There can be a few days of snow during February, and it’s going to rain for sure for almost half of the month. Japan is already a pricier destination, and not popular with extremely frugal travelers — and the influx of crowds means you’ll be fighting with the masses for bargains on flights, hotels, and activities. You can witness cherry blossoms here during this month. But take a jacket for evenings and sudden cold waves. Feel the spirituality of the Japanese Buddhist festival of the Dead. Take me to Japan 2020 … The trees are changing their color. Start listening to T+L's brand new podcast, Let's Go Together! The temperature on Hokkaido often drops below freezing. Also, take an umbrella, since May marks the start of the rainy season. The exact blooming dates vary a bit from year to year due to the weather and temperatures, but April is usually the best month for Cherry Blossom in the central part … Sightseeing is also possible since the weather is sunny and dry. For the nicest experience, the best time to visit Japan is during Spring (March-May) or Autumn (September - November). October and November bring striking red and yellow hues to the landscapes. It’s a good time for sightseeing with cold but quite comfortable temperatures above the freezing levels. However, this is also the busiest time to visit Japan… There are 20 rainy days in July, but the skies are more clear than in June. Okinawa is much warmer in January than the rest of Japan. If you aren’t traveling to hit the ski slopes, the months from March to May and from September to November are generally considered the best times to visit the country. The summer and winter seasons are the best time to visit northern Japan. Most often eaten in winter, zazamushi might be the strangest dish you have ever tried! Domestic travelers take advantage of Golden Week (a national holiday in Japan), from the end of April to about mid-May. Japan's largest outdoor music festival provides a great opportunity to enjoy the best of indie, rock and world music! We do Japan! The air is dry, with low humidity. That's when travelers can find vivid autumnal leaves or, on the other hand, the iconic cherry blossoms that seem straight out of a postcard. The beginning of winter is a good time to travel and see the sights. There are six hours of daily sunshine. The heat becomes more bearable is September. It can snow, but it also rains for about half of January in Hokkaido. Honest advice on the best time to visit Japan with details of when and where not go, weather and unmissable events through the year. The rainy season is underway, and even if it doesn’t rain every day, the sky is rather grey. The heat is not too bad if you spend your time on the beach. Wait until September if you are going to go in 2020. Pack some waterproof clothes and boots. Rainy season typically runs from early June to mid-July throughout most of the country, except in Okinawa where showers begin in early May. The hottest month in Japan. Towards the end of the month, the whole country will turn into a beautiful garden. Meanwhile, winter in Japan is a time for snow sports and onsen hopping. The best time to visit Japan is in late spring (March-May) and late autumn (September-November), when you can expect for mild temperatures and low rainfall. It’s cooler in the mountains, so you can climb Mount Fuji. It’s a good time for hikes and long walks. It is perfectly warm and sunny in Tokyo. A truly wild festival with giant floats and hundreds of participants, A deadly festival of log riding that attracts more than half a million people, Just half an hour by bus from Biei, you can feel the magic of winter and see a different version of the Blue Pond, Tokyo beats many European capitals as far as holiday lights are concerned, Explore the temples of Kamakura with its stunning flower carpets, The beautiful mystic sight of spinning fire rings is an unforgettable experience. The main influences on Honshū’s climate are the mountains and surrounding warm seas, which bring plenty of … However, in Tokyo, there are still six hours of daily sunshine, and the skies are often clear. The skies are usually cloudy, there are just four hours of daily sunshine. Finally being nude brings some luck and fortune at this festival! In Tokyo, it’s hot and sticky. Falling temperatures start in Hokkaido during October, and the warm colors of autumn start to slowly push their way down the islands of central Japan. It never gets really cold here, but you will need a sweater and a light jacket for evenings and early mornings. The temperature is also rising. However, you can … In Tokyo, the rains become more frequent. Used mostly for cooking, this citrus fruit has a unique taste. In short, you’ll have the best chance of comfortable weather and fewer crowds in early spring (March - early April) and in autumn (late October - November). The rainy season stops in the first half of July, but it’s still too hot and humid for sightseeing. Summer can be hot and humid washed up with typhoon rains and spiced up with high prices because of holidays. Unless you’re attending the summer games (July / August), it’s best to avoid that time and visit earlier … It also rains a lot. Advice on the best time to visit Japan isn't consistent across the different areas of the country. For those who visit Japan regularly or plan to, then a trip during 2020 isn’t a bad idea. Japan, while not especially large, is surprisingly vast. You do the tickets. You can survive on the beach or in the mountains. You can conquer Mount Fiji in July–August thanks to warm days. March to May and October to November are considered the best time visit Japan, even though climate differs from north to south. During the day the air warms up to 20°C (68°F). A specialty of Nagano, this bee and wasp larvae dish is one of a kind! It rains for about 16 days, but the rains are not too intense. July is a good time to go for a beach vacation in Okinawa. However, it’s still possible to visit the beach. Nature starts to awaken. Best Times to Visit Tokyo The best time to visit Tokyo is between March and April and September and November. These special Japanese apples are both sweet and juicy, A bright red and luxurious variety of cherry, Update: The Tokyo Marathon 2020 will be held only for the marathon elites and the wheelchair elites, An extraordinary winter event will make your eyes sparkle, The oldest winter festival in Japan promises tons of fun, A unique festival that features rituals with dolls, Though not too pleasing to the eye, these creatures are a true delicacy, Similar to apples in taste and texture, Japanese pears are large and crispy, A special ceremony to welcome spring by throwing soybeans. Traditional rice planting is quite a spectacular event! Parks and gardens are crowded by people enjoying warm pleasant weather and beautiful flowers in full bloom. this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. In Okinawa, it’s warmer than in the rest of Japan. In the countryside, it’s possible to see how the farmers are planting rice. Celebrated nationwide, this festival brings colour and romance to daily life! The tiny beach on Takenomi island is really one of a kind, If you suppose these are man-carved ice blocks, you underestimate the talents of nature—the snow monsters appear on their own. Otherwise the Olympics aren't going to affect your travel, except possibly by 2020 … It’s also rather wet. There are 16 rainy days this month. And maybe also win a year's supply of meat? The summer months of June through to August are filled with sunshine and temperatures that average at … However, it’s still a good time for a beach vacation. Offers may be subject to change without notice. It's also considered the season of festivals (think: outdoor beer gardens). Check out this famous and ancient Japanese sport in action! Cherry blossom is over but flowers are still in bloom, vegetation is lush and the weather is perfect for walking outside. But for different reasons. Don't miss this once-in-a-lifetime chance to be in the heart of the action as Japan plays host to the world's most spectacular sporting event. Check it out for yourself! Best Time to Visit Japan: Related Links Here's The Best Time to Visit Japan The periods between March to May and October to November have the best weather. October and November are a gorgeous time to visit Japan. One of the oldest and most famous fireworks shows in Japan, Japanese simultaniously pour the water on the pavements to cool the heat. The northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido is undeniably the best place to hit the slopes, but areas outside of Tokyo such as Niigata are only a Shinkansen ride away, and boast a number of great ski resorts. Summer in Japan is typically warm and humid throughout most of the country, but is also an ideal time for nature expeditions like hiking. In Tokyo, the temperature picks up to a comfortable level. The temperatures cool down so pack some warm layers and a coat. Trees show all shades of yellow and red while the grass is still green and the weather is warm enough for a long walk through all the best sights. And if crowds really aren’t your thing, you should note that Japan will host the Rugby World Cup in 2019 and the summer Olympics in 2020, so crowds will be at a high. Blooming dates vary from year … The temperatures drop, and it’s a great time to go hiking or sightseeing. Another side effect of the upcoming Rugby World Cup and the Summer Olympics is that prices are about to skyrocket. The North of the country can experience some snow which means the start of the highly anticipated skiing season. Use this guide to nail the perfect time for your dream trip to Japan. Plan your trip for 2018 and aim for a winter visit to save the most money. In northern Japan there is heavy snowfall making conditions good for skiing. The best time to visit Japan is generally in spring or autumn … In order to attract eels, Japanese fishermen use an interesting technique. February is also the best time to do winter sports and see some legendary snowy landscapes of Hokkaido and Shirakawago. If you plan to visit Okinawa and other locations in the south of the country, pack sunscreen and light breathable clothes since heat can be really intense. Frank Lukasseck/Getty Images, The Best Times to Visit Japan for Cherry Blossoms and Bargain Prices. It’s finally warm enough to go to a beach and enjoy the spring sun. At the time of writing, Japan has been experiencing around 3,400 new cases a day, according to the Japan COVID-19 Tracker. A snowy getaway in Hokkaido, a beach vacation in Okinawa, or a photography trip to capture cherry blossoms in Tokyo — the best time to visit Japan depends entirely on what you want to do when you arrive. Our … Snow is possible, and there are about 20 rainy days. And with over 300,000 annual matsuri, or festivals, chances are you’ll end up dancing in the street any time of year. Travel + Leisure is part of the Travel + Leisure Group. However, the beach season is definitely over. As a bonus, after the typhoon, the weather is usually nice and clear. Spring finally arrives in Hokkaido. If you aren’t … However, the skies are mostly clear. It’s very hot, but it’s also finally dry, which means that you can spend a lot of time on the seaside enjoying the breeze and tropical weather. In addition, it gets dark and cloudy. The only time to avoid is the weeks leading up to the Olympics and during. Check out just how it's done! Nothing can be more vibrant, yet more crowded, than Japanese parks during the Hanami (cherry blossom) season in April. Learn more about the best time to visit Japan with our responsible travel … But if its shrine-hopping in Kyoto that brings you, or the pink hues of the cherry blossoms, you’ll want plan to make sure you don’t end up visiting during rainy season, or after all the blush pink cherry petals have already dropped. A period from December through February is cold so it’s time to experience traditional outdoor onsens or watch the snow monkeys taking a hot bath. Take a windbreaker or light jacket since the temperature at night might drop to 15 OC. February is the peak of the ski season in northern Japan. A bit commercialized but this beautiful festival of snow statues is a winter highlight in Sapporo parks, Get smothered by thousands of bunnies at a former secret military base. The best time to visit Japan is generally considered to be between March and May, or October and November. You can wander through the city for hours, enjoy its parks and gardens and various outdoor sports. With every new day, you see more and more cherry trees in blossom. Personally, when I visit Japan after Covid-19, Golden Week is going to be a time I want to avoid. Golden Week — a weeklong holiday at the end of April — is an immensely busy travel time, especially for tourists from East Asia.If your trip falls around this time… The first week of April is the best chance to see Japanese cherry trees in full bloom! But it’s still rather hot. But a perfect time for outdoor activities in the mountains. Plus, during these seasons, rainfall is at a low, skies are clear, and temperatures are rather mild. Have you ever dreamt of going back to your childhood and starting a sand fight? The rules that govern the best time to visit Japan as a whole — early spring when the cherry blossoms are blooming, before late April — apply to Tokyo as well. You will need a light jacket for the late evenings and an umbrella. These are Japan’s autumn, winter and spring periods and are when the country experiences comfortable, dry temperatures. In 2020 we’ll see the summer Olympics in Tokyo during July & August.I predict before, during, and shortly after the Olympics, the entire country will see a huge spike in visitors. Don’t forget to take your warm coat though, because occasional freeze and snowfalls are possible. Japanese winters are usually sunny with little rain or snow. Well-known for their blossoms, umes are Japanese plums, A scenic road with dramatic mountain scenery, Colourfully decorated boats race for a good catch and safety, A top-tier show in Japan that attracts thousands of spectators. But humidity and rainfall increase compared to July. The South of the country might experience typhoons with some strong showers and winds. You will find it everywhere during this season! The cherry blossom season in Japan generally takes place between the last week of March & the first week of April. The perfect weather for the beach, hiking or sightseeing. Okinawa experiences some drop in temperatures in October. Book now for spring or … Towards the end of March the cherry blo… Spring in Japan is pretty special due to the famed cherry blossom festival held late March, early April. The weather is still not that cold, with plenty of sunshine. The greatest islands, cities, hotels, cruise lines, airports, and more — as voted by you. So rubber boots and umbrella are handy. This is the best time of year to see cherry blossoms in Tokyo & Kyoto. The best time to visit Japan is during early spring when the short-lived cherry blossoms are blooming but before or after the busy stretch of Golden Week holidays. Whether you're traveling solo or planning a family vacation, here are the 50 best places to visit in 2020. Okinawa is a good place to visit this month. A festival of 15 meter-long snakes from around Mamada district, This bloody battle between spiders is a regional highlight, Even without trick-or-treating Halloween is an incredible holiday in Japan, Feel the atmosphere of the Hokkaido's second largest winter event, Enjoy the spirit of event with tiny illuminated snow statues. The temperatures are not too cold to spend time outdoors but pack some warm clothes and a coat in case of cold waves. These amazing yellow flowers are now in bloom! You could go for a picnic or sit in an outdoor café enjoying the warmth. Hokkaido is usually cooler than the rest of the country, which also makes it a good destination this month. Japan is a wildly seasonal country, with four very different seasons. With up to 20 rainy days, an umbrella will come handy. This means trains, hotels, and popular sightseeing spots can be overcrowded or entirely booked full. In Tokyo, it’s hot and sticky weather with less rain than in June or July. Best time of year to visit Japan Peak season. Okinawa remains comfortably warm and dry in February. Credit: It’s one of the best months to be in Japan. Ashikaga Flower Park, located in Ashikaga, Tochigi Prefecture, two hours away from Tokyo, is the biggest and the best place in Japan to enjoy the magical wisteria bloom.These flowering plants were grown in Japan … Frigid winters in Hokkaido make the subtropical islands of Okinawa seems worlds away. The weather is usually crisp and sunny. Nature dictates the best times of year to visit Japan… This hand-held fireworks festival has been celebrated since the 1500s! However, you will still need a coat for evenings, mornings and sudden cold waves. Travel with us to Tokyo in the Summer of 2021. As a country with a seemingly endless amount of activities and festivals on offer year-round, there really isn’t a bad time to visit. This is one of the best months to visit Japan. 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