The best time to visit Japan depends on you. What do you prefer? Some look forward to the cold weather, and some prefer the summer. You should avoid some months to get the best experience, but the ultimate decision is yours. Below find helpful information which might help you decide.
Weather in Japan
When planning your trip, keep in mind that Japan has a heavy rain season (tsuyu) that typically ends in the first half of July. Many festivals are held during the month, but the probability you will catch rain is high. And then let’s not forget the typhoon season, which reaches its peak in August and September.
A popular period to visit Japan is the spring. It is famous for the cherry blossom in bloom, and the weather is pleasantly mild, especially in April. In May, the temperatures are still comfortable as well. In Autumn (October-November), the weather is mild and dry, and the humidity is finally down. From our own experience, we recommend Autumn.
Worst Time to Visit Japan
Honestly, is there a bad time to visit Japan? Not really. If you love the country and culture, you want to be there all year long, but if you are looking to get the best out of your trip, avoid certain times.
To have a great time in Japan, try to avoid these months. However, each month has something special about it to offer.
- Avoid the north of Japan in winter if you are not so much into snow and winter. On the other hand, if you are looking for a magical winter experience, this is the right time to go. Note, in some places; it can be freezing in January-March and lead to an increased risk of travel delays.
- Avoid the Golden Week in Japan; this is among the busiest times for domestic travel. Golden Week is typically late April and/or early May.
- Avoid the rainy season (June-July). However, there are many summer festivals ongoing; the rain is heavy in Japan. We got one rainy day in Tokyo, and it was pouring.
- September can also be tricky as typhoon season is ongoing.
Read also: How to plan your trip to Japan with social media
Most Popular Times to Visit Japan
The most popular times to visit Japan are during spring cherry blossom season and autumn season. Those times Japan will reward you with the most beautiful colors. We visited during autumn (end of October), which was marvelous.
What is the best month to visit Japan?
The best time to visit Japan is spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November).
If you wish to have a magical winter experience, New Year and the remainder of January are good times. The weather is usually sunny and dry, and sightseeing spots are not very crowded. Do not worry as much about the snow. Only in northern Japan and along the Sea of Japan coast is there lots of snowfall, and conditions are suitable for winter sports. The downside can be shorter days, and it gets dark fast.
It can be tricky if you are thinking about going in spring, the months between March to May, and you want to see the legendary cherry blossoms.
The cherry trees usually bloom only a few days, and you need to catch that window. And the window also depends on the part of Japan you are visiting. Many choose April as the month to go when you want to see the pink beauty. Planning is needed! However, if the cherry trees are only a bonus for you, the months of March to May are perfect.
The weather between March and May is considered, and temperatures are moderate.
Rainy season – summer had heavy rain, as mentioned. And we mean heavy rain. Once, we caught such a day and could only do inside activities—no chance to waddle outside.
I think the weather is the best in Autumn (September to November). It remains warm but is not hot and humid anymore.
In November, the weather is relatively dry and mild. I visited during the autumn months, and it was bliss. The colorful trees were beautiful, and the weather was perfect.
To sum up, spring is great for visiting, but our absolute favorite is autumn. Although the next trip, we plan for spring. 😉
