Best Time of Year to Visit Japan

Seasonal Planning for Japan Travel

Japan is a country you can enjoy year-round, but spring and fall are especially popular for first-time visitors. The country bursts into color from March to May with cherry blossoms drawing travelers to Tokyo and Kyoto for hanami (flower-viewing) picnics and seasonal festivals. The weather is generally mild, making exploring temples, gardens, and city streets a comfortable time. From mid-September to November, the landscapes shift into warm shades of red and gold. Crisp, clear days make it perfect for sightseeing (with fewer crowds), and destinations like Kyoto's temples, Nikko, and the Japanese Alps are at their most beautiful.

If you're looking for a different kind of adventure, summer and winter also have their appeal. June through August can be hot and humid in the cities, but it's a fantastic season for mountain hikes, colorful festivals, and lavender fields in Hokkaido. From December to February, travelers head to Hokkaido and Nagano for world-class skiing and snowboarding, while onsen towns across Japan offer a cozy escape. Winter illuminations in major cities also add a festive glow to the season.

Japan has four general regions with different climates: 

• Hokkaido / Northern Honshu
• Central Honshu
• Western Honshu / Shikoku / Kyushu
• Okinawa

For ideas on Japan trip-planning, check out these tours and itineraries. 

Spring in Japan (March to May)

Spring is sakura season in Japan when cherry blossoms bloom across the country. They start in the south in Kyushu and work their way up north, finally blooming around early May in Hokkaido. The weather is quite variable in spring, and if you're lucky, you can see snow falling on cherry blossoms. 

The pleasant weather and the beautiful flowers make this the most crowded time to visit Japan, especially on the main island of Honshu. it's crucial to book accommodation, transport, and even meals in advance during this season, as many hotels, trains, buses, and restaurants will be fully booked. If you have your heart set on seeing the cherry blossoms but don't want to be in a massive crowd, you can choose to visit sights during off-peak hours or go a bit off the beaten path; virtually everywhere on the four main islands of Japan has amazing cherry blossom viewing spots.

• Hokkaido / Northern Honshu. It often snows in Hokkaido until April or early May, with temperatures in Sapporo averaging 52°F (11°C).
• Central Honshu. Peak travel season with heavy crowds. Daytime temperatures in Tokyo and Kyoto are around 55°F (13°C).
• Western Honshu / Shikoku / Kyushu. Kyushu sees the first cherry blossoms of the season, usually in mid-March. Fukuoka temperatures are around 60°F (15°C).
• Okinawa. Spring is a great time to visit Okinawa, although some may prefer ocean swimming with a wetsuit. Naha temperatures in April are around 70°F (21°C).

Events in Spring

Hanami, Nationwide, (March-April). Cherry trees bloom from mid-March, sweeping up the country into April. Hanami, or cherry blossom viewing parties, are a favorite annual pastime for many Japanese people, from kids to suited businessmen. 

Golden Week, Nationwide (late April-early May). This collection of four holidays falls within a week, from April 29 to May 5. These holidays are Showa Day, Constitution Day, Greenery Day, and Children's Day. Various events are held in observance of these individual holidays, and many people take the full week off work in order to maximize their time off.

Sanja Matsuri, Tokyo. Held in the old Tokyo neighborhood of Asakusa, this Shinto festival is one of the largest in Japan. More than 100 portable shrines are paraded through the streets over three days, attracting over two million visitors.

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Japan in March
Japan in April
Japan in May

Summer in Japan (June to August)

The rainy season begins around mid-June and can vary from a few showers a day to multiple days of rain. Usually, though, it doesn't last all day, and a stroll in light rain through a vibrant green Japanese garden covered in moss and ferns will be a serene, memorable experience. It does get hot, so early mornings and evenings are the best times for sightseeing.

By July, the country shifts into festival mode. Kyoto's Gion Matsuri is one of Japan's most famous events, filling the city with elaborate floats, street food, and parades all month long. Tokyo also buzzes with hanabi (fireworks festivals), offering a quintessential Japanese summer experience along the Sumida River.

• Hokkaido / Northern Honshu. Many domestic travelers head north to Hokkaido to avoid the monsoon rains and enjoy cooler temperatures around 68°F (20°C).
• Central Honshu. Hot and humid, with a lot of precipitation, it's best to do outdoor sightseeing in the mornings and evenings. Daytime temperatures in Tokyo and Kyoto are around 83°F (29°C).
• Western Honshu / Shikoku / Kyushu. A lot of Kyushu is uncomfortably warm in the summer but hiking higher up is still enjoyable. Fukuoka temperatures are around 88°F (31°C).
• Okinawa. Summers are extremely hot and humid, so staying in the ocean is the perfect way to stay cool. Naha temperatures in August are around 88°F (31°C). See this itinerary for a combo of city highlights and a tropical break.

Events in Summer

Yosakoi Soran Festival, Sapporo (June). Experience thrilling dance performances by groups in traditional costumes, set against the backdrop of food stalls and lively crowds in Sapporo.

Tenjin Matsuri, Osaka (July). One of Japan's "three greatest festivals," involving music, food stalls, a river procession, and fireworks.  

Obon, Nationwide (August). Obon is a three-day festival held in mid-August to honor the dead. Graves are tidied, and people remember their deceased loved ones with candle offerings. This is one of Japan's most important holidays, and many people take vacation at this time.

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Japan in June
Japan in July
Japan in August

Fall in Japan (September to November)

Autumn is arguably the best time to visit Japan, given the long daylight hours and sunny, cool days. And bonus, it's typically less crowded than spring's peak cherry blossom season, and the bright foliage lasts for several weeks. September is still warm and humid, but it's a quieter month before the peak leaf season begins. It's a great time to explore cultural cities like Kanazawa or Hiroshima without heavy crowds, or head to coastal regions like Shikoku, where the Setouchi Triennale art festival (held every three years) takes place.

By October, the leaves begin to turn in northern regions. Hokkaido is most stunning this month, with fiery maples and golden larches painting national parks like Daisetsuzan. Yet November brings Japan's most iconic autumn landscapes, especially in Kyoto and Nikko. Nikko, just a few hours from Tokyo, offers equally brilliant colors around its shrines and waterfalls, making it an excellent alternative for travelers who want the pretty foliage without Kyoto's heavier foot traffic.

• Hokkaido / Northern Honshu. Autumn colors are at their best in mid- to late October, with temperatures in Sapporo averaging 53°F (12°C). By late November, many places in eastern Hokkaido start to close for the winter.
• Central Honshu. Peak foliage viewing is in mid to late November, or slightly earlier in mountainous areas. Daytime temperatures in Tokyo and Kyoto are around 64°F (18°C).
• Western Honshu / Shikoku / Kyushu. The leaves typically change color in late November or early December. Fukuoka temperatures are around 75°F (24°C).
• Okinawa. Autumn is a good choice for Okinawa, with perfect weather for fun above and underwater. Naha temperatures in January are around 80°F (27°C).

Events in Fall

Uneme Festival, Nara (September). A romantic festival mid-month, with lantern-lit boat processions and traditional performances on Sarusawa Pond.

Takayama Autumn Festival, Gifu (October 9-10). Considered one of Japan's three most beautiful festivals, this event showcases elaborate yatai (floats) with intricately decorated puppets that perform during the day, and are illuminated with hundreds of lanterns at night.  

Mount Takao Maple Festival, Tokyo (November). This monthlong festival is dedicated to the beautiful fall leaves of Mount Takao. It features concerts, drumming, and traditional dances alongside autumn foliage viewing.

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Japan in September
Japan in October
Japan in November

Winter in Japan (December to February)

Snowfall is common in the northern half of Japan from December to February (and even into March). In recent years, tourism has boomed as people have realized there's incredible skiing, winter festivals, and much fewer crowds during these months. 

January and February are ideal for snow enthusiasts, with Hokkaido and the Japanese Alps offering some of the best powder skiing in the world. Resorts like Niseko and Hakuba buzz with international visitors, while smaller towns such as Nozawa Onsen combine excellent slopes with the charm of traditional hot spring villages. Travelers who prefer cultural highlights over snow can head south to Kyushu and Okinawa, where the climate is milder—February even marks the start of cherry blossom season in Okinawa, making it a unique winter destination.

• Hokkaido / Northern Honshu. Hokkaido is a great winter destination, with Niseko's famous winter sports and many snow and ice festivals in addition to the famous Sapporo Snow Festival (usually in February). Expect temperatures of 25°F (-4°C).
• Central Honshu. Winters are chilly but without heavy snow, and all traveler destinations remain open. Tokyo and Kyoto temperatures are around 41°F (5°C).
• Western Honshu / Shikoku / Kyushu. Mild weather makes Kyushu a great option in the winter months, with accessible hikes and plenty of onsen. Fukuoka temperatures are around 49°F (9°C).
• Okinawa. Winter isn't the best time to enjoy watersports in Okinawa, but it's a good time to fish, hike, or drive around the islands. Naha temperatures in January are around 63°F (17°C).

Events in Winter

New Year, Nationwide (December). As well as the typical countdown parties at bars in the big cities, the new year is celebrated at shrines across Japan. Many people line up in cold nighttime temperatures to welcome the new year with a prayer at their local shrine. You'll probably find food and drink stalls lining the pathway at bigger shrines.

Coming of Age Day, Nationwide (January). On the second Monday of January, young people who have turned 20 in the past year celebrate at shrines across Japan. Young women will wear attractive, colorful kimonos to attend shrines.

Sapporo Snow Festival, Sapporo (February). This famous festival featuring incredible ice sculptures is typically held for around two weeks in early February.

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Japan in December
Japan in January
Japan in February