The Best Time to Visit Japan

Anytime is the right time to visit Japan. Honestly, you really can’t go wrong with a holiday to Japan any time of year! However, with such distinct seasons, it does depend on what you want to see and do on your holiday. Each season is synonymous with different scenery, activities, and even cuisine.

The geography also means that you will get varied climates across the country at any given time. For example, in summer the average low in Kyoto in southern Japan is 23 degrees Celsius, while Sapporo in the north hits an average high of just 22 degrees Celsius. Therefore, it is important to research where your tour of Japan will take you before you decide on the best time to travel – but this may help point you in the right direction!

Summer

Summer in Japan runs from June to August and it can be hot and humid. The rainy season falls over June and July, so if you are heading off during these warmer months then be prepared with some wet weather gear. Despite the heat and humidity, summer is still a stunning time to visit Japan. The scenery is beautiful, and there are fewer crowds to contend with while you are exploring everything this remarkable country has to offer.

Summer is also festival season in Japan so there is a buzzing atmosphere and energetic vibe that reverberates around the country – keep your eyes peeled for some incredible firework displays! During the summer months you will see the locals don their summer kimonos to combat the rising temperatures. If you forgot to pack yours, or want another way to cool down, then try a refreshing summer dessert of “kakigory” (shaved ice with flavoured syrup) or cool off with practically anything you can buy from a vending machine.

Autumn

If you want beautiful scenery and pleasant weather, then visit Japan in Autumn. The temperatures start off a little balmy in September and are cool by November – with a perfect fusion in between! The countryside is coated with a patchwork of reds and yellows from the Japanese Maple and Ginkgo trees as they shed their leaves, and you can enjoy the pleasures of the early winter without the bitter chill.

Cozy up with a bowl of ramen cross legged in a traditional restaurant before heading for a stroll along the canals with colourful branches overhanging the waterways, laden with colourful autumn leaves. The best part? You don’t have to add five layers to go outside, or strip down to stay cool. The mild temperatures and stunning scenery make it the perfect time to visit, but you will find lots of others doing the same. It does get busier and the crowds will thicken, but if you can deal with that, then Autumn will reward you.

Winter

Japan becomes a winter wonderland between December and February. Snow falls heavily in some parts of the country and the atmosphere changes. There are less people on the streets and fewer tourists out and about. It is an amazing time to visit Japan, as long as you don’t have an aversion to the cold or layering up! The landscape is beautiful with its white capped mountains and frozen lakes. Villages are dusted in snow, and the charming houses emit smoke from their chimneys and a warm glow from their frosted windows.

You’ll get to see a different side of Japan where warm hospitality sees you waved inside to enjoy a hot tea beside a crackling fire, the shrines are a bit mystical with snow falling over them, and you might even catch sight of the famous snow monkeys soaking in the thermal hot pools. The beauty of a country used to distinct seasons is that Japan is perfectly equipped for the cold. Indoors the heating thaws your bones and the warm sake melts away any doubts about visiting Japan in winter.

Spring

Spring is synonymous with the cherry blossom season in Japan. It is the most popular time to visit, and it is easy to see why. The pink blooms adorn the trees and float through the air. The landscape wakes from its winter slumber and the colours burst into life. While the cherry blossoms are the major draw card, there are more reasons to have a spring in your step when visiting at this time of year.

The weather is mild and mostly sunny, the gardens are in full bloom and perfect to explore, and the parks are warm and ideal to relax in. The green tea plantations are reaching their peak before picking starts in May and the spring harvest means there is a delicious spread of seasonal foods to enjoy – you’ll even get to try some dishes featuring the superstar of the season, cherry blossoms. Spring draws crowds from far and wide so it is certainly peak season, but it is well worth braving the throngs to tick off this once-in-a-lifetime experience.