Best Time to Visit Japan: When Should You Go?

The Best Time to Visit Japan

Japan is a great destination to visit any time of year.

That said, the best time to visit Japan is spring and fall. During these seasons, you can expect good weather and pleasant temperatures in almost every region. Perfect for a Japan road trip. Plus, in spring you get the Japanese cherry blossoms as a highlight, and in fall the colorful foliage.

Japan stretches several thousand kilometers from north to south, which means the country has six distinct climate zones. All six see quite a bit of rain — in the subtropical south, it’s nearly double the rainfall of the colder north.

Japan’s climate zones can roughly be broken down as follows:

• Hokkaidō: long, cold winters and short summers
• West Coast: heavy snowfall in winter and cooler summers
• Central Highlands: little rain and large temperature swings between summer and winter, as well as between day and night
• Seto Inland Sea: moderate climate and pleasant temperatures
• Pacific Coast: hot, humid summers and cool, relatively dry winters
• Ryūkyū Islands: mild winters and hot, humid summers with occasional typhoon risk

The best time to travel to Japan by region:

• Hokkaidō: May through October, and December through February for winter sports
• West Coast: May through June and October
• Central Highlands: May through June, September through October, and December through February for winter sports
• Seto Inland Sea: April through June and August through November
• Pacific Coast: February through May and October through November
• Ryūkyū Islands: October through November and April through July

Climate in Japan

To make things a bit easier for your Japan travel planning, we’re combining the four climate zones in central Japan into one area. The climate and best travel times are fairly similar across these zones, so this works well.

That leaves three areas: Northern Japan (Hokkaidō), Central Japan (West Coast, Central Highlands, the Seto Inland Sea, and the Pacific Coast), and Southern Japan (the Ryūkyū Islands). We’ve put together climate charts for all three areas so you can see at a glance what to expect where.

Climate Chart for Northern Japan

In northern Japan, the climate is relatively dry and cool. Summers are short and warm, while winters are long and cold with plenty of snow — perfect conditions for winter sports.

Our climate chart gives you all the key data on the weather in Sapporo on Hokkaidō at a glance.

Climate Chart for Central Japan

In Central Japan, winters are also cold, but not as cold as in the north. Daytime temperatures usually stay between 32 and 50°F (0–10°C), and winter doesn’t drag on as long. By late March, temperatures slowly start to climb again.

On the flip side, summers in Central Japan are noticeably more humid than in Northern Japan.

Our climate chart for Tokyo gives you a solid overview of the weather in Central Japan.

Climate Chart for Southern Japan

The Ryūkyū Islands have a subtropical climate. Summers are hot and humid, and there’s a typhoon risk — more on that below.

Winters in Southern Japan are very mild. Spring and fall are the best times for swimming.

Here’s our climate chart for Okinawa in Southern Japan:

Japan Weather by Month

So you know exactly what to expect on your trip, here’s a month-by-month breakdown of the weather across Japan.

Japan in January

January is one of the driest months in Japan. It rarely rains and the sun shines most of the time.

That also means you’ll have a great chance of a clear view of Mount Fuji in January.

In the north, you’ll have below-freezing temperatures and plenty of snow — perfect conditions for skiing. And the slopes are surprisingly uncrowded compared to Europe.

In the south, it’s mild, averaging around 41–48°F (5–9°C). If you don’t mind slightly cooler temperatures, it’s a great time to explore Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima without having to push through massive tourist crowds.

Japan in February

February is actually one of our favorite months for a trip to Japan — as long as you don’t mind the cold. It’s still chilly, but incredibly sunny, which makes the temperatures much more bearable.

You can still ski in the north, explore cities and temples that are far less crowded than in spring, and catch views of Mount Fuji.

Keep in mind: Around mid-February, Chinese New Year begins. The festival lasts about two weeks and brings a very large number of Chinese tourists. If you can, try to avoid this period.

Japan in March

In March, spring slowly begins to arrive.

In the south, the cherry blossoms start to bloom, while in the north the ski season winds down. Temperatures there also start to climb above freezing.

Japan in April

Japan is a wonderful destination to visit in April. Rain is still rare, the sun is out, and the weather gradually shifts from light jacket weather to t-shirt weather. We’ve sometimes had really spring-like temperatures of 59–64°F (15–18°C) in April.

The further south and southwest you travel, the warmer it gets. Around the Seto Inland Sea and on the Ryūkyū Islands, temperatures can even climb above 68°F (20°C). So go ahead and pack your swimsuit.

April is also one of the best months to see the cherry blossoms. But that’s exactly why April is the most popular time to visit Japan. Expect large crowds and higher accommodation prices. Hotels in Tokyo in particular can be considerably more expensive. Book well in advance.

Japan in May

In May, the weather in Japan is usually pleasantly mild — neither too hot nor too cold.

However, the dry season is slowly coming to an end. The weather can be changeable and you should expect a few rainy days.

The big cherry blossom rush is over by May, which makes traveling a bit more relaxed. That said, Golden Week falls in May. This is one of Japan’s most important holiday periods, and many Japanese people travel domestically during this time — so popular spots and cities can get pretty crowded.

Japan in June

June marks the start of the rainy season. This mainly affects the south and Central Japan, where the weather becomes very unpredictable. It can rain for several days in a row, or stay dry for days at a stretch.

In the north, June is actually the best time to visit. With temperatures of 61–68°F (16–20°C) and little rain, the weather is seriously ideal.

Japan in July

In July, the north still offers the best weather. You can look forward to temperatures around 68°F (20°C) — perfect for hiking, visiting waterfalls, and colorful flower fields.

In Central Japan and the south, it’s hot, rainfall is significantly higher, and humidity is much greater than in the north.

On the plus side, the heat means that the summit of Mount Fuji is relatively snow-free. The mountain huts and trails are open, and you can climb to the summit until early September. Just be prepared for plenty of fellow hikers — on some trails, you may even have to queue.

August

Together with September, August is when Japan sees the highest typhoon risk. This is especially worth keeping in mind if you’re heading to the south.

On top of that, it’s hot and humid across almost the entire country. In this kind of weather, you’re best off sticking to northern Hokkaidō or the Seto Inland Sea area.

Even so, make sure to book your accommodations well in advance — many Japanese people also travel domestically in August.

September

September weather is still mostly hot and humid, though temperatures do start to slowly drop. The typhoon risk in the south remains very high, and the south generally sees a lot of rain this time of year.

In Central Japan, rain is still fairly frequent, but you can start visiting the highlands and the Seto Inland Sea again.

In early September, you can still climb Mount Fuji before the first snowfall. The mountain huts close after that, and only experienced climbers should be on the mountain.

October

In October, the whole country starts to turn colorful, beginning in the higher elevations and in the north. The trees go bright red, orange, and yellow. This makes fall, just like cherry blossom season, one of the most popular and best times to visit Japan.

The fall weather is also ideal for getting around. You’ll find pleasant temperatures across the country and relatively little rain. That’s why we love Japan as a destination for an October trip.

November

In November, Japan is more colorful than ever. It’s a fantastic time to visit for photographers and nature lovers.

The weather is dry and you’ll find a wide range of temperatures. In the south, you can still snorkel in November with temperatures around 77°F (25°C), while in the north you can sometimes already hit the ski slopes.

December

In December, the ski season really kicks off. The Japanese Alps near Nagano and Hokkaidō are especially great for skiing.

In Central and Southern Japan, it’s dry and mild to cool. The fall rush is over and you can visit temples and other highlights in Tokyo and beyond with far fewer tourist crowds. Winter is also a great time to find budget hotels in Tokyo.

Snow in Tokyo itself is extremely rare, and since the sun shines more frequently now, you have a good chance of spotting Mount Fuji. If the daytime temperatures of around 41–46°F (5–8°C) start to feel too cold, you can always warm up in an onsen.

Christmas is not celebrated as a Christian holiday in Japan. However, many restaurants and shops do close around New Year’s.

Cherry Blossoms in Japan

Spring is the most popular time to visit Japan — and the famous cherry blossoms are the main reason why.

City parks, landscapes, and the gardens of Japanese castles glow in shades of pink, white, and deep rose for two to three weeks. It’s seriously one of the best times for travel photography as well.

We visited Japan during cherry blossom season and can’t recommend it enough! In Tokyo, the blossoms typically begin in mid to late March, though they can sometimes hold off until April. The further south you go, the earlier the cherry trees bloom.

Here’s an overview of when you can expect the Japanese cherry blossoms:

• Tokyo, Osaka, and Hiroshima: mid to late March through early April
• Kanazawa and Nagano: early to mid-April through late April
• Sapporo: late April/early May through mid-May

Unfortunately, spring isn’t just our favorite time — it’s also the most popular time for Japanese locals and tourists from around the world. That means accommodation in Japan is significantly more expensive and often books up well in advance. Plan ahead — about seven to eight months out!

Rainy Season and Typhoon Season in Japan

Japan’s rainy season typically runs from early June through mid-July. During this time, it often rains for several hours at a stretch, mainly in Central and Southern Japan.

Typhoons (tropical cyclones) can technically occur at any time of year, but the main season is during summer along the Pacific Coast. On average, 25 typhoons form in the Pacific each year, of which three make landfall on the Japanese mainland.

Starting in June, the chances of encountering one of these storms on your Japan trip increase. They can completely shut down air travel and ruin a planned beach vacation in the south. The highest typhoon risk is in August and September.

Japanese Holiday Periods

When deciding on the best time to travel to Japan, avoid Japanese holiday periods at all costs.

Japan has a total of 16 national holidays per year. In addition, every Monday is a day off if a public holiday falls on the preceding Sunday. Most Japanese workers also get bridge days off.

This means there are quite a few long weekends in Japan — and Japanese people make the most of them by traveling. Public transportation in Japan and highways get very crowded, and hotel prices climb significantly.

The most important holidays are:

• Golden Week: April 29 through May 5
• O-bon: August 13 through August 16
• New Year’s: December 29 through January 3