best time to visit
japan

january in japan is cold, crisp and wonderfully atmospheric. tokyo averages around 9°c during the day, with plenty of bright, sunny weather and some of the clearest views of mount fuji you'll get all year. once the new year celebrations are over, things tend to quieten down, making it a lovely time to explore the city, visit temples and shrines, and soak up the winter atmosphere. think steaming bowls of ramen, cosy izakaya dinners and onsen sessions after a day of exploring. it's also a brilliant time to experience japan with a group, especially if it's your first visit and you'd rather share those bucket-list moments with other gals. pack plenty of warm layers, gloves and a scarf!!

february is still firmly winter in japan, but there's a little hint of spring in the air as the first plum blossoms begin to appear, particularly in parks and shrine gardens. tokyo stays cold, with bright, clear days offering another great chance to catch a glimpse of mount fuji. it's a lovely month for exploring at a slower pace, from wandering traditional neighbourhoods and visiting museums to warming up over hot-pot dinners and relaxing in a steaming onsen. snow is possible in tokyo, although it's relatively rare and usually doesn't stick around for long. if you're looking for a quieter time to explore japan, february can be a great shout!!

march is when japan starts to come alive with the first signs of spring. in tokyo, cherry blossoms usually begin opening towards the end of the month, although the exact timing shifts every year depending on the weather. the days get milder, averaging around 13°c, and the parks and gardens start filling with colour as plum blossoms give way to early sakura. it's a gorgeous time to explore, whether you're wandering beneath the blossoms, discovering tokyo's neighbourhoods or enjoying your first hanami picnic with the gals. things start getting busier as the month goes on, so if seeing the cherry blossoms is high on your japan wish list, we'd aim for late march into early april and keep your dates as flexible as possible!!

april is classic japan, and honestly, we can see why!! cherry blossoms are usually at or around their peak in tokyo in late march and early april, with the exact dates changing each year. temperatures are much more comfortable, averaging around 17–18°c, making it lovely for exploring on foot, visiting temples and spending time outdoors. one of the best things about sakura season is hanami, the tradition of gathering beneath the cherry trees for picnics, food and drinks while the petals fall like confetti. it's a pretty special experience to share with other travellers!! just be prepared for crowds and higher accommodation prices, particularly around peak bloom. golden week also begins on 29 april, bringing one of japan's busiest domestic travel periods, so book ahead and expect transport and popular sights to be busier from then.

may is one of the loveliest months to explore japan, with warm days averaging around 22°c, plenty of sunshine and everything looking beautifully green. the cherry blossoms have mostly finished, but parks and gardens are full of fresh leaves, azaleas and wisteria. it's a brilliant time for exploring on foot, browsing markets, visiting shrines and discovering the little neighbourhoods that make japan so special. just watch out for golden week, which usually falls between late april and early may and is one of the busiest holiday periods in japan. the first few days of may can be particularly hectic, but things tend to settle afterwards. if you're visiting tokyo, sanja matsuri in asakusa is a real highlight, with lively parades, traditional music and portable shrines taking over the streets in mid-may. pack light layers and get ready for lots of exploring!!

june brings tsuyu, japan's rainy season, to much of the country, including tokyo, kyoto and osaka. expect warm, humid days, cloudy skies and frequent showers, although it doesn't usually rain all day, every day. it's not the classic blue-sky japan trip, but there's still plenty to enjoy!! hydrangeas come into bloom across parks, gardens and temple grounds, creating gorgeous splashes of colour, while the countryside turns beautifully green. the big exception is hokkaido, which generally avoids the main rainy season and can be a lovely alternative for outdoor adventures. if you're travelling elsewhere, pack a compact umbrella, quick-drying clothes and comfortable shoes, and mix outdoor exploring with cosy cafés, museums, food markets and a relaxing onsen when the rain rolls in.

july is hot and humid (around 29°c), but the rainy season ends and festival season kicks off. summer festivals, fireworks and yukata-clad crowds make the evenings magical. the days are sticky, so plan indoor activities for the afternoon and carry a small fan and a cold towel like the locals do. mount fuji's climbing season begins, and tanabata on 7 july brings colourful wish streamers to the streets.

august is full-on summer in japan, with temperatures often reaching 30–35°c in cities such as tokyo, kyoto and osaka, and humidity making it feel even hotter. but it's also one of the most exciting months for festivals, fireworks and summer traditions!! obon, usually around 13–16 august, is when many people return to their hometowns to honour their ancestors, with bon odori dances, lantern ceremonies and local celebrations taking place across the country. it's a brilliant time to experience a different side of japanese culture, but expect busy transport and accommodation around the holiday period. if you're not a fan of intense heat, hokkaido and the cooler mountain regions are worth considering, while the beaches of okinawa offer a very different summer escape. typhoons are also possible, particularly in southern and western japan, so keep an eye on forecasts and leave a little flexibility in your plans.

september is still warm and humid across much of japan, but it's also one of the most active months of the typhoon season. heavy rain, strong winds and travel disruption are possible, particularly in southern and western regions, so it's worth keeping plans flexible and checking forecasts as you go. the heat gradually begins to ease, especially towards the end of the month, and hokkaido starts to feel more autumnal, with cooler temperatures and the first hints of changing leaves. it's generally quieter than the peak summer holiday period, which can make sightseeing feel more relaxed between weather systems. look out for tsukimi, the traditional autumn moon-viewing celebrations, and seasonal treats featuring chestnuts, sweet potatoes and the first signs of autumn. if you're travelling this month, build in some flexibility rather than planning every day down to the last detail!!

october is one of the loveliest months to explore japan, as the summer heat and humidity ease and comfortable autumn weather arrives across much of the country. temperatures are generally pleasant for sightseeing, hiking and exploring on foot, while the northern regions and higher mountain areas start to show off their autumn colours first. hokkaido is usually ahead of the rest of the country, with autumn foliage appearing from late september into october, while central japan's colours tend to arrive later. it's a gorgeous time to explore kyoto's temples, discover tokyo's neighbourhoods or head into the mountains for scenic walks and onsens. early october can still bring typhoon-related rain, particularly further south, but conditions generally become more settled as the month goes on. halloween celebrations add a fun atmosphere in some cities, although we'd check local event details before making plans around them. bring layers for cooler evenings and get ready for some seriously beautiful scenery!!

november is one of the most beautiful months to visit japan, as autumn foliage transforms the country into a sea of reds, oranges and golds. it's a gorgeous time for exploring, whether you're wandering through kyoto's temple gardens, discovering tokyo's parks or heading into the countryside for scenic walks and onsen stays. the colours move gradually south and down from higher elevations, so hokkaido and the mountains see autumn arrive earlier, while kyoto and tokyo usually hit their best displays during november and sometimes into early december. temperatures are generally cool and comfortable for sightseeing, with plenty of crisp, clear days, although northern japan can be much colder. it's a popular time to visit, especially around the famous foliage spots, so we'd recommend booking accommodation and travel ahead. pack layers and leave plenty of space on your camera roll!!

december brings a different kind of magic to japan, from sparkling city illuminations and festive markets to snowy mountain landscapes and steaming outdoor onsens. tokyo and kyoto are generally cold but often bright and dry, making them lovely for exploring during the day before heading out to see the winter lights after dark. the northern regions and japanese alps are much colder, with snow arriving in many areas and the ski season getting underway in some resorts. if you're dreaming of a winter wonderland, hokkaido is a brilliant option, while the cities offer a completely different experience with seasonal food, shopping and spectacular illuminations. just remember that japan's new year period is a major holiday, with many businesses and attractions closing or changing their hours around 29 december to 3 january, while transport and accommodation can get busy as people travel to visit family. wrap up warm, especially for evenings outdoors!!