I get the question ” Which time of year should I visit Japan?” asked SOOOOOO often.
So I’ll make my answers as detailed as I can here – and I’m happy to add more if there is something you think I’ve missed.
Here is also a list of when Japanese school students are on holidays.
Reasons to visit Japan in Spring?
Well, the most obvious reason is, of course, with the hope of seeing those gorgeous cherry blossoms. But also, Japan has some gorgeous flower festivals and blossoming sections of parks and gardens surrounding temples etc.
The weather is mild. It’s easy to walk around outside all day.
You can pack a light jacket and jeans and then just other swap on and off options to wear ( for more packing for Japan tips, see my post here.)
For my favourite places to see cherry blossoms in Tokyo, see my post here.
For parks with stunning fields of flowers in Tokyo, see my post here.
Things to be careful / wary of when visiting in Spring?
You need to keep in mind that it is almost impossible to make sure that you are in Japan exactly for cherry blossom ( sakura) season.
You can google for the predictors to try and get a general idea – but when they do bloom – it is often for only a little under one week.
To give it a little bit of contents, I’ve attended several Hanami ( the beautiful Japanese tradition of having a picnic under the cherry blossom trees ) that were for my company or pre-arranged with a large group of friends and we have had to giggle through a picnic under naked trunks and branches .. we got it wrong. ( I do love how that isn’t enough to cancel the party though!) If you’d like tips on ‘How to Hanami’ – see my post here.
The only way to be almost positive that you’ll see sakura at the right time… ? Stay for as many weeks as possible over Spring.
It is, naturally, a very expensive time of year to travel to Japan ( and to get accommodation, etc.)
Something else to seriously look at before booking a trip to Japan in Spring, is “Will my holiday coincide with Golden Week?”
Golden Week is a major holiday week in Japan. Most organizations (hospitality and tourist driven industries aside) take a vacation over this week and schools are also out.
For this reason, the airports, bullet trains, hotels and restaurants are much busier than normal.
You can just expect to wait longer at main attractions.
So be sure to google when Golden Week will fall ( late April & early May) for the year that you will travel.
Its not impossible – you will just need to plan ahead and expect a bit more chaos. You may also come across obstacles like many atms closing down over the holidays so you may need to make sure you have enough cash with you before it all begins.
I’ve written here what to do if you have accidentally booked to visit Japan during Golden Week – and how you can still make the most of your holiday.
Reasons to visit Japan in Autumn?
It’s a big call but I enjoy Autumn even more than Spring in Japan.
The weather is mild. It’s easy to walk around outside all day.
You can pack a light jacket and jeans and then just other swap on and off options to wear ( for more packing tips, see my post here.)
See my favourite Autumn leaf spots in Tokyo here.
Things to be careful / wary of when visiting in Autumn?
Like Spring, it can be a busy time of year for tour groups so tourist spots are likely to be more crowded than usual.
If you’re visiting over Halloween (or the weeks leading up to Halloween) keep in mind that Disneyland will be busier than normal .
The reason? It’s the only time of year that Tokyo Disneyland adults are able to enter Disneyland in costume. And the patrons take it very very seriously!!! Honestly, its hard to tell the paid cast members from the patrons. It is extremely popular. I have written about Tokyo Disneyland tips.
Reasons to visit Japan in Winter?
People get worried about Japan in Winter. I think because people see the ski and snow related media and get the impression that all of Japan becomes Antarctica.
Nagano and Hokkaido is particularly stunning if you’re heading to Japan for the ski season – but if you’ll be doing sightseeing in Tokyo and Kyoto, then you’ll be so pleasantly surprised.
If you’re from the States, you can liken Tokyo winters to New York winters without the snow.
If you’re from Europe, you’ll be surprised at how dry the winters are. The skies are blue and crisp.
If you’re from a warmer country like Australia, you’ll be surprised at how overheated Japan is indoors (including inside train carriages, department stores and hotels.)
Packing for winters in Japan is way more simple than you think.
Normal clothing (jeans and light long sleeved shirts), a really thick , preferably long, puffer jacket, gloves, scarf and hat ( those last three options can be purchased once you arrive though.)
The reason I recommend normal clothing and one big jacket? Because you need to be able to strip off. It is hot indoors.
A fantastic reason to visit Tokyo in Winter is Mt. Fuji !!!
Those clear skies mean that, on a sunny day, it is so much easier to get a breathtaking view of Fuji-san!
These are my favourite spots to view Fuji. But, you know what? On a truly beautiful winter day you may even see Mt. Fuji from an observation deck in the middle of the city.
These are my favourite things to do in Tokyo during winter.
Things to be careful / wary of when visiting in Winter?
Christmas is a different kind of fun – and will, most likely be a bit different to what you are used to.
Christmas is all about the illuminations and not a lot happens on the actual day. Here are all of my Christmas in Japan tips!
Also, Japan shuts down almost completely for the first 5 days of January. People never believe me until they experience this time of year.
Japanese people work very hard and this is often the only break they take.
Tokyo has more options than other cities but you will be surprised at the lack of sightseeing options and even restaurant choices will be very limited.
You may also come across obstacles like many atms closing down over the holidays so you may need to make sure you have enough cash with you before it all begins.
On the upside, it is a fantastic time to visit a shrine to welcome in the new year.
Reasons to visit Japan in Summer?
I speak about this often but July and August are pretty much the ONLY months I don’t recommend travelling to Japan with children.
The heat is a lot to deal with (even those from the hottest parts of Australia or places like Florida are shocked!) but it’s also a wet humid heat.
But why is Japan so tricky in the summer time?
It is because Japan is an adventure holiday. There are logistics put in place to get about and that means lots of walking and general outdoor time.
Unlike a holiday in Thailand or Bali, you can be hot but then slip into a pool.
Despite being so hot in summer – swimming pools are hard to find and most hotel pools require guests to pay extra and have funny rules about times that kids can use the pool etc. I love pretty much everything about Japan except for the swimming pool culture.
The heat and heatstroke can also be dangerous for babies in strollers and carriers.
Should you still decide to brave the Japanese summer…. here are my suggestions.
The Summer festivals in Japan and Bon Odori festivals are sensational. My favourite things to do in Summer in Japan are here.
Also, many people ask me about fireworks displays for New Year in Japan and I have to break it to most people that in Japan, fireworks are a Summer thing. The festivals are so much fun – everyone wears yukata (light summer kimono) , eats street food and watches the fireworks. Its so special.
Things to be careful / wary of when visiting in Summer?
Okay. I definitely think Japan in Summer is one of the trickiest times to come.
It is possible but you will be surprised at just how humid it is. I’m from Australia and I love hot weather. BUT this is different.
In Australia, you can have a shower on a hot day and feel refreshed. In Japan, the air is thick and damp so even after a shower I still feel so sticky.
But bug spray is essential as I find the Japanese mosquitos to be sneaky little blood-suckers.
If you do visit in summer, I recommend planning for lots of indoor time, lots of rest and lots of hydration.
In June & July, be aware that you will most likely visit during rainy season.
Be sure to have waterproof shoes, lots of indoor options and fold up umbrellas with you.
Here are my favourite rainy day ideas for adults in Tokyo ( and here are my rainy day suggestions for kids in Tokyo.)
Just as Japan is overly heated indoors in winter, it is also majorly overly air-conditioned in summer. Make sure you have a light layer available.
In order to be culturally appropriate, I also recommend not letting your summer wear getting too casual.
