The best time of year to go to Japan: a month-by-month guide | News
Have you ever wondered when the real magic happens in Japan? Is it under a canopy of cherry blossoms in April? Or next to a huge snow sculpture at a February festival? Maybe you’ve thought about it best time of year to go to Japan with JRailpass and enjoy an unforgettable Shinkansen ride?
Since each season has something completely different to offer, the ‘best’ time to visit Japan really comes down to what type of trip you’re looking for! Here you will find a monthly overview to help you plan the perfect trip.
Spring: cherry blossoms, flowers and a fresh start
Let’s start with perhaps the most popular (and perhaps most picturesque!) time to visit Japan.
While March perhaps too early for cherry blossoms, but there is still plenty to see. On March 3, Japan celebrates Hina Matsuri (Girls’ Day) by decorating homes with hina ningyo, which are traditional porcelain dolls that represent wishes for girls’ health and happiness. The most impressive and elaborate displays are found in Saitama and Tokushima, where entire ‘puppet cities’ are created with hundreds of puppets arranged on tiered platforms.
AprilThis is of course the best time to view cherry blossoms. Parks, walkways and riverbanks across the country burst into colorful shades of pink, especially in cities like Kyoto, Tokyo and Nara. Although the blossoms only last a few weeks, locals still take the time to celebrate hanami, which are festive picnics under the cherry trees with food, drinks, friends and family.
Be able to is one of the best months to travel in Japan, thanks to the warm weather and green landscapes. However, keep in mind that April 29 to May 5 is Golden Week. This is one of the biggest holidays in Japan and a time when trains, buses and hotels are packed to the rafters (after all, almost everyone gets a week off work!)
On the third weekend of May, Sanja Matsuri takes over the streets of Tokyo with dancing, drumming and mikoshi (portable shrine) processions. It is one of Japan’s liveliest festivals, full of energy and colour.
Summer: fireworks, dancing and yukata
Summer in Japan is filled with fireworks, festivals and the typical yukata robes.
June marks the start of the tsuyu, or rainy season, which lasts about a month and is vital to the country’s agriculture. This is hydrangea season – especially in Kamakura and Kyoto – where temples like Meigetsu-in and Mimuroto-ji attract crowds eager to see the colorful blooms.
The Sanno Matsuri takes place in Tokyo in June. Dating back to the 17th century, it is one of Edo’s three major festivals, featuring solemn processions with mikoshi and people in period costumes believed to protect the city from bad luck.
In the meantime, July is the highlight of Japan’s summer festival season. One of the largest is Gion Matsuri in Kyoto – a tradition that goes back more than 1000 years. During the month, parades are held in the city with huge and beautifully decorated floats called Yamboko.
In Sendai and other regions, people celebrate Tanabata, or the Festival of Stars, based on an ancient legend about two star-crossed lovers who can only meet once a year. During the festival, the streets are decorated with colorful streamers, paper stars and handwritten wishes tied to bamboo branches.
July also marks the start of the beach season in Japan. Coastal towns like Kamakura (near Tokyo) and Shirahama (in Wakayama) fill up with visitors wearing yukata – lightweight cotton kimonos – soaking up the sun, swimming and snacking on traditional seaside street food.
Finally, August It is a time for remembrance and family traditions. The month revolves around Obon, one of the country’s most important holidays, honoring the spirits of deceased relatives. Based on Buddhist practices dating back to the 7th century, it is believed that during Obon the souls of ancestors return to visit the living.
To welcome and send out these spirits, many cities organize bon odori (folk dances) and commemorative events. One of the most moving traditions is Toro Nagashi, a ceremony in which paper lanterns are floated across rivers to symbolically guide spirits back to the afterlife.
Autumn: maple leaves, moonlight and tea
After the exciting festivals and fireworks of summer, September marks the transition from heat to cooler, more pleasant weather.
It is also the time for Tsukimi, the Japanese moon-gazing festival. In the evening, temples host special gatherings where people enjoy seasonal sweets, fragrant grasses and sake while admiring the full moon. This tradition is especially beautiful in Nara and the Kairakuen Gardens in Mito.
In the meantime, October rings in the momiji seasonwhen maples and other leaves turn brilliant shades of red, orange and gold. In Kyoto, Jidai Matsuri (Festival of the Ages) recreates historical parades with samurai, nobles and courtesans from different periods.
By means of Novemberthe autumn colors reach their peak. Kyoto in particular glows with autumnal reds and oranges, especially around temples like Eikando and Tofuku-ji. This season is also a popular time for tea ceremonies, which reflect the peaceful atmosphere of autumn and the beauty of changing leaves.
Winter: Snow monkeys and hot springs
Winter in Japan is a time of coziness and warming. Despite the cold, there is plenty to see and do!
December starts with beautiful light shows across the country, such as the Shibuya Blue Cave and the glowing trees of Roppongi Hills in Tokyo.
In the north, the snow monkeys of Nagano are a must. These little guys are hanging out in the hot springs of Jigokudani Park, enjoying the warmth as snow falls around them. How many places in the world can you say you’ve seen monkeys in a spa?
January begins with a healthy tradition called Hatsuhinode, which involves watching the first sunrise of the year. People go to the mountains or to the beach to catch the early rays and make a wish for the coming year.
If you’re not a morning person, don’t worry: January is also peak onsen season! This is especially true in Hokkaido and Nagano, where warm baths under the open sky are combined with ski resorts.
Finally, one of Japan’s most famous winter events takes place in February. The Sapporo Snow Festival is a week-long event in “the winter capital of Japan” and includes dozens of amazing snow and ice sculptures (some over 15 meters high!)
