Ever wondered when is the best time to visit Japan? Every season of the year has its advantages and disadvantages. In this article, we will study each of these seasons so you can find out when is the best time to travel to Japan.
Many would say April in spring when the cherry blossoms are in bloom, but this is also the most expensive time. One of my first suggestions is to go during the change of seasons so you get a little bit of each.
No matter the season, there will always be exclusives such as seasonal foods, festivals, etc. Other things that we must take into account is the climate, landscapes and others. First let's examine each season and season in Japan.
Table of Content
The 4 Seasons of Japan
Japan is one of the few countries that has the four seasons in order and that is fully visible to those who witness such a season. You can see snow, flowers blooming, flowers falling and a hellish heat.
Below you can see a table that shows the date of the season changes and the period of each one of them. Remembering that the closer to the deadline, the less evident the weather becomes.
Responsive Table: Scroll the table to the side with your finger >>
| Season | period in japan |
| spring (Haru) | March 13th to June 21st |
| Summer (Natsu) | June 21st to September 23rd |
| Autumn (Aki) | September 23 to December 21 |
| Winter (Fuyu) | December 21st to March 13th |
spring in japan
Spring is undoubtedly the most famous time to visit Japan, it is crowded with people and tourists because of the hanami, where everyone enjoys the flowers of the trees blooming and putting on that color show.
A colorful season, with pleasant weather not as cold as winter (it is around 4º to 18º). In March you can already see the first signs of spring and the trees starting to bloom.
For those who appreciate beauty, the months of March, April, and May are perfect for you. However, it is also the most expensive time to travel to 日本 due to the high cost of airfare and a large concentration of tourists.
Even to find accommodations will be more expensive, the Japanese themselves travel during the week of Golden Week that happens at the end of April. It can be uncomfortable for some to be among huge crowds.
It may happen that you plan your trip and are unable to enjoy the hanami, which tends to be unpredictable and occurs earlier or later depending on the locality in Japan. This can be resolved by traveling to other cities and regions.
To enjoy spring, you should take a trip from March to the end of June. However, the cherry blossoms bloom between the end of March and April. There are calendars that can satisfy your curiosity about hanami.
summer in japan
It is not a recommended season because of the strong humid heat and heavy rains and typhoons. However, it is at this time that most summer festivals, fireworks, etc., take place.
You can also hike in the Alps and Mount Fuji, see the enchanting coastlines and enjoy the beaches and even visit Okinawa. Try to look at the less hot times of summer on the calendars.
The months of July and August are the hottest with temperatures above 30ºC. Hokkaido is a good option to visit at this time because of its northern location and comfortable altitude.
Most festivals and fireworks are held in August. In the month of September it is more comfortable despite the appearance of typhoons, and the clouds can greatly hinder the view of Mount Fuji.
I traveled at that time, it was nice but I was sad that I couldn't see Fuji-san the first time. I prefer to travel at the end of the version in the second part of the month of September.
autumn in japan
At the beginning of October the trees start to change their colors, the weather is comfortable (between 10º and 28º) and it becomes one of the best months to visit Japan. Personally, it's one of my favorite times.
Autumn is a good alternative for those who cannot go in spring and want to see a show of colors. In the month of November, the trees are with their colorful leaves and starting to fall, making it one of the best months to go for a walk in Japan.
You can still visit an Onsen and enjoy the colors outdoors. If you want to avoid tourists, in the month of December you can still enjoy a bit of autumn and winter.
winter in japan
In the month of December the trees are completely dry and the snow starts to fall and the weather starts to get cold and can stay between (-10º to 10º) until the months of February. It has its advantages, but it is not good for Brazilian tourists used to the heat.
In these months between December and February, you can enjoy the mountains for skiing, skating, and practicing Snowboard. In addition, you can enjoy an Onsen along with monkeys outdoors.
You can also follow various Snow festivals, ice sculptures and the famous festival in the city of Sapporo. You can also spend New Year's Eve in Japan.
Winter is just as beautiful as the other seasons, the only problem is whether you can stand the cold, and some days it can be impossible to go out and enjoy your time. Which can threaten to waste time on your trip.
What time of year to visit Japan?
There are other times and seasons happening in Japan that may influence the date of your visit. We recommend reading our article Seasons and Seasons in Japan by clicking here.
It is difficult to decide the best time to travel to Japan. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. In addition to what I mentioned there are several other advantages in each of the seasons, seasonal foods, festivals, holidays.
In my opinion, the best months to travel are February, March, May, October and November, so you can enjoy a little bit of each season without facing crowds, high prices and uncomfortable weather.
And in your opinion? When is the best time to travel? We appreciate the comments and shares.