Best (and "Worst") Time to Visit Japan
BIWA Travel- Apr 8, 2024
- 2 min read
Updated: Apr 28, 2024
Is there a good and bad time to visit Japan?
Yes! Knowing the best time to travel to Japan before you book your flights based on your purpose and a few factors outlined in this article is critical to making your dream journey successful.
Summary
Summer is not necessarily the best season to be in Japan.
Peak season might be better avoided.
Off-peak seasons can provide unique things to do.
You've started to plan for your next summer break with your kids.
Your friend who just came back from Japan told you how wonderful their travel was in Japan.
Now you are interested in taking your family to Japan... in July.
You planned very hard on your own to realize your big family travel in Japan, and your spouse and kids were super excited to experience the exotic culture in the Far East.
You embarked on your journey with excitement, and yet it was only after you arrived in Tokyo that you realized you had made a mistake.
Unlike the beautiful sea breeze you have back in California, all you have now is the over 100F temperature with 100% humidity that almost feels like you are swimming in a sauna. Plus, mosquitos love to follow you everywhere.
Many people ask me where they should explore and what they should do in Japan, but never when they should visit Japan. I will tell you, growing up in Japan, that as much as what you do is important, when you visit Japan is critical to consider. If you are swimming in a sauna all the time, how can you ever enjoy every moment of your time in Japan?
So, carefully consider the season when you travel to Japan. You might want to avoid anytime between June and September because it is a rainy season in June and July when it is pouring all day every day. Then it turns to a boiling, dreadful summer that lasts until September.
Another consideration is the peak season. Japan has been continuously ranked as one of the most popular destinations to visit, bringing in a tsunami of foreign visitors. Seriously. It has forced the Japanese government to put measures in place to control overtourism.
Spring is typically one of the busiest seasons, with visitors wanting to see short-lived full cherry blossoms (which are actually challenging to predict, and you can easily miss full blossoms). Fall is less crowded and yet a beautiful season to explore thanks to fall colors across Japan, where over 80% of its landmass is occupied by mountains, and has a perfect climate. This is my favorite time to go back to Japan as well.
Winter can be amazing if you are into skiing and hot springs or looking for something unique like snow walls and snow festivals.
So educate yourself on the best way to enjoy Japan and carefully plan what you would like to experience and when you can make it happen.
The last thing you'd want is to spend your time and money on travel that doesn't meet your expectations. And BIWA Travel is here to help you make the most of your time for unforgettable experiences in an authentic way. You can contact a Japan travel expert for a free initial planning call.
