Japan · Best time to go
The best time to visit Japan
The best time to visit Japan for most travellers is late autumn, from late October to late November, when the weather is mild and clear, the maples turn red and crowds are smaller than in spring. Spring is the cherry blossom season and the busiest. Summer is hot and humid. Winter is cold with snow in the north and mountains.
Season by season
- 1
Spring: cherry blossom season
Cherry blossoms usually open in Tokyo and Kyoto in late March and early April, then move north, reaching Hokkaido in early May. Full bloom lasts only about a week and the dates change every year, so check the forecast before booking flights. This is also the busiest and most expensive time to visit. Late April and early May include Golden Week, a run of public holidays when trains, hotels and sights fill up with domestic travellers. Book well ahead, or visit just before or after.
- 2
Summer: hot and humid
June has a rainy season across most of the country, and July and August are hot and sticky in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. This is the cheapest season in the cities, but heat can make long days outdoors hard. Hokkaido and the mountain areas stay much cooler, and summer is the season for fireworks and local festivals. Typhoons can arrive from late summer into autumn. If you go in July or August, plan indoor stops for the afternoon and start sightseeing early.
- 3
Autumn: the quiet sweet spot
From October to November the weather is mild and dry, with clear skies and comfortable days for walking. Maple leaves turn red and gold, starting in the northern mountains in early October and reaching Tokyo and Kyoto in mid to late November. Crowds are smaller than in spring, though famous temples in Kyoto are still busy on weekends. Early October is still warm, and typhoons are possible. For the best colour in the main cities, aim for the last two weeks of November.
- 4
Winter: snow and fewer crowds
Winter is cold but crisp. Tokyo and Kyoto are dry and sunny with few visitors, and views of Mount Fuji are at their clearest. The north and the mountains, including Hokkaido and Nagano, get heavy snow, which suits skiing, snow monkeys and a hot onsen outdoors. Around the New Year, many businesses and some restaurants close for several days, and travel is busy. Pack warm layers, because indoor spaces can be hot while the streets are freezing.
- 5
Best overall: late autumn
If you only have one trip, choose late October to late November. The weather is comfortable in nearly every region, you get autumn colour in the temples and gardens, and prices and crowds are lower than in cherry blossom season. The main caveat is that the best foliage dates move with the weather, so build in flexibility. Families benefit most, because walking days are not too hot, and the long daylight hours of summer are not needed to see the main sights.
Plan it
- Best time
- Late October to late November is the best overall, with late March to early April as the runner-up if you want cherry blossom and can tolerate crowds. Avoid Golden Week and mid-August unless you have booked well ahead.
- How long
- Ten to fourteen days covers Tokyo, Kyoto and one more region at an easy pace. A week works for Tokyo and Kyoto only.
- Getting around
- The rail network is fast and reliable. A rechargeable IC card works on local trains and subways, and the Shinkansen links Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and many other cities. Book reserved seats in busy periods.
Good to know
- Cherry blossom and maple dates shift each year, so book changeable hotel rates if you are chasing a specific week.
- Typhoon season runs roughly from August to October. Build slack into any itinerary that depends on flights or ferries.
- Hotels in Kyoto and Tokyo fill quickly in April and November, so reserve those months as early as you can.
Frequently asked
What is the best month to visit Japan? +
November is the best single month for most people. The weather is mild and dry, the maples are at their peak in the main cities, and crowds are smaller than in April.
When is cherry blossom season in Japan? +
Usually late March to early April in Tokyo and Kyoto, moving north to Hokkaido in early May. Full bloom lasts about a week, and the exact dates depend on that year's weather.
Is summer a bad time to visit Japan? +
It is hot and humid in the cities, with a rainy spell in June. It still suits Hokkaido, the mountains and festival-goers, and prices in the cities are lower. Plan indoor breaks in the afternoon.
When is Japan cheapest and least crowded? +
January and February outside the ski areas, and the rainy period in June, are the quietest and cheapest times. Avoid Golden Week, mid-August and the New Year holidays, when domestic travel peaks.
