasons, offering a fantastic chance to learn about local customs.

The Best Season to Travel to Japan for Warm and Refreshing Days Is Spring

March to April is the ideal time of year to visit Japan in the spring.

With highs of about 20°C (70°F) and lows of about 5°C (40°F), spring in Japan is often more pleasant than other seasons.

Warm clothing should still be prepared during this period, particularly in early March when northern Japan may still have snow on the ground.

Autumn: Japan’s Greatest Season for Sunny and Cool Days

September through November is the ideal time of year to visit Japan in the fall. Temperatures in September range from roughly 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F), and by November, they drop to highs of 14°C to 18°C (57°F to 64°F).

When combined with sunshine, its chill makes it ideal for going outside and taking in the rich autumnal atmosphere. In the morning, you’ll notice dazzling dew and red, yellow, and orange leaves covering the lakesides and woodlands.

The autumn schedule is also adorned with the internationally recognized Tokyo International Film Festival and the historically significant Fujiwara Matsuri. Autumn is the ideal season to visit Japan because, aside from the ongoing events, there are less tourists.

Japan’s Best Time to Go Based on Activities

With its various attractions and rich traditions, Japan offers a wide range of activities. Every activity embodies the history, way of life, and well wishes of the area.

Therefore, it’s a good idea to schedule your trip to Japan around seasonal events. This is a great opportunity to gain more knowledge about Japanese customs and culture.

The Best Time to See Cherry Blossoms in Japan

Fuji mountain and cherry blossoms in spring, Japan.
Fuji mountain and cherry blossoms in Japan -Freepik

The greatest time to visit Japan to see the cherry blossoms is from March to May, when the scenery is at its most picturesque. Traveling to Japan during the spring or Easter break is ideal because they often reach their peak bloom from late March to early April (March 24 to April 2).

The week before full bloom, which is roughly March 16–23, is the ideal time to visit Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka if you want to avoid the big crowds and take advantage of somewhat cheaper costs. The view is nearly as beautiful as it is when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, even if some trees have not yet opened their blossoms.

The northernmost region of Japan, Hokkaido, is a great place to visit if you want to enjoy the cherry blossoms from April to early May with less tourists and cheaper prices. Additionally, it is the ideal location for experiencing indigenous Japanese culture. Sapporo’s cherry blossoms are most beautiful from mid- to late-April (April 15–20).

The Ideal Season to Attend Festivals in Japan

The majority of Japanese holidays have something to do with mythology, history, regional traditions, or cherry blossoms. Therefore, the best time of year to visit Japan is only a few days before local activities start whether you are interested in the events there or want to see the beauty of the cherry blossoms.

Cherry blossom festivals that emphasize cherry blossom appreciation, picnics, and performances, such as the Ueno Sakura Matsuri and the Maruyama Park Sakura Matsuri, are highly recommended.

The Kanda Matsuri, which takes place in mid-May and is one of Tokyo’s three main Shinto festivals together with the Sanja Matsuri (Sanja Festival) and the Sanno Matsuri, is well worth seeing. It provides a chance to look for good fortune as well as an insight into Tokyo’s rich cultural past.

Don’t miss the Sapporo Snow Festival if you love winter. It’s well-known for its local Hokkaido food vendors, ice and snow sports competitions, and concerts.

Other traditional Japanese celebrations also consist of:

  1. A significant summer event, the Fujisan Kaizen Climbing Ceremony takes place in June in Shizuoka City, Japan.
  2. In July, Kyoto celebrates Gion Matsuri, which includes float parades and shrines.
  3. In July, Hakata Gion Yamakasa hosted a float competition in Kyushu.
  4. Hundreds of enormous lantern displays can be seen during the August Akita Kanto Matsuri.
  5. In October, Nagasaki hosts the Nagasaki Kunchi Festival, which features taiko performances and dragon dances.

The Best Times to Go to Japan to Avoid Crowds and Save Money

Japan’s least crowded season is winter. With the exception of Christmas and New Year’s, winter (December to February) is thought to be the most affordable period to go to Japan. The average daily high during this time is 10°C (50°F), and it is dry and cool. With fewer tourists and less travel expenses, it’s not too cold to go outside.

You won’t have to stand in long lines whether you go skiing in Sapporo, go to Hokkaido’s Sounkyo Ice Waterfall Festival, or visit the hot springs at Kusatsu or Kurokawa. It’s also easy to reserve motels or traditional Japanese inns at affordable rates because it’s the off-season.

Steer Clear of Japanese Holidays and the Busiest Travel Times

The best time to visit Japan, however, is to avoid the busiest months, such as March and April, if you don’t have time in the winter or nearby. Even if the weather is nice throughout these two seasons, people travel from all over the world to see the cherry blossoms.

Additionally, steer clear of the four main Japanese holidays: the New Year holiday, which falls between late December and January 3rd; Golden Week in May; Obon in mid-August; and Silver Week in mid-September. The Japanese may take vacations on these dates during these four times. Traffic is frequently heavy, food and lodging prices are significantly higher, and tourist attractions will be packed.

Month-By-Month Travel Guide to Japan

January is Ideal for Hokkaido’s Powder Shredding

If you know what “Japanuary” means, you’re certainly aware of the incredible amounts of snow that make Hokkaido, an island in northern Japan, a snowboarder’s and skier’s dream. Snow that is absolutely fluffy, deep, and worthy of a story is brought across the Sea of Japan by chilly Siberian winds every winter. With so many ski resorts in Japan, your first trip there won’t be your last once you see powder like this. Get us a seat on the elevator!

Traveling to Japan in February

In northern Japan, the ski season peaks in February. Days are often bright, dry, and cool throughout the nation, and many attractions are not as crowded as they would be during other times of the year.

Festivals & Events

As part of the Sapporo Snow Festival, massive ice and snow sculptures are erected in the heart of Odori Park and engulf Sapporo for a week in early February.

March is Ideal for Shinkansen Day Trips

If you’re too early for the cherry blossom season, March is an excellent time to board a shinkansen, or bullet train, and go on various day trips from Tokyo. Bullet trains have become somewhat of a celebrity in Japan due to their incredibly high speeds, dependability, and efficiency. It takes less than three hours to travel securely from Tokyo to Kyoto or Osaka, and four hours to travel to Hiroshima. April has moderate temperatures, averaging 57°F, which makes sightseeing enjoyable.

Traveling to Japan in April

As the trees farther north begin to bloom, this is the best time to see the cherry blossoms. Although the blossoms are lovely and offer a magnificent experience, you should expect heavy traffic everywhere you go during this time, and accommodation prices will also rise.

Festivals & Events

  • Northward, the cherry blossoms spread across Japan’s mainland.
  • The Takayama Matsuri, one of the top three most beautiful festivals in Japan, takes place in Takayama’s old town and features street parades of floats and shrines.

May is Ideal for the Hectic Golden Week Celebrations

Golden Week, which includes four national holidays (Shōwa Day, Constitution Day, Greenery Day, and Children’s Day), is observed in Japan during the first week of May. During this time, residents take advantage of the pleasant spring weather by taking some time off from work and school. Many museums, parks, and other sites offer free admission during Golden Week. 

Additionally, there will be some genuine traditional events, like as the flying of carp kites, or koinobori, on Children’s Day. Although traveling at this time is undoubtedly thrilling, it can also be busy, expensive, and hectic, albeit unforgettable, so you might want to think about taking a trip at the end of the month. 

Going to Japan in June

In most places of Japan, it usually rains during this hot and muggy time of year. As a result, the plants and trees are at their most colorful, and Japanese gardens are especially lovely.

July is Ideal for Beach Getaways With a Memorable Backdrop

July is an excellent time to take a quick flight (or boat journey) to one of the nearby islands in Japan because of the humid weather in the metropolis. The rains had subsided by July, and although a beach trip may not immediately spring to mind when one thinks of Japan, summertime tourists will be rewarded with an abundance of swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing opportunities. 

After all, Japan is an island nation! With more than 100 white sand beaches, turquoise waters, and a tropical temperature that lasts for more than half the year, Okinawa Prefecture will make you feel as though you’re living in a screensaver.

Festivals & Events

  • Kyoto hosts the most well-known festival in Japan, the Kyoto Matsuri, which originated as a religious rite to please the gods in the ninth century. Throughout the month, enormous floats are paraded through the streets, but on July 17th, they are at their most spectacular.
  • The Awa Odori is held in Tokushima on Shikoku Island during the seventh lunar month as a component of the Obon Festival to honor the deceased. In colorful costumes, musicians and dancers swarm the streets.

Traveling to Japan in August

August is a busy time for domestic travel because it’s the school vacations, and festivals continue all around Japan. Hokkaido has cooler, more agreeable weather than the rest of the country, which is typically hot and muggy.

Festivals & Events

The Awa Odori is held in Tokushima on Shikoku Island during the seventh lunar month as a component of the Obon Festival to honor the deceased. In colorful costumes, musicians and dancers swarm the streets.

September is Ideal for Stimulating the Body, Mind, and Appetite in Beautiful Weather

In Japan, the end of summer means good weather and less tourists, making it the ideal time to get in a cultural and physical workout. With such a varied scenery, you may walk, ride, and kayak your way across the nation. You can also work out your body on the well-known Shimanami Kaido cycle path, your mind in the stunning city of Tokyo, and your appetite with mouthwatering ramen in Onomichi. Although September is Japan’s typhoon season, your vacation plans are unlikely to be impacted because typhoons rarely make landfall. Temperatures normally remain around 75°F.

October is Ideal for: Savoring the Harvest’s Bounty.

In Japan, the harvest season begins with the arrival of fall, making it the ideal time to go on a culinary tour. You may see farmers harvesting rice, persimmons, chestnuts, and Japanese pears on your way from Tokyo to Osaka. Many farms let you participate by letting you pick your own vegetables! The Takayama Autumn Festival, Japan’s third largest celebration, takes place in the Takayama region, which is famous for its sake brewers and Hida-gyu (Hida wagyu cattle). Each year, thousands of people come together to celebrate the successful harvest with a parade featuring elaborately adorned floats, dances, and marionettes. 

Visiting Japan in November

In mainland Japan, now is the best time to see the vibrant foliage. In addition to the lovely, temperate weather, traveling is generally more quieter during this month.

December is Ideal for an Unusual and Unforgettable Holiday Season.

Greetings from the glittering silver season in Japan! Cities will be illuminated throughout December to commemorate the joyous holiday season, and in the country’s northern regions, snow may fall to finish off your winter paradise. Despite not being a traditional Japanese holiday, Christmas has grown in popularity over the years, and locals celebrate by dining at—you guessed it—KFC! Do like the locals do and have a Kentucky fried meal while taking in the breathtaking light displays if you want to vary up your holiday customs. It will undoubtedly be a memorable holiday season.

What time of year is ideal for traveling to Tokyo?

With temperate weather (beyond the worst of winter), Tokyo is a popular travel destination all year round, however June and September may see a lot of rain. An escape from the masses that swarm the city in May, average temperatures of 57°F, and less precipitation than the summer are all features of April. Naturally, Tokyo is always quite crowded because it is the world’s most populous metropolis. Don’t dismiss the busy summer months of June, July, and August just because they’re over; there are plenty of celebrations and festivals to enjoy.

What time of year is ideal for visiting Kyoto?

With temperatures rising in May and continuing to rise until September, Kyoto experiences a lengthy summer. The busiest travel seasons are summer and late spring, just like in Tokyo. The ideal months to visit Kyoto are October through March if you want to avoid the throng. Nevertheless, wintertime can be a little, well, dead. However, October is a wonderful choice because it’s still a decent time to wear jeans and a light jacket, with fewer people and less rain.

What Time of year is Ideal to Travel to Japan to Witness the Cherry Blossoms?

Although extremely crowded, Japan’s cherry blossom season is a breathtaking time to travel there. With a little earlier bloom time in the south than in the central and northern regions, these blush-colored flowers start to appear in the spring. For instance, Tokyo experiences its peak in the middle of April, whereas Nagasaki and Hiroshima occasionally have full bloom within the first week of the month. The majority of flowers typically open by mid-May, even in northern locations such as Sapporo. 

In conclusion, Arrange Your Trip to Japan

To sum up, the best time to visit Japan depends on a number of factors, including the budget, crowd size, festival activities, and the seasonal environment. As an alternative, you can worry-free communicate your needs and interests to us for a customized trip itinerary.

Thousands of tourists have already benefited from Japan Highlights. Find authentic evaluations of Highlights Travel Family’s top-rated service on reliable websites.

FAQ

Which is the best month to visit Japan?

The best time to visit Japan is during the spring (March to May) or autumn (September to November) months. 

Is 1 lakh enough for a Japan trip?

A Japan trip on a ₹1 lakh budget is tough but doable with smart planning, budget stays, and discounted travel options.

What is peak season in Japan?

Japan’s peak tourist season is from March to May, and again from September to November. 

Which month not to go to Japan?

June to August is the worst time to visit Japan. It is summer and very hot, with average high temperatures around 31°C (88°F) and feels-like temperatures reaching 41°C (106°F)

Also Read: 

Best National Parks to Visit in the US

David William
David William comes from an Engineering background, with a specialization in Information Technology. He has a keen interest and expertise in Web Development, Data Analytics, and Research. He trusts in the process of growth through knowledge and hard work.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Most Popular

Recent Comments