The best time to visit Japan is spring (late March to May) and autumn (October to November).
The weather is mild, and you can enjoy cherry blossoms or autumn leaves. However, these are peak tourist seasons with higher prices and bigger crowds.
Find the best time for your priorities and budget.
Month by Month Guide
January
Weather: Cold. Tokyo averages around 7°C (45°F). Hokkaido is below freezing.
Pros:
- Few tourists (hidden gem season)
- Cheap hotels and flights
- Experience New Year atmosphere
- Ski and snowboard season
Cons:
- Many shops and restaurants closed January 1-3
- Cold
Best for: Budget travellers, people who hate crowds.
February
Weather: Cold but slightly milder than January. Tokyo averages around 8°C (46°F).
Pros:
- Fewest tourists of the year
- Cheapest hotels and flights
- Sapporo Snow Festival
- Plum blossoms start blooming
Cons:
- Cold
- Short daylight hours
Best for: Budget travellers. No crowds, cheap prices, still plenty to enjoy.
March
Weather: Gradually warming. Tokyo averages around 12°C (54°F). Cherry blossoms start late March.
Pros:
- Cherry blossom season begins (late March)
- Pleasant weather
- Fewer tourists than April (before peak bloom)
Cons:
- Cherry blossom timing is unpredictable
- Crowds increase late month
Best for: Cherry blossoms without peak-season chaos.
April
Weather: Warm and pleasant. Tokyo averages around 17°C (63°F).
Pros:
- Peak cherry blossom season (early to mid-April, varies by region)
- Best weather
- Experience hanami (flower viewing) culture
Cons:
- One of the most crowded months
- Expensive hotels and flights
- Popular spots are packed
Best for: Cherry blossom lovers. Book far in advance.
May
Weather: Warm and pleasant. Tokyo averages around 22°C (72°F).
Pros:
- Excellent weather
- Beautiful fresh greenery
- Much quieter after Golden Week
Cons:
- Golden Week (late April to early May) is a major Japanese holiday — extremely crowded and expensive
- Avoid Golden Week at all costs
Best for: Mid to late May is a hidden gem. Great weather, fewer crowds.
June
Weather: Rainy season (tsuyu). Humid. Tokyo averages around 24°C (75°F).
Pros:
- Few tourists
- Cheap hotels and flights
- Beautiful hydrangeas
- Hokkaido has no rainy season
Cons:
- Rain almost every day
- High humidity is uncomfortable
- Not ideal for outdoor sightseeing
Best for: Budget travellers who don’t mind rain. Or visit Hokkaido instead.
July
Weather: Hot and humid. Tokyo averages around 28°C (82°F). 35°C (95°F) days are common.
Pros:
- Summer festivals and fireworks
- Beach season
- Mt Fuji climbing season begins
Cons:
- Very hot and humid
- Early July is still rainy season
- Sightseeing is exhausting
Best for: Summer festivals and fireworks lovers. Only if you handle heat well.
August
Weather: Hottest month. Tokyo averages around 30°C (86°F). Consecutive days above 35°C (95°F).
Pros:
- Summer festivals and fireworks
- Obon cultural experience
- Actually fewer foreign tourists (too hot for Westerners)
Cons:
- Brutal heat and humidity
- Walking outside is exhausting
- Obon (mid-August) means crowded trains as Japanese travel to hometowns
Best for: Honestly, avoid if you can. If you must visit in August, go to Hokkaido or mountain areas.
September
Weather: Still hot. Tokyo averages around 27°C (81°F). 30°C+ days continue until late September.
Pros:
- Quieter than August
- Gets slightly better late September
Cons:
- Early to mid-September is still brutal heat
- Doesn’t cool down until late September
Best for: Late September only. Early September feels like August.
October
Weather: Cool and pleasant. Tokyo averages around 20°C (68°F).
Pros:
- Finally comfortable weather
- Autumn leaves start (from the north)
- Autumn festivals
Cons:
- Crowds increase late month
- Popular autumn spots get busy
Best for: One of the best months alongside April.
November
Weather: Cool to cold. Tokyo averages around 15°C (59°F).
Pros:
- Peak autumn leaves (especially Kyoto)
- Pleasant weather
Cons:
- Autumn leaf spots are packed
- Expensive hotels (especially Kyoto)
- Gets cold late November
Best for: Autumn leaf lovers. Book Kyoto far in advance.
December
Weather: Cold. Tokyo averages around 10°C (50°F).
Pros:
- Illuminations
- Early December is relatively quiet
- Ski season begins
Cons:
- Late December (28th onwards) is crowded and expensive
- Cold
- Short daylight hours
Best for: Early to mid-December is a hidden gem. Avoid New Year period.
Times to Avoid
Avoid at All Costs
- Golden Week (around April 29 – May 5) — Major Japanese holiday. Everything is packed and overpriced.
- Obon (around August 13-16) — Japanese travel to hometowns. Trains are chaos.
- New Year (December 28 – January 3) — Crowded, expensive, many places closed.
Better to Skip
- July to mid-September — Too hot for comfortable sightseeing
- June (except Hokkaido) — Rainy season
Best Time by Purpose
| Purpose | Best Time |
|---|---|
| Cherry blossoms | Late March to mid-April |
| Autumn leaves | Late October to late November |
| Skiing / Snowboarding | December to March |
| Summer festivals / Fireworks | July to August |
| Budget travel | January to February, June |
| Avoiding crowds | January to February, mid-May to June, September |
| Overall best | April, mid to late May, October, early November |
Summary
Best seasons:
- Spring (April, mid to late May)
- Autumn (October, early to mid-November)
Hidden gems:
- January to February (cold but empty and cheap — highly recommended)
- Mid to late May (after Golden Week)
- Early to mid-December
Avoid:
- Golden Week
- Obon
- July to mid-September (too hot)
- June (rainy)
Plan ahead and find the best time for your trip.
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Written by Ayaka Uchida – CEO of A-Digital Works, founder of Nihon GO! World.