Japan is one of the top destinations in the world, and there’s a lot to see and do on the archipelago! It’s incredible how such a small country can boast such a rich history, and how its cultural traditions captivate the attention of tourists who visit it yearly. But, when is the best time to visit Japan?
In this article, we provide a comprehensive guide to the best time of year to visit Japan, including the weather conditions during each season, recommended activities, and essential packing tips.
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The Seasons of Japan Explained
Spring in Japan: March, April, and May
Like always, let’s start our overview of the season with spring. Japan doesn’t have a particularly warm spring, with temperatures ranging from 13°C to 23°C during the day and from 5°C to 15°C at night. The weather, however, varies quite a bit, and you can get sudden cold days at any moment, especially in March. Even during the warmer days, mornings and afternoons can still be chilly.
The humidity also changes significantly, with March being especially dry and May the wettest month of the year. But all this humidity and rain do bring something incredible, the cherry blossoms!
Activities and Events During Spring in Japan
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Cherry Blossom Festivals: We can’t talk about spring in Japan without mentioning the most popular activity and the one that brings the most tourists - the cherry blossom festivals. One of the most incredible events is the Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival, which features nighttime illuminations, local food stalls, and performances of traditional music, such as shamisen.
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There’s also the Tsuruoka Cherry Festival, where the whole park is transformed into a festive space with lanterns illuminating the 720 cherry trees.
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Takayama Spring Festival: Another great cultural addition for your spring trip to Japan. It’s known for its decorated floats (yatai), parades, music, and local food.
Packing Tips for Spring in Japan
Let’s discuss an important tip for any trip: what to pack for Japan. Keep in mind that spring is pretty warm but humid, and the weather can change fast. Pack clothes that are comfortable, breathable, and dry easily. Try to choose Fabrics with natural fibers, as synthetic fabrics tend to be more uncomfortable in high-humidity areas. As for shoes, you will probably be walking around a lot, so pack your most comfortable pair.
In the Accessories category, add sunglasses and sunscreen, as UV rays can be particularly strong on sunny days. Another good addition is a collapsible umbrella, as sudden rains can be a problem during your trip.
Summer in Japan: June, July, and August
Japan is a fascinating country to visit during the summer, as many people come for the numerous festivals and cultural events, but others heavily dislike it because of the weather. The truth is that Japan’s summer is extremely hot and the most humid season of the year. This means that in cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, while the temperatures reach up to 33 °C, the thermal feeling can be as high as 40 °C due to the humidity.
Additionally, summer in Japan coincides with the rainy season, so your plans may be disrupted by strong rains and even storms. So, keep that in mind if you are determined to travel during those months.
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Activities and Events: Fireworks and Summer Festivals
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You have seen them in TV shows and movies, and in real life, they are even more spectacular. During the summer, numerous festivals take place throughout Japan, like Gion Matsuri and Tanabata, and many of these conclude with fireworks displays at the end of the night.
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Sumida Fireworks Festival in Tokyo. This one is particularly special since it’s one of the countries participating in this festival, and approximately 20,000 fireworks light up the sky, visible over the Sumida River.
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Nagaoka Fireworks Festival in Niigata. Known for its impressive phoenix-shaped fireworks, which symbolize recovery and were started after World War II.
Packing Tips for Summer in Japan
While packing for a summer trip to Japan, you can take inspiration from the Japanese people. Have you ever noticed how they manage to stay fresh in clothes that seem so big, like the yukata? That’s because the fabric is actually really breathable and soft. A linen shirt, for example, will have a similar effect.
As for accessories, you should include sunglasses and sunscreen for the strong sunlight, as well as a moisturizer for the high humidity. Additionally, consider adding a portable fan, which can be helpful for cooling off during outdoor activities.
Autumn in Japan: September, October, and November
During September, the Heat starts to recede a bit. By the start of September, the temperature ranges from 23°C to 28°C during the day and from 18°C to 21°C at night. This trend continues during October and November, with temperatures ranging from 14°C to 18°C during the day and between 7°C and 12°C at night.
As the temperatures decrease, so does the humidity, making Autumn one of the best seasons to travel to Japan. After the intense heat of summer, the cool days are perfect for spending a long time outdoors.
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Activities and Events: Fall Foliage and Cultural Festivals
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Enjoy Momiji-Gaaari: Also called the “autumn leaf hunting”, is a really old Japanese tradition of traveling to scenic places to admire the turning colors of the leaves. Popular areas to do it include Arashiyama, an area west of Tokyo that you reach by strolling through a bamboo grove, and Tofukuji Temple, a lesser-known Zen temple in Tokyo.
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Join the Takayama Autumn Festival: If you’re traveling in October, you can join this celebration held on the 9 and 10th in Takayama. It includes lavish floats, karakuri puppet performances, and traditional music.
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Stroll and feast at the Meiji Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Festival in Tokyo: A modern option that still has a lot of seasonal charm. This avenue near Meiji Jingu Gaien fills with pop-up food stalls and cultural exhibits, making it the perfect way to enjoy an autumn day.
Packing Tips for Autumn: Layers and Comfortable Shoes
Now, the weather is starting to get a little bit colder, so your packing style has to change. As a traveler, it’s essential to stay up to date with the temperature, so it’s a good idea to pack at least two sweaters or a cardigan. Don’t underestimate the power of accessories to help you stay warm; after all, a scarf and a pair of gloves occupy less space than another jacket, and they may be what you actually need.
When packing shoes, keep in mind that in Japanese homes and places like temples, you’ll have to remove them before entering. So, make sure that the pairs you add to your luggage are easy to take on and off.
Winter in Japan: December, January, and February
Winter in Japan is particularly cold, even if the temperatures rarely go below 5° C, it can feel a bit chillier, since it’s the driest season of the year. If you travel to the coast of the Sea of Japan, you’ll notice that there is much more snow than on the Pacific coast. This is due to the cold winds that come from Siberia at this time of year.
Winter may not seem like the best season to travel to Japan at first, but there are a few advantages. First of all, there are fewer tourists, as most of them prefer not to brave the cold. As an experienced traveler, you will know that this means flights, accommodations, and activities offer significant discounts, which you can enjoy.
Activities and Events During Winter in Japan
Japan might not be the first option that comes to mind when you think of a ski resort, but in reality, it offers more than 500, with some of the best ski conditions in the world. You can go, for example, to Niseko in Hokkaido, or enjoy the Hakuba Valley resorts in Nagano.
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Winter is also a great time to take slow strolls around the city and admire the winter illumination exhibitions. One of the most notable cities during this time is Sapporo, with its White Illumination attractions featuring impressive light decorations in Odori Park.
Packing for Winter in Japan
As we previously mentioned, winter in Japan is known for its cold temperatures, so you want to pack clothes that allow you to stay warm and comfortable. Layers are essential in this case, first, because they allow you to modify your outfit depending on where you are going and the current weather. Secondly, in Japan, it is very important to travel light, so too many bulky clothes are not ideal.
Accessories are also essential, such as warm gloves, a thick scarf, and something to cover your ears. Also, to stay comfortable, pack a few more thick socks so your feet are always toasty.
Best time to travel to Japan, and the worst too!
Now that you have all the necessary information, let’s create a brief summary that you can refer to at any time.
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If you’re traveling to Japan for the cherry blossoms, keep in mind that this is a very popular time to visit. Especially between mid-March and early April, when the flowers are at their peak.
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The worst time to visit Japan is during the typhoon season, which runs from July through October, peaking in August and September. This time is characterized by heavy rain and strong winds that can disrupt your travel plans, as transportation delays are common. Additionally, as we mentioned, July and August are extremely hot and uncomfortable for outdoor activities.
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Another time to avoid while traveling to Japan is Golden Week, from late April to early May. Air travel and hotels during this time are pretty pricey, as it’s one of the busiest periods of the year in Japan.