Last reviewed: · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.
Japan is a year-round destination, but each season feels very different. Exact timing of blossoms and leaves shifts every year with the weather; follow official forecasts as your trip approaches.
Spring (March–May)
Mild temperatures and cherry blossoms (sakura) make spring the most popular season. Blossoms move north over roughly four months:
| Region | Typical cherry blossom period |
|---|---|
| Okinawa | Late January – February |
| Kyushu, Shikoku | Late March – early April |
| Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Nagoya | Late March – early April |
| Kanazawa, Tohoku (south) | Early – mid April |
| Northern Tohoku | Mid – late April |
| Hokkaido | Late April – mid May |
Full bloom lasts only around a week in any given place. Book early, and plan a flexible itinerary so you can chase blossoms north or south.
Golden Week
A cluster of national holidays from around 29 April to 5 May. Domestic travel peaks — trains, hotels and sights are crowded and prices rise. Avoid if you can, or book well ahead.
Summer (June–August)
The rainy season (tsuyu) usually affects most of the country from early June to mid-July (earlier in Okinawa; Hokkaido largely avoids it). Then it gets hot and humid, with heat-stroke warnings common. Summer brings fireworks, festivals and the climbing season for Mt Fuji and the Japan Alps. Obon (around mid-August) is another busy domestic travel period.
Typhoon season
Typhoons can affect Japan from roughly June to October, most often August–September, and especially Okinawa and the southwest. They can cancel flights, ferries and trains for a day or two. Keep plans flexible and monitor the Japan Meteorological Agency.
Autumn (September–November)
Comfortable temperatures and clear skies. Autumn leaves (koyo) move the opposite way to blossoms — from north to south and from mountains to lowlands:
| Region | Typical peak foliage |
|---|---|
| Hokkaido (Daisetsuzan) | Late September – early October |
| Hokkaido lowlands, Tohoku, Nikko (higher areas) | October |
| Nikko town, Hakone, Fuji Five Lakes | Late October – November |
| Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Nara | Mid November – early December |
Winter (December–February)
Cold, dry and sunny on the Pacific side (Tokyo, Osaka), with heavy snow on the Sea of Japan side and in Hokkaido. Great for skiing, snow festivals, onsen, illuminations and clear Mt Fuji views. Many businesses close around New Year (roughly 29 December–3 January), though shrines are busy with hatsumode visits.
So when should you go?
- Best overall: April or November (book early).
- Best value with good weather: late May, October, early December.
- For snow: January–February.
- For festivals and hiking: July–August (accept the heat).
Official sources & further reading
Rules, prices and schedules change. Confirm details here before you travel: