Summer, winter, autumn or spring are all a good idea when it comes to visiting Japan.
Japan is the kind of country you can enjoy all year round. Which month you decide on comes down to where you’re going and what you want to do.
Here’s a breakdown to ensure your decision perfectly matches your interests.
Best time to visit Japan
March to May and September to October.
Why?
For cool, dry weather, the best times to wander the streets and gaze upon Japan’s plethora of temples without the heavy crowds are during spring and autumn.
Avoid April, however, as this is peak season due to the country’s famous cherry blossoms.
Overview
Japan’s has four distinct seasons: winter, spring, summer and autumn. Over winter the temperatures can dip to 0℃, making it ideal for winter sports though not so much for sightseeing.
Summers are plagued with a four-week-long period of rain between June and August so are best avoided unless you’re in town for a summer festival or to comb the resort town of Okinawa, which reaches temperatures of 28–31℃ during this time. The north generally experiences cooler temperatures than the south.
Peak periods in Japan include April due to cherry blossom season, June and August due to the summer holiday period, and December to March due to snow season.
If you’re seeking to avoid the crowds, it’s best to avoid these months and activities.
Weather and prices
Best time to visit Japan, weatherwise: September to April. These are Japan’s autumn, winter and spring periods and are when the country experiences comfortable, dry temperatures.
Cheapest time to visit Japan: Flights and hotels are cheapest in late summer between July and August but are still reasonable in the less rainy months of September and October.
Best time to visit Japan for...
- Cherry blossoms: While cherry blossoms can bloom as early as January, the best time to catch them is early April. This is also one of Japan’s peak months.
- Hiking and climbing Mount Fuji: Due to the nature of the climb, Mount Fuji is only open to hikers from 1 July to early September yearly. Conditions are most stable between late July and early August.
- Scuba diving in Okinawa: The resort town of Okinawa hides some of the world’s best diving spots with high visibility and all manner of marine life, such as hammerheads and manta rays. Peak season in Okinawa is summer from June to August, however the weather stays pleasant up until November.
- Snow sports: Snow season in Japan is from mid-December to mid-April. Shoulder season is in late-November to mid-December and mid to the end of April.
- For festivals: The summer months of June and August are when cities come to life with festivals of fireworks, floats and music. But be warned that summer brings with it high humidity and rainfall in many areas.
Hot Japan travel deals
Travel Money Oz Foreign Currency
Get better exchange rates on orders $1,000+ with code
Use code for better exchange rates on foreign currencies for Bali, Thailand, Vietnam, Fiji, the USA, Canada, the UK, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, China, Japan and more.
Last verified
Coupon code ends
Columbus Direct
Get 5% off your next travel insurance policy
Use our exclusive code to get 5% off any Columbus Direct travel insurance policy, domestic or worldwide. Destinations would include Thailand, Bali, Fiji, USA, UK, Italy, France, Japan and more.
Last verified
Cathay Pacific
Up to 25% off business class flights
Valid for travel on select dates. Bookings must be made 90 days prior flight. Destinations include Hong Kong, China, Japan, Korea, Taipei, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Brussels, Copenhagen, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Manchester, Dublin and more. T&C's apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
G Adventures
Up to $800 off China and Japan tours
Valid for travel from 3 December 2018 - 25 February 2019. Destinations include Hong Kong, Beijing, Tokyo, Osaka and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
Wendy Wu Tours
Partner flies free
Valid for travel on select 2019-2020 Asia tours. Destinations include China, India, Nepal, Japan, Vietnam and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
Topdeck
Up to 15% off Asia tours
Valid for travel on select dates. Destinations include Japan, Vietnam and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
Wendy Wu Tours
Up to $500 off last-minute Asia tours
Valid for tours until 26 November 2018. Destinations include Vietnam, China, Japan, India, Nepal and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
Viator
Up to 50% off tours and experiences
Valid for travel on select dates. Destinations include Rome, Paris, Las Vegas, New York, Japan and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
Contiki
15-day Japan tour + 6-day ski experience from $4,979
Valid from 22 December 2018 - 26 January 2019. Includes accommodation, meals, transportation and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
Contiki
13-day Japan tour + 4-day ski experience from $4,589
Valid from 22 December 2018 - 26 January 2019. Includes accommodation, meals, transportation and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
TourRadar
Up to $504 off Japan ski package
Valid from 16-22 December 2018 and 6 January - 9 March 2019. Includes accommodation, meals, Hakuba ski pass, transportation and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
Groupon
45% off Hakuba Japan ski getaway
Valid from 9-23 December 2018 and 28 February - 8 May 2019. Includes accommodation, luxury onsen tour, daily breakfast, gourmet dinner, transfers and six-day lift ticket. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
Wendy Wu Tours
$50 off tours
Valid until 31 December 2018 on select tours, including over Christmas. Destinations include China, Japan, India, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Coupon code ends
Wendy Wu Tours
$100 off tours for senior card holders
Valid on 2018 dates depending on the destinations. Destinations include China, India, Vietnam, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Japan and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Cathay Pacific
Premium economy flights from $1,905 return
Valid for travel until 30 June 2019. Sample fare is Perth-Tokyo. Booking must be made 50 days in advance. Destinations include New York, Chicago, Boston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington D.C., Vancouver, Toronto, China, Taiwan, Japan, Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, India, Amsterdam, Barcelona and more.
Last verified
Deal ends
Design Hotels
Up to 30% off if you book in advance
Valid for bookings made at least 30 days in advance at hotels around the world. Destinations include France, USA, Bali, Germany, Greece, Italy, Spain, UK, Singapore, Japan and more.
Last verified
| Last checked | Code description | Code |
|---|
