One of the best things I love about Japan is that it has its unique beauty in every season. But if you live outside Japan and has to pick one time to visit our country, when is the best time?
If I have to give a personal opinion on this, I might say spring (March to April) and fall (October to November)… after a long pause to think. But because it is hard to decide, I wrote down some pros and cons for each season. I also added some pictures I have taken in various places in Japan.
Please note that the climate changes in every part of Japan. Weather and temperature I wrote here are with mainland Japan, including Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. I recommend you check weather forecast on the specific place in Japan you are visiting!
Spring (March to April)
Pros:
- Cherry blossoms! The full bloom is usually around end of March or beginning of April. The full bloom is only for about a week, which makes it hard to plan ahead. If you visit at the right time, you will see the whole city covered with pink petals of cherry blossoms.
- The weather is very comfortable. The temperature is around 10 to 20 degrees Celsius, and there are little rainy days.
Cons:
- Cherry blossom season is a high season, so expect a lot of people – and when I say a lot in Japan, I mean A LOT. Japanese schools have spring holiday for about two weeks toward the end of march to beginning of April, so Japanese families will add to the crowd of travelers from abroad in these two weeks.
Summer (July to August)
Pros:
- The weather is usually sunny, and the scenery is very vivid and beautiful. If you are familiar with Japanese animes, imagine the blue skies in the background in My Neighbor Totoro, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, and Your Name.
- Summer in Japan is full of traditional festivals (matsuri), where you can see people wearing yukata, enjoy delicious street food, and watch amazing fireworks displays. Some of the biggest events include Sumidagawa Fireworks in Tokyo and Gion Matsuri in Kyoto.
Cons:
- High temperature (around 30 to 40°C) and high humidity. If you are from countries with cool or dry weather, you might want to expect some challenges.
- Most days are sunny, but be careful for the typhoon. From July to September, Japan experiences typhoons, which can bring heavy rain and strong winds. If an extremely powerful typhoon unfortunately passes through during your visit, you might have to stay inside for a day or two, and your flight can be cancelled.
Fall (October to November)
Pros:
- Beautiful autumn leaves. From late October to early December, Japan is covered with vibrant red, orange, and yellow foliage, making it a fantastic time for scenic walks and photography. Popular spots include Kyoto’s temples and Nikko’s mountains.
- Comfortable weather. The heat of summer is gone, and temperatures are usually between 10 to 20°C with dry air. It’s a great time to explore cities without worrying about extreme heat or cold.
Cons:
- Some tourist spots can still be crowded, especially in famous autumn leaf viewing areas like Kyoto. The peak season for autumn leaves is shorter than cherry blossom season but still attracts a lot of visitors.
- Shorter daylight hours. By November, the sun sets around 5 p.m., which means you have less time for sightseeing compared to summer.
Winter (December to February)
Pros:
- If you like winter sports, you can enjoy the Japanese powder snow. The northern regions like Hokkaido and Nagano offer excellent skiing and snowboarding with some of the best powder snow in the world. Even if you plan to stay in Tokyo, you can take a Shinkansen (bulletin train) to go to famous ski resorts such as in Niigata, enjoy winter sports and come back in a day trip, like I do!
- Traditional Japanese buildings in snow is a beauty, if you’re lucky to see it.
- The weather is cold but dry and usually sunny. In cities there are usually no worries about snowstorms, and in the rare cases that there is one, it usually lasts only for 1-2 days.
Cons:
- It can get very cold. While southern parts of Japan stay mild, Tokyo and Kyoto can go below 5°C in January and February. If you don’t like the cold, winter might not be the best time for you.
- Some places have limited activities. Outdoor attractions like gardens and historical sites may not be as enjoyable in the cold, and some mountain roads might be closed due to snow.
- Be careful if you plan to come during New Years (around December 31 to January 3), most stores and restaurants are closed.
Times to Avoid
There are some periods of the year that you might want to avoid, if you want to enjoy the best out of Japan:
New Year (December 31 to January 3)
New year is an important holiday in Japan to stay with our family and relax. There are some season-special activities, such as visiting the shrines and temples, but a lot of the stores and restaurants may not be open in this period.
Golden Week (April 29 to May 5)
We have a week of national holidays from April 29 to May 5 in Japan called the ‘Golden Week’. This is a week where most Japanese people have days off from work, so the tourist destinations that are common to national residents for domestic travel can be pretty crowded compared to weeks before and after.
Rainy Season (typically mid June to early July)
We have around a month of rainy season in June to July. If you want to enjoy outdoor activities in the sun, better to avoid this period, but don’t be too disappointed if your schedule happens to overlap with the rainy season! You can still find beauty, such as the hydrangeas.
Obon (August 13 to 16 in 2025)
Obon is a week in August where we get together with our families and respect our ancestors. Many people have their days off work and transportation is expected to be crowded with people going back to their hometown. Some traditional restaurants may be closed too.
I hope this article helps you plan your trip!
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