How to Decide the Best Time of Year to Visit Japan

Japan has a well-known affection for the change of the seasons, and for good reason. Each season has its own distinct characteristics and highlights, from summer festivals to the snowy scenes of winter. It’s fun to see the different sides of Japan and the culture that comes along with it.

So, depending on what you’re looking for out of your Japan trip, you might find that winter would be perfect but summer is not for you! Here we’ll look at an overview of the advantages and disadvantages of a trip to Japan in each season. Remember that weather can vary quite a lot between Japan’s northern and southern regions, so we’ll use Tokyo as a middle ground, but after getting an idea, be sure to look into more detail of the regions you’re interested in!

Japan in Spring (March-May) :

First up, spring. Spring is possibly the most thought-of season when it comes to Japan travel, largely due to the beautiful cherry blossoms that cover the country in a pastel pink. There’s no doubt that these blossoms make for wonderful pictures and fun memories of the country.

Other than the beautiful cherry blossoms, the good thing about a spring trip to Japan is the pleasant weather. In most parts of Japan, spring is the most reliably sunny time of the year, with low humidity and a temperature range of about 13-23°C in Tokyo. The cherry blossoms generally start blooming in late March in central and southern Japan, and mid-late April in northern Japan.

So why might you not want to visit in spring? Well, if you’re not good with crowds, it might not be the best time for you. According to tourism statistics, before the pandemic in 2018-2019, April was the most popular or second most popular month for international visitors to Japan. That, in combination with Japan’s love of the cherry blossoms, means that most famous cherry blossom spots are very crowded. Added to which, if you choose to visit a bit later, you might coincide with Golden Week (April 29-May 6), where everyone in Japan has the week off and is traveling the country.

In short, the country is very pretty and has good weather in spring but can be very crowded with tourists. To avoid the crowds, it’s best to go to spots further out of the big cities, or to find smaller parks and rivers with cherry blossoms. You could also visit in winter and catch the plum blossoms instead (see below)!

Japan in Summer (June-August):

Summer in Japan may not be a first choice for those who want to visit Japan’s main island, as it can get unbearably hot and humid. But it’s actually a very pleasant time to go further north.

The great thing about a summer trip to Japan is the lush greenery that covers the country. And while Tokyo and areas further south hit temperatures above 30°C, it is rare for northern areas like Hokkaido and Tohoku to get that hot. Hokkaido is a great summer destination because of its flower gardens like Tomita Lavender Farm, and the area is known for its dairy production, so you know you can get some good soft-serve ice cream up there! If you do choose to visit in summer, there are a lot of summer festivals and fireworks across the country, too.

But if you are looking for a beach holiday, or a visit to Tokyo, Kyoto, or anywhere further south, summer may not be the best choice. The rainy season tends to hit in June, and doesn’t end until early July, and on the days, it isn’t raining, it’s hot and humid! You can avoid the heat by visiting indoor spots, as the air conditioning is on everywhere, but it can be a dangerous time to stay outside for long due to the possibility of heat stroke.

Overall, summer is very hot in the southern regions of Japan, but beautiful and cooler further north. For a beach holiday, you would be better off visiting southern regions like Okinawa in spring or autumn.

Japan in Autumn (September-November) :

Autumn in Japan is arguably just as beautiful (if not more so) than spring. While early autumn marks typhoon season, late autumn is when the fall foliage starts to colour the country in varying shades of reds and oranges.

Visiting Japan in autumn is a great way to get pictures without the same crowds as cherry blossom season. A lot of Japan’s traditional architecture fits perfectly with the fall foliage, and it is a beautiful time to visit shrines and temples. The weather starts to cool off, so it’s no longer too hot to be outside. But it also doesn’t start dropping below 20°C until late October, then hovers around 10-17°C in November in Tokyo. Towards the end of autumn is onsen (hot spring) season, so you could even try an outdoor bath surrounded by the autumn leaves!

There aren’t many reasons against an autumn trip to Japan, except for the typhoon season in September. Late August to early September have the highest likelihood of seeing typhoons off the coast of Japan, which bring heavy rain and wind to most of the country. At best, it’s very rainy and unenjoyable, and at worst, it’s dangerous to go outside because of falling objects and flooding. Some years are better than others, and see barely any typhoon weather, but it can be a bit of a gamble.

Especially in October and November, Japan starts to come alive with gorgeous autumn colours across the country. You can line up your visit with an area that is currently experiencing the fall foliage by seeing when each region has its peak colours.

Japan in Winter (December-February):

Winter in Japan can get very cold, but it is also a time for beautiful wintery scenes in the crisp, cool air.

Visiting Japan in winter is a great time to experience a different side of the country’s customs and scenery. It’s one of the best times to get nice shots of the mountains, like the iconic Mt. Fuji, as visibility is very high and the skies are often clear. Around Christmas, there are lots of “illumination” light displays at various gardens and facilities that get you into the holiday spirit. It is also a great time to go skiing or see Japan in the snow in the north. While Tokyo and areas further south don’t see much (or any) snow, northern areas are covered in glittering white blankets, creating a whole new atmosphere in traditional and modern towns alike. This is also a great time to try Japan’s winter cuisine or visit an onsen bath.

The downsides to a winter visit to Japan are the shorter days, colder temperatures, and lack of greenery. Heating around Japan is generally very good, so being indoors is not usually an issue, but it can be bitterly cold outside which might make it more difficult to want to explore! January and February are the coldest months, reaching minus temperatures in Tokyo, and going into the minus 10s in Hokkaido (in °C).

Winter in Japan is an interesting time to visit and experience another side of Japanese culture, or go and visit some snowier towns up north. But it can feel too cold to go outside at times!

We hope we’ve given you some insight into what Japan is like at different times of the year, and helped you with your travel plans. If you want to know a bit more about the seasons, explore our blog and take a look at some of our other articles, like this one about the snow festival in Hokkaido!