Best time to visit

Best time to visit Japan

Our pick: July and SeptemberBest valueChecked 22 October 2026

Late March to May and October to November are peak, for cherry blossom and autumn leaves. December to February, June to July and September are best value, though June brings the rainy season and summer is hot and humid.

Best value
Busy and pricier
Quiet

RatingBest value

Areas covered3 on this page

Golden Week (late April to early May) sends the whole country on holiday, so trains and hotels fill up. Winter is underrated: clear skies, few crowds, and snow in Hokkaido and the Alps.

Where timing differs

Tokyo, Kyoto, OsakaBusy and pricier
Blossom (late Mar to early Apr) and autumn leaves (Nov) are packed.
HokkaidoBest value
Skiing in Jan and Feb, flower fields in July.
OkinawaBest value
Warm from April. Typhoon risk from August to October.

Month by month in Tokyo

J5°
F6°
M9°
A14°
M18°
J22°
J26°
A27°
S24°
O18°
N13°
D7°

Best valueBusy and pricierQuiet

Average temperature each month (NASA POWER, 2001 to 2025), coloured by season.

Month by month in Japan

January and February: Cold, clear and quiet. Skiing in Hokkaido and the Alps, snow festival in Sapporo.
Late March to April: Cherry blossom. Beautiful and very busy.
May: Pleasant, apart from Golden Week at the start.
June to mid-July: Rainy season. Lush and quieter.
July and August: Hot and humid, with summer festivals and fireworks.
October and November: Autumn leaves and comfortable temperatures. Busy.

Typhoon season

Typhoons can affect Japan from August to October, especially Okinawa and the south. They're forecast days ahead and usually disrupt transport for a day or two. Keep your plans flexible in late summer, and check the Japan Meteorological Agency for warnings.

Before you go

Book blossom-season hotels months ahead.
Avoid Golden Week (29 Apr to 5 May) if you can.

Stay and do

Ready to book Japan? Compare places to stay and things to do.

Hotels in Tokyo in July Tours and tickets in Tokyo

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Questions people ask

When is cherry blossom in Japan?

Usually late March to early April in Tokyo and Kyoto, later further north.

When is the cheapest time to visit Japan?

December to February, June to July and September are best value, outside the blossom and autumn leaf seasons.

When is the rainy season in Japan?

June to mid-July in most of the country, earlier in Okinawa.

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Waymark summarises official UK government (FCDO) travel advice and other public sources to help you plan. It is not a substitute for that advice, which can change at short notice. Always read the latest FCDO page for your destination and check your insurance before you book. Content last checked 22 October 2026.