Best time to visit · East Asia
When to go to Japan
Spring cherry blossoms (late March to mid-April) and autumn foliage (November) are the two magic windows. Summer is hot and humid; winter is excellent for skiing in Hokkaido.
Best: March–May, October–NovemberPeak: Late March–April (cherry blossom), October–November
Month-by-month
Jan
Good
1°–10°C · 50mm rain
Crowds low · Prices low
Crowds low · Prices low
Ski season in Hokkaido
Feb
Good
2°–10°C · 55mm rain
Crowds low · Prices low
Crowds low · Prices low
Plum blossom season begins
Mar
Great
5°–14°C · 100mm rain
Crowds high · Prices high
Crowds high · Prices high
Cherry blossoms begin late March
Apr
Great
10°–19°C · 120mm rain
Crowds high · Prices high
Crowds high · Prices high
Peak cherry blossom
May
Great
15°–24°C · 130mm rain
Crowds medium · Prices medium
Crowds medium · Prices medium
Golden Week early May
Jun
Okay
19°–26°C · 165mm rain
Crowds low · Prices low
Crowds low · Prices low
Rainy season (tsuyu)
Jul
Okay
23°–30°C · 155mm rain
Crowds medium · Prices medium
Crowds medium · Prices medium
Hot and humid; festivals
Aug
Okay
24°–31°C · 150mm rain
Crowds high · Prices high
Crowds high · Prices high
Obon holiday; very hot
Sep
Good
20°–27°C · 210mm rain
Crowds medium · Prices medium
Crowds medium · Prices medium
Typhoon risk
Oct
Great
14°–22°C · 160mm rain
Crowds medium · Prices medium
Crowds medium · Prices medium
Autumn colours begin
Nov
Great
9°–17°C · 90mm rain
Crowds high · Prices high
Crowds high · Prices high
Peak autumn foliage
Dec
Good
4°–12°C · 50mm rain
Crowds medium · Prices medium
Crowds medium · Prices medium
Illuminations; ski opens
Festivals worth timing your trip around
Mar–Apr
Cherry Blossom (Hanami)
Japan’s most celebrated season; parks and temples blanketed in pink and white blossoms.
Jul
Gion Matsuri
Kyoto’s month-long festival culminating in a spectacular float procession on July 17.
Aug
Obon
Ancestral spirits return in this Buddhist festival featuring bon-odori dances and lantern floating.
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Common questions about Japan
- When is the best time to visit Japan?
- March–May, October–November. Spring cherry blossoms (late March to mid-April) and autumn foliage (November) are the two magic windows. Summer is hot and humid; winter is excellent for skiing in Hokkaido.
- When is the cheapest time to visit Japan?
- Prices bottom out in Jan, Feb, Jun — typically 20-40% below peak-season rates on hotels and flights.
- What months should I avoid in Japan?
- There's no single "avoid" month — every season in Japan has something to offer.
- When is peak tourist season in Japan?
- Late March–April (cherry blossom), October–November
See also the full Japan climate deep-dive with temperature heatmap and daily-rainfall breakdown.