Travel to Japan when to go

Highlights of the month

• Jan 1–3 New Year — many shops and government offices closed
• Lucky bags (Fukubukuro) and big sales early in the month
• Full ski season in Hokkaido, Nagano, Niigata
• First shrine visit of the year (Hatsumode) — very crowded in week one

Dressing

Windproof coat, HeatTech inner layer Scarf and gloves Buildings and trains with heaters on are very warm. Therefore, it should be worn as a removable layer.

Best for

Snow and onsen fans, and anyone dodging New Year by going mid-month

Highlights of the month

• Sapporo Snow Festival early in the month (Hokkaido hotels spike)
• Setsubun Feb 3 — bean-throwing to drive out demons at temples
• Plum (ume) blossom late in the month — cherry blossom not yet
• Japanese-style Valentine’s: women give chocolate

Dressing

Full winter clothes like in January. Add non-slip soles and thick socks if going to Hokkaido or the Sea of ​​Japan.

Best for

Budget travellers who want snow and don’t mind missing blossoms

Highlights of the month

• Hinamatsuri Mar 3, the girls’ doll festival
• Cherry blossom opens in Kyushu–Shikoku mid-month
• Tokyo/Kyoto usually bloom late in the month
• Japanese school holidays; crowds build late in the month

Dressing

Light coat or windproof jacket Over a long sleeve shirt It still goes down to about 5°C in the morning and evening, but during the day the sun is so warm that we have to take off.

Best for

Want cherry blossom but not peak prices — go early to mid-month

Highlights of the month

• Cherry blossom at full bloom across Honshu, early in the month
• Tateyama snow wall opens mid-month
• Shibazakura at the foot of Mt. Fuji, late in the month
• Hokkaido cherry blossom blooms late Apr–early May
• Golden Week starts Apr 29

Dressing

Long-sleeved shirt and light blazer During the day, it's a comfortable walk. At night, under the cherry trees, the cool breeze Always have a coat in your bag.

Best for

A first-ever trip to see Japan at its prettiest (at the year’s highest prices)

Highlights of the month

• Golden Week runs to around May 6 — the whole country travels
• Crowds thin out and prices drop right after Golden Week
• Wisteria (fuji) blooms early in the month
• Sanja Matsuri in Asakusa, mid-month

Dressing

Light short-sleeved or long-sleeved shirts Add a light coat for the evening. The sun is starting to get strong so you should have sunglasses and sunscreen.

Best for

Best value of the year — go after May 7: good weather, fewer people, lower prices

Highlights of the month

• Hydrangeas bloom citywide; Kamakura/Mimeguri are stunning
• Hotel and flight prices among the year’s lowest
• Few crowds; easy photos at the famous spots

Dressing

Thin clothes dry quickly. Folding umbrella or lightweight raincoat And shoes that get wet don't break. Because the rain comes from time to time.

Best for

Tight budgets, crowd-haters, and anyone unafraid of rain (or head to Hokkaido)

Highlights of the month

• Tanabata Jul 7 — hanging paper wishes
• Gion Matsuri in Kyoto all month (big parade Jul 17)
• Fireworks festivals every weekend
• Mt. Fuji climbing season opens (Jul–Sep)

Dressing

Light clothing that wicks away perspiration, a sun hat, a cool towel or a portable fan, and a water bottle because the sun is strong and humidity is high throughout the day.

Best for

Anyone after summer festival vibes and wearing a yukata

Highlights of the month

• Obon mid-month — Japanese head home; trains and flights fill up
• Nebuta in Aomori, Aug 2–7
• Awa Odori in Tokushima, Aug 12–15
• Big fireworks nationwide

Dressing

The lightest outfit of the trip. Plus a light coat for air conditioned rooms and very cold trains. Carry a sweat towel and mineral salts with you.

Best for

Festival lovers — but skip Obon week unless you want peak prices

Highlights of the month

• Prices ease off the summer peak
• Autumn leaves start in Hokkaido and the high mountains late in the month
• Silver Week (a long weekend late in the month some years)
• Moon viewing (Tsukimi)

Dressing

Some shirts in August at the beginning of the month Then add a raincoat and windproof umbrella. Because this is the month where typhoons hit most frequently.

Best for

Mid-budget travellers who can risk flight delays — get travel insurance

Highlights of the month

• Autumn leaves in Hokkaido, Nikko, Kamikochi
• Jidai Matsuri, Kyoto, Oct 22
• Shibuya Halloween late in the month (packed; crowd controls in place)
• Clear skies, great for Mt. Fuji photos

Dressing

Long-sleeved shirt and light blazer It's the easiest month of the year to dress. You can walk all day without getting hot and without having to carry a thick coat.

Best for

Autumn leaves without competing with the whole country

Highlights of the month

• Autumn leaves peak in Kyoto and Tokyo, mid to late month
• Night light-ups at Kyoto temples
• Winter illuminations switch on late in the month
• Shichi-Go-San Nov 15 — kids in kimono visit shrines

Dressing

A light coat over a long-sleeved shirt. It's about 9°C in the morning, but the day is sunny. It's best worn in layers when walking around looking at the red leaves.

Best for

Photographers — second only to cherry blossom, but Kyoto is packed

Highlights of the month

• Illuminations in every city, the prettiest of the year
• Prices clearly lower early in the month, before New Year
• Ski season opens mid-month
• Dec 28–Jan 4 is New Year: prices spike, many shops closed

Dressing

Heavy coat, HeatTech, and gloves. It gets dark starting around 4:30 p.m., so pack warm clothes to stand and photograph the lights outdoors.

Best for

Go early to mid-month — full illuminations at low-season prices