Whether planning a beach holiday in Okinawa, a cold escape to Hokkaido, or a photo trip to capture cherry blossoms in Tokyo, the ideal time to visit Japan entirely depends on your travel plans.
Since the nation offers an infinite variety of events and celebrations all year, there is never a poor time to go. However, you need to schedule your vacation carefully if you want to go shrine hopping in Kyoto, witness the pink colors of cherry blossoms, or take in the fall scenery. When making travel plans, take into consideration the following tourism seasons.
- High Season: September to November and March to May
- Shoulder Seasons: December and June to August
- Low Season: March to January
Choose the best time for cherry blossoms in japan by using this information.
Best Times to Visit Japan for Smaller Crowds
It should come as no surprise that the busiest travel season is during the Sakura season (late March to April), when visitors worldwide flock to Japan to see the cherry blossoms. Domestic travelers also benefit from Golden Week, which occurs from the end of April to the beginning of May and consists of four national holidays in Japan. Stay away from going during that period as trains, lodging, and tourist attractions are frequently full or highly congested. Autumn foliage is a popular attraction, especially between mid-October and early November when the leaves are most vibrant.
Plan your trip during the rainy season, which usually starts in June and lasts until mid-July, if you want to escape the crowds. Even though there may be some humidity and drizzle around this time, it’s one of the most significant times to see the well-known tourist attractions without the crowds. Japan is also more tranquil between January and March, so it’s the ideal time to combine sightseeing with onsen trips and snow activities.
Best Times to Visit Japan for Good Weather
Japan is not a very big country, but its weather varies remarkably. The warm islands of southern Okinawa look worlds away from the frigid winters experienced in Hokkaido’s northernmost tip. Except for Okinawa, where showers start in early May, most of the country—including Tokyo—experiences the rainy season from early June to mid-July. On the other hand, summertime in Hokkaido delivers pleasant weather and clear skies.
March through May and September through November are usually the most excellent weather in the nation if you’re not hitting the slopes. Visitors can observe the picture-perfect cherry blossoms or the vibrant autumn foliage at that time of year. These seasons are marked by minor to moderate rainfall, bright skies, and comfortable daily temperatures between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
For those who don’t mind the heat and humidity, summertime in Japan offers a distinct pace. This is the finest time of year to explore the outdoors; ideally, go as far north or somewhere cool on a mountain. In the summer, Hokkaido’s lusher, cooler climate is a veritable paradise, with rainbow-hued flower fields and abundant outdoor pursuits, including horseback riding and hiking.
While Hokkaido, the northernmost prefecture, is unquestionably the best spot to ski or snowboard in the winter, lovely alpine resorts outside of Tokyo, like Niigata, are just a Shinkansen trip away. To experience a more subtropical environment, it would be ideal for those who would rather be warm to travel south to Okinawa in the winter.
Best Times to Visit Tokyo Disneyland
Generally speaking, the most pleasant seasons to visit Tokyo Disneyland are spring and autumn. Weekends and national holidays should be avoided, especially Golden Week, one of the theme park’s busiest times. July and August can be sweltering, making it hard to enjoy outdoor attractions. However, January and February are less preferred because they rarely get above 50 degrees.
Mid-September to early December is a great time to visit because of the nice weather, fewer people, and seasonal events. Halloween-related events and spooky décor can be enjoyed in the weeks preceding Halloween. With its Christmas at Tokyo Disney Resort programming, which debuts in November, the theme park welcomes the holiday season with enchanting parades; characters decked out in festive attire, and endearing decorations that counteract the chill in the air.
Best Time to See Japan for Cherry Blossoms
Remember that the dates of the cherry blossom blooms fluctuate based on the weather, so plan your trip to Japan during the busiest time of year. The nation closely monitors and reports on the cherry blossom front, which begins in January in Japan’s southernmost tip and gradually moves northward. In Kyoto, Tokyo, and the surrounding areas, the latter week of March to the first week of April are frequently the most significant times to see cherry blossoms. And what about cities further north, like Sapporo? Pink will be seen at least in May.
Best Times to Visit Japan for Food Lovers
Though it’s seasonal, Japan is a fantastic year-round visit for foodies. Therefore, to avoid missing anything, it’s good to find out when to visit if you have a favorite Japanese dish or ingredient. Light and refreshing sōmen noodles, kakigōri shaved ice, and succulent unagi (eel) are summertime treats; matsutake mushrooms, sweet potatoes, and sanma (Pacific saury) are heavenly in autumn; nabe hot pots, citrus fruits, and kaki (persimmon) are wintertime favorites; and sea bream, takenoko (bamboo shoots), and sakura mochi rice cakes are synonymous with springtime.
Best Times to Visit Japan for Lower Prices
Although Japan has a reputation for being an expensive travel destination, there are certain seasons when it is less costly. You can discover discounts on travel and lodging between January and March, which is considered the low season. If you want to save money, it’s advisable to skip the beginning of January because prices tend to increase over the holiday season, especially around New Year’s.
During the busiest cherry blossom season in late March and early April, prices increase again and stay high all spring and summer. Choose September or October for your vacation if you want the best chance of finding affordable lodging and pleasant weather.
