Have you ever wondered what the best time to visit Japan is? Every season of the year has its advantages and disadvantages. In this article, we will study each of these seasons so you can discover when is the best time to travel to Japan.
Many would say in April during spring when the cherry blossoms bloom, but this is also the most expensive time. One of my first suggestions is to go during the change of seasons so you can experience a bit of each.
No matter the season, there will always be exclusives like seasonal foods, festivals, etc. Other things we should take into account are the weather, landscapes, and more. First, let’s examine each season in Japan.
Table of Contents
The 4 seasons of Japan
Japan is one of the few countries that has the four seasons in order, and it is completely visible to those who witness such times. It is possible to see snow, blooming flowers, falling leaves, and scorching heat.
Below you can see a table that shows the dates of the season changes and the period of each one. Remember that the closer you get to the deadline, the less evident the weather becomes.
| Season | Period in Japan |
| Spring (Haru) | March 13 to June 21 |
| Summer (Natsu) | June 21 to September 23 |
| Autumn (Aki) | September 23 to December 21 |
| Winter (Fuyu) | December 21 to March 13 |
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 blooming flowers of the trees putting on a colorful show.
A colorful time, with pleasant weather not as cold as winter (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 Japan due to the high cost of airfare and the large concentration of tourists.
Even finding accommodations will be more expensive; the Japanese themselves travel during the week of the Golden Week that happens at the end of April. It can be uncomfortable for some to be among gigantic crowds.
You may schedule your trip and not be able to enjoy the hanami, which tends to be unpredictable and happen earlier or later depending on the location in Japan. This can be resolved by traveling to other cities and regions.
To enjoy spring, you should plan a trip from March to the end of June. However, the cherry blossoms bloom between late March and April. There are calendars that can satisfy your curiosity about hanami.
Summer in Japan
It is not a recommended time due to the intense heat and humidity, as well as heavy rains and typhoons. However, it is during this time that most summer festivals, fireworks, etc., take place.
Additionally, you can hike in the Alps and on Mount Fuji, see the charming coastlines, enjoy the beaches, and even visit Okinawa. Try to check calendars for the cooler periods of summer.
The months of July and August are the hottest with temperatures above 30ºC. Hokkaido is a good option to visit during this time due to its northern location and comfortable altitude.
Most festivals and fireworks displays take place in August. In September, it is more comfortable despite the occurrence of typhoons, and clouds can significantly obstruct the view of Mount Fuji.
I traveled during this time; it was nice, but I was sad not to see Fuji-san for the first time. I prefer to travel at the end of summer in the second half of September.
Autumn in Japan
In early October, the trees begin 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 is one of my favorite times.
Autumn is a good alternative for those who cannot go in spring and wish to see a show of colors. In November, the trees are colorful and starting to fall, making it one of the best months to stroll in Japan.
You can still visit an Onsen and enjoy the colors outdoors. If you want to avoid tourists, in December you can still enjoy a bit of autumn and winter.
Winter in Japan
In December, the trees become completely bare, and snow begins to fall, and the weather starts to get cold, ranging from (-10º to 10º) until February. It has its advantages, but it is not good for Brazilian tourists used to heat.
During the months between December and February, you can enjoy the mountains for skiing, skating, and practicing snowboarding. Additionally, you can enjoy an Onsen along with monkeys outdoors.
You can also attend 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 as beautiful as the other seasons; the only problem is whether you can withstand the cold, and some days it can be impossible to go out and enjoy your time. This can threaten to waste time on your trip.
What time of year to visit Japan?
There are other times and seasons that occur in Japan that can influence the date of your visit. We recommend reading our article Seasons and Periods of Japan by clicking here.
It is difficult to decide what the best time to travel to Japan is. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. Besides 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 bit of each season without facing crowds, high prices, and uncomfortable weather.
And in your opinion? What is the best time to travel? We appreciate the comments and shares.
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