The Best Time to Visit Japan: A Month-by-Month Guide

Top Reason to Visit Japan in January: Snow Festivals
Snow usually blankets the ground in central Japan by now, making both January and February a perfect time to check out the famous snow monkeys in Nagano, grab serene stills of temples and castles covered in snow, soak in a steamy onsen, and appreciate that piping hot bowl of ramen or udon. Plus, there's less traffic at all the touristy spots, giving those who brave the cold a much more personal experience of Japan's famous sites. In northern Japan, after the New Year's holiday, January marks a prime time to hit the ski slopes. January also marks the Sumo New Year Basho in Tokyo, and cherry blossom season kicks off in Okinawa as trees are already beginning to bloom.

Best Spot in Japan in January: Hokkaido

Hokkaido is one of the best spots in Japan to experience a winter wonderland - with snow festivals, skiing, and snowboarding. The Sapporo Snow Festival, a staple to Sapporo’s winter since 1950, brings stunning snow sculptures and other winter fun to the area in January. Resorts in Niseko and Furano are perfect for ski and snowboarding enthusiasts, while the hot springs bring warm relaxation in the winter.

Top Reason to Visit Japan in February: Onsen and Winter Sports
February marks the official start of the diving season in Japan. Sea turtles, sharks, seahorses, and manatees can be spotted all season long. Still, divers willing to brave the lower-temperature waters of February will have the highest chances and best conditions for spotting humpback whales. Humpbacks start becoming more elusive come mid-to-late March and disappear entirely from late April through the end of November. Aboveground, on Japan's central and northern islands, February is typically Japan's coldest month. Most folks can keep warm inside cozy izakayas or soaking in an onsen. In contrast, others indulge in winter sports, even pilgrimaging north to Sapporo's fun Snow Festival.

Best Spot in Japan in February: Nagano

From the snow monkey park Jigokudani Yaen-koen to one of the many hot springs in the area, Nagano is filled with unique winter activities. See snow monkeys in their natural habitat at Jigokudani Yaen-koen. The park’s website will often update with predictions of what days the monkeys will come down the mountain for easy viewing. Onsen, like Shibu, Shirahone offers indoor and outdoor hot spring baths for soaking in the stunning surroundings.

Top Reason to Visit Japan in March: Cherry Blossom Viewing
Thanks to warming temperatures and the start of the much-anticipated cherry blossom season, March is one of the most popular times to visit Japan. By mid-month, several areas of central Japan will start to see budding blooms on the trees, signaling the celebration of hanami (a.k.a. flower viewing). This is a highly festive and cheerful time to be in Japan and a great way to experience one of the country's most social traditions. Typically, the blooms will only last around two weeks, and some people choose to follow them as they bloom their way up to Hokkaido through April. Expect nightly parties, tons of jubilant drunkenness on blankets under the cherry blossom boughs, and hotels to be pricey and booked.

March and April are also two of the best months to visit Okinawa. During this time, most tourists will be concentrated in the central and northern prefectures to experience the cherry blossoms, which are likely to be finished blooming in Okinawa by March. Those interested in a sumo match may want to head to Osaka in March for their annual Sumo Spring Basho.

Best Spot in Japan in March: Kyoto

Kyoto is known for its stunning cherry blossoms and is a must-visit destination if you visit Japan in March. Maruyama Park not only stuns with its brilliant display of cherry blossoms, but visitors will also delight at the Higashiyama Hanatoro Festival, when thousands of lanterns are displayed throughout the city.

Top Reason to Visit Japan in April: Beginning of Golden Week
Okinawa's temperatures begin to heat up and remain hot and humid in April, with average temperatures in the low 90s through September. Divers should also mark their calendars, as mid-April through May is the only time you won't see humpbacks or manta rays in the water. April's rising temperatures also signal the end of Japan's ski season. March's expensive prices and booked hotels stay steady through April, so we highly recommend booking travel and planning well in advance to get the best deals and hotels.

Where to Go In Japan in April: Tokyo

Golden Week is a celebration of four national holidays within a week in late April and early May: Showa Day, Constitution Memorial Day, Greenery Day, and Children’s Day. The city comes alive with locals enjoying the outdoors, festivals, and retail sales. The first of these holiday’s is April 29th, and things will get busy after that - so April is the perfect time to get a taste of Golden Week without the crowds.

Top Reason to Visit Japan in May: Pleasant Weather
If you're looking to celebrate the beauty of flowers but can't make it to Japan during the March-April cherry blossom season, come in May (or head to Hokkaido, where the last of the cherry blossoms are beginning to bloom). You'll be met with pink, white, and purple hues from several of Japan's other flowers, like azalea, wisteria, and iris. However, we recommend skipping a visit that falls during Golden Week (the last Sunday in April through the first week of May). This is a week of compensatory holidays when most of Japan takes off work, and several businesses are shut down. Flights, trains, hotels, and other activities often soar in prices and quickly become booked up. It's also worth checking out specific dates for Tokyo's Sumo Summer Basho, to either attend or snag a hotel before they get snatched up. Visitors to Okinawa should be warned that May is typically the wettest month.

Where to Go In Japan in May: Hiroshima

The weather in Hiroshima is perfect in May, making it ideal for visiting Peace Memorial Park and Miyajima Island. Peace Memorial Park serves as a somber reminder of the dropping of the A-Bomb, with the remnants of the Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall, one of the few buildings that remained after the horrific bomb fell in 1945. Miyajima Island is located less than an hour from Hiroshima, and features the famous torii gate, Itsukushima Shrine, Daisho-in Temple and Senjokaku, a wooden hall built in the 16th century.

Top Reason to Visit Japan in June: Smaller Crowds
Typhoon June is a thing; this month kicks off Japan's rainiest weeks. Heavy rain can often be expected through July, though the rainy season lasts until September. June also marks Nagoya's turn at the Sumo Basho, while the already-wet Okinawa area will start seeing typhoons in June that can last through August.

Where to Go in Japan in June: Kanazawa

The weather in Kanazawa in June is pleasant, and the rain hasn’t really started to fall yet, so it’s a great time to explore the historic districts and Kenrokuen Garden. Stroll along the Higashi Chaya District, create some gold leaf art at one of the galleries, or explore Kanazawa Castle Park.

Top Reason to Visit Japan in July: Outdoor Activities
Those looking for a chance to climb Mount Fuji can start planning their hikes from July 1, when the mountainside opens back up for climbers. Late July through late August has the best weather conditions for climbing, but you'll also find that this is when the mountainside is the most congested. (Even though it's summertime and the weather is hot elsewhere, it still reaches freezing temperatures on the summit, so prepare accordingly.) Music lovers should consider that Japan's largest music festival, Fuji Rock Festival, kicks off the last weekend in July at the Naeba Ski Resort in Yuzawa, Niigata, and features national and international artists. Previous performers have included Bjork, Queens of the Stone Age, Beck, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Muse, Deadmau5, The Cure, and Arcade Fire.

Where to Go in Japan in July: Mount Fuji

Mount Fuji will be open for hiking beginning July 1, and the climbing conditions are at their peak. The climb up takes about six hours, and the descent is about half that. Mount Fuji offers more than just hiking and climbing though. For stunning views of Mt. Fuji, head to Lake Kawaguchi, where you can take a cruise around the lake for amazing photo ops, visit the hot springs, or ride the ropeway up Mt. Tenjo.

Top Reason to Visit Japan in August: Obon Festival
The massive Japanese holiday of Obon lands in the middle of August and is a fun and vibrant time to visit Japan. Obon is an event in honor of the dead. It is a time when the Japanese believe the living and dead can be reunited to eat, drink, and be merry together. Expect streets to be blocked off with festivals and tons of dancing. It's practically a given that hotels will be booked well in advance, so don't be surprised if you see those unable to get a room happily sleeping on the floor of train stations. August is also Japan's hottest month, no matter which island you find yourself on, though the highs can vary greatly, reaching into the 90s on Okinawa and just 72 in Hokkaido.

Where to Go in Japan in August: Okinowa

A summer vacation is often synonymous with a beach vacation, and Okinawa provides gorgeous beaches and awe-inspiring coral reefs—perfect for an August vacation. Check out whale sharks and other marine life at Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, or explore the World Heritage sites of Yanbaru and Iriomote Island.

Top Reason to Visit Japan in September: Pleasant Weather
By the second week of September all of Mount Fuji's hiking trails are closed. The weather during September can be a wild card, with scattered showers and fluctuating weather that lean on the warmer side, especially in the southern prefectures. However, you'll find considerably cooler temperatures creeping into the northern prefectures. It's also the start of Okinawa's high season, which lasts through December, and the Sumo Basho returns to Tokyo.

Where to Go in Japan in September: Nikko

Nikko is known for the World Heritage site comprising of 103 shrines and temples to explore. The World Heritage site is impressive, but adding vibrant foliage to the mix will really impress you, which is why we suggest visiting Nikko in September. Enjoy the red, orange and yellow hues of the trees while hiking in Nikko National Park,

Top Reason to Visit Japan in October and November: Foliage, Smaller Crowds
October and November are gorgeous times to visit Japan. Falling temperatures start in Hokkaido during October, and the warm colors of autumn slowly push their way down the islands of central Japan. This is also the end of the diving season in Okinawa, though several people still flock to the islands for its warm temperatures and beautiful beaches. The fall landscape and temperatures make it an excellent time to visit the deer in Nara.

Where to Go in Japan in October and November: Shirakawago

Step back in time in Shirakawago, a UNESCO World Heritage site that features traditional thatch-roofed houses. Enjoy the fall foliage, immerse yourself in history, or hike the mountains for picturesque views.

Top Reason to Visit Japan in December: Christmas Markets
December breaks in winter for Japan and snowfall is expected. As it gets cold enough for snow to stick to the ground, ski slopes begin to open across central Japan and Hokkaido. It snows nearly every day in Hokkaido during the winter. The warmest temps only reach about 30 degrees, while the coldest plunge to a frigid 15 degrees. While you'll need to bundle up, don't let this deter you. Winter is one of the most stunning times to visit Japan when temples and landscapes are often covered with picturesque blankets or dustings of snow. However, remember that there are many activities and holidays in Japan between December 29 and January 10, so it's best to time your visit around these dates to avoid full occupancy in hotels, overcrowded public transit, and higher room rates. Temples are often inundated over the New Year’s holiday, so it's best to arrive early in the morning to beat the crowds. Visitors during the week between Christmas and New Year's should also double-check to ensure museums, tourist attractions, and points of interest are open.

If you are still getting ready for winter, head to Kyushu where fall is just starting to breach the island in December.

Where to Go in Japan in December: Tokyo

Like many major cities worldwide, Tokyo transforms into a festive wonderland around the holidays. Witness the iconic illuminations at Marunouchi Naka-dori and Roppongi Hills. Enjoy traditional Japanese culture by visiting temples like Sensoji Temple and Meiji Shrine, especially during the New Year's celebrations. For a unique experience, try ice skating at Tokyo Midtown or explore the winter wonderland at Yomiuriland.