Japan is a wonderful country, but what is the best season to visit it? What is the best time to visit Japan? Discover it in this blog post, together with my personal recommendation.
Interested in Japan?
Looking for more Japan travel guides? Check them here!
About Japan’s climate
Japan is a country located in East Asia, in the Northwest Pacific Ocean, and giving the name to the Sea of Japan, the one between Japan, the two Koreas and Russia.
Broadly speaking we can divide Japan into 3 main regions, the island of Hokkaido, in the north, with a subarctic climate, the main island of Japan, and the Okinawa and Amami islands on the south, with a subtropical climate.
Thus, despite being one single country, the weather conditions can vary not only depending on the season but also on the region of Japan you are visiting.
However, due to how well-connected the country is, no matter when you are visiting it is likely that you will find some climate fluctuations during your trip.
Visit Japan during Winter
Winter in Japan lasts from December to February and it is the coldest time of the year. Snowfall is common in the Northern island of Hokkaido, with temperatures reaching values of -20 Celsius degrees (-4 Fahrenheit). However, if you want to see snow in Japan, you can also find it in the Japanese alps area or the part of the country closer to the Sea of Japan.
The Pacific side, instead, although with low temperatures is sunny and with good visibility. In the south of the country, the weather is pleasant, with just mild winters in Okinawa and Amami, due to their subtropical climate.
Despite being the coldest season, there are many unique things to do in Japan in winter. Oh, and with almost no tourists anywhere!
Snowboarding
Do you like snowboarding? This is your best season to visit Japan. Hokkaido and the Japanese alps have some amazing slopes, and many locals and tourists gather to enjoy the powder snow. Japan has also some nice ski resorts, giving the perfect winter experience,
Snow Monkeys
Japan is home to the northernmost-living primate, the Japanese Macaque, and winter is the perfect time to visit them. The most popular location to visit Snow Monkeys is the Jigokudani Monkey Park. Located in the heart of the Japanese Alps, it is common to find it covered by snow from December to February. The park’s most distinctive feature is a small onsen (hot spring) where monkeys swim and gather around during the day. Thus, it is during winter, when temperatures are lower, that monkeys are more active. Snow monkeys surrounded by snow, perfect combination!
Discover the Snow Monkeys!
A photography guide to the Jigokudani Monkey Park. Check it here!
Snow festivals
The main element of most of the points of this list is snow, but this is maybe the most impressive one. During winter, in some cities of Northern Japan, it is possible to visit the Snow Festivals. Giant ice and snow sculptures, lights, and below zero temperatures. Is winter in Japan for you?
See Mount Fuji
There is no doubt that Winter and early Spring are the seasons to get the best views of Mount Fuji in Japan. With just a few cloudy or rainy days, it is possible to see the whole mountain for around 80% of the days during Winter. Thus, if one of the goals of your trip is to see Mount Fuji, consider travelling in Winter.
Visiting Mount Fuji?
Find out the top places to visit by the Kawaguchi lake, with the best views of Mount Fuji! Check them here!
Visit Japan during Spring
Spring in Japan lasts from March until May, and it is a changing season. Temperature increases and decreases during the first month, and then it rises gradually. For the second part of spring, there are plenty of sunny days.
Bye the end of the spring, though, Okinawa and the southern islands start to experience the rainy season, with the first heavy rainfalls.
It is the most desired season to visit Japan as it is during these months when trees blossom, creating perfect-looking parks and colourful pictures. A perfect season for photographers.
Cherry blossom
It is no secret that during spring Japan changes. All parks and green areas are covered in petals, and photographers can’t stop shooting the beautiful cherry blossoms. Japan at its finest. However, everyone knows it, and tourism is pretty crazy, especially during the full bloom of the cherry blossom season.
Festivals
Japan has plenty of festivals, and although the season of festivals is summer, during spring, it is possible to attend some festivals. Unlike during summer, the temperature is not too high, although the hordes of locals and tourists will be there whenever you attend.
Visit Japan during Summer
Spring in Japan lasts from March until August, and it is the rainy season. Temperature increases and so does the humidity. Some areas of western Japan can reach temperatures of 35 Celsius degrees (95 Fahrenheit).
Rain is common, so be ready for sudden changes in climatical conditions. The southern islands enjoy their subtropical climate, with the sun, warm temperatures, and dreamy beaches.
Despite the extreme temperatures, it is when most tourists visit Japan, as it is the holidays season all around the northern hemisphere. therefore, prices will be higher, there will be less availability of rooms, and all touristic spots will be more crowded.
Top festivals and fireworks
If Spring was the season of flowers, Summer is the season of Festivals, matsuri in Japanese. There are plenty of them, so it is very likely that if you visit Japan during the summer, you will find yourself in the middle of a festival. Moreover, festivals usually come with beautiful firework displays.
Climb Mount Fuji
Although winter is the best season to get views of the Mount Fuji, it is during summer that it is possible to climb it. Being the tallest mountain in Japan, it is, without any doubt a once in a lifetime experience. There are plenty of organized tours and detailed guides about what routes to take, where to sleep, so don’t hesitate and reach the top of Japan!
Relax in Okinawa
Maybe all you want to do is have a relaxing week at a summer resort by a paradisiac beach. Well, you can do it during the summer in Japan! Go south and explore the relaxing life on the Japanese islands. It is a pretty frequented spot by locals, however, not all tourists make it there.
Visit Japan during Autumn
Spring in Japan lasts from September to November, and it is again a changing season. By the beginning of September, expect lots of rain, due to the tropical cyclones. After September, sunny and fresh conditions start to dominate the country. The temperature starts to decrease, until the first snowfall on the Sea of Japan side during the month of November. Autumn is a season of changes and together with Spring the most valued season for photographers.
Autumn leaves
The main distinctive element of Japan during Autumn is the foliage change. Throughout the months of October and November, the leaves of the trees that months before were covered in flowers turn red, in a world-famous event.
When is the best season to visit Japan?
To answer this question you have to consider many variables. The first, and most obvious one, your availability. However, if you have some flexibility, consider what you are more interested in and your budget.
The Cherry blossom season and Summer will be the most expensive seasons to visit Japan. Peak season, lots of tourists and festivals make prices rise, as not only foreigners visit the country, but also locals do national tourism.
Travelling during winter or autumn will be way cheaper, with fewer tourists, unless visiting expensive winter resorts. However, mostly during winter, most parks won’t be at their peak, although still enjoyable (Japanese parks are built to be visited throughout the whole year).
Note that for most of the attractions of Japan, such as temples and cities, it does not matter a lot when you visit them. They tend to be crowded, especially during weekends (don’t even try bank holidays), but each season brings something special to them.
My choice: winter and spring
When planning my trip to Japan, I had to do lots of research to find out which was the best season for my interests. As a photographer, I wanted to see Mount Fuji, but I was also deeply interested in the Cherry blossom and Autumn colours.
In the end, I spent 1 month in Japan, from mid-February to mid-March. Thus, I got the end of the winter and the first weeks of spring. Mixing this with some movement along with the country, I got snow, but also cherry blossoms. Cold but acceptable temperatures, in my opinion, the best way to travel. This was the best solution for my objectives when visiting Japan. The next time, it will be during autumn!
My personal recommendation is to try to mix seasons and avoid summer. I know plenty of people who spent August or July in Japan, and they were sweating all the time. Unless you go to Okinawa, or you only have time to travel during Summer, avoid the rainy humid season.
For more articles about Japan, see my Japan destination page. Follow my adventures as a travel photographer on Instagram as @aniolvisuals. If you have any questions, leave a comment or you can contact me for any purposes at hello@aniolvisuals.com.
Japan best photography spots: an ultimate guide
One week in Japan: a classical and 2 alternative itineraries
17 free things to see and do in Tokyo
15 common mistakes by tourists in Japan and how to avoid them
How to save money while traveling to Japan: 17 tricks!
Must-have apps for travelling to Japan: 6 are enough!
16 top things that every tourist has to do in Japan
When is the best season to visit Japan?
25 fun facts about Japan that you should know
1 month in Japan travel cost: it’s cheaper than you imagine!
How much does it cost to travel to Japan? Japan travel budget
My best 2020 images. Part II: Japan photography
Top 15 Tokyo Photography Locations
5 best Castles in Japan to photograph and visit
What are the best photography spots in Osaka?
Koyasan photography guide: discover the most beautiful cemetery in Japan
Top 8 hidden Japan photo & Instagram locations [with map]
Top 7 Kyoto Instagram photography spots: a complete guide
Top 7 Tokyo Night Photography Spots
Matsumoto: the black castle photography guide
Jigokudani Snow Monkey park: wildlife photography guide
One day itinerary in Kanazawa
Mount Fuji Guide: What are the best Kawaguchiko tourist spots?
Pingback: 16 top things that every tourist has to do in Japan - AniolVisuals
Pingback: Must-have apps for travelling to Japan: 6 are enough! - AniolVisuals
Pingback: How to save money while traveling to Japan: 17 tricks! - AniolVisuals