Best time to visit Japan
Japan has four distinct seasons. Cherry blossoms and autumn leaves bring the best weather and the highest prices; June is the rainy season, July–August are hot and humid with typhoon risk into September, and winter is cold but clear. Hokkaido runs on its own calendar.
Seasons in Japan
- Winter, Dec–Feb: Cold and clear on the Pacific side with the best Fuji views; snow and skiing in Hokkaido. In season: Sapporo, Kawaguchiko (Mt Fuji).
- Spring, Mar–May: Cherry blossoms from late March to mid-April, then warm, green and dry. In season: Nikko, Tokyo, Kawaguchiko (Mt Fuji), Hakone, Kanazawa, Takayama, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Hiroshima.
- Rainy season (tsuyu), Jun: Grey, drizzly weeks across Honshu; Hokkaido stays dry and pleasant. In season: Sapporo, Takayama.
- Summer, Jul–Sep: Hot and humid (30°C+) with typhoon risk from August; festivals, Fuji climbing and Furano lavender. In season: Sapporo.
- Autumn, Oct–Nov: Comfortable and dry, with autumn leaves peaking in Tokyo and Kyoto in mid to late November. In season: Nikko, Tokyo, Kawaguchiko (Mt Fuji), Hakone, Kanazawa, Takayama, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Hiroshima.
Peak, shoulder and off season in Japan
- Peak season, Mar–Apr, Nov: Cherry blossom and autumn-leaf weeks bring the highest prices; book Kyoto months ahead.
- Shoulder season, May, Aug, Oct, Dec: Good weather or holiday events with some peaks: Golden Week (to about 6 May), Obon (mid-August) and Christmas–New Year.
- Off season, Jan–Feb, Jun–Jul, Sep: Lower prices in Tokyo and Kyoto. Hokkaido is the exception in January–February, when ski season and the Snow Festival fill it.
Japan in January
Winter · Off season
Cold but clear on the Pacific side and best Fuji visibility; Hokkaido ski season. Prices low after New Year.
In season: Sapporo, Kawaguchiko (Mt Fuji).
Japan in February
Winter · Off season
Sapporo Snow Festival (early Feb) and peak Hokkaido snow; Honshu cold and dry, plum blossoms late in the month.
In season: Sapporo, Kawaguchiko (Mt Fuji).
Japan in March
Spring · Peak season
Cherry blossoms start late March in Tokyo and Kyoto — peak demand and prices from the last week.
In season: Tokyo, Hakone, Kanazawa, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Hiroshima.
Japan in April
Spring · Peak season
Cherry blossoms to mid-April, then mild weather; Golden Week from late April brings domestic crowds.
In season: Nikko, Tokyo, Kawaguchiko (Mt Fuji), Hakone, Kanazawa, Takayama, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Hiroshima.
Japan in May
Spring · Shoulder season
Golden Week crowds to about 6 May, then one of the best months — warm, green and dry.
In season: Nikko, Tokyo, Kawaguchiko (Mt Fuji), Hakone, Kanazawa, Takayama, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Hiroshima.
Japan in June
Rainy season (tsuyu) · Off season
Rainy season (tsuyu) across Honshu; hydrangeas in Kamakura and Kyoto. Hokkaido is dry and pleasant.
In season: Sapporo, Takayama.
Japan in July
Summer · Off season
Hot and humid from mid-July; Gion Matsuri in Kyoto. Furano lavender peaks and Mt Fuji climbing season opens.
In season: Sapporo.
Japan in August
Summer · Shoulder season
Hottest month and Obon holiday crowds mid-August; typhoon risk begins. Hokkaido is the comfortable escape.
In season: Sapporo.
Japan in September
Summer · Off season
Still warm with typhoon risk, especially early in the month; crowds thin out after Obon.
In season: Sapporo.
Japan in October
Autumn · Shoulder season
Comfortable and dry; autumn colour starts in Hokkaido, Nikko and the Alps. Takayama Festival 9–10 Oct.
In season: Nikko, Tokyo, Kawaguchiko (Mt Fuji), Hakone, Kanazawa, Takayama, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Hiroshima.
Japan in November
Autumn · Peak season
Best month for autumn leaves in Tokyo and Kyoto (mid–late Nov) — book Kyoto early.
In season: Nikko, Tokyo, Kawaguchiko (Mt Fuji), Hakone, Kanazawa, Takayama, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Hiroshima.
Japan in December
Winter · Shoulder season
Cold and clear with winter illuminations; ski season starts in Hokkaido. Prices rise over Christmas and New Year.
In season: Kawaguchiko (Mt Fuji).