Free tool
When toVISIT JAPANmonth by month
Choose your month and what matters most. You get the season, the crowds, the prices and the events that move the calendar, from cherry blossom to Golden Week, with the sources below.
Your month at a glance
- Season
- Autumn
- Crowds
- Busy
- Prices
- Higher
- Events
- Autumn colour: usually late October to early December, moving with the weather; Kyoto is where everyone wants to see it.
A strong choice for this.
For the most comfortable weather, aim for spring (mid-March to May) or the autumn colour (late October to early December); early June to mid-July brings the rainy season and August the heat.
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These are seasonal patterns, not a forecast: tsuyu, blossom and autumn colour move every year, and the FCDO says typhoons can come from June to December, peaking July to September. Crowd and price levels are our reading of the holidays and seasons, not measured figures.
Common questions
What is the best time to visit Japan?
Spring and autumn: cherry blossom from mid-March into April and autumn colour from late October to early December are the famous windows, and also the busiest and priciest. Winter on the Pacific side is dry, clear and cheaper; early June to mid-July (tsuyu) and August (heat) are the two to think twice about.
When is cherry blossom season in Japan?
JNTO's 2026 forecast put first bloom in Tokyo on 19 March, Fukuoka on 24 March, Osaka on 26 March and Sapporo on 19 April: earlier in the south, later in the north. It moves every year with the weather, so check the current forecast before you book.
When is the rainy season in Japan?
Tsuyu covers most of the country from early June to mid-July, roughly 7 June to 20 July around Tokyo and Osaka. In Okinawa it starts in early May and runs to mid-June. It is grey and humid more than a constant downpour.
When is typhoon season in Japan?
The FCDO puts it between June and December, peaking from July to September, with the highest risk in the south. A train or flight can be cancelled at short notice; the Japan Meteorological Agency publishes the warnings.
How hot is Japan in summer?
In Tokyo the average daily high is 31.3°C in August (Japan Meteorological Agency normals, 1991 to 2020), and the FCDO notes temperatures often exceeding 35 degrees in July and August, with high humidity.
Which weeks should I avoid in Japan?
Golden Week (29 April to 5 May), Obon around mid-August and the New Year period, when most companies close from 29 December to 3 January and the whole country travels. If you cannot avoid them, book early.