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Best time to go to Tokyo

Stephanie Yip

Don’t book a trip to the Japanese capital before reading this handy guide to climate and events first.

Discover the top tips on the best time of year to visit Tokyo for everything from cherry blossom to climbing Mount Fuji.

Best time to go to Tokyo

March to April or September to November

Why?

March to April and September to November are spring and autumn in Tokyo and the weather is clement. Mid-range temperatures waver between 9 to 19°C at these times of year.

Visit in spring and autumn and you’ll not only miss the crowds that flock to the city for the summer, but you’ll also dodge the peak season heat. Temperatures can spike above 30 at the height of summer, around August.

Overview

Summer runs from June to August in Tokyo and, at this time of year, temperatures can soar to 31°C, although average lows stand at 19°C for June, 23°C for July and 24°C for August.

Winters in the country are more than bearable. The daytime mercury rarely falls below 3°C, even at the height of the season, although it can freeze overnight. September and October are the rainiest months, but the rainfall is nothing you can’t endure with a sturdy brolly.

Weather and prices

Best time to visit Tokyo, weather wise: March to April or September to November

Cheapest time to visit Tokyo: Room rates stay pretty stable in Tokyo. If you’re going to find a bargain, though, you’re most likely to get one in January or February.

Cheapest time to visit Tokyo for Christmas: Get in early (November) or get in late (February) to save big over Christmas. Sounds obvious but prices do hike up considerable over the peak Christmas dates (22 December - 5 January) according to HotelsCombined. Not only is it Christmas but it's also peak skiing season which causes this. Heading to Tokyo in November or February means you're in shoulder ski season which cheapens the deal. For example, 3-5 star rooms booked through HotelsCombined for 2018-2019 over Christmas cost an average of $252.70 per night while booking for 10-24 November or 16 February - 2 March bring that down considerably to $185.67 and $161.33 per night respectively.

Best time to got to Tokyo for...

  • Sightseeing. Summer is the most crowded month in Tokyo. Queues can form at attractions and public transport can get congested. Spring and autumn – March to April and September to November – are quieter and the weather is more conducive to sightseeing. It’s possible to sightsee in winter, but the city’s parks won’t have as much of an appeal.
  • Climbing Mount Fuji. The official climbing season on Mount Fuji runs from early July to mid-September. This is the time when the mountain is usually snow-free and the mountain huts are in operation. Get there at the start of the season or at the end, and you’ll find the area less busy with holidaymakers.
  • Cherry blossoms. Spring is cherry blossom season in Tokyo. The candy pink flowers start blooming in late March and tend to be at their peak in mid-April.
  • Skiing. Ski season starts in December and runs until early April, but the slopes of the ski resorts nearest Tokyo tend to be at their best around January and February. Exceptions to the norm include Kurodake, which closes at certain times in January and February for maintenance, and Okutadami, which can close at the same time but because excess snow makes the resort impossible to access.

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