Written by Charlotte Lock
Posted, 21st August 2025
If you’re wondering when the best time to visit Japan is, you’ve come to the right place.
Japan is one of Asia’s most unique destinations with a huge mix of centuries-old traditions and cutting-edge modern life. Whether you’re arriving for the cherry blossom festivals, to admire the orange autumn leaves or experience one of the country’s incredible summer festivals, Japan is beautiful in every season.
But when is the best time to visit Japan? That’s a question many travellers ask before planning their trip, and for good reason – the weather can make or break your trip.
We’ve explored Japan in every season and know exactly what to expect month by month. This complete guide will help you choose the perfect time to visit, based on your bucket list activities and travel style.
Let’s get started!
📣 Quick answer: The best time to visit Japan is generally from late March to May or late September to early November, when the weather is mild, dry, and comfortable, with clear skies and low humidity, making these months perfect for sightseeing and outdoor activities. But really, there’s no best time to visit Japan – it’s wonderful all year round, and even its worst-weather seasons still have so much to offer.
Best Time To Visit Japan
Japan experiences four distinct seasons, much like the West, and each brings its own unique atmosphere, events, and natural scenery.
Weather can play a big role in shaping your trip, so knowing what’s in store each month is essential for planning the best travel experience.
Because Japan’s natural beauty and events change with each season, there’s no single best time to visit – it depends on what you want to see and do. Some travellers come for the sakura season, others for skiing, while many aim for the quieter months to avoid crowds and save money.
To help you decide, here’s what to expect during each part of the year:
- Mar-May: Spring is one of the most popular times to visit Japan, with pleasant weather, blooming cherry blossoms, and plenty of celebrations going on. Temperatures are comfortable, skies are generally clear, and the landscapes are at their most colourful. This is peak tourist season, so expect higher prices and bigger crowds, especially in late March and early April, when the blossoms are normally expected to bloom.
- Jun-Aug: Summer is hot, humid, and often pretty rainy, with the rainy season arriving in early June to mid-July for much of the country. Late July and August can also see typhoons, particularly in coastal areas. Despite the heat, summer is pretty exciting with fireworks displays and matsuri (festivals) becoming the highlight of the local social calendar, making it a great time for cultural events if you don’t mind the weather.
- Sep-Nov: Autumn brings cooler temperatures, low humidity, and beautiful autumn leaves making it another peak season for tourism. Mid to late November is especially stunning in places like Kyoto, Nikko, and the Japanese mountains. The weather is generally dry and pleasant, perfect for hiking, sightseeing, and exploring the cities by foot.
- Dec-Feb: Winter is cold but mostly dry across Japan, bringing a lot fewer tourists – outside of New Year’s week. Southern cities like Tokyo and Osaka have mild winters, while northern regions like Hokkaido are famous for heavy snow, world-class ski resorts, and winter festivals. It’s the best season to enjoy Japan’s famous hot springs!
As you can see, no matter when you visit, Japan has something special in store for travellers.
Even if the weather isn’t perfect, each season brings its own unique perks – from busy festivals in the heat of summer to cosy hot springs in the freezing winter. With the right planning and packing, you can enjoy Japan all year round.
Best Time To Visit Tokyo
Tokyo is a city that never really has an off-season, but the weather can make a big difference to your trip.
Like much of Japan, Tokyo is most comfortable to visit in late March to May or between late September to November. These months bring mild temperatures, low rainfall and manageable humidity, perfect for exploring and sightseeing.
Summer in Tokyo (June to August) is extremely hot, humid, and sticky, with average highs of around 30°C, and the nights aren’t much better. It’s also typhoon season from August to September, which can bring heavy rain and strong winds to the city.
That said, summer has its appeal, especially if you want to experience the city’s lively matsuri (festivals) and amazing firework displays. Be prepared for heat, crowds, and occasional downpours though!
Winter (December to February) is cold but generally dry, with daytime highs of 8-12°C and plenty of sunshine.
You won’t see much snow in central Tokyo, but the air is clear, the crowds are smaller, and the illuminations across the city make it a magical time to visit. Plus, if you do want snow, the ski resorts of Nagano and Niigata are just a bullet train ride away.
Overall, if you’re looking for the best balance of weather and atmosphere, aim for spring or autumn – but Tokyo has something to offer year-round, as long as you plan for the conditions.
Best Time To Visit Japan For Cherry Blossoms
Cherry blossoms (sakura) have a major tourist appeal, with festivals to celebrate their arrival every year. They usually bloom between late March and early April in most of Japan, though the exact timing varies by region and weather.
Southern areas like Fukuoka can see blooms from mid-March, while northern spots like Sapporo peak in late April to early May.
The cherry blossom season is very short – about a week from peak bloom to falling petals – so check the forecasts and book early, as it’s one of Japan’s busiest travel periods.
Best Time To Visit Japan To Avoid Crowds
If you want to experience Japan without the usual crowds, timing your visit outside the peak tourist seasons is essential. The busiest tourist times are early spring (late March to early April) during cherry blossom season, and peak autumn (mid-October to early November) when the fall foliage is at its peak.
These periods attract huge numbers of both international tourists and domestic travellers, making popular spots like Kyoto’s temples and Tokyo’s parks incredibly crowded.
To avoid these crowds, consider travelling during the winter months (December to February – but not New Year’s as the festivities are chaotic). While it can be pretty cold, especially in northern Japan, you’ll enjoy quieter attractions, more availability in accommodation, and often lower prices. Plus, you’ll get to enjoy the festive decor around the Christmas period in the big cities like Tokyo and Osaka.
You’ll also find that the peak summer months can be a lot quieter due to the rainy season. The high humidity and heat, along with the showers, can be enough to deter many travellers from touching down in Japan. But the Obon Festival means that mid-August is definitely a no-go if you’re a crowd-hater!
Best Time To Visit Japan Weather
Japan’s weather varies widely throughout the year, so choosing the best time to visit depends a lot on what kind of climate you prefer.
The most popular months for enjoying the weather are spring and autumn. During these times, temperatures are quite mild, humidity is lower, and rainfall is relatively limited, making it ideal for sightseeing and spending time outdoors.
Summer in Japan is very hot and humid, with average highs often reaching 30°C or more. It’s also the rainy season (called tsuyu), which typically lasts from early June to mid-July, bringing pretty frequent rain showers and even higher humidity.
Winter can be pretty cold, especially in northern Japan and mountainous areas, but it’s usually dry with clear skies. Temperatures in big cities like Tokyo and Osaka hover around 5-10°C during the day, while places like Hokkaido can see heavy snowfall and temperatures well below freezing.
Backpacking and Group Tours in Japan
Backpacking Japan is very easy and a great first-timer destination thanks to its efficient trains, safe cities, and affordable hostels. You can move quickly between the buzzing cities, quiet countryside, and cultural landmarks while keeping costs especially low with grocery shop meals and street food.
If you’d rather have everything planned, a group tour, like with us at Feel Free Travel is a great option to give you a little more confidence travelling around Japan. Our 10-day express group tour of Japan ticks off all the top tourist spots between Tokyo and Osaka.
A group trip is ideal for first-time travellers, solos who want to switch it up a bit and just about anyone who wants to see the highlights of Japan without worrying about the travel logistics.
Best Time To Visit Japan and South Korea
Japan and South Korea are a great travel pairing with a great mix of busy cities, tradition and stunning natural scenery.
If you’re planning on visiting both then it would be best to hit them between March and May or September to November. These months offer the best weather for sightseeing as it’s not too hot, there’s little rain and it’s not too humid.
Both spring and autumn also offer some beautiful landscape scenes. Spring brings the famous cherry blossoms that travellers come from all over the world to see, while autumn bring picture-perfect leaf changes with the cities’ parks and the mountains being a sea of orange and red.
Summer can be too hot, humid, and rainy in both countries due to the monsoon season that covers them both. The winter is quite cold but it is still pretty sunny. Both Japan and South Korea have some great skiing destinations if that’s your travel style!
Cheapest Time To Visit Japan
The cheapest time to visit Japan is during the winter, from mid-January to early March, after the New Year holiday rush and before the cherry blossom season begins.
During this period, flights and accommodation prices tend to drop a fair bit and there’s a further perk in that there are a lot fewer crowds. While the weather can be chilly, especially in the north, much of the country still has dry days, making sightseeing still comfortable if you wrap up warm.
Another budget-friendly time is the rainy season in early summer (around early June to mid-July). Although you’ll get a few wet and rainy days and a much higher humidity, prices for flights and hotels are often lower than peak season, and the major attractions aren’t as busy.
Bringing an umbrella and a light raincoat and making sure to plan some indoor activities will help to safeguard your itinerary and ensure you still get the most out of your trip.
If you’re super conscious of saving as much money as possible, then there are a few major Japanese holidays to be aware of that send prices sky-high, including: Golden Week in late April to early May, the Obon Festival in mid-August and New Year. Domestic travel surges during these dates and as a result the prices spike considerably.
FAQs
Below are some commonly asked questions relating to the best time to visit Japan along with our expert answers to each question.
April is typically the most expensive month to visit Japan due to the blooming cherry blossoms drawing in international crowds to see them in all their glory. An important Japanese holiday, Golden Week, also falls in April, increasing crowd sizes and making accommodation and flights much more expensive.
Late March to May and late September to early November offer some of the best weather for sightseeing and enjoying Japan’s great outdoors. It’s not too hot, the humidity is lower and there aren’t too many rain days. However, they can be quite busy months due to the cherry blossoms and autumn foliage coming out in full force.
Avoid late April to early May due to Golden Week in Japan, mid-August because of the Obon Festival, and typhoon season in late summer if you want to skip the worst of the high prices, heavy crowds, and possible weather disruptions.
April is one of the most crowded months in Japan, especially when the cherry blossom trees bloom. This event attracts thousands of international and domestic tourists to the parks and gardens all across Japan to admire their beauty.
Conclusion
Japan is an amazing country with so much to offer in every season! While there are certainly better times of the year to visit if you want to make the most of the better weather, each season has its own perks!
While the spring and autumn definitely bring better weather for sightseeing and outdoor exploring, summer and winter also have their charm, especially with the advantages of fewer crowds and lower prices.
Whether you’re after an Instagram-worthy post of the blooming cherry blossoms, want to party hard at the summer festivals or are ready to hit the slopes, Japan is ready to welcome tourists all year round.
Planning ahead will help you make the most of your trip, but if you’d rather place that job into the hands of a reliable travel company, then we’re ready to welcome you on one of our group tours with open arms!
Whether you’re looking to travel solo or bring a friend along for the ride, our group tours in South East Asia & Australia are the perfect balance of culture, adventure, chill time & nightlife. You’ll arrive as strangers and leave as the best of friends.
Here are a few useful links to help with that planning;
👉🏼 View all Trips
👉🏼 Frequently Asked Questions
👉🏼 Check out our Reviews
👉🏼 Why choose us?
👉🏼 How does it all work?
If you’ve got any burning questions or just need a little travel inspo… jump in the DM’s with the team via either Whatsapp, Livechat or Instagram.
