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Best time to visit Japan

There is no real best time to visit Japan, as each seasonal change is not only seen throughout the national parks, mountains, coast and lakes, but also celebrated through a wealth of festivities. It’s bigger than you think, however, and varies from the northern, mountainous islands to the south islands which have a Pacific vibe. Even the famous cherry blossoms, coming out in spring, spread their joy slowly across the map.

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Best time to visit Japan

Yes, it does rain in Japan, but you need it for those moody mists that make the temples look as if they are floating on air.

It’s a four season place to vacation, with nothing too extreme to deal with and so there isn’t necessarily a best time to visit Japan. However, the climate does vary from the mountainous north to the subtropical islands of the south. Cherry blossoms famously take center stage in spring, but less well known, the autumn leaf turning season is glorious in November. And, of course, winter snow brings visitors galore to play in the powder.

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Tokyo Weather Chart

MIN °C

MAX °C

RAIN (mm)

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

119

MAY

132

JUN

181

JUL

128

AUG

147

SEP

181

OCT

158

NOV

DEC

Our Japan Vacations

Japan, month by month

If you want to catch the cherry blossom season, it varies geographically. Starting in January in Okinawa, but at their best in late March to April in the Honshu region. In Hokkaido, you want to get there in May for the full array. Cherry blossom time is festival time, but be warned – the world and his wife will be there. Not quite the Zen experience it is meant to be really, but very festive and cultural all the same, often with more emphasis on sake than cherry. Snow seekers want to head there between December and February to pose on its famously pure powder. New Year, Japan’s Golden Week (beginning May), and O-bon (09 - 17 August) are when the Japanese travel en masse. Hotels book out, trains are packed and prices soar. Japan has a rainy season, from mid-May to end June or sometimes as late as mid July, but it is never extreme. If you want to catch the autumnal leaf change, November is the prime time in Tokyo and Kyoto. You get typhoons knocking in around end August, September and October. Check out the Japan Meteorological Agency's English-language website.

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Responsible Travel recommends

Ruth Hubbard, Product Manager of one of our suppliers, Inside Japan Tours:
“You can only climb Mount Fuji in July and August due to snow at other times of year. Plus everyone climbs it at night, because they want to catch the sunrise at the top. So every night, there are thousands of people on the slopes during these months. Don’t forget that 70% of the country is mountainous, so there are many more peaks to climb, such as the gorgeous Kamikochi National Park”

Jeremy Spencer of one of our suppliers, Oku Japan, gives good advice on where to go in Japan:
People think cherry blossom marks the end of spring, but I think it marks the end of winter. And most of Japan is still very dried out and brown when the cherry blossom is out at the end of March/April, which is the cherry blossom season. Whereas in May, new lush green growth is coming through. And so if, like me, you are interested in plants and flowers, the cherry blossom is a bit of a red herring.

Festivals & events in Japan

Did you know that...

Japan is falling down with festivals, from the O-bon Buddhist festivals to the Sapporo Snow Festival. However, a simpler seasonal event is the planting of paddy fields, a serene sight happening everywhere during May and June. And check out the amazing displays during rice harvest, at the rice art festival in the small village of Inakadate, Aomori, every September.

More about Japan

Japan travel guide

On one hand Japan is speedy. On the other it is a country that oozes tranquillity. What we hope this Japan travel guide does, is show you all of the different aspects of Japan.

Where to go in Japan

Everyone knows Tokyo and Mount Fuji, but when working out where to go in Japan, you need to take in the fact that this is one stunning archipelago.

Things to do in Japan

Culturally, there are so many things to do in Japan, from strolling around the ancient streets and shrines of Kyoto’s old quarter, to visiting its wealth of temples.

Cherry blossom in Japan

For more information on when to see the cherry blossom, where the awesome arrays occur and why the Japanese go so crazy for it, read more below.

Shinkansen Japanese Bullet Trains

Although nicknamed 'bullet', which is kind of apt due to the shape and speed, Japan's Shinkansen trains provide peace, safety and comfort for passengers traveling north, south and west in Japan.

Japans cities

There are urban utopia’s dotted around of all of the main islands, each offering a very different history, climate, style and vibe. From the tragic history of Nagasaki and Hiroshima to the uplifting Olympic history of Nagano.

Japan with kids

Traveling in Japan with kids is just wonderful, because Japan has a child like quality to it, and so family travel allows adults to celebrate this youthful, almost innocent, feel to life here.

Japan travel advice

Everyone has a tip or two to give when it comes to Japan travel advice. And most of them revolve around the traditions and etiquette that are still so omnipresent here. Read the wise words of some of our favourite travelers to make that trip to Japan even better.

LGBT vacations in Japan

Japan has a long history of openness towards homosexuality, revealed through its arts and even its religion, up to its modern day gay districts and huge Pride events.