Best time to visit in Japan

Peak Season: Late March to Early May and October to Early December

• Weather: Spring is pleasant (15°C–20°C), while late autumn is cool and dry (10°C–17°C).
• Travel Conditions: Excellent, with all attractions and transport fully operational.
• Best Places to Visit: Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and scenic spots like Mount Fuji and Nikko.
• Crowd Levels: Very High. Expect queues at major shrines. Note: Late April to early May is Golden Week is when local travel the most.
• Things to Note:  Spring is the most expensive time to visit Japan. Book 3 to 6 months early. Keep your plans flexible since cherry blossom dates can shift by a few days.

Shoulder Season: Mid-May to June and September

• Weather: Rising temperatures, around 30°C and above; mostly dry with occasional short showers.
• Travel Conditions: Excellent for sightseeing and outdoor activities; generally dry with fewer weather issues.
• Best Places to Visit: Northern Japan (Hokkaido), Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Okinawa.
• Crowd Levels: Moderate with fewer tourists than in peak seasons.
• Things to Note: Book hotels early if visiting popular spots, especially Kyoto and Tokyo. Spring bloom timing can vary by a week, and autumn leaves slightly vary by region.

Off Peak Season: January to Early March and Mid-July to August

• Weather: Jan/Feb are cold (0°C to 10°C in Tokyo, sub-zero in the North). July/Aug are sweltering and humid (30°C–35°C+).
• Travel Conditions: Quiet for sightseeing; indoor activities recommended in summer afternoons due to heat. Winter is perfect for skiing and winter festivals.
• Best Places to Visit: Hokkaido, Nagano, and northern resorts for skiing, snow festivals, and hot springs. Hokkaido for mild weather and lavender fields. 
• Crowd Levels: Low in winter except during the New Year week. Low to moderate in summer except around school holidays and major festivals.
• Things to Note: Winter daylight hours are shorter. Some mountain routes are closed due to snow. Summer humidity can be tiring, especially for outdoor sightseeing. Off-peak Japan Tour Packages offer good value.

Which Season is best for Your Trip?

Families

Honeymooners

Budget Travellers

Adventure lovers

Best Time Based on What You Want to Do

For Cherry Blossoms

• Cherry blossoms bloom from March to May, with the best time being late March to early April in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. 
• Tokyo blooms in late March, Kyoto in early April, and Hokkaido from late April to early May. The flowers only last about a week, so plan to stay several days in each city. 
• Southern Japan blooms first, then moves north. 
• Book hotels 3-6 months early since this is the busiest time.

For Snow and Skiing

• January and February are the peak ski months with the best snow.
• Hokkaido and northern Japan get heavy snowfall and have famous ski resorts and winter festivals.
• The best powder snow is from December to March.
• This is the perfect time for skiing, snowboarding, and relaxing in outdoor hot springs.

For Beaches and Islands

• Summer is popular for the beaches, especially Okinawa. 
• June to September is best for swimming and water sports. 
• Hokkaido has the mildest summers. 
• Okinawa has warm weather year-round with a longer beach season. 

For Mount Fuji Visibility

• July is one of the best months to climb Mount Fuji.
• The climbing season is only from July to early September.
• For viewing Mount Fuji from far away, the clearest views are in winter (December to February) because the air is dry.
• Early morning gives the best visibility.

For Hot Springs 

• Soaking in an Onsen is great year-round, but it feels magical in the colder months. 
• December to February is perfect for outdoor hot springs surrounded by snow while sipping hot sake. 

For Theme Parks (Tokyo Disneyland and Universal Studios Osaka)

• Spring and autumn are the most comfortable times to visit, with pleasant weather.
• Go between March - May and September - November for all-day outdoor fun.
• To enjoy the rides without waiting in 2-hour lines, you must avoid weekends and Golden Week (late April/early May).
• Weekdays are quieter.
• Winter has fewer crowds but can be cold, and some outdoor rides may be closed.

Japan Weather by Month and Region

Tokyo and Mount Fuji Region

• Jan to Feb: Cold and crisp (0°C–10°C). The sky is clearest now, making it the best time to see Mount Fuji in Japan.
• Mar to Apr: Sakura Season. Late March brings cherry blossoms; April is mild and pleasant.
• May to June: Warm, lush, and pleasant, great for sightseeing. The rainy season begins. Expect cloudy skies, occasional showers, and lower visibility of Mt. Fuji.
• July to Aug: Hot and humid (35°C+). Climbing trails for Mt. Fuji are open.
• Sept to Oct: Early September can have typhoons; October is cool, dry, and comfortable.
• Nov to Dec: November has stunning autumn leaves. December is cold but festive.

Osaka, Kyoto and the Kansai Region

• Jan to Feb: Cold but quiet; good for visiting temples without crowds.
• Mar to Apr: Peak cherry blossom season. Crowds are heavy; early April is best for full bloom.
• May to June: May is warm; June is hot, humid, and rainy.
• July to Aug: Very hot and humid. Best to plan indoor activities.
• Sept to Oct: Early September may be stormy; late October is excellent for hiking and autumn scenery.
• Nov to Dec: Best time for fall colors; Kyoto turns bright red in late November.

Hokkaido

• Jan to Mar: Very cold (-10°C in some areas). Peak snow season; perfect for skiing and snow festivals.
• Apr to May: Spring arrives late. Cherry blossoms finally bloom in early May.
• June to Aug: Mild and mostly dry (~25°C). Hokkaido avoids the main rainy season, though light showers may occur. Ideal for hiking, outdoor activities, and visiting lavender fields in Furano.
• Sept to Oct: Autumn comes early with golden leaves. First snow falls by late October.
• Nov to Dec: Ski resorts start opening. Winter sets in.

Okinawa Islands

• Jan to Feb: Too cool for swimming (18°C), but great for whale watching.
• Mar to Apr: Summer starts early. Beaches open in late March.
• May to June: Rainy Season hits here early (mid-May to mid-June).
• July to Aug: Tropical paradise. Best for snorkeling and sun.
• Sept to Oct: High typhoon risk. Flights are frequently delayed.
• Nov to Dec: Warm and pleasant (22°C). A quiet, sunny escape.