Best Time to Visit Japan

• High Season: April - May, September - December
• Low Season: January - March
• All Seasons: April - May (spring), June - August (summer), September - December (fall), January - March (winter)
• The best time to visit Japan is between March-May, and September - November. This is when the weather is at its best throughout the country.
• If you want to go hiking in Japan’s several mountain ranges, or to Hokkaido’s beautiful parks, June to August is the best time for you to visit, as the weather will be perfect for hiking!
• If you are traveling to Japan in September, keep an eye on the weather reports, as this is typhoon season in the country.

Japan is a country with endless enthusiasm, timeless beauty and plenty of things to do. It’s an ultra-modern country that still nurtures its millennium-old tradition, making it a country like no other. No matter what season you visit Japan in, there will definitely be a lot of exciting things awaiting you.

Generally, the best season to visit Japan is between April and May, and September - December. April to May is the peak tourist season in the country, as the weather in Japan is incredible during these months, and it is also the cherry blossom season. There will be a lot of crowds, so you will have to book your tickets well in advance.

Between September and December, the weather is mild and temperate, and the crowds thin out for major parts of the season. The fall foliage will make the country look stunning, especially the national parks in Hokkaido. September is typhoon season, so you should be careful if you’re traveling to the coast during this period.

There are a lot of activities awaiting those traveling in summer (such as trekking and mountaineering) and winter (skiing) as well.

April to May — Spring / High Season

Spring is the best time to travel to Japan. The weather in Japan is stunningly pleasant, and there are white and pink cherry blossoms blooming all across the country. There is little rainfall, especially if you are traveling around Tokyo, but it is not completely unbearable. In many ways, this is the peak season in Japan, with a lot of demand for accommodation and travel during these months, so make sure you get your tickets well in advance.

• Avg. Temperature: 50 – 70° F / 10 – 21° C (in Tokyo)
• Rainfall: 119 – 132 mm
• Season: Spring
• Highlights: You should definitely not miss out on hanami (cherry blossom) viewing during these months - as it is the highlight of the season. Hokkaido is rather beautiful towards May as well. Japa goes on holiday for a whole week during these months- known as “Golden Week”. It takes place from April 29 - May 5, so a lot of Japanese people will be traveling around this time. Expect some businesses to be closed, and the transport to be busy during this week! You should definitely not miss the ethereal Takayama Matsuri festival, held in Takayama, in April.

In-depth month-wise guides:
Japan in April
Japan in May

June to August — Summer / Shoulder Season

Summer in Japan can be hot and humid, with a lot of rainfall. The high rainfall means that the gardens and parks will look especially lush during these periods, but you should definitely carry your umbrella around everywhere you go. Overall, this is not when to visit Japan if you want to hit the coast. September is peak typhoon season, so keep your ears open for any storm warnings if you are traveling in September, especially to Okinawa, or the southern coast.

• Avg. Temperature: 64 – 84° F / 18 – 29° C (in Tokyo)
• Rainfall: 128 – 181 mm
• Season: Summer
• Highlights: There are a lot of festivals held in summer. July is when to visit Japan if you want to climb Mount Fuji, which is most accessible during this month. The world-famous Kyoto Matsuri festival, which has been held since the 9th century, takes place in July and is an event you should not miss. Another unique festival is the Awa Odori, held on Shikoku Island. This festival happens between July and August, and is a part of the Obon Festival, held to honor the dead. If you cannot handle the summer heat, you can head to the Japanese Alps, Tohoku, or Hokkaido during these months!

In-depth month-wise guides:
Japan in June
Japan in July
Japan in August

September to December — Fall / Good Season

Fall is exceptionally beautiful in Japan, especially in the mountains and in the national parks when the fall foliage takes over. The weather also begins to cool down from the summer, and the rain begins to taper down as well. The skies are usually clear during these months but expect some scattered rains. October and November are the busiest months of the fall, so expect some crowds around this period. If you want to enjoy the fall colors, or Koyo, without crowds, early December is your best bet.

• Avg. Temperature: 39 – 79° F / 4 – 26° C (in Tokyo)
• Rainfall: 44 – 181 mm
• Season: Fall
• Highlights: Hokkaido’s national parks are stunning during the fall months, as the changing foliage provides stunning views you will not find elsewhere in the world. You could also head to Kyoto for some stunning views, especially at the Higashiyama district. Every few years, there is a five-day national holiday called Silver Week, held at the end of September - check-up and see if this will change your holiday plans before you make your travel itinerary.

In-depth month-wise guides:
Japan in September
Japan in October
Japan in November
Japan in December

January to March — Winter / Low Season

Winter in Japan can be incredibly cold, with temperatures dipping to 30° F. Tokyo itself gets quite cold, but it is cooler in the mountains, where there will be a lot of snowfall. This is the low season in Japan, and there are fewer tourists in the winter than in any other season.

• Avg. Temperature: 36 – 54° F / 2 – 12° C (in Tokyo)
• Rainfall: 43 – 84 mm
• Season: Winter
• Highlights: There are a lot of options for those visiting Japan in winter. Both Hokkaido and Japan Alps have great ski slopes that are amazing during the winter months. These are some of the best places to visit in Japan during this time. You can also visit a Japanese onsen (a hot spring): the most pleasurable experience you can have during the cold winters! Sapporo’s Snow Festival will be a unique place to visit as well. Around Christmas and New Year’s Eve, a lot of the accommodation might get sold out, and many places may close down as well.

In-depth month-wise guides:
Japan in January
Japan in February
Japan in March

If you are not sure when to visit Japan, get in contact with our local travel experts. They can advise you to create a perfect travel itinerary tailor-made according to your preferences.