When Is the Best Time to Visit Japan? A Seasonal Travel Guide

Coming to Japan? Choose between snowy Hokkaido or a spring venture to see the cherry blossoms in Japan. Or maybe go on a trip to Japan’s cultural sites!

Thanks to its long list of experiences and destinations, the best time to visit Japan is all year round. However, if you have a specific season in mind for when you’ll go, here’s a guide for you.

If you ever need to commute, grab tickets for the Japan Shinkansen online to help ease the hassle!

Go between March and May if your goal is to arrive when cherry blossoms in Japan are in full bloom! With this preference, any month in between is the best time to visit Japan.

Here are some of Japan’s springtime destinations:

Among the top destinations during spring in Japan is Kyoto, with historical sites like Fushimi Inari-Taisha Shrine and Arashiyama. On the way to Fushimi Inari Shrine, you’ll walk past thousands of torii gates. They make for a great photo op and feed you a piece of Japan’s culture.

At Arashiyama, tourists behold the Togetsu-kyo Bridge. The view from the bridge shows spring blossoms and beautiful mountains.

Both places give tourists a good share of cultural knowledge while showing off the beauty of Japan. Book a day tour with experts to ensure a smooth and informative trip!

In the spring, Kyoto also has the Sagano Romantic Train, which begins operations in March, the perfect time to catch the cherry blossoms in full bloom! The train provides a marvelous view of the Sagano Scenic Railway, which follows along the picturesque Hozugawa River.

While enjoying the ride, you can enjoy views from both sides of the carriage and see the gorges and the cherry blossom trees!

If you want to further immerse yourself in the culture, Kimono and Yukata rentals are open in Kyoto.

Want to see the Land of the Rising Sun in the summer? The best time to visit Japan is between June and August. 

Japan’s natural beauty shines during the warm season! Summer in Japan is known for exciting summer festivals. The festivals are mostly celebrated in downtown Kyoto in July.

The summer days are also longer, which means more time to enjoy the following spots:

Okinawa is a summer paradise known for its stunning beaches and rich culture. Among these must-see beaches is Kerama Tokashiki Island, just 40 kilometers west of Okinawa’s main island. Embark on a beach adventure at Kerama Tokashiki by booking this package tour inclusive of a curry lunch, turtle-finding, and snorkeling.

To conveniently cover as many sights and stops, go on an Okinawa Hip Hop Bus Tour! This showcases the best of Okinawa, from its famous aquarium to its historical sites.

Summer is the best time to visit Japan, partially because of Osaka. There are plenty of festivals held in the summer, such as Tenjin Matsuri, celebrating the deity of learning in July, the Naniwa Yodogawa Fireworks Festival in August, and more!

For festival lovers, Osaka’s wide array of tourist attractions will make summer the best season to visit Japan!  Explore Okinawa and surrounding areas in the warmth of the summer sun!

Popular tourist spots you can check out are Fushimi Inari-Taisha, Arashiyama, and Kiyomizu-dera, all reachable through a day tour from Osaka.

Walk past torii gates and the forest surrounding Fushimi Inari Shrine.

Kiyomizu-dera Temple, on the other hand, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, built for several Buddhist sects.

You’ll explore Arashiyama, a historic site with highlights like Bamboo Forest Road, which takes visitors back in time to the Meiji Period.

As the evening falls, witness the enchanting Osaka Castle Illuminage, a limited-time event. The Illuminage gives tourists a Japanese-styled illumination show featuring symbols of Japan’s history, such as women wearing kimonos and samurai warriors!

Starting from September to November, tourists will see leaves turning different shades. The views are as great as the autumn temperature, perfect for going out!

Plan your trip on the best months to visit Japan in autumn and see the vibrant colors in these destinations:

Enjoying autumn in Japan means walking through the city with colorful leaves while you sip on hot coffee.

Make your autumn trip memorable and go on the Tokyo Sightseeing Bus Day Tour to see the city’s famous landmarks! Additionally, the tour takes you on an authentic matcha-tasting experience and IZAKAYA lunch in Asakusa, a historic Tokyo neighborhood. Sit back and see top attractions without the hassle of commuting.

Nature enthusiasts can check out this insightful Mt. Fuji and Hakone bus tour (which includes hotel pick-up and drop-off).

The tour offers stops at Lake Kawaguchi Oishi Park, Asama Park, Hikawa Watch Shop, and Hakone Shrine before dropping you off at your hotel when the day ends. If you book during the weekend or Japanese holidays, the tour offers an extra stop at Sengen Park, where you can overlook the city and see Mt. Fuji in the distance!

Each of the five stops will give you a dose of the natural beauty of Mt. Fuji and Hakone, with Mt. Fuji’s snowy peak and Hakone’s lush greenery. All of that plus convenience in this tour!

Winter enthusiasts tell us: December to February is the best time to go to Japan. 

It's also the best season to visit for skiing and hot springs. The cold air and clear skies provide a different perspective of Japan's beauty.

Here are a few wintertime destinations to go to:

Visiting snowy wonderlands is a dream when it’s winter in Japan. One of the most anticipated winter tourist spots is in Sapporo—the city renowned for its snow festival.

Combine your winter trip with the Sapporo Snowmobile Land Experience in Hokkaido. Sapporo It’s a popular park where you can explore the snowy slopes, go snow rafting, and more!

Another activity you can enjoy during the Japanese winter is this illumination tour of Ningle Terrace,  Biei Blue Pond, and Shirahige Falls. Venture to the Snow Fairy Forest and the Furano Fairy Terrace, where you’ll find snow-covered villages, a frozen pond, and Baixu Falls! At night, the land lights up with warm fairy lights!

Now that you know what each season has to offer, have you decided what the best time to visit Japan is for you? Whichever you choose, you’ll have the adventure of a lifetime in the Land of the Rising Sun!